Window Tint and Vehicle Inspections: Will You Pass?

Which states inspect for tint

Only some states require periodic safety inspections, and in some of them window tint is on the checklist. New York, for example, added tinted windows to its inspections on January 1, 2017. Other states inspect only emissions, or only at sale or registration, or not at all, and programs change over time. Check your state's DMV or inspection program, and start with your state's page.

Even in states without an inspection program, tint can still be enforced at a traffic stop. Inspection is just one more moment when the number on your glass gets checked.

How the inspection works

Where tint is checked, the inspector typically uses a tint meter, the same kind of handheld device police carry. It reads the visible light transmission of glass and film together. Each regulated window is metered and compared to the state's limit for that window. How police measure window tint explains the device.

A few things commonly trip drivers up:

• Film labeled at the limit. A 35% film on glass that transmits 80% reads about 28%. If your state measures the combined reading against a 35% limit, that fails.
• Privacy glass plus film. Rear windows with factory tint and added film can read very dark. Whether that matters depends on your state's rear window rule.
• Windshield film below the AS-1 line. Many states allow only clear film there. Front windshield tint rules and the AS-1 line covers this.
• Reflective film. Some inspection programs may check reflectivity as well as darkness.

What happens if you fail

A failed inspection often means a rejection and a window of time to fix the problem and return. For tint, the fix without an exemption is removal, which costs money and, for a driver with a genuine medical need, removes protection they rely on. Remove tint or get an exemption weighs the two options.

With an exemption, the picture changes. In states that recognize a physician's certification, showing the certificate at inspection can allow the darker tint to pass. In states that issue a permit or require a DMV form, the inspector will want to see that document. Either way, the paperwork has to exist before the inspection, not after.

Bringing your exemption to inspection

1. 1Print the certificate. Keep a paper copy in the glovebox. A PDF on your phone is a backup, not a replacement.
2. 2Bring any state form or permit. If your state requires a DMV form or issues a sticker, have it with the certificate.
3. 3Bring the installer's receipt. It shows the film's VLT and reflectivity, which helps if the inspector has questions.
4. 4Mention the exemption up front. Tell the inspector before they start metering so they know what documentation applies.
5. 5Check the expiration. ShadedMD certificates are valid for one year and the date is printed on them. Renew before it lapses.

What to keep in your car with a tint exemption covers the full list.

Getting the exemption before your inspection date

ShadedMD is a telehealth service for medical window tint exemptions: a physician licensed in your state reviews your online questionnaire, physicians aim to finish reviews within 24 to 48 hours, and the fee is a flat $129 with a 30-day money-back guarantee. There is no office visit and no appointment. You complete a 5-minute questionnaire, a physician licensed in your state reviews it individually, and if you are approved, the signed certificate arrives by email with guidance on any form your state requires.

Inspection due soon? ShadedMD's physicians aim to review within 24 to 48 hours, and you pay once, when you submit your questionnaire. If the physician cannot approve you, the 30-day money-back guarantee applies. Start the questionnaire.

Be aware that a few states have no medical exemption, and in those states the only way to pass is film within the standard limit. Check your state first.

Next steps

Meter your windows before inspection day, gather your paperwork, and if you need darker tint for a medical reason, get the physician certificate through ShadedMD now. See if you qualify.

This article is general information, not medical or legal advice.

Frequently asked questions