Front Window Tint & California Tint Laws in Ontario, CA
Match your factory rear tint and know exactly what’s legal.
- 30+ years at the same Ontario location
- 3M authorized dealer & certified installers
- Lifetime nationwide tint warranty
Most cars leave the factory with dark rear glass and clear front windows. Tinting the front two windows makes your car look even and keeps you cooler, but California has strict rules for the front windows. At Superior Auto, we’ll show you every option, tell you plainly what’s legal, and install film that looks right on your car. We serve Ontario, Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Chino, Montclair and Claremont.
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Front two windows: match your factory rear tint
- Even look from front to back
- Less heat and glare on the driver and passenger
- Blocks up to 99% of UV rays to protect your skin and interior
- Ceramic film rejects heat without having to go dark
California window tint law at a glance
| Window | What California allows |
|---|---|
| Windshield | Non-reflective tint on the top 4 inches only. No red or amber. |
| Front side windows | Glass plus film must let in at least 70% of light. |
| Rear side windows | Any darkness. |
| Back window | Any darkness, as long as the car has side mirrors on both sides. |
| Reflective / mirror tint | Can’t be more reflective than standard glass. |
Why front tint is tricky: Factory glass already blocks some light, typically letting in about 74% to 82%. Adding even a light film can drop the front windows below 70%. That’s why the legal options for front windows are very light films.
Your front window options
- Clear ceramic heat-rejection film: Barely visible, but it blocks heat and UV. Clear, colorless film that lets in at least 88% of light is allowed when the installer provides a certificate.
- Medical exemption: With a signed letter from a licensed physician (or optometrist for a vision condition), California allows sun-screening devices on the front side windows. They can’t be used after dark, and the letter must stay in your car. Ask us what this means for your vehicle.
- Matching your back windows: Many drivers ask for this. We’ll explain the darkness choices and what’s legal before we start.
Windshield options
- Sun strip / visor strip: Top 4 inches, legal for any car.
- Clear UV windshield film: See our Windshield Tint page.
What if I get a tint ticket?
In California, a tint ticket is often a “fix-it” ticket. You remove or correct the film, get it signed off, and pay a small fee. A regular citation can cost more. We can remove illegal film quickly. See Tint Removal & Replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Is it legal to tint front windows in California?
Yes, but the front side windows must still let in at least 70% of light with the film on. Because of the factory glass, that usually means a clear or nearly clear film.
What tint percentage is legal on front windows in California?
The law is 70% total light through the glass and film combined, not a film percentage. Ask us to measure your glass.
How dark can my back windows be?
Any darkness, as long as your car has side mirrors on both sides.
Can I tint my windshield in California?
Only the top 4 inches, unless you qualify for an exemption. Clear UV film options are covered on our Windshield Tint page.
Do I need a medical exemption letter?
Only if you want sun-screening on the front windows beyond what the law normally allows. The letter must come from a licensed physician or optometrist and stay in your vehicle, and the sun-screening can’t be used after dark.
What happens if I get pulled over for tint?
Usually a fix-it ticket: remove the film, get it signed off, and pay the court fee.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws can change. See California Vehicle Code §26708 for the current text.
Visit Superior Auto
Superior Auto Glass & Tint Shop, 2205 E 4th St, Ontario, CA 91764. Tinting Inland Empire cars for over 30 years.
Call or text: 909-636-3287 · Call for current hours · In-shop service