California Vehicle Code 26708: Window Tint Law (2026)
Every subdivision explained — the 70% vs. 88% VLT dual threshold, the rear window exception, installer certificate requirements, the medical exemption statute, and how the CHP enforces it.
Last verified: October 2026
California Vehicle Code Section 26708 is the primary statute governing window tinting on all motor vehicles driven in California. It prohibits driving with material placed on the windshield or side and rear windows that obstructs the driver’s view, with a defined set of exceptions for compliant aftermarket tint and specific vehicle types.
For a plain-language compliance guide covering what this statute means for every window on your vehicle, see the California window tint laws guide.
Key Takeaways
- CVC 26708 is the core window tint statute for California. It covers what is prohibited, what is permitted, and who is exempt.
- The primary prohibition is driving with material on the windshield or windows that obstructs or reduces the driver’s clear view.
- The main compliance exception requires film to meet 70% combined VLT on front side windows.
- The 88% VLT threshold applies to film rated alone, before combining with factory glass. Combined reading must be at or above 70%.
- Rear windows have no VLT limit under CVC 26708. Any darkness is permitted.
- A windshield strip is permitted: non-reflective, above the AS-1 line only.
- Installer certificates are referenced in the statute. They are not mandatory but serve as a defense at a traffic stop.
- Law enforcement vehicles are exempt from CVC 26708 under CVC 26708.7.
- Medical exemptions are governed by the related statute CVC 26708.2, not by CVC 26708 itself.
What CVC 26708 Covers: The Statute’s Structure
CVC 26708 sits in Division 12, Chapter 4 of the California Vehicle Code. The chapter is titled “Windshields and Mirrors.” The section has grown through legislative amendment into a multi-subdivision statute with a primary prohibition, a list of permitted exceptions, and special provisions for certain vehicle types and uses.
| Subdivision | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| (a)(1) | Primary prohibition: no obstructing material on windshield or front side windows |
| (a)(2) | Windshield visor strip exception: non-reflective tint above AS-1 line permitted |
| (b) | List of 10+ permitted exceptions to the primary prohibition |
| (b)(8) | Rear window tint permitted with dual exterior mirrors |
| (b)(10) | Medical sun screening devices on front side windows |
| (c) | Transparent material standards for aftermarket film on front side windows |
| (d) | Clear, colorless, transparent material permitted on any window under FMVSS conditions |
| (e) | Additional clear material provisions under federal safety standards |
The related statutes that extend CVC 26708 are:
| Statute | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| CVC 26708.2 | Sun screening device requirements (35% VLT minimum for medical devices) |
| CVC 26708.5 | General prohibition on transparent material that reduces light transmittance |
| CVC 26708.7 | Law enforcement vehicle exemption from tint restrictions |
The Primary Prohibition: CVC 26708(a)(1)
CVC 26708(a)(1) states that a person shall not drive any motor vehicle with any object or material placed, displayed, installed, affixed, or applied in or upon the vehicle that obstructs or reduces the driver’s clear view through the windshield or side windows.
Three elements make this prohibition apply:
- The material is placed on the windshield or a side window
- The material obstructs or reduces the driver’s clear view
- The vehicle is being driven
The statute explicitly applies only to a vehicle being driven. A parked vehicle with illegal tint does not violate CVC 26708 in the absence of operation, though the tint violation will be cited the next time the vehicle is driven.
What “clear view” means in practice: California courts and the CHP interpret any material that measurably reduces VLT through the front side windows as reducing the driver’s clear view. The 70% combined VLT standard is the enforcement benchmark the CHP uses as the measurable threshold.
The Windshield Exception: CVC 26708(a)(2)
CVC 26708(a)(2) creates a specific exception for the windshield. A non-reflective tint strip may be applied to the windshield in an area at the top of the windshield that meets either of these conditions:
- The strip does not extend below the AS-1 line, or
- The strip does not extend more than 5 inches below the top of the windshield
In practice, the AS-1 line typically falls at 4 to 6 inches from the roofline depending on the vehicle. Where a vehicle’s AS-1 line is higher than the 5-inch measurement, the 5-inch rule becomes the operative limit. The more restrictive of the two measurements governs.
The strip must be non-reflective. Any reflective or metallic-finish film on the windshield strip violates CVC 26708.
The Permitted Exceptions: CVC 26708(b)
CVC 26708(b) lists more than ten specific permitted exceptions to the primary prohibition. The most practically relevant are:
CVC 26708(b)(8): Rear window tint with dual mirrors
Rear window tint is permitted if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both sides that provide the driver with a view to the rear of the vehicle from each side. This is the statutory basis for the dual mirror requirement tied to rear window tint. For a full practical guide to the dual mirror rule and rear window film choices, see the California rear and side window tint guide.
