The District's light transmittance limits and which vehicles get the minivan exception, for DC-registered drivers who book at our Maryland shops. Checked against the code October 6, 2026.
The District's rule is D.C. Code § 50-2207.02, enforced by the Metropolitan Police Department and the DC DMV inspection station. We last checked this page against the code on October 6, 2026. It is a plain-language summary for drivers, not legal advice, and the code controls if anything here changes.
DC is stricter than Maryland on almost every vehicle. The limits below are light transmittance: the share of light that passes through the glass and film together.
This is the part most drivers get wrong. Unlike Maryland, DC does not give SUVs and pickups a looser rear-window rule. Only a vehicle built as a minivan gets the 55/35 limits. A Tahoe, an F-150 and a Camry all follow 70 front and 50 rear.
The code exempts limousines, ambulances, buses, hearses, church-owned vehicles and government vehicles. Medical waivers are handled through the DC DMV.
Pro Tint does not have a shop in the District. All four locations are in Prince George's County, Maryland. If your car is registered in DC and you book with us, tell us at booking and we will stock 70% for the front doors and 50% for the rear so the car passes a DC inspection.
A 70% film is nearly clear to the eye. It still blocks over 99% of UV, cuts glare and, in ceramic, blocks a large share of infrared heat. If your goal is a dark look on a DC-registered car, the honest answer is that the law does not allow it, and we will not install it.
Registered in Maryland? The limits are looser. See the Maryland tint law guide.
For a passenger car, SUV or pickup registered in the District: 70% on the front side windows and 50% on the rear side windows and rear windshield. Only vehicles built as minivans get the 55% front and 35% rear limits.
Only on the rear windows of a minivan. On a DC-registered sedan, SUV or truck, 35% is illegal on every window.
Only above the AS-1 line or the top 5 inches. Below that, no film.
No. All four Pro Tint shops are in Prince George's County, Maryland. This guide exists because DC-registered cars come to our Maryland shops and need a different shade than Maryland cars.
Yes. Tell us the car is DC-registered when you book and we bring the right shades to the appointment. Lighter film still blocks over 99% of UV and cuts heat, it just does not look dark.