Why Front and Rear Windows Are Treated Differently
Ontario's Highway Traffic Act sets equipment rules for vehicle windows, and the front of the car is treated more strictly than the back. The windshield and front side windows need to let in enough light for a driver to see clearly and for officers to see into the vehicle during a stop, so there's less room to go dark there. Rear side windows and the rear windshield have significantly more flexibility, since drivers rely on mirrors rather than direct visibility through those windows.
What This Means in Practice
In practice, this is why almost every professional tint shop — us included — walks you through which shade makes sense for which window before installing anything. Because exact requirements can be nuanced and enforcement can vary, we always recommend a compliant option for your windshield and front windows, and reserve the darkest shades in our lineup for the rear windows and rear windshield, where you have the most freedom.
The Shades We Offer
We install SunTek film in four shades — 5%, 20%, 35%, and 50% — and our team will help you choose a combination that fits both your privacy and style goals and Ontario's rules for your front windows.
Getting Pulled Over for Illegal Tint
An officer who believes your tint is too dark can issue a Highway Traffic Act violation, and in some cases require the film removed before the vehicle is back on the road. It's a real cost on top of the tint job itself — which is exactly why getting professional advice up front is worth it over a cheaper, unverified install.
