Drivers who cannot tolerate sunlight in the car often ask if a window tint exemption in North Carolina is possible. It is, through a medical exception permit the NC Division of Motor Vehicles issues after a doctor certifies light sensitivity. Champion Window Tinting installs film for Lake Norman drivers, and this guide covers eligibility, the waiver form, and permit rules.
How Does a Window Tint Exemption Work in North Carolina?
window tint exemption in North Carolina is a medical exception permit under G.S. 20-127(f). It lets a driver with a light-sensitivity condition use film darker than the standard 35% limit. People also call it a tint waiver, a tint permit, or a medical tint exemption.
A driver completes the DMV application, a doctor certifies the condition, and Medical Review decides. An installer then applies film within permit levels. The DMV issues no tint prescription, because a doctor only certifies light sensitivity on its form.
Some guides call the application Form MVR-93. The current DMV packet, dated March 2026, is titled the Tinted Window Waiver Application Form.
Who Qualifies for a Medical Window Tint Exemption in North Carolina?
G.S. 20-127(f) covers a person who suffers from a medical condition that causes photosensitivity to visible light. The statute names no specific diagnoses. The treating doctor certifies the condition, and the DMV makes the final decision.
Drivers often ask about lupus, xeroderma pigmentosum, porphyria, and sun-triggered skin or eye disease. Searches also ask about astigmatism, migraines, and other eye conditions. No official list says one diagnosis qualifies or fails, so the doctor decides if certification fits.
Installers at Champion Window Tinting apply film to the levels a permit lists. Diagnosis questions belong with the doctor and the DMV.
How Do You Get a Tint Waiver in NC, Step by Step?
The steps below follow the DMV waiver packet dated March 2026 and G.S. 20-127(f). Applicants should download the packet fresh, because older copies circulate online.
Step 1: Download the DMV Tinted Window Waiver Application Form
The packet includes a cover letter and a five-section form. Applicants complete Sections 1 to 4, and the physician completes Section 5.
Step 2: Fill In Applicant and Vehicle Details
Section 1 asks for name, driver's license number, phone number, date of birth, address, and a new or renewal checkbox. Sections 2 and 3 each cover one vehicle, with the tag number, VIN, and owner name and address. Section 4 is a consent that lets the doctor share medical information with the DMV.
Step 3: Have the Doctor Complete Section 5
The physician certifies that the patient has a medical condition that is sensitive to visible light and names that condition. The physician also recommends a permit length of two, three, four, or five years. The form states that incomplete forms are not processed, so every field needs an entry, including specialty, signature, and date.
Step 4: Send the Form to the Medical Review Program
The DMV cover letter lists this mailing address:
- Medical Review Program
- 3112 Mail Service Center
- Raleigh, NC 27697-3112
The same letter lists three fax numbers for faster processing: (919) 861-3284, (919) 733-9569, and (919) 861-3836. Medical Review staff take questions at (919) 861-3809. The packet lists no application fee.
Step 5: Wait for the Permit, Then Book the Install
After approval, the DMV issues a permit and a sticker. The packet states no processing time, so applicants who need an update should call Medical Review. Film goes on only after both items arrive, since the sticker sits between glass and film.
What Does an NC Medical Tint Permit and Sticker Require?
Each permit names one vehicle, the windows that may be tinted, and the tint levels allowed. State law lets one person hold up to four valid permits at a time. The permit must stay in that vehicle whenever it is driven on a highway.
The DMV also issues a sticker for the lower left corner of the rear window. Installers place it against the glass before any film goes on. Failing to display it is an infraction with a $200 fine.
Drivers near Lake Norman can bring both items to Champion Window Tinting for window tinting in Cornelius, NC. Installers apply the sticker first and match the film to the listed levels.
How Dark Can Window Tint Be With a Medical Exemption in NC?
The permit sets the allowed levels for each window. The statute gives no single percentage for permit holders, so the number on the paperwork controls.
Windshield rules stay strict because G.S. 20-127(c) applies the standard limits without exception. Tint stays within five inches of the top or the AS1 line, whichever is longer. The DMV packet also mentions 70% light transmission for windshields, so Medical Review should confirm windshield terms.
On a permitted window, the exception lifts the 35% transmission limit and the 20% reflectance limit. The film must still be non-reflective, and it cannot be red, yellow, or amber.
Holding a DMV medical tint permit near Lake Norman? Call (980) 399-5170 to book a fitting in Cornelius. The team reads the windows and tint levels listed on the permit, quotes film that fits each tinted window, and installs once the DMV sticker is in hand.
How Long Does NC Tint Exemption Last, and How Is It Renewed?
A medical exception permit is valid for five years from the issue date, unless a shorter term is set. On the DMV form, the physician recommends two, three, four, or five years. The approved term appears on the permit.
Renewal requires a medical recertification that the person still has a condition requiring tint. Section 1 of the DMV form includes a renewal checkbox. Applicants should start early, because a permit that lapses before its replacement arrives leaves the film without cover.
Once a permit expires, the exception stops covering the film. Each permit names a single vehicle, so drivers who change vehicles should ask Medical Review about updating paperwork. The sticker also warns prospective buyers that the windows fall short of standard rules.
What Mistakes Delay or Void a Tint Exemption in NC?
