What a window tint ticket costs in Michigan
No one can honestly quote you a single number, and we are not going to invent one. Michigan fixes the offence — civil infraction under MCL 257.709; MCL 257.907, with $100 — mcl 257.709(9) orders a civil fine of not more than $100, which matches the general default in mcl 257.907(2)(a). The total on the citation comes from the fee schedule of the court that issued it, which varies by county.
| What the statute fixes | Michigan |
|---|---|
| Offence | Civil infraction |
| Amount set by statute | $100 — MCL 257.709(9) orders a civil fine of not more than $100, which matches the general default in MCL 257.907(2)(a) |
| Correctable (fix-it) | Not verified |
| Licence points | No |
| Statute | MCL 257.709; MCL 257.907 |
Why the figures online disagree
A tint citation's total is a base amount plus court costs and surcharges, and those are set per county by the citing court rather than by the tint statute. That is why three pages about the same state will quote three different numbers, all of them sourced from each other rather than from a schedule. The number that binds you is the one the clerk of the court named on your citation gives you — so that call is the first thing worth making.
What Michigan does settle
No points, and that is settled rather than assumed: the Michigan courts' traffic benchbook states that tinted windows under MCL 257.709 are equipment violations for which no points may be assessed, citing a Court of Appeals decision that assessing two points for non-reflective tint was improper. The fine is a civil one rather than a criminal penalty, and local courts set their own schedules within the statutory ceiling.
What to do next
- 1
Ring the clerk of the court named on the citation and ask for the amount and the appearance date. Do not rely on a figure from a blog.
- 2
Ask the same clerk whether the citation can be dismissed on proof that the film was brought into compliance — some courts allow it even where the statute is silent.
- 3
Have the film replaced with film that meters legal through the glass, and keep the receipt in case the court will take it.
The limits you were measured against
Front side windows No aftermarket film allowed, back side windows No limit specified, rear window No limit specified — metered through the film and the glass together. Factory side glass already blocks some light before any film goes on, which is how film sold as “legal” ends up metering under the limit.
Check what film will meter legal in Michigan →Frequently asked questions
How much is a window tint ticket in Michigan?
There is no single statewide figure, and anyone quoting one is guessing. Michigan fixes the offence — civil infraction under MCL 257.709; MCL 257.907, with $100 — mcl 257.709(9) orders a civil fine of not more than $100, which matches the general default in mcl 257.907(2)(a) — and the total you pay is set by the fee schedule of the court that issued the citation, which varies by county and is not published statewide. Call the clerk of the citing court for the figure that applies to you.
Is a tint ticket in Michigan correctable?
We could not verify that Michigan treats it as a correctable violation, so do not assume removing the film clears the citation. Ask the clerk of the citing court before the appearance date.
Does a tint ticket put points on your licence in Michigan?
No. Michigan treats it as an equipment or non-moving matter rather than a moving violation, so it does not carry licence points.
What tint got me cited in Michigan?
The limits are front side windows no film allowed, back side windows no numeric limit, rear window no numeric limit, measured through the film and the glass together — which is why film sold as legal can still meter under.
Can a medical exemption get a Michigan tint ticket dismissed?
Michigan does have a medical exemption, but it is something you hold before the stop, not a defence you assemble afterwards. If you qualify, get it in place so the next stop goes differently.
Sources
- MCL 257.709 (Michigan Legislature) (official)
- Michigan Courts - Traffic Benchbook, equipment violations (official)
Reference only, not legal advice. We do not publish an estimated ticket total because no statewide schedule exists to support one. For the amount that applies to you, ask the clerk of the court on your citation.