Darkest Legal Tint in QLD: What's Legal? (2025)

Queensland, like all Australian states and territories, has strict regulations governing car window tinting. These laws are in place to ensure driver visibility and road safety. Understanding the legal limits and different types of tint is crucial to avoid fines and ensure your vehicle complies with Queensland Transport rules. This guide covers everything you need to know about legal car window tinting in QLD.

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Visible Light Transmission (VLT): The Key Measurement

The darkness of window tint is measured by its Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentage. VLT refers to the amount of light that can pass through the tinted window. A lower VLT percentage means less light gets through, resulting in a darker tint.

Queensland's Legal Tint Limits (VLT%):

Here are the maximum darkness levels (minimum VLT percentages) allowed for different windows in privately owned vehicles in Queensland:

Front Side Windows (Driver and Passenger): Minimum 35% VLT. This means at least 35% of light must be able to pass through.
Rear Side Windows (Behind Driver): Minimum 20% VLT. You can go darker on the rear side windows.
Rear Window: Minimum 20% VLT. The same limit as the rear side windows applies.
Windshield: A full tint on the front windshield is illegal in Queensland. However, a tint strip is permitted across the top of the windshield. This strip can cover:
- No more than 10% of the windshield's total area, or
- Up to the highest point reached by the windscreen wipers – whichever is less.

Why These Limits Exist:

These VLT limits are in place to ensure drivers have adequate visibility, especially at night and in low-light conditions. Overly dark tint can significantly reduce a driver's ability to see other vehicles, pedestrians, and road hazards.

Types of Car Window Tint:

Beyond the legal darkness limits, it's helpful to understand the different types of tint available:

Dyed Film: The most common and affordable type. Dyed film absorbs some solar heat and provides privacy, but it offers less heat rejection than other types.
Metallized Film (Mirror Tint): Contains tiny metallic particles that reflect heat and UV rays. This type can have a reflective or "mirror" appearance. In Queensland, the external reflectance of metallized film must be less than 10%. Highly reflective films can create glare for other drivers.
Carbon Film: Offers good heat rejection, UV protection, and a matte black finish that won't fade over time.
Ceramic Film: The highest-performing type of tint. Ceramic film provides excellent heat rejection, UV protection, and glare reduction without darkening the window excessively. It's also very durable.
Chameleon Tint:
Cosmetic that changes appearance.
Security Tint:
High impact resistance.

Important Considerations:

Professional Installation: It's highly recommended to have your window tint professionally installed. A reputable installer will ensure the tint complies with Queensland regulations and is applied correctly to avoid bubbles, peeling, or distortion.
Existing Tint: If your vehicle already has tint, be aware that adding another layer could make it illegally dark. The combined VLT of the existing tint and the new film must still meet the legal limits.
National Standards: While this article focuses on Queensland laws, it's important to note that tinting regulations can vary between states and territories. If you plan to drive interstate, ensure your tint complies with the laws of those jurisdictions.
External Reflectance:
Maximum is 10%

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