Maine Window Tint Laws With Exceptions and Penalties [2021]

The window tints of your vehicle are helpful in reducing the amount of sunlight and other visible lights that enter the vehicle, reducing glare and heat generated.

The car window tinting laws were enacted in Maine in 2007. The laws are regulated by the Maine Department of Transportation.

In this article, we provide and explain the window tint laws for cars in the state of Maine (ME).

The information on this article is based on the latest information and in accordance with the regulations provided by the authorities at the Maine Department of Transportation and the International Window Film Association in March 2020.

Maine Window Tinting Laws

Window tinting or sunscreening is provided to cars and multipurpose vehicles (MPVs) for various purposes, including privacy of the driver and the passengers, medical, and legal purposes.

The tint of a car window is determined by its VLT, or the Visible Light Transmission.

The VLT of a tint is the percentage of light that a window tint film permits to pass through your car windows.

A higher VLT allows more light to pass through the window, while a lower VLT allows a lower amount of light.

The percentage of light allowed through your film and glass in Maine is specific and different for different kinds of cars, be it a sedan, SUV, or van.

Tint Darkness for Sedans

The following are the tint darkness laws for sedans in Maine.

Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line. The AS-1 line extends from the letters AS-1, found on most vehicle windshields, running parallel to the top of the windshield.

Front Side Windows: Minimum 35% of the outside light must be allowed inside. In other words, the windows are allowed up to 35% VLT or tint darkness.

Rear Windows: Minimum 35% of the outside light must be allowed inside.

Back Side Windows: Minimum 35% of the outside light must be allowed inside.

Tint Darkness for SUVs and vans

The following are the tint darkness laws for sedans in Maine.

Windshield: Non-reflective tint is allowed along the top of the windshield above the manufacturer’s AS-1 line. The AS-1 line extends from the letters AS-1, found on most vehicle windshields, running parallel to the top of the windshield.

Front Side Windows: Minimum 35% of the outside light must be allowed inside.

Rear Windows: Any tint darkness can be used for these windows.

Back Side Windows: Any tint darkness can be used for these windows.

Windows Tint Reflection Laws in Maine

Window tints that contain reflective components help in reflecting incoming light from the environment, reducing the glare and heat generated by it.

The reflective effect is caused by the presence of metallic elements.

Tint Reflections for Sedans

The following are the tint reflection laws for sedans in Maine.

Front Side Windows: The windows must be non-reflective and should not have a mirrored or metallic appearance.

Back Side Windows: The windows must be non-reflective and should not have a mirrored or metallic appearance.

Tint Reflections for SUVs and vans

The following are the tint reflection laws for SUVs and vans in Maine.

Front Side Windows: The windows must be non-reflective and should not have a mirrored or metallic appearance.

Back Side Windows: The windows must be non-reflective and should not have a mirrored or metallic appearance.

Other Window Tint Rules in Maine

Here are other laws regarding the tinting of your car, including the presence of side mirrors and certification of the tints.

• Side mirrors: Left and right side mirrors are required on the vehicle.
• Certificates: Certification of tinted film by manufacturers is required in Maine. Please contact your dealer to confirm if they are using certified film.
• Stickers: In Maine, a sticker to identify legal tinting is not required.
• Medical Exceptions: Maine provides medical exemptions for special tints. Please see Exceptions to Window Tinting Laws.

Color Rules Related to Window Tints in Maine

For some purposes, the car’s windows may be tinted with different colors. Some states have restrictions on the colors that can be used.

The state of Maine does not have any particular restrictions on colors for window tinting; any colored tints are allowed

Exceptions to Window Tinting Laws in Maine

Exemptions for special window tints are allowed for medical reasons in many states. They are provided to citizens with medical conditions which require to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun.

The state of Maine provides the exemption to the owner or person who usually occupies the vehicle when the health of the person is adversely affected by sunlight.

The application for the exemption requires a certification from a physician, physician’s assistant, or optometrist.

The certificate of exemption from the Chief of the State Police must be present in the vehicle at all times.

Penalty for Breaking Maine Window Tinting Laws

Failure to comply with the above laws may lead to a penalty in the form of a traffic infraction and a fine of minimum $100.

Summary

These are the laws for window tint films for cars and other vehicles to be followed in the state of Maine.

If you have any questions or comments, please comment down below or email us.

Laws related to motor vehicles, and while we constantly update our articles, we encourage you to contact your state police for further inquiries.

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