District of Columbia Window Tint Law 2026

The disjunction matters. Oklahoma (47 O.S. §12-422(D)(11)(a)) and Wyoming (W.S. §31-5-962(c)) recite the same two measures and then add "whichever is closer to the top of the windshield", taking the more restrictive. The District writes plain "or", which on its face offers the alternative rather than the minimum — so a windshield band reaching five inches down is within (b) even where the AS-1 line sits higher.

The District regulates the windshield by the same figure as the front side windows, in the same clause. NET_ASSEMBLY basis: the object that must "allow" the percentage is the windshield or window itself — "A front windshield or front side windows that allow less than 70% light transmittance". The District never rates film in isolation. (h)(4) then removes factory-tinted vehicles from the section altogether, so in practice the figures govern the finished window on a vehicle carrying aftermarket film. Read with (h)(4), which exempts "Vehicles with tinted windows installed by the manufacturer prior to purchase". A vehicle whose glazing was tinted at the factory is outside the section, so the percentage does not condemn OEM privacy glass that measures below it.

Applies to every motor vehicle "other than a mini-van" — see the paired minivan row. NET_ASSEMBLY basis: the object that must "allow" the percentage is the windshield or window itself — "A front windshield or front side windows that allow less than 70% light transmittance". The District never rates film in isolation. (h)(4) then removes factory-tinted vehicles from the section altogether, so in practice the figures govern the finished window on a vehicle carrying aftermarket film. Read with (h)(4), which exempts "Vehicles with tinted windows installed by the manufacturer prior to purchase". A vehicle whose glazing was tinted at the factory is outside the section, so the percentage does not condemn OEM privacy glass that measures below it.

The class is "mini-van" and the section defines it nowhere. It is not the federal "multipurpose passenger vehicle" category that Montana, South Carolina and Wyoming use, and it is not a general SUV/van/truck class — (a)(1) reaches "no motor vehicle, other than a mini-van". A District SUV is therefore held to 70%, not 55%.

A 50% floor behind the driver is among the strictest in the dataset — most states step down sharply there, and several remove the limit altogether. NET_ASSEMBLY basis: the object that must "allow" the percentage is the windshield or window itself — "A front windshield or front side windows that allow less than 70% light transmittance". The District never rates film in isolation. (h)(4) then removes factory-tinted vehicles from the section altogether, so in practice the figures govern the finished window on a vehicle carrying aftermarket film. Read with (h)(4), which exempts "Vehicles with tinted windows installed by the manufacturer prior to purchase". A vehicle whose glazing was tinted at the factory is outside the section, so the percentage does not condemn OEM privacy glass that measures below it.

The mini-van concession is 15 points on the rear glass and 15 on the front — the same spread at both ends.

The rear windshield shares the clause and the figure with the rear side windows. The District attaches NO mirror condition to tinting it, unlike South Carolina and Wyoming — but it also permits far less darkness, so the trade those states make (dark rear glass in exchange for dual mirrors) never arises here. NET_ASSEMBLY basis: the object that must "allow" the percentage is the windshield or window itself — "A front windshield or front side windows that allow less than 70% light transmittance". The District never rates film in isolation. (h)(4) then removes factory-tinted vehicles from the section altogether, so in practice the figures govern the finished window on a vehicle carrying aftermarket film.

Even the permissive class is held to 35% on the rear windshield, which many states leave unregulated entirely.

A discretionary agency exemption, not a carry-the-affidavit regime and not a fixed alternative percentage — the District states no floor for an exempted vehicle, unlike Wyoming (25%). Note the exemption runs to the OWNER's medical condition; the text does not extend it to a habitual passenger, as Oklahoma's does. The section prescribes no application procedure; (j) authorizes the Director to promulgate implementing rules in Title 18 DCMR, subject to a 45-day Council review period.