How to Get a Medical Window Tint Exemption in Texas (2026 Guide)

What Does Texas Law Say About Window Tint Exemptions?

Texas Transportation Code §547.613 is the statute that governs medical exemptions for window tint. Under this law, a person who has a medical condition that requires them to be shielded from direct rays of the sun may operate a vehicle with sunscreening devices (window tint) that would otherwise violate standard tint regulations.

The key language in the statute is straightforward: if a licensed medical provider or licensed optometrist determines that you need protection from direct sunlight while driving due to a medical condition, you can legally have darker window tint on your vehicle. This is not a loophole or a gray area. It is a clearly defined legal provision that has been part of Texas transportation law for years.

The exemption applies specifically to the front side windows of your vehicle, which are the windows most heavily regulated under standard Texas tint law. Without an exemption, these windows must allow at least 25% of visible light to pass through (known as 25% VLT). With a valid medical exemption, you can have darker tint installed on these windows.

DPS Stopped Issuing Certificates in 2019 — What Changed?

Before January 2019, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) used to issue separate medical exemption certificates. Drivers would obtain a form from their medical provider, submit it to DPS, and receive an official certificate to keep in their vehicle.

That system was discontinued. DPS no longer processes or issues window tint exemption certificates. However, this does not mean that medical exemptions no longer exist. The underlying law in Transportation Code §547.613 remains fully in effect.

What changed is the process. Instead of going through DPS, the exemption now rests entirely on a signed statement from a licensed medical provider or licensed optometrist. This actually simplifies the process for drivers. You no longer need to mail forms to a state agency and wait for processing. Instead, the medical provider’s signed statement itself is the exemption document.

Who Can Sign a Medical Exemption Statement?

Under Texas law, only two types of medical professionals can sign a window tint medical exemption statement:

• Licensed Physician (MD or DO) — A doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy licensed to practice in the state of Texas.
• Licensed Optometrist (OD) — An optometrist licensed by the Texas Optometry Board.

Other medical professionals such as nurse practitioners, medical provider assistants, chiropractors, or dentists cannot sign a valid medical exemption statement under the current law. The statement must come from a medical provider specifically.

The medical provider does not need to be your long-term primary care provider. They simply need to be licensed in Texas and must exercise their independent medical judgment in evaluating whether your condition warrants a tint exemption.

Step-by-Step Process to Get Your Exemption

Step 1: Determine If You Have a Qualifying Condition

The statute does not provide an exhaustive list of qualifying conditions. Instead, the standard is whether you have a medical condition that “requires the person to be shielded from direct rays of the sun.” Common qualifying conditions include photophobia (light sensitivity), lupus, skin cancer or melanoma history, cataracts, glaucoma, macular degeneration, migraines triggered by sunlight, porphyria, xeroderma pigmentosum, medication-induced photosensitivity, and many others.

If you are unsure whether your condition qualifies, the best approach is to have a medical provider evaluate your specific situation. The determination ultimately rests with the medical provider’s medical judgment.

Step 2: Get Evaluated by a Licensed Texas Physician

You need to be evaluated by a licensed Texas medical provider. This can be done through an in-person visit or via telehealth. Services like TintPassRx connect you with licensed Texas medical providers who can conduct the evaluation remotely, making the process faster and more convenient.

During the evaluation, the medical provider will review your medical history, discuss your condition, and determine whether you meet the legal standard for a medical exemption. This is a genuine medical evaluation, and approval is not guaranteed. The medical provider must exercise independent judgment.

Step 3: Receive Your Signed Physician Statement

If the medical provider determines that you qualify, they will provide a signed statement indicating that you have a medical condition requiring protection from direct sunlight. This statement typically includes your name, the medical provider’s name and license information, the date, and a reference to the applicable law.

Step 4: Keep the Statement Accessible

You should keep the signed medical statement in your vehicle at all times. With services like TintPassRx, you receive a digital card that you can pull up on your phone instantly, as well as a printable copy of the signed statement. Having both a digital and physical copy ensures you are always prepared.

Step 5: Have Your Tint Installed

Once you have your exemption, you can have darker tint installed on your front side windows by a professional tint shop. Make sure to use a reputable installer who understands Texas tint law and can recommend appropriate tint levels.

What to Keep in Your Vehicle

When you have a medical tint exemption in Texas, you should always have the following readily accessible:

• The signed medical statement — This is your primary exemption document. A digital version on your phone works, but having a printed copy as backup is recommended.
• Your driver’s license — The exemption is tied to you as the driver. Be prepared to show your ID along with the exemption statement.

There is no state-issued sticker, decal, or plate that goes on your vehicle. The physician’s signed statement is the entire basis for the exemption. Law enforcement officers in Texas are trained to recognize these statements, and most stops involving tint can be resolved quickly by presenting your documentation.

How Long Is the Exemption Valid?

The duration of the exemption depends on what the medical provider specifies. Most exemptions are issued for a one-year period, after which you would need to be re-evaluated and obtain a new signed statement. Some medical providers may issue exemptions for longer periods depending on the nature of the condition.

If your condition is chronic or permanent, the renewal process is typically straightforward since the underlying medical need has not changed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

There are several mistakes drivers make when trying to get a tint exemption in Texas:

• Using online “certificate mills” that don’t involve a real medical evaluation. These documents may not hold up during a traffic stop or at an inspection station. A valid exemption requires a genuine evaluation by a licensed medical provider.
• Assuming any doctor’s note will work. The statement must come from a licensed medical provider (MD/DO) or licensed optometrist (OD). A note from a nurse practitioner or PA does not satisfy the statutory requirement.
• Forgetting to carry the statement in the vehicle. Without your documentation on hand, the tint is effectively illegal during that trip. Always have it accessible.
• Thinking the exemption covers all windows. The exemption specifically addresses the front side windows, which are the most regulated. Rear side windows and the rear window in Texas already have more lenient tint regulations.

Get Your Texas Tint Exemption Today

The process for getting a medical window tint exemption in Texas is straightforward when you work with the right service. TintPassRx makes it simple: complete a brief online intake, get evaluated by a licensed Texas medical provider via telehealth, and receive your digital exemption card the same day if approved. The entire process can be completed from your phone or computer, and if the medical provider determines you do not qualify, you receive a full refund.