Most problems come from paperwork and timing, not from the medical question. These are the errors that show up most often in search questions and competing guides:
- Sending an incomplete form, since the DMV states it will not process one
- Using an old copy of the form or an outdated mailing address from a third-party site
- Installing film before the permit and sticker arrive
- Assuming the exception removes windshield limits or color rules
- Paying an online service for a "prescription" and assuming it replaces the DMV permit
- Letting the permit lapse without a renewal request
Vehicle type matters too. Sedans follow the 35% rule on every window except the windshield. Minivans and pickups leave windows behind the driver outside it, so only front side windows may need a permit.
How Do Medical Tint Rules Compare With Standard NC Tint Law?
Standard tint limits come from G.S. 20-127(b), and a medical permit replaces only part of them. The table shows where the two differ. Readers can review the official NC DMV tinted window waiver packet for the form itself.
| Item | Standard NC Rule | With a Medical Exception Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Tint only along the top, within 5 inches or the AS1 line, whichever is longer. | Standard limits apply without exception; confirm terms on the permit. |
| Front Side Windows | At least 35% total light transmission. | Levels listed on the permit. |
| Back Side Windows | At least 35%, except windows behind the driver on a multipurpose vehicle. | Levels listed on the permit. |
| Rear Window | At least 35%, except the rear window of a property-hauling vehicle. | Levels listed on the permit. |
| Reflectance | 20% or less. | 20% limit lifted; film must still be non-reflective. |
| Color | Not red, yellow, or amber. | Still applies. |
| Meter Reading | A reading above 32% on an approved meter is presumed to comply. | Permit levels control. |
Tint that breaks these rules is a Class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 20-127(d). The statute offers a defense when tint is removed within 15 days of a charge and the window complies.
Eligibility, Documents and Next Steps at a Glance
This guide is general information, not legal or medical advice, so the NC DMV has final say. The table below sums up what the DMV asks for and what comes next.
| Eligibility Step | Requirements | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | A medical condition that causes photosensitivity to visible light. | Ask the treating doctor about certification. |
| Application | Tinted Window Waiver Application Form (03/2026), Sections 1 to 4 by the applicant. | Download the current packet from the NC DMV website. |
| Doctor Section | Section 5: condition, recommended permit length of 2 to 5 years, and signature. | Book a visit and bring the form. |
| Vehicle Details | Tag number, VIN, and owner name and address; the form has space for two vehicles. | Gather registration papers. |
| Submission | Medical Review Program, 3112 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27697-3112, or fax. | Mail or fax, and keep a copy. |
| After Approval | Permit kept in the vehicle; sticker on the lower left of the rear window. | Book an installer with permit in hand. |
| Traffic Stops | Driver rolls down the driver window as an officer approaches, and the permit is in the vehicle. | Keep the permit where it can be reached. |
| Renewal | Medical recertification, using the renewal box on the form. | Reapply before the permit expires. |
What Is the Best First Step Toward a Tint Exemption in North Carolina?
The first step is a conversation with the treating doctor. North Carolina grants a tint exemption only through a DMV medical exception permit. That permit controls which windows are tinted and how dark, and sticker placement and renewal follow from it.
Drivers who want a plain-language look at everyday limits can read North Carolina window tinting laws. From there, Champion Window Tinting can match film to the approved permit across Cornelius, Huntersville, Mooresville, and Davidson.
To schedule an install once the permit arrives, call Champion Window Tinting at (980) 399-5170 or visit 10415 Bailey Road in Cornelius, NC. Bring the DMV sticker to the appointment, and the team will quote film that matches every window and level listed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a tint exemption approved in North Carolina?
The DMV waiver packet states no processing time. It lists three fax numbers to speed up handling, and Medical Review staff answer questions at (919) 861-3809. Film should wait until the permit and sticker arrive, since the sticker goes between the glass and the tint, so book the install afterward.
Can I get a window tint prescription online in North Carolina?
The permit comes from the NC DMV, not from an online service. The process in the DMV packet has a doctor certify the condition on the DMV form, which is then mailed or faxed to Medical Review. A stand-alone online prescription is not the permit, so confirm with the DMV before paying anyone.
What medical conditions qualify for a window tint exemption in NC, and does astigmatism count?
The statute requires a condition that causes photosensitivity to visible light and names no diagnoses. A doctor must certify that sensitivity on the DMV form. Astigmatism, migraines, or any single diagnosis alone does not settle approval, so the treating doctor and the DMV decide each case.
Where does the NC tint exemption sticker go, and what if it is missing?
The DMV issues a sticker for the lower left corner of the rear window. The installer places it between the glass and the film. Failing to display it is an infraction with a $200 fine, and the permit itself must also stay in the vehicle when driven. Ask the installer to place it first.
How long does a North Carolina medical tint exemption last, and how do I renew it?
A permit is valid for five years from issue unless the DMV sets a shorter term. Renewal needs a new medical recertification, and the DMV form has a renewal checkbox. Apply before the expiration date, because the standard 35% limit returns once a permit lapses, and the film loses its legal cover.
Can an eye doctor sign the NC tint waiver form, or must it be a physician?
The statute says the applicant's doctor completes the evaluation, and the DMV form is titled for an examining physician with a specialty line. The packet does not address optometrists, so call Medical Review at (919) 861-3809 before booking a visit for an eye-related condition or specialty.
Articles from the Champion Window Tinting Blog
Champion Window Tinting Services
