North Dakota Window Tint Law 2026
North Dakota requires at least 35% on the front side windows, 35% on the back side windows and 35% on the rear window.
As an Amazon Associate, StreetLawful earns from qualifying purchases. Product listings are matched to statutory requirements as we read them — this is not a guarantee of compliance, and we do not test or measure any film ourselves.
Choose a tint level
Our pick at 35% VLT
- 35%VLTIAQWEIAQWE 35% VLT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film 20 in x 20 ft Roll | High Heat Rejection, UV Block, Privacy, Shatterproof, Scratch Resistant & No Signal InterferenceCeramic (nano-ceramic, 5-layer)20″ × 20′ rollRated 35% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for front side windows; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
Our pick at 50% VLT
- 50%VLTIAQWEIAQWE 50% VLT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film 20 in x 20 ft Roll | High Heat Rejection, UV Block, Privacy, Shatterproof, Scratch Resistant & No Signal InterferenceCeramic (nano-ceramic, 5-layer)20″ × 20′ rollRated 50% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for front side windows; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
Our pick at 70% VLT
- 70%VLTARANAARANA 70% VLT 36"x15FT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film | Keep Car Cool, UV Heat Blocking, Daytime Privacy & Anti-Glare, Scratch Resistant, Phone/GPS Friendly, DIY InstallCeramic (nano-ceramic)36″ × 15′ rollRated 70% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for front side windows; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
More options that clear this figure, darkest first
- 35%VLTIAQWEIAQWE 35% VLT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film 20 in x 20 ft Roll | High Heat Rejection, UV Block, Privacy, Shatterproof, Scratch Resistant & No Signal InterferenceCeramic (nano-ceramic, 5-layer)20″ × 20′ rollRated 35% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for front side windows; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
- 35%VLTRockRoseRockRose 35% Nano Ceramic Car Window Tint 36 in x 25FT 2PLY Privacy Film Heat Block, 99% UVR, and 85% IRR Block for Auto or Home Strong Adhesive, Easy Shrink, Plotter Friendly - CharcoalCeramic (2-ply nano-ceramic)36″ × 25′ rollRated 35% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for front side windows; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
- 50%VLTIAQWEIAQWE 50% VLT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film 20 in x 20 ft Roll | High Heat Rejection, UV Block, Privacy, Shatterproof, Scratch Resistant & No Signal InterferenceCeramic (nano-ceramic, 5-layer)20″ × 20′ rollRated 50% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for front side windows; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
- 70%VLTARANAARANA 70% VLT 36"x15FT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film | Keep Car Cool, UV Heat Blocking, Daytime Privacy & Anti-Glare, Scratch Resistant, Phone/GPS Friendly, DIY InstallCeramic (nano-ceramic)36″ × 15′ rollRated 70% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for front side windows; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
Showing 4 of the 12 films we list that clear this figure. Verify before you tint. We match a film’s own rating against the figure in the statute above. We do not measure film, and a manufacturer rating is not a compliance certificate.
The limits at a glance
Film that may meet the 35% requirement for front side windows
- 35% VLT minimum — measured on the installed glass, film and window togetherN.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read
- This limit is measured on the installed glass, not on the film. Factory glass blocks light on its own, so film rated at or above the figure can still read below it once applied. Treat these as candidates and verify the installed reading.N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read
Every North Dakota tint rule we track
| Rule | Applies to | What the law says | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windshield strip — how dark the strip may be | All vehicles | No VLT figure applies to nonreflective sunscreening or tinting material in the permitted strip — subsection 4 does not apply to it at all, so the 70% windshield floor is displaced there. The material must be nonreflective to qualify.DetailNorth Dakota is unusual in having a windshield percentage (70% under subsection 4) that the strip exemption then removes. So the strip carries no darkness limit while the rest of the windshield carries a strict one — the inverse of the more common pattern where the strip is the only place tint is allowed. | N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(5) — North Dakota Century Code · read “Subsection 4 does not apply to nonreflective sunscreening or window tinting material above the AS-1 line or within the top five inches [12.7 centimeters] of the windshield.” |
| Windshield strip — how far down it may extend | All vehicles | Above the AS-1 line OR within the top 5 inches — either qualifies (disjunctive)DetailPERMISSIVE BY DISJUNCTION. The statute states no tie-breaker; it exempts material answering EITHER description, so whichever measure reaches further down governs. Functionally this matches North Carolina's express "whichever measurement is longer" while reaching the result through drafting rather than an explicit rule — and it is the opposite of the Ohio/Nebraska/West Virginia "whichever is closer to the top". The exemption is also qualified: only NONREFLECTIVE material qualifies, so reflective film in the strip falls back under subsection 4 and its 70% windshield floor. | N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(5) — North Dakota Century Code · read “Subsection 4 does not apply to nonreflective sunscreening or window tinting material above the AS-1 line or within the top five inches [12.7 centimeters] of the windshield.” |
