California Window Tint

Quick answer: California allows a medical window tint exemption that lets you run darker sun-screening on your side windows if a licensed physician certifies you need protection from the sun for a diagnosed condition. There is no DMV permit card — the documentation is the signed letter from your doctor, kept in the vehicle. It does not allow dark film on the windshield, and the device can't be used at night.

What is the California medical tint exemption?

Most drivers are capped at 70% VLT on their front side windows under California Vehicle Code §26708. The medical exemption is the one legal way around that limit: if you have a medical condition that requires you to be shielded from UV or sunlight, California permits darker sun-screening material on the side windows. The basis is CVC §26708.5, which allows authorized sun-screening for medical reasons with the proper certification.

Who qualifies for a tint exemption in California?

You qualify if a licensed physician and surgeon (and in some cases an optometrist) certifies in writing that you have a condition requiring shielding from the sun. Conditions commonly cited include:

• Lupus and other autoimmune photosensitivity
• Melanoma and other skin cancers
• Severe photosensitivity / photodermatitis
• Xeroderma pigmentosum and similar UV-sensitive disorders

The decision is the physician's — there's no fixed state checklist. What matters is a signed certification stating the medical need.

How to get a tint exemption in California (step by step)

1. See your doctor. Ask a licensed physician (or qualifying optometrist) to certify, in writing, that you need to be shielded from the sun.
2. Get the signed letter on letterhead, referencing CVC §26708/§26708.5, signed and dated. There is no DMV form to file and no permit card issued.
3. Choose compliant film. Have a professional apply neutral, non-reflective sun-screening to the side windows.
4. Keep the letter in your vehicle so you can show it if pulled over. Bring a copy to your tint appointment.

Because the paperwork and qualifying conditions are set by statute and can change, verify current requirements with the California DMV before relying on an exemption.

What the exemption does — and doesn't — allow

The exemption is specifically about medical sun-screening on side glass. It is not a blanket pass to tint the whole car, and it doesn't override the windshield or color/reflectivity rules.

Window tint that fits your needs in Sacramento

Whether you're tinting within the standard limits or working with a medical exemption, BGI Tint installs clean, neutral, non-reflective film on the right windows and documents the job. We carry LLumar, STEK, Rayno, Feynlab, BLASK, and Carlas, back installs with a lifetime tint warranty, and offer same-day appointments and free quotes across Sacramento, Placer, and El Dorado counties. Bring your doctor's letter and we'll handle the rest.

• Call: (916) 460-9257
• Book: automotive window tinting

Written by BGI Tint • Reviewed by Vadym Bugai, owner & window tint installer.

Disclaimer — accurate as of 2026: General information, not legal or medical advice. Laws change — verify with the California DMV and consult your physician.

Related guides

• California window tint laws — the full legal breakdown (the pillar)
• How much is a tint ticket in California? — fines and fix-it tickets
• Is ceramic tint legal in California? — heat rejection within the legal limit

Sources

• California Vehicle Code §26708 / §26708.5 — leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
• California DMV — dmv.ca.gov