How Dark Can You Tint Your Vehicle Windows?

A common question people have when they wish to get the windows on their car tinted is how dark are they allowed to go? The simplest answer to this question is that it depends on what state your car is registered in as it directly affects how dark you can make the windows and remain incompliance with the law.
In Kansas City, we have a unique situation.  As a metropolitan that spans both Missouri and Kansas the laws actually differ in how dark your car can be tinted.  Both states are inagreement that the front windows (driver and front passenger) windows can be3 8%.  The difference is that in Missouri you can go as dark as you wish on any window behind the driver.  In Kansas, however, the darkest you can go for a complete vehicle is 38% (the same as what is on the front windows).
So what do the percentages (%) mean?  The lower the %, the darker the film.  In other words, a low percentage film lets less light through and is much darker in appearance.  The common percentages you will hear when shopping for tint are 38, 35, 20, and 5.  As mentioned, 35-38% are utilized primarily on the driver and front passenger windows and the 20% and 5% are for windows behind the driver.  The 5% is typically referred to as limousine tint.
The best way to determine what tint percentage (darkness) is best for you is to know the legal limits of your state and then seek the knowledge of your installer as to what film will work best for the goals you wish to attain.