Under window tint laws Queensland drivers have to follow, the front side windows must let through at least 35% of visible light, and the rear side windows and rear window must let through at least 20%. Vans and vehicles built to carry goods can run darker tint on windows behind the driver.

Those percentages describe how much light gets through, so a lower number means a darker window. The catch is that the reading covers the whole window, glass and film together, not just the film. That's why the shade you pick needs to suit the glass your car already has. Here's how it all works in practice.

If you're ready to choose a shade, our window tinting page lists the options and pricing.

Window tint laws Queensland: the limits at a glance

  • Front side windows (driver and front passenger): at least 35% of light must pass through.
  • Rear side windows: at least 20% of light must pass through.
  • Rear window: at least 20% of light must pass through.
  • Vans and goods-carrying vehicles: windows behind the driver can be darker than 20%.
  • Windscreen: covered by separate, much stricter rules, so check before you consider any film on it.

These rules exist so drivers can see out clearly, particularly at night, and so police and other road users can see into the cabin. The details for unusual vehicles can change, so if your car doesn't fit neatly into a category, check the Queensland Government's transport guidance before choosing a darker shade.

How VLT percentages work

VLT stands for visible light transmission. A 35% film lets through 35% of the visible light that hits it, and blocks the rest. A 50% film is lighter, a 20% film is darker, and a 5% film is the very dark shade often called limo tint.

The legal figure applies to the window as a whole. Car glass is rarely perfectly clear, and many cars have a light green or grey tint built into the glass at the factory. When film goes over that glass, the two combine, and the final reading ends up lower than the number printed on the film.

Why the numbers multiply

Think of it as layers, each one passing on a share of the light it receives. If the factory glass lets through 80% of light and you add a 35% film, the window passes roughly 35% of 80%, which works out at about 28%. That's darker than either layer on its own, and below the limit for a front side window.

This is the most common way people end up with illegal tint without meaning to. A good installer checks your glass and recommends a film that keeps the finished window within the law.

Vans, goods vehicles and factory privacy glass

Vans and vehicles designed to carry goods are treated differently because rear vision comes from mirrors rather than the back windows. That's why darker film, even limo shades, can be legal behind the driver on these vehicles. The front side windows still have to meet the 35% rule.

Many SUVs and people movers come from the factory with dark privacy glass on the rear windows. That glass is made to meet Australian standards as supplied. Adding film over it, though, lowers the reading again, so treat those windows with care when choosing a shade.

For a work van, darker rear film also keeps tools and stock out of sight, which can help discourage break-ins. The driver and passenger windows still need to stay within the 35% limit.

We offer four shades, all with 99% UV protection. The right choice depends on where the film is going, how your glass reads and what you want from it.

  • 50% (light): cuts glare and UV with only a subtle change in look. A sensible choice for front side windows, especially if your glass already has a factory tint.
  • 35% (medium): a noticeable darkening and a popular choice for front sides on clear glass, as long as the combined reading stays within the limit.
  • 20% (dark): adds privacy and keeps rear passengers cooler. Commonly used on rear side and rear windows where the glass allows it.
  • 5% (limo): very dark, so it only suits windows where the law permits darker tint, such as behind the driver on an eligible van.

Darker isn't always cooler. Heat rejection depends on the type of film as much as its shade, which we cover in our guide to car window tinting on the Gold Coast.

  • The number on the film is the final number. It isn't. The glass itself blocks some light, so the window ends up darker than the film's rating.
  • Darker film is always cooler. Heat rejection comes mostly from the film's construction, so a well-made lighter film can outperform a cheap dark one.
  • The rear window follows the front side rule. It doesn't. The rear window and rear side windows share the 20% minimum, while front sides need 35%.
  • Factory privacy glass leaves room for any film. Those windows are already dark, so adding film needs a careful choice to keep the total within the law.
  • Vans and cars are treated the same. Darker film behind the driver is allowed for vans and goods-carrying vehicles, not for ordinary passenger cars.

Buying a used car with tint already fitted

Plenty of second-hand cars come with aftermarket tint, and there's no way to tell its rating just by looking. If the front windows look noticeably dark, it's worth asking the seller whether the film was fitted professionally and which shade was used.

A car with illegal tint may need the film removed before it can pass a safety certificate inspection, so factor that into your offer. Film that has turned purple, bubbled or started peeling at the edges is also a sign it's due for replacement anyway. Let us know about any existing film when you ask for a quote, because old tint has to come off before new film goes on.

Tint that is too dark can be picked up by police with a light meter, and the car can be issued a defect notice. Overly dark film can also cause trouble at a safety certificate inspection when you sell or re-register the car.

There's a practical side too. Very dark front windows make reversing at night, merging and spotting cyclists harder, especially on unlit roads. A legal shade still blocks UV and cuts glare, so you lose little in comfort by staying within the rules.

It's also worth keeping the invoice for your tint, showing the shade fitted to each window, in case questions come up when you sell the car or have it inspected.

Getting your car tinted on the coast

Our tinting is fully mobile and starts from $295. We fit the film at your home or workplace, and every job carries a lifetime guarantee against fading and bubbling. Tint also helps keep your cabin from baking, which pairs well with a regular interior clean to keep dash and seats in good shape.

Not sure which shade suits your glass? Ask us for a free quote and we'll recommend a legal option for each window, then come to you to fit it.