Texas broadened its rear-side window tint exception in 2009
In force · 2009 changeTexas SB 589 added a general rear-side window exception in September 2009. The change did not remove front-side limits, windshield restrictions or the separate rear-window mirror condition.
Law took effect: Published: Sources checked: (UTC)
By Window Tint Laws · Status reflects the sources checked on the date above.
Historical development. The event below predates this report’s publication. This is not a newly enacted change.
Measure: Senate Bill 589 ↗ · 81st Legislature, Regular Session (2009)
Law signed:
Law effective:
What changed in September 2009
Texas SB 589 was signed on June 19, 2009 and took effect on September 1, 2009. This is a historical account reviewed on October 14, 2026, not a newly announced change.
The act added Transportation Code §547.613(b)(2-a), covering side windows behind the vehicle operator without limiting that provision to multipurpose vehicles. The older, narrower multipurpose-vehicle exception remained elsewhere in the same subsection.
Sources: Texas Legislature: SB 589 action history ↗ · Texas Legislature: enrolled SB 589 ↗
Front windows and the rear window remained different
The act retained the ordinary front-side standard of at least 25% light transmission and no more than 25% luminous reflectance, measured through the glass and material together. It also retained separate windshield restrictions. The 2009 change was not a reduction of the front-side transmission minimum.
The rear window is a separate pane governed by a separate provision. The statutory rear-window exception requires an outside mirror on each side providing a view at least 200 feet behind the vehicle. A rear-side exception should not be read as blanket permission for every window.
Sources: Texas Legislature: enrolled SB 589 ↗ · Current Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 547 ↗
Why this history still matters
The current Texas code retains the general rear-side exception. DPS likewise distinguishes windows behind the driver from the front-side windows and the rear window. A chart that treats the general rear-side exception as available only to multipurpose vehicles misses the broader provision added in 2009.
SB 589 also changed statutory labeling requirements and created a misdemeanor provision for businesses that attach tint without the required compliant label. This report explains the statutory history; it is not a complete installation checklist or a determination of federal or commercial-vehicle compliance.
Sources: Current Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 547 ↗ · Texas DPS: Window Tinting Standards ↗ · Texas Legislature: enrolled SB 589 ↗
Before relying on this report
- This state-law history does not establish unrestricted tint on all panes or all vehicle classes.
- The DPS tint page retains older inspection wording; the separate 2025 inspection report covers that later change.
- Detailed current label placement, federal installation requirements and commercial-vehicle compliance are outside this report.
This report is general information, not legal advice or a vehicle-specific compliance decision. A news item does not authorize a film installation or add a rule to our calculator.
Sources and references
- Texas Legislature: enrolled SB 589 ↗
Sections 1–4 show the additions, retained pane-specific conditions and September 1, 2009 effective date.
- Texas Legislature: SB 589 action history ↗
Official history records June 19, 2009 signature and September 1, 2009 effectiveness.
- Current Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 547 ↗
Section 547.613(b)(2-a) retains the general rear-side exception; adjacent provisions distinguish other panes.
- Texas DPS: Window Tinting Standards ↗
Substantive pane distinctions corroborate current code. The page is dated September 4, 2020 and retains older inspection wording.