Removes the exemption for tinting of the windshield and imposes fines of $250 for a first and second offense and subsequent offenses are punishable by a $250 fine and up to a one year suspension of the vehicle registration.

Rhode Island Windshield Tinting Bill

This bill would change Rhode Island's rules about tinted windshields on vehicles. Currently, there appears to be an exemption in state law that allows windshields to be tinted under certain circumstances. This legislation would remove that exemption, effectively making windshield tinting prohibited, and would establish specific penalties for drivers who violate the rule.

Under the proposed fines, a driver caught with an illegally tinted windshield would face a $250 fine for a first offense and another $250 fine for a second offense. For repeat violations beyond that, the consequences become more serious — drivers would still face the $250 fine, but could also have their vehicle registration suspended for up to one year, meaning they would no longer be legally allowed to drive that vehicle on public roads.

This bill would affect any Rhode Island vehicle owner or driver who has tinting applied to their windshield. It is worth noting that the bill specifically targets windshields — the large front window of a vehicle — and may be separate from rules governing tinting on side or rear windows. Windshield tinting is a safety concern for law enforcement and traffic safety officials because it can reduce visibility, particularly at night or in low-light conditions.

The bill has been referred to the House State Government & Elections Committee and is scheduled for a hearing in April 2026, meaning it has not yet become law and is still in the early stages of the legislative process.