| Windshield below the strip | All vehicles | 70% VLT minimum measured on the installed glass + film together DetailA GENUINE WINDSHIELD DARKNESS LIMIT, which most states do not have. North Dakota permits aftermarket material on the windshield below the strip provided the assembly still passes 70% light transmittance. Compare Minnesota, which prohibits any light-reducing material on the windshield at all, and Maine, which benchmarks the windshield against the original glass rather than a percentage. Recorded on `windshield_below_strip` rather than `vlt_windshield_strip` because it governs the windshield OUTSIDE the exempt strip. 70% is also the FMVSS 205 assembly floor, so North Dakota is in effect holding the windshield to the federal standard. | N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read “An individual may not operate a motor vehicle with any object, material, or tinting displayed, affixed, or applied on the front windshield or any window unless the object, material, or tinting in conjunction with the windshield upon which it is displayed, affixed, or applied has a light transmittance of at least seventy percent” |
| Front side windows | All vehicles | 35% VLT minimum measured on the installed glass + film together DetailOne figure governs every window other than the windshield; the variation comes from the mirror-conditioned rear exemption rather than from stepping by position. ASSEMBLY basis stated in the operative text: the measured quantity is the tinting "in conjunction with a window other than the windshield upon which it is displayed, affixed, or applied", i.e. film plus glass together. | N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read “or the object, material, or tinting in conjunction with a window other than the windshield upon which it is displayed, affixed, or applied has a light transmittance of at least thirty-five percent.” |
| All vehicles | Independent of the percentages: no sign, poster or other nontransparent material may be placed on the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows where it obstructs the driver's clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway. free-standing obstruction offence, applies regardless of numeric compliance DetailCarried as a separate row because it is an independent basis for liability that survives full compliance with subsection 4, and because it reaches the REAR windows too — where the mirror-conditioned exemption removes the percentage but not this obstruction rule. | N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(1) — North Dakota Century Code · read “A motor vehicle must be equipped with a windshield. An individual may not drive any motor vehicle with any sign, poster, or other nontransparent material upon the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows which obstructs the driver's clear view of the highway or any intersecting highway.” | |
| Back side windows | Sedan | 35% VLT minimum measured on the installed glass + film together applies unless the vehicle has compliant outside mirrors on both sides DetailN.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4), final sentence: "This subsection does not apply to windows behind the operator if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides which meet the requirements of section 39-21-38." The exemption is CONDITIONAL — without compliant mirrors on both sides the 35% floor continues to apply behind the operator. §39-21-38 sets the mirror standard: "equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet [60.96 meters] to the rear of such motor vehicle." ASSEMBLY basis stated in the operative text: the measured quantity is the tinting "in conjunction with a window other than the windshield upon which it is displayed, affixed, or applied", i.e. film plus glass together. | N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read “or the object, material, or tinting in conjunction with a window other than the windshield upon which it is displayed, affixed, or applied has a light transmittance of at least thirty-five percent. This subsection does not apply to windows behind the operator if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides which meet the requirements of section 39-21-38.” |
| All vehicles | confirmed No light-transmittance limit for windows behind the operator, PROVIDED the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides meeting §39-21-38. Without them the 35% floor applies. requires compliant outside mirrors on both sides (N.D.C.C. §39-21-38) DetailN.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4), final sentence: "This subsection does not apply to windows behind the operator if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides which meet the requirements of section 39-21-38." The exemption is CONDITIONAL — without compliant mirrors on both sides the 35% floor continues to apply behind the operator. §39-21-38 sets the mirror standard: "equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet [60.96 meters] to the rear of such motor vehicle." Recorded as a CONDITIONAL absence of a rule, with the condition on the row rather than buried in prose — the same structure as Maine. | N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read “This subsection does not apply to windows behind the operator if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides which meet the requirements of section 39-21-38.” | |
