Legal
Window Tint Rules in Canada (2026): Alberta and BC Explained
Obsidian Auto Team, , updated , 6 Minute Read
Contents
Quick answer: There is no single national tint law in Canada: each province and territory sets its own window-tint rules, and there is no new national rule for 2026. Alberta: no tinting film on the windshield or the windows to the left and right of the driver unless the driver holds a Government of Alberta exemption permit; the rear side windows and…
Key Takeaways
- There is no single national tint law in Canada: each province and territory sets its own window-tint rules, and there is no new national rule for 2026.
- Alberta: no tinting film on the windshield or the windows to the left and right of the driver unless the driver holds a Government of Alberta exemption permit; the rear side windows and rear window are outside that restriction.
- An Alberta exemption is a $55 permit for approved medical conditions, and the only film allowed under it is clear UV film with a combined visible light transmittance of 50% or more.
- British Columbia: no film on the front side windows, film on the windshield only within 75 mm of the top, film allowed on the side windows behind the driver, and on the rear window only if the vehicle has outside mirrors on both sides.
Reviewed 25 September 2026 against alberta.ca and bclaws.gov.bc.ca
"What's the new tint rule in Canada?" is one of the most searched questions about window tinting, and the short answer is that there isn't one. Canada has no national tint law; each province sets its own. For Calgary drivers, two sets of rules matter: Alberta's at home and British Columbia's on the drive west.
Correction
An earlier version of this article said Alberta allows film of 70% VLT or lighter on the front windows and that BC requires 70% VLT on all windows. Both statements were wrong. The rules below are taken from the two governments' own published texts.
Alberta
The Government of Alberta says tinting material "is not allowed to be attached to the windshield and the windows to the left and right of the driver unless you get an exemption" (alberta.ca).
Outside the restriction
- Film on the rear side windows
- Film on the rear window
- With an approved exemption permit: clear UV film on the front side windows, combined visible light transmittance 50% or more
Not allowed
- Film on the windshield
- Film on the front side windows without a permit, however light
- Anything darker than the permit allows
The exemption is a permit, not a doctor's note: you apply to the province with a physician's note, a committee reviews the request, and an approved permit costs $55 and must be carried in the vehicle. The approved conditions are skin cancer (diagnosed or recurrent melanoma, basal or squamous cell) and bullous pemphigus. Our step-by-step guide to getting a window tint exemption in Alberta covers the process.
British Columbia
BC's rule is in section 7.05(8) of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations. Material that reduces light transmission is limited as follows:
- Windshield: only within 75 mm (about 3 inches) of the top.
- Front side windows: not allowed.
- Side windows behind the driver: allowed.
- Rear window: allowed only if the vehicle has outside rear-view mirrors on both the left and right side.
So a Calgary car with film on the rear glass, two outside mirrors and clear front side windows is consistent with both provinces' rules.
Other Provinces
Every other province and territory publishes its own rule, usually in its highway traffic or vehicle equipment regulations, and the details differ. Before you tint a car that is registered or regularly driven elsewhere, read that province's transportation page rather than a summary table.
What VLT Means
Visible light transmittance (VLT) is the share of visible light that passes through the glass. Higher numbers are lighter: 70% is nearly clear, 35% is a medium tint, 5% is "limo" dark. In Alberta, VLT matters for the rear glass (how much privacy you want) and for permit holders, whose clear UV film must keep the combined figure at 50% or more. Darkness and heat rejection are different properties: a ceramic film rejects far more infrared heat than a dyed film of the same darkness, which is why the film type matters as much as the percentage on the rear glass.
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Written by
Obsidian Auto Team
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