How to get a medical window tint exemption: the short answer
Medical tint exemptions are granted by your state, not the federal government. In most states you need a licensed physician (and in many states an optometrist) to certify that you need protection from sunlight, then you either file a form with the DMV or keep a signed statement in the car.
The steps that apply in most states:
- Check your state's rules: Some states issue a certificate, some only require a signed letter, and a few allow only clear UV film.
- See your doctor: A licensed physician or optometrist completes the state form or writes a letter on letterhead.
- Submit it if required: Mail it to the DMV or state police office named on the form, with any fee.
- Install the tint: Ask the shop to meter the windows and keep the invoice.
- Carry the proof: Keep the certificate or letter in the vehicle at all times.
Is there a federal medical tint exemption?
No. Federal safety standard FMVSS 205 requires at least 70% light transmittance in the windows needed for driving visibility on new vehicles. Federal law also bars dealers and repair businesses from "making inoperative" that standard, which includes tinting below 70%.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has said that federal law does not provide individual medical exemptions. However, it has also said it will not take enforcement action against a business that applies tint to accommodate a condition covered by a state exemption. In practice, the state exemption is what you need.
Who qualifies?
Every state sets its own list, but the same conditions show up again and again. New York's MV-80W form lists:
- Albinism
- Chronic actinic dermatitis
- Dermatomyositis
- Lupus erythematosus
- Porphyria
- Any other condition causing severe photosensitivity
Florida's form also lists vitiligo, xeroderma pigmentosum, and other autoimmune conditions. Severe photophobia and migraines triggered by light may qualify in some states if your doctor certifies the need, but they're judged case by case. Wanting a darker look or a cooler cabin does not qualify anywhere.
Medical tint exemptions by state
The process varies more than most people expect. Here is how it works in some of the states where drivers search for it most:
| State | How It Works | Who Certifies | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | Form HSMV 83390 mailed to FLHSMV | Licensed physician or other listed authority | Small fee per vehicle; certificate never expires but ends when you sell the car |
| Texas | Signed medical exemption statement kept in the car | Licensed physician or optometrist | No state certificate; show the statement at traffic stops and inspection (Texas DPS) |
| New York | Form MV-80W mailed to the DMV Medical Review Unit | NY-licensed physician, PA, or nurse practitioner | Exam must be within 60 days of submitting |
| Pennsylvania | Form MV-402 to PennDOT | Physician or optometrist | Allows only colorless UV-filtering film, not darker tint |
| Georgia | Application sent to the Department of Public Safety | Physician or optometrist | The doctor's letter must be mailed directly from the medical office (Georgia DPS) |
| Arizona | Form 40-1511 to the MVD Medical Review Program | Medical provider | Reviewed by the state before approval (ADOT) |
| District of Columbia | Signed letter kept in the vehicle | Physician, PA, ophthalmologist, or optometrist | Letter must be on the provider's letterhead (DC DMV) |
For your state's regular tint limits, see our 50-State Chart. An exemption from one state does not carry over when you register the car in another.
Florida, step by step
Florida gets more exemption searches than any other state, and several sites give wrong information about it. According to the official form:
- Download form HSMV 83390, the Application for Sunscreening Medical Exemption, from FLHSMV.
- Have the certifying authority sign the Physician's Statement of Certification section.
- Add your vehicle details, including the VIN and title number.
- Mail it with the fee to the Bureau of Motorist Compliance in Tallahassee. The fee is a few dollars per vehicle, so confirm the current amount on the form.
- Keep the certificate in the car. It allows tint on the windshield, side windows, and rear windows, it has no expiration date, and it becomes void when you sell or transfer the vehicle.
Watch out for online exemption services
Some websites charge $250 or more for an "online tint exemption" after a quick telehealth review. A doctor's signature is real, but it isn't the whole process in states like Florida, New York, and Georgia, where the state issues or approves the exemption. Before you pay, check your state's official form. In most cases the state fee is small, and your own doctor can sign it at a regular visit.
What to do at a traffic stop
An exemption does not stop an officer from pulling you over, because dark tint looks the same from outside. Hand over the certificate or letter along with your license and registration. In states like Florida the exemption is tied to a specific vehicle, so it won't cover a rental or a new car until you apply again.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a medical exemption for window tint in Florida?
Yes. Florida issues medical exemption certificates under section 316.29545 of state law. You file form HSMV 83390 with a signed physician's statement and a small fee, and the certificate stays valid until you sell the vehicle.
Can I have 5% tint in Texas with a medical exemption?
Texas law exempts drivers and passengers who carry a signed statement from a physician or optometrist saying they must be shielded from the sun. The statement should identify the person and the medical need. Ask your doctor to be specific, and carry the statement every time you drive.
Can I get a medical exemption for window tint in Pennsylvania?
Only for clear film. PennDOT's exemption allows colorless film that filters UV light, but it does not allow tint darker than the state's normal limits. Call PennDOT's medical unit at 717-787-9662 with questions.
How do I get a tint waiver in Connecticut?
Connecticut handles medical tint waivers through its Department of Motor Vehicles. Start with the DMV's tinted window guidance and ask your doctor for a letter explaining the medical need, since the state reviews requests case by case.
This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice. Exemption rules change, so confirm the current form and fee with your state before you tint.
Sources
- NHTSA interpretation on medical exemptions and FMVSS 205
- NHTSA letter on state medical exemption statutes
- Application for Sunscreening Medical Exemption (HSMV 83390), Florida HSMV
- Window Tinting Standards, Texas DPS
- Medical Exemptions, New York DMV
- Medical Exemption to Window Tint Law, Georgia DPS
- Window Tinting Exemption, Arizona DOT
- Medical Waivers for Vehicle Window Tinting Restrictions, DC DMV
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