CVC 26708(b)(10): Medical sun screening devices
Sun screening devices are permitted on the side windows on either side of the vehicle’s front seat if the driver or a passenger in the front seat has a letter or other document signed by a licensed physician and surgeon certifying that the person must be shaded from the sun due to a medical condition.
This subdivision is the statutory basis for the medical exemption. Note that it refers to “sun screening devices” as defined in CVC 26708.2, which sets the 35% VLT minimum and other requirements for those devices.
The 70% vs. 88% VLT Threshold: How They Both Apply
This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of CVC 26708 and the source of significant confusion among drivers and installers alike.
Where the 88% figure comes from:
CVC 26708(c) governs transparent material applied to front side windows and states that the material must have a minimum visible light transmittance of 88 percent when measured as a standalone film.
Where the 70% figure comes from:
The same subdivision provides that when the material is applied over factory glass, the combined assembly of glass and film must produce a visible light transmittance of at least 70%.
How both thresholds operate simultaneously:
| Measurement | Threshold | What It Applies To |
|---|---|---|
| Film alone (standalone) | 88% VLT minimum | The tint film before installation |
| Combined (film + factory glass) | 70% VLT minimum | The window assembly after installation |
The 88% threshold exists because factory glass itself transmits approximately 72% to 80% of light. A film rated at 88% applied to factory glass at 75% produces a combined VLT of approximately 66%, which falls below the 70% combined minimum. The 88% floor on standalone film is designed to ensure that the combined reading stays at or above 70% when applied to standard California factory glass.
A film marketed at exactly 88% VLT on standard factory glass at approximately 80% VLT produces a combined reading of about 70.4%, just above the legal threshold. A film at 85% VLT on factory glass at 78% produces a combined reading of about 66.3%, which is a violation. For a full breakdown of how combined VLT calculations work with different factory glass readings and film products, see the California window tint percentages guide.
This is why professional installers take a combined VLT reading after installation rather than relying on the film’s rated specification alone.
The Rear Window Exception Under CVC 26708
CVC 26708(b)(8) permits any darkness of tint on rear windows. The statute creates no VLT minimum for rear side windows or the rear window on any vehicle type, sedan or otherwise.
The only condition is the dual mirror requirement: if the rear window itself is tinted, the vehicle must have functioning exterior mirrors on both sides.
What CVC 26708 says about rear side windows separately from the rear window:
Rear side windows are not specifically addressed as a restricted category in CVC 26708. The primary prohibition covers the windshield and side windows in the context of obstructing the driver’s clear view. Because rear side windows do not directly obstruct forward driver sightlines, they fall outside the restrictive reading of subdivision (a)(1) and are treated as unrestricted under California enforcement practice.
The Installer Certificate Requirement
CVC 26708(c) includes a provision for installer certificates that is often misquoted and misunderstood.
The statute provides that a person installing aftermarket tint on front side windows must provide the driver with a certificate signed by the installing company certifying that the windows with the material installed meet the requirements of the subdivision. The certificate must identify:
- The installing company by full name and street address
- The material’s manufacturer by full name and street address
If the material was installed by the vehicle owner rather than a professional company, the vehicle owner may provide a certificate signed by the material’s manufacturer certifying that the product meets the requirements when installed per manufacturer instructions.
What this certificate is and is not:
The certificate is a compliance document, not a mandatory legal requirement for the vehicle to be street-legal. California does not require the certificate to be displayed on the vehicle. However, possessing the certificate and presenting it at a traffic stop serves as evidence that the film meets the legal standard.
A driver who cannot produce a certificate at a stop is not automatically in violation. The officer must still measure the VLT with a photometer to confirm a violation exists. The absence of a certificate shifts the evidentiary burden but does not by itself create a violation.
CVC 26708.2: The Medical Exemption Statute
CVC 26708.2 is the companion statute to CVC 26708 that governs medical sun screening devices on front side windows.
What CVC 26708.2 requires for a qualifying device:
- The device must be held in place by means allowing ready removal, such as a frame or flexible roller shade
- Transparent devices must be green, gray, or neutral smoke in color
- Transparent devices must have a luminous transmittance of not less than 35%
- The device must not have a reflective quality exceeding 35% on either surface
The statutory language of CVC 26708.2 describes a removable sun screening device, not permanent aftermarket film. However, in practice, the California DMV and CHP treat the physician certificate under CVC 26708(b)(10) as permitting permanent front side window film at 35% VLT when accompanied by a valid physician statement, as codified through AB 1303 into CVC 26708.2.
CVC 26708.5: The Companion Prohibition
CVC 26708.5 is a companion statute that extends the prohibition:
No person shall place, install, affix, or apply any transparent material upon the windshield or side or rear windows of any motor vehicle if the material alters the color or reduces the light transmittance of those windows, except as provided in CVC 26708(b), (c), or (d).
