Traffic Violations

MichiganTint Ticket — Fines, Penalties & How to Fight It

Got a tint ticket in Michigan? Here's what you need to know about fines, what happens in court, and how to prevent future tickets with a medical exemption.

Michigan Tint Ticket Fines & Penalties

Under MCL §257.709, any aftermarket tint on front side windows is illegal in Michigan. Violations are civil infractions:

Base Fine

$115 per violation

Plus court costs, totaling up to $150

Repeat Offenses

$115+ fine + mandatory tint removal

Court may order removal and proof of compliance

Additional Consequences

No points added to your license (civil infraction, not moving violation)
Appears on your driving record — can affect insurance rates
Mandatory tint removal order ($50–$200 at a shop)
Must provide proof of removal to court within a set deadline

How Michigan Enforces Tint Laws

Front-window tint is a primary offense in Michigan

Michigan State Police, Detroit PD, Grand Rapids PD, and local agencies can pull you over solely because your front windows have visible aftermarket tint. No other reason is needed for the stop.

Michigan has no annual vehicle inspection. Tint enforcement happens exclusively at traffic stops. This makes enforcement unpredictable but no less serious.

High-enforcement corridors:

I-75 (Detroit to Flint) — MSP and DPD patrol heavily
I-94 (Detroit to Ann Arbor) — Washtenaw County enforcement
I-96 (Detroit to Grand Rapids/Lansing) — MSP campaigns
M-10 Lodge Freeway (Detroit) — DPD tint enforcement
US-131 (Grand Rapids) — GRPD and Kent County patrol
I-69 (Flint to Lansing) — Genesee/Ingham County enforcement

How Do Michigan Police Test Tint?

For front-window violations, officers often cite based on visual observation — any visible aftermarket film on front windows is illegal. For measurement, they use handheld tint meters (photometers):

1Officer places the tint meter sensor on the window glass
2Device emits light and measures how much passes through (VLT)
3Any aftermarket film on front windows is a violation regardless of VLT reading
4Citation issued under MCL §257.709

Tint meters can give varying readings based on calibration, temperature, and film age. This is one avenue for contesting tickets in court.

How to Fight a Tint Ticket in Michigan

If you've received a tint ticket from MSP, DPD, GRPD, or any local agency, here are your options:

Option 1: Pay the Fine ($115 + Court Costs)

Pay the civil infraction fine and remove or replace the tint. The simplest option but the most expensive long-term if you want to keep your tint.

Option 2: Contest in Court

Challenge the ticket by questioning the tint meter’s calibration, the officer’s training, or whether the film is truly aftermarket (some factory glass can appear tinted). Bring tint installer receipts showing the VLT percentage and film specifications.

RecommendedOption 3: Get a Medical Exemption (Recommended)

The most effective long-term solution. If you have a qualifying medical condition, a medical exemption under MCL §257.709(3) can be presented in court to help dismiss your current ticket AND permanently protect you from future tickets. Apply online for $225.

Prevent Future Tint Tickets

Because Michigan completely bans aftermarket front tint, the only way to legally tint your front windows is with a medical exemption. At $225, the exemption costs less than two tickets.

$115–$150+

Per tint ticket

Plus removal costs ($50–$200), insurance impact

$225

Medical exemption

One-time fee, permanent protection

Already Got a Michigan Tint Ticket?

If you have a qualifying medical condition, getting an exemption now may help you contest your current ticket andprevent all future ones. A medical exemption under MCL §257.709(3) is a valid legal defense in any Michigan court.