Is 35% Window Tint Legal in Chile After the 2026 Law Changes?

No, 35% window tint is illegal in Chile under Decreto Supremo N° 133/2016 and Ley de Tránsito N° 18.290, which mandate a minimum 70% light transmittance for front side windows. Police enforce this via Carabineros roadside inspections, with fines up to 1.5 UTM (~$110 USD). Vehicles with non-compliant tint face mandatory removal at owner’s expense.

Key Regulations for 35% Window Tint in Chile

  • Front side windows: Must allow ≥70% light transmittance (≤30% tint), per Artículo 45 of Ley de Tránsito.
  • Rear windows: Permitted up to 35% tint only if the vehicle has factory-installed side mirrors on both sides (Decreto Supremo N° 133/2016).
  • Medical exemptions: Require prior approval from Seremi de Salud with documented proof of conditions like photophobia; retroactive enforcement is rare but possible.

Post-2026, Chile’s Plan de Modernización del Tránsito may introduce stricter penalties and digital verification via Registro Civil for tint compliance. Local workshops increasingly refuse installations due to liability risks under Ley N° 21.314 (2021), which holds installers jointly liable for non-compliant vehicles. Always verify tint percentages with certified equipment, as handheld meters are inadmissible in legal disputes.