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Is a Sunstrip Legal in the US?

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A sunstrip, a banner across the top of the windshield, is legal in the US only within the strip your state allows at the top of the glass. It follows the same rule as windshield tint: fine along the top edge, illegal once it drops into the driver's view.

Why?

Anything applied to the windshield is treated as glazing that must not obstruct the driver, so a sunstrip is judged by the same state rules that govern windshield tint. Nearly every state allows a band of tint or material only along the top of the windshield.

The permitted depth is usually defined by the "AS-1" line marked on the glass, or as a set number of inches from the top (often around four to six). A sunstrip that stays within that band is generally allowed; one that reaches lower into the swept, must-see-through area is not.

So a tasteful strip along the top edge is road-legal in most states, while a deep banner that eats into the driver's sightline is an obstruction. Check your state's windshield rule for the exact allowed depth.

What decides if it's legal

  • A windshield banner counts as material on the windshield, which states regulate.
  • Most states allow tint or a strip only along the top of the windshield.
  • The common limit is above the "AS-1" line or the top few inches.
  • It must not extend down into the driver's field of view.

Does it depend on your state?

Yes. The allowed depth of any windshield-top material is set by state law, usually to the AS-1 line or a few inches from the top, so how deep a sunstrip can be depends on your state.

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Sources

This page is general guidance, not legal advice, on the rules in the US for sunstrip. The detail varies by exact vehicle and changes over time - confirm with your insurer and the EPA, NHTSA and your state DMV before modifying.