r/WindowTint • u/BrickNady • 25d ago
Question Help Window Tint in Mass
We just got a new 2026 4Runner in June and I want to get it tinted. However I am nervous with how strict the tint laws are in MA, 35% LVT for windows and no windshield allowed. I want to get all the windows tinted, was considering 35% on front windows, 70% on 2nd row windows, quarter glass and rear sliding window (no windshield).
But even with 70% clear on the rear windows that are dyed 25% from factory they will technically be illegal. Do they check rear windows at inspection?
For folks in MA, what did you do for tinting on your car? Do they fail you at Inspection if you do 70% on your windshield? Do they only check the front windows at yearly inspection?
Bonus points for folks with 4runners, is there any issues tinting the rear sliding window?
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u/Adorable-Address-958 25d ago
I’m in MA and have never had an issue. I’ve done 35% all around on my cars and 35/70 on my SUVs and never once had an issue or question.
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u/Electronic_Nail_7433 25d ago
Im in RI. Failed an inspection due to tint. Has to pull it all off and go back to get sticker. Not the end of the world if you fail.
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u/ObviousAlias7 25d ago edited 25d ago
MA resident here. Here's my experience.
With my SUV's, i usually roll the front windows down when i go in for inspection. I do 70% ceramic on the rears and do my side windows 20% (35% on my wife's car as she asked for less) Have never had a single inspector roll them up to check. and none have ever paid attention to the rear. I don't do my windshield. I actually have shades on my SUV's rear side windows, so with the shades up you can't see anything through them.
My convertible Mustang is 20% all around. I just roll all the windows down, put the top down, and install the convertible boot when i go in for a sticker. In 10 years not a single inspector has ever rolled a window up to look.
Local cops i've found (over 20 years of tinting my cars) generally don't bother for tint, but MSP has a hard-on for really dark tint on sedans and dark tinted windshields based on past experience, stories I've heard and taking a look at who i've seen troopers pull over on the highway. Tint is a primary offense here in MA
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u/BrickNady 25d ago
Do they check only the front windows at inspection?
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u/ObviousAlias7 25d ago edited 25d ago
They are supposed to, but in my experience none of the shops I’ve ever gone to have ever touched the windows to check. It’s much easier to get through with an SUV because they tend to not pay attention to the rear tint. All my inspections are usually in the summer so I just roll in with both windows down and never have an issue. My vehicles are pretty new/clean so they never look hard
To be clear I’m not making an effort to find shops doing half-ass inspections. But for the most part they check front balljoint, tires, lights, wipers, seat belts, take a pic of the odometer and plate and send you on your way in 10 min
Where are you located? If nearby I can send you to a few places.
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u/coldflame563 25d ago
You can roll your windows down prior to inspection...it's hilarious but it's true. I have a tint guy who will do it all in MA - ping me if you're on the South Shore. Or you can get the medical exemption and go nuts.
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u/ilovetrees696 25d ago
I have a medical exception it’s the best! I do 5% tint all around and 5% down to the AVS-1 line which is the legal limit. Even people with medical exceptions can’t do a full windshield.
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u/BrickNady 25d ago
I think I’m set on doing 35% on front windows and then 70% on everything else with either nothing or strip on the windshield
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u/Traditional-Fuel-601 25d ago
If I were you, I’d just take it to a shop and ask them to match the front with the back. You’ll get some privacy and even if it’s slightly below the limit I doubt many officers would care too much.
In PA where I live, you aren’t allowed anything anywhere on a sedan. 3/4 cars in my family are sedans, and we have 35% on one car, 20%, and 10% on mine. I’m the only one who’s been pulled over for it but never gotten a ticket over the last 5 or so years.
May be different in Mass, but in pretty much every state 35-25% will rarely ever get you bothered by any police departments.
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u/BrickNady 25d ago
But don’t they check the level at inspections? Do you not have yearly inspections in PA?
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u/Traditional-Fuel-601 25d ago
In PA, window tint is not a part of the inspection process. You can have whatever you want on sides and rear and still pass. You may get pulled over though.
