Legal vs. Illegal Window Tint in Franklin County, MO | FASS Motorsports

Missouri State Tint Law (Applies in Franklin County too)

• Front windshield:
  You may apply non-reflective tint only above the manufacturer’s AS‑1 line (typically the top 5–6 inches of the glass) (Tinting Laws).
  
  
• Front side (driver and passenger) windows:
  Tint must allow at least 35% visible light transmission (VLT)—meaning the tint can only block up to 65% of visible light. A variance of approximately ±5% is permitted (Tint Wiz).
  
  
• Rear side windows (behind driver/passenger) & rear windshield:
  There is no restriction on darkness—you may install any level of tint from light to extremely dark (Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers).
  
  
• Reflectivity:
  Tint on both front and rear side windows must not exceed 35% reflectivity (Tinting Laws).
  
  
• Side mirrors requirement:
  If your rear windshield is tinted, you must have dual side mirrors—one on each side—to ensure adequate visibility (Tinting Laws).

What Counts as Illegal Tint in Franklin County

• Tint darker than 35% VLT on front side windows (i.e. blocking more than 65% of light), unless you have a valid medical exemption (apps.mshp.dps.mo.gov).
  
  
• Reflective tint that exceeds 35% reflectivity on side windows (Tinting Laws, YourMechanic).
  
  
• Tint added below the AS‑1 line on the windshield or highly reflective material on the windshield beyond that line (apps.mshp.dps.mo.gov).

Violating these laws can result in a Class C misdemeanor, leading to fines and citations. Repeat violations may escalate in severity—and illegal tint can even impact liability in the event of an accident (Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers)

Medical Exemption Option

If you have a serious medical condition sensitive to sunlight, you may apply for a medical tinting permit:

1. Obtain a prescription (within the past year) from your doctor specifying the necessary VLT percentage.
   
   
2. Submit this with your vehicle at your local Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) headquarters.
   
   
3. If approved, you'll receive a permit to carry in your vehicle, plus:

• • A sticker affixed to the lower left of your windshield.
    
    
  • A decal placed on your rear glass or bumper (apps.mshp.dps.mo.gov).

This exemption allows darker tints on the front side windows beyond the typical 35% VLT limit.

Why This Matters for Franklin County Truck, Jeep & SUV Owners

• These tint laws apply equally to trucks, Jeeps, and SUVs in Franklin County—no special rules differ by vehicle type (YourMechanic).
  
  
• Law enforcement in Missouri has access to tint meters, and officers can issue citations on the spot if tint is found to be non‑compliant (Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, easonlawstl.com).
  
  
• Staying within these regulations ensures safety, legality, and peace of mind—especially important on busy county roads and highways.

StickerGeek Graphics: Our Trusted Tinting Pros

Our team’s trucks here at FASS Motorsports are tinted by our friends at StickerGeek Graphics in Union, Missouri.

• StickerGeek delivers legal window tint, calibrated to Missouri’s 35% VLT requirement for front side windows and no restriction on rear windows.
  

Their technicians understand the nuances of the AS-1 line on windshields, reflectivity limits, and the necessity of side mirrors when rear tints are applied.