Texas Laws Concerning Sunscreening Devices
Section 547.613 of the Texas Transportation Code makes it a misdemeanor to operate a vehicle with an object or material (including a sunscreening device) attached to the windshield, rear, or side windows that obstructs or reduces the driver’s visibility.

Section 547.613 also makes it a misdemeanor for any person to apply any material (including a sunscreening device) that changes the color or reduces the light transmission of any vehicle window.

Windshield
Sunscreening devices cannot be applied to the windshield unless the conditions below are met.

1. Sunscreening devices must be applied above the AS-1 line. If there is no AS-1 line, sunscreening devices must end five inches below the top of the windshield. If the AS-1 line is less than five inches from the top of the windshield, it will mark the end of the permissible area. If the AS-1 line is more than five inches from the top pf the windshield the five inch measurement will mark the end of the permissible area.

2. Sunscreening devices may not be red, amber, or blue in color.
   
   
3. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.
   
   
4. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.
5. A clear (un-tinted) UV film is allowed anywhere on the front windshield without a medical exemption being required.

Side Windows to The Right and Left of The Driver
Sunscreening devices can be applied to the side windows to the right and left of the driver if the following conditions are met.

1. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.
2. Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.

Side Windows to The Rear of The Driver
(Revised September 1, 2009)
These windows are completely exempted from regulation under the Texas Transportation Code. Reference Legislation: Senate Bill 589 (PDF)

Rear Window
A sunscreening device can be applied to the rear window of the vehicle if the following conditions are met.

1. If a motor vehicle is equipped with an outside mirror on each side of the vehicle that reflects to the vehicle operator a view of the roadway for a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear of the vehicle then there are no restrictions regarding the sunscreening devices applied to the rear window.
   
   
2. If a motor vehicle is not equipped with such mirrors then the rear window must meet the following standards:
   • Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a light transmittance value of 25% or more.
   • Sunscreening devices, when measured in combination with the original glass, must have a luminous reflectance value of 25% or less.

In the past, the language of 547.609 of the Texas Transportation Code was interpreted by the Department as requiring one label for one car regardless of how many windows had sunscreening devices applied to them. As a result, in Chapter 21 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) we have only required that one label be attached to the rearmost, bottom corner of the driver’s side window of the vehicle. The only information required on those labels by the Department was the manufacturer’s name and a statement indicating that the sunscreening device met our standards (“Complies with DPS” or “Complies with 37 Texas Administrative Code (TAC)”).

In certain cases, you may obtain department approval to place darker tint on your vehicle's windows. The department approves tint exemptions on a case-by-case basis.

Motorists may request a medical exemption for window tinting requirements from the Texas Department of Public Safety by sending a written request and a signed statement from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist. This statement should state that it is his or her opinion that the exemption is necessary to safeguard the motorist’s health.

The request should include the motorist’s name, address, and telephone number and their request for a medical exemption to window tinting restrictions (a form is provided for your convenience (PDF)). NOTE: In the request, please include the vehicle’s VIN# to which the dark tint will be applied. Once issued, the exemption letter from the department should be carried in the vehicle that has the darker tint applied. The written request and physician/optometrist statement should be sent to the following address:

Texas Department of Public Safety
Compliance and Enforcement Service
Window Tint Medical Exemption
PO Box 14900
Austin, TX 78761-4900

Note: The medical exemption allows motorists to place a darker tint on the side windows and the upper portion of the front windshield (top 5 inches or above the AS-1 line, whichever is less). The exemption does not, however, allow a motorist to place a sun screening device on the rest of the front windshield.