This statute closes a potential gap: CVC 26708(a)(1) prohibits driving with obstructing material. CVC 26708.5 separately prohibits installing such material in the first place, even before driving. An installer who applies non-compliant tint to a vehicle in California potentially violates CVC 26708.5 regardless of whether the vehicle is then driven.
CVC 26708.7: Law Enforcement Vehicle Exemption
CVC 26708.7 exempts from CVC 26708 any vehicle operated and owned or leased by a federal, state, or local agency, department, or district that employs peace officers, for use by those peace officers in the performance of their duties.
This is why marked and unmarked law enforcement vehicles in California may carry window tint that would be illegal on a civilian vehicle. The exemption is specifically tied to peace officer duty use, not to personal use of vehicles owned by officers or agencies. California is stricter than most states on civilian front windows — see how the rules compare nationwide in the window tint laws by state guide.
Penalty Structure Under CVC 26708
Violations of CVC 26708 are classified as infractions, not misdemeanors. The penalty structure:
| Offense | Base Fine | Typical Total with Court Fees | Classification |
|---|---|---|---|
| First violation | $25 | Approximately $197 | Correctable infraction (fix-it ticket) |
| Second violation | $25 | $197 or more | May become non-correctable in some counties |
| Failure to correct | $25 base | $500 or more plus bench warrant risk | Failure to appear charge |
Primary offense status: CVC 26708 is a primary offense statute. Officers may initiate a traffic stop based solely on a suspected violation without any other traffic infraction present.
No points: A CVC 26708 violation does not add points to a driver’s DMV record. The correctable nature of the citation and the absence of points distinguish it from moving violations. For the full fix-it ticket process, removal steps, and what happens at a CHP inspection, see the California front window tint guide.
How CVC 26708 Is Enforced in Practice
The California Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies enforce CVC 26708 using a photometer, also called a tint meter. The device clips to the window glass and measures the combined VLT of the glass and film together.
Enforcement authority:
- Officers can stop a vehicle solely on suspicion of a CVC 26708 violation
- The photometer reading is the primary evidentiary basis for the citation
- A reading below 70% on front side windows supports a citation under CVC 26708(c)
- Officers are not required to show calibration documentation at the roadside stop
- Challenging the photometer calibration or measurement accuracy requires a formal court challenge
Parked vehicles:
CVC 26708 applies only when the vehicle is being driven. A parked vehicle with illegal tint does not constitute a violation in the absence of operation. However, the tint violation will apply the next time the vehicle is driven on a public road.
California Vehicle Code 26708 FAQ
What does California Vehicle Code 26708 prohibit?
CVC 26708 prohibits driving a motor vehicle with material placed on the windshield or side and rear windows that obstructs or reduces the driver’s clear view. The primary enforcement application is aftermarket window tint that reduces visible light transmission below the legal threshold on front side windows.
What is the VLT requirement under CVC 26708?
CVC 26708(c) sets two simultaneous thresholds for front side window tint: the film must have a standalone VLT of at least 88%, and the combined VLT of the film and factory glass together must be at least 70%. Both thresholds must be satisfied. Rear windows have no VLT minimum under CVC 26708.
What subdivision of CVC 26708 covers the windshield?
CVC 26708(a)(2) covers the windshield. It permits a non-reflective tint strip at the top of the windshield that does not extend below the AS-1 line or more than 5 inches below the top of the windshield, whichever is more restrictive.
What subdivision covers the medical exemption?
CVC 26708(b)(10) is the subdivision within the main statute that permits sun screening devices on front side windows when the driver or passenger has a physician certificate. The device requirements are specified in the companion statute CVC 26708.2.
Does CVC 26708 require an installer certificate?
CVC 26708(c) references installer certificates as documentation that the installed film meets legal requirements. Carrying the certificate and presenting it at a traffic stop is evidence of compliance, but the absence of a certificate does not by itself constitute a violation. The officer must measure VLT to confirm a violation.
Are law enforcement vehicles exempt from CVC 26708?
Yes. CVC 26708.7 exempts vehicles operated and owned or leased by federal, state, or local agencies that employ peace officers, for use by those officers in the performance of their duties.
Does CVC 26708 apply to parked vehicles?
No. CVC 26708 specifically applies to a person driving a motor vehicle. A parked vehicle with non-compliant tint does not violate CVC 26708. The violation applies when the vehicle is operated on a public road.
What is CVC 26708.5 and how does it differ from CVC 26708?
CVC 26708.5 separately prohibits installing or applying material that alters color or reduces light transmittance on any vehicle window, even outside of driving. CVC 26708 prohibits driving with such material. Together they cover both the installation act and the driving act.
What are the penalties for violating CVC 26708?
A CVC 26708 violation is a correctable infraction. The base fine is $25, with court fees bringing the typical total to approximately $197. The citation is a fix-it ticket: remove the illegal tint, obtain a sign-off from law enforcement, and pay the processing fee to dismiss the citation. CVC 26708 violations do not add points to a driver’s DMV record.