| Rear window | Sedan | 35% VLT minimum measured on the installed glass + film together applies unless the vehicle has compliant outside mirrors on both sides DetailThe rear window is a "window other than the windshield" and takes the same 35% figure, subject to the same mirror-conditioned exemption. N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4), final sentence: "This subsection does not apply to windows behind the operator if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides which meet the requirements of section 39-21-38." The exemption is CONDITIONAL — without compliant mirrors on both sides the 35% floor continues to apply behind the operator. §39-21-38 sets the mirror standard: "equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet [60.96 meters] to the rear of such motor vehicle." | N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read “or the object, material, or tinting in conjunction with a window other than the windshield upon which it is displayed, affixed, or applied has a light transmittance of at least thirty-five percent.” |
| All vehicles | confirmed No light-transmittance limit for the rear window, PROVIDED the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides meeting §39-21-38. Without them the 35% floor applies. requires compliant outside mirrors on both sides (N.D.C.C. §39-21-38) DetailN.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4), final sentence: "This subsection does not apply to windows behind the operator if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides which meet the requirements of section 39-21-38." The exemption is CONDITIONAL — without compliant mirrors on both sides the 35% floor continues to apply behind the operator. §39-21-38 sets the mirror standard: "equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least two hundred feet [60.96 meters] to the rear of such motor vehicle." | N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read “This subsection does not apply to windows behind the operator if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides which meet the requirements of section 39-21-38.” | |
| Reflectivity — front side windows | All vehicles | unclear No published figure Under review — the official sources we read state no figure for this. This is a gap in our research, and it says nothing about what North Dakota requires here; the state may set its rule in words rather than a percentage. Not addressed in N.D.C.C. §39-21-39. The section states no reflectance percentage and no general ban on reflective material. Its only reflectivity language is the word "nonreflective" qualifying which strip material earns the subsection 5 exemption — a condition on an exemption, not a cap on side glass. Carrying that word across as a reflectivity limit for the front side windows would misstate its scope. No reflectance rule is asserted either way. | — |
| Reflectivity — back side windows | All vehicles | unclear No published figure Under review — the official sources we read state no figure for this. This is a gap in our research, and it says nothing about what North Dakota requires here; the state may set its rule in words rather than a percentage. Not addressed in N.D.C.C. §39-21-39, for the same reason as reflectivity_front — the section regulates light transmittance only, plus the nonreflective qualifier on the windshield strip exemption. | — |
| Medical exemption | All vehicles | unclear No published figure Under review — the official sources we read state no figure for this. This is a gap in our research, and it says nothing about what North Dakota requires here; the state may set its rule in words rather than a percentage. Not addressed in N.D.C.C. §39-21-39. The section provides no medical or hardship exception and no permit mechanism — its only exemptions are the nonreflective windshield strip in subsection 5 and the mirror-conditioned rear allowance in subsection 4. Whether North Dakota provides a medical accommodation elsewhere in ch. 39-21 or by departmental rule was not established. No medical rule is asserted either way. | — |
| Certification sticker / label | All vehicles | unclear No published figure Under review — the official sources we read state no figure for this. This is a gap in our research, and it says nothing about what North Dakota requires here; the state may set its rule in words rather than a percentage. Not addressed in N.D.C.C. §39-21-39. No labelling, marking or certification duty is imposed on manufacturers or installers anywhere in the section — contrast Minnesota, where an unmarked post-1985 film makes the vehicle unlawful to drive, and West Virginia, which specifies label size and placement. §39-21-41 nearby concerns safety glazing approval lists, not tint labelling. | — |
| Restricted colors | All vehicles | unclear No published figure Under review — the official sources we read state no figure for this. This is a gap in our research, and it says nothing about what North Dakota requires here; the state may set its rule in words rather than a percentage. Not addressed in N.D.C.C. §39-21-39. North Dakota states no colour restriction; there is no red/yellow/amber bar of the kind the model-act states impose, and no colour language anywhere in the section. | — |
