Headlight & Taillight Tint in California
Smoked or tinted film on headlights and taillights is illegal in California. Headlights must emit white light and taillights must show red at the required visibility distance, and tint that dims or discolors them violates those requirements.
Verified against primary sources · August 2026
What the law says
Smoked or tinted film on headlights and taillights is illegal in California. Headlights must emit white light and taillights must show red at the required visibility distance, and tint that dims or discolors them violates those requirements. California requires white light to the front and red to the rear, all required lamps maintained in working order, and bars any device that modifies required lighting. No state expressly permits smoked lamp film; the violation is the loss of required color or visibility distance, which any meaningful tint causes.
Specific Limits
- Film permitted
- No
- Headlight color
- white
- Taillight color
- red
Frequently Asked Questions
Are headlight & taillight tint legal in California?
What are the exact headlight & taillight tint limits in California?
Street-legal headlight & taillight tint picks
Gear that helps you mod without a ticket in California.
Clear, bright lenses — the fully legal alternative to tinting them.
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