What a window tint ticket costs in South Dakota
No one can honestly quote you a single number, and we are not going to invent one. South Dakota fixes the offence — petty offence for the window provision; class 2 misdemeanor for one-way glass or film in the rear window under SDCL 32-15-5; rear window at 32-15-2.5, with no amount set in the statute itself. The total on the citation comes from the fee schedule of the court that issued it, which varies by county.
| What the statute fixes | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Offence | Petty offence for the window provision; Class 2 misdemeanor for one-way glass or film in the rear window |
| Amount set by statute | None — the citing court's schedule sets it |
| Correctable (fix-it) | Not verified |
| Licence points | Not verified |
| Statute | SDCL 32-15-5; rear window at 32-15-2.5 |
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 South Dakota does settle
Two different offences at two different levels, and which one you are charged with depends on the window. The general provision, 32-15-5, is a petty offence and states no amount, leaving it to the general penalty provisions. The rear window has its own and harsher rule: one-way glass, adhesive film or other glaze behind the operator's seat that drops transmission below 20 percent is a Class 2 misdemeanor. That rule carries a nine percentage point enforcement tolerance, which is the most generous we found in any state.
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 35% VLT minimum, back side windows 20% VLT minimum, rear window 20% VLT minimum — 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 South Dakota →Frequently asked questions
How much is a window tint ticket in South Dakota?
There is no single statewide figure, and anyone quoting one is guessing. South Dakota fixes the offence — petty offence for the window provision; class 2 misdemeanor for one-way glass or film in the rear window under SDCL 32-15-5; rear window at 32-15-2.5, with no amount set in the statute — 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 South Dakota correctable?
We could not verify that South Dakota 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 South Dakota?
We could not verify whether South Dakota assigns licence points for this, so we are not going to guess. The clerk of the citing court can tell you.
What tint got me cited in South Dakota?
The limits are front side windows 35% VLT, back side windows 20% VLT, rear window 20% VLT, measured through the film and the glass together — which is why film sold as legal can still meter under.
Sources
- SDCL 32-15-2.5 - one-way glass or film in the rear window (official)
- SDCL Chapter 32-15 - Vehicle and accessory specifications (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.