New South Wales Window Tint Laws

Australia window tint laws are different in certain territories and states.

This article provides all relevant information about window tinting laws in New South Wales (NSW).

New South Wales Tint Laws

  • Windshield: Only uppermost 10% of the windshield may be tinted.
  • Front side windows: Must have more than 35% VLT.
  • Back side windows: Must have more than 20% VLT.
  • Rear window: Must have more than 20% VLT.

In New South Wales (NSW) windshields may only have a tinted strip on top, equaling to either 10% of total windshield area, or the portion of the windshield above the reach of windshield wipers, whichever is greater.

Front side windows, back side windows and rear window must not block more than 80% of total light, meaning it can have 20% VLT.

Unless the vehicle has two rear view mirrors on both sides, 35% VLT is permitted.

Other NSW tint laws:

  • Reflective or mirror-like tinted film is not permitted.
  • Bubbled, damaged, discoloured or otherwise deteriorated film which impacts driver’s vision is not allowed.
  • If side windows or rear window is tinted vehicle must have dual exterior rear view mirrors.
  • Factory-made glass on windshields may have up to 70% VLT. No aftermarket tint is permitted besides the uppermost part.
  • Vehicles first registered before 1 August 1994 also have 35% minimum VLT unless darker tint was already fitted.
  • Trucks, vans, utility vehicles, or other similar vehicles designed to carry goods and where vehicle construction reduces the need to see through the rear window while driving have no VLT limits for tinting windows behind driver.

NSW window tint source

NSW Legislation: Road Transport (Vehicle Registration) Regulation 2017, Schedule 2 Light Vehicle Standards Rules, #44 – Window tinting (retrieved February 2019).

Car window tint laws in Australia

Each AU state or territory has its own rules and regulations, and violating vehicle equipment laws may get you in trouble when visiting other parts of the country.

See our main Australia Window Tint Laws page for an overview of car tinting laws for all territories and states and to find out if Australian Capital Territory Window Tint Laws are legal in other parts of Australia.

Capital Territory

Queensland

Victoria

New South Wales

South Australia

Western Australia

Northern Territory

Tasmania

More AU tint laws info

  • AU Vehicle Design Codes – see AU vehicle classification to learn if you can tint below limits.
  • Jurisdictions – learn which state or territory laws apply to you.
  • Penalties – fines and other penalties for violating vehicle equipment laws in Australia.
  • Factory Tint – some car windows are already tinted, find out if yours are.

Relevant information

To learn more about window tint and laws be sure to check some of our articles!