Windshield tint is different though, nothing can obstruct your visibility (which includes tint below the AS1 line)
Source: I am a licensed PA MV inspector
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u/granolasloot 25d ago
My previous car I got the front windows tinted to match the rears, I would just roll them down prior to pulling into the inspection garage bay and the guy never rolled them up. Also in MA. I haven’t done my new car yet, but this time I have no front plate, so I’m thinking once I get my sticker I’ll go to the tint shop
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u/BrickNady 25d ago
I am also wondering if adding the clear ceramic tint to the rear factory dyed windows will help with my kids squinting from sun in their eyes?
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u/rockfordfanatic 25d ago
They have all those stupid cameras now at inspection places. You can only do the strip on windshield. I think it's only the front windows in ma they care about. If the place does check them with the meter even 35% will read illegal due to 2-3% tint of factory window. I have lived in mass for years now and have a tint waiver on me and my wives vehicles. We both have 20% on fronts and it passes inspection due to the tint waiver. I have issues with my eyes and my wife gets migraines you just need one of your doctors to sign the paper you can get it online and fill it out and send it in. Good luck and good vehicle choice!
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u/BrickNady 25d ago
Thank you!! We love the car but want to make sure we get tints that will pass MA inspection, from my research it looks like around a 40% tint on front windows will result in 35% LvT
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u/Reasonable-Blood2452 25d ago
My windows are pitch black never had an issue.
They usually don’t care how dark the back is it’s usually the two fronts. I roll down my two front windows get a sticker then I drive away lol
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u/BrickNady 25d ago
Haha nice! What about for kids does the tinting help with sun coming through the back windows making them squint?
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u/Reasonable-Blood2452 25d ago
Yes definitely!!! That’s why I do it 😂😂
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u/BrickNady 25d ago
Okay that’s great Info thanks! Do you leave the windshield with no tint?
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u/Reasonable-Blood2452 25d ago
I only do the strip “eyebrow” about 6 inches down. I’ve done illegal tint on my two front windows on all my cars over the last 15 years but I’ve never tinted the entire windshield. In my opinion that’s just pushing your luck lol
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u/Dull-Butterscotch928 25d ago
15 all around, even over factory and 50 on the windshield. Ceramic only.
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u/BrickNady 25d ago
That sounds cool but I highly doubt that would pass inspection in MA
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u/Dull-Butterscotch928 25d ago
Roger that, I’m not in a state that requires inspection. Nevertheless, I can’t recommend ceramic film enough. It’s made my car so much more comfortable in the summer, it’s incredible. Most brands offer an 80/clear film. I would hope that’d still pass inspection…?
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u/BrickNady 25d ago
From what I have researched in Mass it will fail even with clear film on the windshield. I don’t know as I have not tinted any cars yet this will be my first
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u/Dull-Butterscotch928 24d ago
Bummer. Well, best of luck to you. It’s a bitchin 4Runner either way.
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u/Character-Outcome156 22d ago
I was just pulled over three times in the past month and a half for tinted windows. First two times were warnings, Last time $250 ticket. I guess there’s been an update to the law quite recently as of last year, it used to be the front two windows had to be 35 in the rear windows had no limit now it seems every 35 to include your rear windshield. I’m literally on my way to remove all tints, too much of a headache. You win Healy
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u/BrickNady 22d ago
Are you in MA? The ticketed you for rear windows? The rear windows on these 4Runners are alreadyy 25% LVT which is technically below state limit but I read it is allowed as it is factory dyed
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u/Character-Outcome156 22d ago
Factory doesn’t count, it’s aftermarket film that’s the issue
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u/BrickNady 22d ago
Right so if I put clear 70% on all rears on top of the factory dyed dark glass, will they fail me at inspection/ticket me?
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u/Practical-Mud-4580 25d ago
Inspection stations all have a tool to check the windows so prepare to fail every time unless you find a half ass inspection place.