Quick answer
Some states require you to complete a state or DMV form, often signed by a physician, to hold a medical window tint exemption. Verified examples include Florida (form HSMV 83390), New York (form MV-80W), and Georgia (form DPS-431). Other states accept the physician's signed certificate alone. ShadedMD's certificate includes state form guidance for the states that require one.
Key takeaways
- States handle medical tint exemptions in two broad ways: a state form, or the physician's certificate kept in the car.
- Florida, New York, and Georgia are verified examples of states that use a specific state form.
- The form almost always depends on a physician's evaluation, so the physician review comes first either way.
- ShadedMD includes state form guidance with the certificate for states that require a form.
- Your state page at /states is the fastest way to see which type of state you live in.
Two kinds of states
Most states offer a medical window tint exemption, but they do not all administer it the same way. Broadly, states fall into two groups:
- Form states. You complete a state or DMV form, usually with a physician's signature or certification, and in some cases the state issues a permit, card, or sticker.
- Certificate states. You keep the physician's signed certificate or statement in the vehicle. There is no application, and the document itself is the exemption.
A few states have no medical exemption at all. The ShadedMD state directory is the fastest way to see which group your state is in and what the current rules are.
Verified examples of form states
These three states use a specific state form, and ShadedMD's certificate includes guidance for each:
| State | Form | Issued by |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | HSMV 83390 | Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; signed by a physician or optometrist |
| New York | MV-80W (Application for Tinted Window Exemption) | NY DMV; completed with a physician's certification |
| Georgia | DPS-431 | Georgia Department of Public Safety |
Read the full state guides for Florida, New York, and Georgia. Other states also use forms, and some have changed their process over the years, so always check the current rule on your state page at /states.
Why the physician review still comes first
Whether your state uses a form or not, the exemption rests on a physician's evaluation of a real light-sensitive condition. The form is the paperwork wrapper. It typically asks a physician or optometrist to confirm the medical need, and in some states to describe it.
This is where ShadedMD fits. ShadedMD is a licensed-physician telehealth service that issues signed medical window tint exemption certificates online in 24 to 48 hours for a flat $129, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. You complete a 5-minute questionnaire, a licensed U.S. physician reviews it individually, and your signed certificate is emailed with a Recommendation ID.
ShadedMD includes state form guidance with every certificate for states that require a form. No office visit, no appointment, one flat $129, and a full refund if the physician cannot approve you. Start at /qualify.
How to handle a form state
- 1Get your physician review and signed certificate from ShadedMD.
- 2Read the state form guidance included with your certificate.
- 3Complete the state form as instructed, and submit it if your state requires submission.
- 4Keep a copy of the form, any permit or sticker the state issues, and your certificate in the vehicle.
- 5Note any renewal date. ShadedMD certificates are valid for one year, and renewal is available.
For the full checklist, see what to keep in your car with a tint exemption.
One practical note: in some form states, the state issues something back to you, such as a permit, card, or window sticker. In others, the completed form itself is what you carry. Either way, the physician's certification is the piece that makes the form valid, and it is the piece that takes the longest to obtain the traditional way. Getting it done online first means the state paperwork can move as soon as you are ready.
Common mistakes
- Installing tint first. Get the exemption in place before the film goes on, especially in states that inspect tint.
- Skipping the form. In a form state, a physician's letter alone may not satisfy the rule. Follow the process.
- Assuming every state is the same. Rules differ, and a few states have no medical exemption at all. Check your state page.
- Leaving the paperwork at home. The document only helps when it is in the car.
Get started
Whatever your state requires, the physician review is step one. Check whether you qualify with ShadedMD, then follow the form guidance that comes with your certificate. This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. Confirm the current rule on your state page at /states.
Frequently asked questions
Which states require a DMV form for a medical tint exemption?
Verified examples include Florida (form HSMV 83390), New York (form MV-80W), and Georgia (form DPS-431). Other states also use forms. Check the current rule for your state on the ShadedMD state directory at /states.
Does ShadedMD fill out the state form for me?
ShadedMD provides the physician review and signed certificate and includes guidance on the state form for states that require one. The form itself is completed through the state's process.
Do I still need a physician if my state uses a form?
Yes. The form is built around a physician's or optometrist's confirmation of a medical need. ShadedMD provides that physician review online in 24 to 48 hours.
What if my state does not require a form?
Then the physician's signed certificate kept in the vehicle is typically what you rely on. See our companion article on states that accept a physician certificate.
Does every state offer a medical tint exemption?
No. Most states do, but a few have no medical exemption at all. Check your state page at /states before you pay for anything.
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. Tint laws change and differ by state, so check your state's current rules. Whether you qualify for an exemption is decided by a licensed physician based on your individual condition.
About ShadedMD
Medical tint exemptions you can trust
ShadedMD is an online medical window tint exemption service. Every questionnaire is reviewed by a physician licensed in your state, who approves or denies it based on medical need. ShadedMD offers the best pricing of any online tint exemption service: one flat fee of $129 with no add-ons, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Physicians aim to complete reviews within 24 to 48 hours, and approved patients receive a signed certificate by email that they can download, print, and keep for one year.