Traffic Violations

MinnesotaTint Ticket — Fines, Penalties & How to Fight It

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

Minnesota Tint Tickets: What Makes Them Different

Unlike many states where tint tickets are simple civil infractions, Minnesota classifies window tint violations as petty misdemeanors under MN Stat §169.71. This means the violation appears on your Minnesota driving record. Minnesota has no annual vehicle inspection, so enforcement happens exclusively at traffic stops by Minnesota State Patrol, Minneapolis PD, St. Paul PD, and local agencies.

Minnesota Tint Ticket Fines

First Offense

$50 petty misdemeanor + court costs

Repeat Offenses

$50–$200 fine + court costs

Additional Consequences

Equipment violation on your Minnesota driving record
May be ordered to remove illegal tint and provide proof
Court costs added on top of the base fine
Potential insurance rate impact from driving record entry

Can You Be Pulled Over Just for Tint?

Yes — tint is a primary offense in Minnesota

Minnesota State Patrol, Minneapolis PD, St. Paul PD, and local agencies can pull you over solely because your window tint appears too dark. They don't need another reason for the stop. Once stopped, they use a tint meter to measure your VLT and issue a petty misdemeanor citation if it reads below 50%.

Where Are Tint Tickets Most Commonly Issued?

Minnesota State Patrol and local departments are most active on these corridors:

I-394 / I-94 (Minneapolis)

MSP and Minneapolis PD patrol heavily through downtown and western suburbs

I-35W (Minneapolis to Bloomington)

Heavy traffic volume; frequent enforcement near Mall of America corridor

I-35E (St. Paul)

St. Paul PD and MSP enforce through the capital city

MN-62 / Crosstown Hwy

High-traffic suburban corridor; MSP actively enforces

I-494 (South Metro loop)

Connects Bloomington, Eden Prairie, Plymouth

I-35 (Duluth)

MSP enforces along the Lake Superior corridor

US-52 / US-63 (Rochester)

Mayo Clinic corridor; moderate enforcement

How Do Police Test Your Tint?

Officers use a device called a tint meter(photometer) to measure the Visible Light Transmission (VLT) of your windows. Here's the process:

1The officer places the tint meter on your window during the traffic stop
2The device emits light and measures how much passes through
3The reading displays the VLT percentage
4If the reading is below 50% on front or back side windows, a petty misdemeanor citation may be issued

Tint meters can give varying readings based on calibration, temperature (relevant in Minnesota's extreme cold), and the age of your tint. This is one reason tickets can be contested in court.

How to Fight a Tint Ticket in Minnesota

If you've received a tint ticket in Minnesota, you have several options:

Option 1: Pay the Fine

The simplest option. Pay the petty misdemeanor fine ($50 first offense) plus court costs and either remove or lighten your tint to comply with the 50% VLT requirement. Note: this goes on your Minnesota driving record.

Option 2: Contest in Court

You can challenge the ticket by questioning the tint meter’s calibration (especially in extreme cold), the officer’s training on the device, or the accuracy of the reading. Bring evidence like a receipt from your tint installer showing the VLT percentage installed.

RecommendedOption 3: Get a Medical Exemption

The most effective long-term solution. If you have a qualifying medical condition, get a medical exemption under MN Stat §169.71 subd. 4. You can present it in court to potentially have the current ticket dismissed AND you’ll be protected from all future petty misdemeanor citations.

Prevent Future Tint Tickets

The best way to avoid tint tickets is to either stay within Minnesota's strict 50% VLT limit or get a medical exemption. An exemption costs $225— and protects you permanently from petty misdemeanor citations and driving record entries.

$50–$200+

Per petty misdemeanor ticket

Plus court costs, tint removal, driving record entry

$225

Medical exemption

One-time fee, permanent protection, clean record

Already Got a Ticket?

If you have a qualifying medical condition, getting an exemption now may help you contest your current petty misdemeanor citation andprevent all future ones. A physician-certified exemption under MN Stat §169.71 subd. 4 is your strongest defense.