How to Get a Medical Tint Exemption Online, Step by Step

Before you start: pick your state

Tint limits, forms, and renewal rules vary by state, and the physician who reviews your case needs to be licensed where you live. Start by choosing your state.

Why do it online with ShadedMD? Because it's the simplest and most affordable route. There's no office visit, no waiting room, and no time off work, and the one flat $129 fee is the best pricing of any online tint exemption service. A specialist appointment can cost more than the whole evaluation, and every step, from questionnaire to certificate, happens from your phone or computer.

Step 1: Gather your information

• Your diagnosis, when you were diagnosed, and who treats you
• Your symptoms when you're exposed to sunlight or bright light
• Your medications and treatments, including any that cause photosensitivity
• Your vehicle's year, make, and model
• Your legal name and date of birth as they appear on your driver's license

Not sure whether your condition is a fit? Read medical conditions that may qualify.

Step 2: Complete the medical questionnaire

The questionnaire asks about your condition, how light affects you, and how driving affects you. It takes about 5 minutes. Answer honestly and specifically.

"Lupus diagnosed in 2019; facial rash and joint pain flare after about 20 minutes in the car" tells a physician far more than "I'm sensitive to the sun."

The evaluation is a one-time fee of $129, paid when you submit your questionnaire, and it's covered by our money-back guarantee.

Step 3: Physician review

A physician licensed in your state reviews your answers. Physicians aim to complete reviews within 24 to 48 hours. The physician decides based on medical need, just as they would in an office visit. You'll get an email either way.

Step 4: Receive your certificate

If you're approved, you'll get an email with a link to your certificate. You can view it online, download it as a PDF, and print it. The certificate shows your name, date of birth, state, and vehicle, the reviewing physician's name and license, and the dates it was issued and is valid through. ShadedMD certificates are valid for one year.

Step 5: Handle state paperwork and tinting

Some states only require you to carry the physician's certificate. Others require you to submit an application or form to the DMV or state police, sometimes with the certificate attached. Check your state's requirements before you have tint installed.

Bring your certificate to the tint shop. Many installers will ask to see it before installing film darker than the standard limit.

Step 6: Keep it in your vehicle and renew on time

Keep the printed certificate, and any state-issued permit or form, in the vehicle at all times. Set a reminder before the expiration date so you can renew without a gap. Our guide to traffic stops, inspections, and travel covers what to do if you're pulled over.

What if I'm not approved?

A denial usually means the physician didn't have enough information to confirm a medical need. You can reapply with more details about your diagnosis and condition. See our money-back guarantee for how refunds work.

Frequently asked questions