Window tint shades & VLT guide for South Australia
Tint darkness is measured as VLT, the percentage of visible light the glass lets through. This guide shows every shade from clear to limo, where South Australia's legal limits sit, and how each choice reads at night.
VLT is the number behind every tint shade
One figure tells you how dark a tint is and whether it is legal.
VLT stands for visible light transmission. A 70% film lets 70% of visible light through and reads as a light shade, while a 5% limo film lets only 5% through and looks near-black. The lower the number, the darker the glass and the more privacy it gives, which is exactly why South Australia sets a legal minimum for the windows around the driver.
Window tinting in Adelaide with Tint Bros starts from $345 and ranges up to $745, depending on the film tier and your vehicle. Your VLT choice sets the look and the legality; the film tier you pick over the top of it sets how much heat and UV stay out of the cabin.
Slide through every shade on the same car
Tap a shade to see it on the glass, read the light it lets through, and check where it sits against SA law.
Medium shade35% VLT35% of visible light passes through the glass. Lower numbers mean a darker shade.
The legal minimum for front side windows in SA.
Darkness is not the same as heat rejection. A light ceramic film can block far more heat than a cheap dark one, so the VLT you choose is about privacy and glare, while the film tier drives how much heat stays out.
Windscreen stays clear on every road car · we confirm the compliant shade per window in store
How dark you can legally go in SA
The rules set a minimum amount of light each window must let through. We fit within them and keep your car roadworthy.
Windscreen
Top band onlyNo tint across the main swept area, only a visor strip along the top edge.
Front side windows
35% VLT minMust let at least 35% of light through, so 35% is the darkest legal front shade.
Behind the driver
20% VLT minRear side windows and rear screen can go darker, down to a 20% minimum.
These are South Australia's legal minimums for a standard road car. If you mostly want heat and UV relief without going dark, a lighter shade over a high-rejection ceramic film still blocks serious heat while staying well inside the law.
Shades we stock per tier
The shade sets the look and legality · the film tier drives heat rejection
What each shade looks like at night
The darker the film, the less light reaches your eyes at night. A lighter shade around 35% keeps rear-view and side-mirror visibility close to factory, which is why it suits daily drivers. Deeper 20% and 5% shades cut far more light, so they make most sense on windows behind the driver where they add privacy without sitting in your sightline.
Film quality matters as much as the number. Precision-cut ceramic film stays optically clear rather than hazing, so a well-chosen shade holds strong night visibility. We advise the right VLT for how you actually drive and for South Australian regulations before any film goes on the glass.
Lighter shades keep clear rear vision at night.
Go darker behind the driver, not on the fronts.
Ceramic film cuts daytime glare without dulling night sight.
Common questions
In South Australia, your front side windows must let at least 35% of light through (35% VLT), so 35% is the darkest legal shade there. Rear side windows and the rear screen can go darker, down to a 20% VLT minimum. The windscreen can't be tinted across the main swept area, only a visor strip along the top edge. Our fitters keep every car within the legal limits and advise the right compliant shade before any film is cut.
Quality film is precision-engineered to keep excellent visibility. We offer a range of VLT (visible light transmission) levels, from a lighter 35% down to deeper 20% and 5%, and we'll advise the best shade for your driving needs and South Australian regulations.
Window tinting in Adelaide with Tint Bros starts from $345 and ranges up to $745, depending on the film tier and your vehicle's make, model, and year. Suntek CXP starts at $345, Solargard Ion Ceramic at $445, Rayno S9 Phantom at $545, and our flagship Ultrafit Signature at $745. ZipPay buy-now-pay-later is available, and a free quote takes a minute.
Ceramic tints use nano-ceramic particles to block significantly more heat and UV than standard dyed or metallised films, without interfering with radio, GPS, or mobile signals. They're clearer, longer-lasting, and far more comfortable, which is why we fit ceramic film across all of our tiers.
With proper care, quality tint can last 10–15 years or longer, and our premium ceramic films carry longer manufacturer-backed warranties. UV exposure, cleaning habits, and film quality all influence how long it stays looking its best.
Found your shade? Price it in a minute
Ceramic film from $345 to $745, fitted to the legal shade for your car. Get an instant quote, then book a time that suits.