| Side mirrors required if the rear window is tinted | All vehicles | RequiredDetailStructured as the PRICE of the rear exemption rather than a free-standing duty, as in Maine: tint below 35% behind the operator without compliant mirrors on both sides and the vehicle simply violates subsection 4. North Dakota is stricter than most in specifying the mirror performance by cross-reference — §39-21-38 requires a view of at least 200 feet to the rear, so a decorative or undersized mirror does not buy the exemption. | N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read “This subsection does not apply to windows behind the operator if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides which meet the requirements of section 39-21-38.” |
Film that may meet the 35% requirement for the rear window
- 35% VLT minimum — measured on the installed glass, film and window together applies unless the vehicle has compliant outside mirrors on both sidesN.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read
- This limit is measured on the installed glass, not on the film. Factory glass blocks light on its own, so film rated at or above the figure can still read below it once applied. Treat these as candidates and verify the installed reading.N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read
- Tinting the glass behind the driver is conditioned here on outside mirrors, separately from the light-transmittance figure. Structured as the PRICE of the rear exemption rather than a free-standing duty, as in Maine: tint below 35% behind the operator without compliant mirrors on both sides and the vehicle simply violates subsection 4. North Dakota is stricter than most in specifying the mirror performance by cross-reference — §39-21-38 requires a view of at least 200 feet to the rear, so a decorative or undersized mirror does not buy the exemption.N.D.C.C. §39-21-39(4) — North Dakota Century Code · read
As an Amazon Associate, StreetLawful earns from qualifying purchases. Product listings are matched to statutory requirements as we read them — this is not a guarantee of compliance, and we do not test or measure any film ourselves.
Choose a tint level
Our pick at 35% VLT
- 35%VLTIAQWEIAQWE 35% VLT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film 20 in x 20 ft Roll | High Heat Rejection, UV Block, Privacy, Shatterproof, Scratch Resistant & No Signal InterferenceCeramic (nano-ceramic, 5-layer)20″ × 20′ rollRated 35% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for the rear window; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
Our pick at 50% VLT
- 50%VLTIAQWEIAQWE 50% VLT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film 20 in x 20 ft Roll | High Heat Rejection, UV Block, Privacy, Shatterproof, Scratch Resistant & No Signal InterferenceCeramic (nano-ceramic, 5-layer)20″ × 20′ rollRated 50% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for the rear window; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
Our pick at 70% VLT
- 70%VLTARANAARANA 70% VLT 36"x15FT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film | Keep Car Cool, UV Heat Blocking, Daytime Privacy & Anti-Glare, Scratch Resistant, Phone/GPS Friendly, DIY InstallCeramic (nano-ceramic)36″ × 15′ rollRated 70% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for the rear window; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
More options that clear this figure, darkest first
- 35%VLTIAQWEIAQWE 35% VLT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film 20 in x 20 ft Roll | High Heat Rejection, UV Block, Privacy, Shatterproof, Scratch Resistant & No Signal InterferenceCeramic (nano-ceramic, 5-layer)20″ × 20′ rollRated 35% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for the rear window; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
- 35%VLTRockRoseRockRose 35% Nano Ceramic Car Window Tint 36 in x 25FT 2PLY Privacy Film Heat Block, 99% UVR, and 85% IRR Block for Auto or Home Strong Adhesive, Easy Shrink, Plotter Friendly - CharcoalCeramic (2-ply nano-ceramic)36″ × 25′ rollRated 35% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for the rear window; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
- 50%VLTIAQWEIAQWE 50% VLT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film 20 in x 20 ft Roll | High Heat Rejection, UV Block, Privacy, Shatterproof, Scratch Resistant & No Signal InterferenceCeramic (nano-ceramic, 5-layer)20″ × 20′ rollRated 50% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for the rear window; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
- 70%VLTARANAARANA 70% VLT 36"x15FT Ceramic Car Window Tint Film | Keep Car Cool, UV Heat Blocking, Daytime Privacy & Anti-Glare, Scratch Resistant, Phone/GPS Friendly, DIY InstallCeramic (nano-ceramic)36″ × 15′ rollRated 70% VLT — may comply with the 35% requirement for the rear window; verify the installed reading.View on Amazon
Showing 4 of the 12 films we list that clear this figure. Verify before you tint. We match a film’s own rating against the figure in the statute above. We do not measure film, and a manufacturer rating is not a compliance certificate.
Sources
- N.D.C.C. §39-21-39 — North Dakota Century Code, read
Nearby states
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