Is windshield tint legal in California?

Short answer: not the way people usually mean it. California only allows a non-reflective strip across the very top of the windshield — full-glass tint, even a light one, isn't street legal.

What the AS-1 line means

Every windshield has a manufacturer-marked line (usually etched into the glass near the top edge) called the AS-1 line. Film is only permitted above that line — typically the top 4 to 6 inches, depending on the vehicle. Below it, the glass has to stay clear.

Why the rest of the windshield can't be tinted

Unlike side windows, there's no VLT percentage that makes a full windshield tint legal for street driving — it's restricted to that top strip regardless of how light the film is, because visibility through the windshield is treated differently under the law than side or rear glass.

What we actually install

A clear, UV- and heat-rejecting film across the full windshield (no visible darkening), plus an optional non-reflective sun strip at the top if you want it. That combination is legal everywhere in California and still cuts a meaningful amount of heat and glare.