Reader’s Question: California Tint Law Medical Exemption

One of our readers posted this question to TintCenter for advice:

I have a 2003 passat with dark tinted windows to include the drivers and passager windows. This is not legal in CA where I live but I have a doctors note due melanoma. I get pulled over a few times a year and the note has worked until today. CHP says the note only works if its removable tint. I need to take my exsiting tinting off, to get my fix it ticket resolved. but I do need some tinting so I dont get cancer from the sun in the car so what kind would you recommend so that I block the sun, but dont upset the officers?

Char

Unfortunately, the California law regarding window tint does not have a medical exemption clause that allows those that suffer from various skin conditions to ignore the standard CA window tint law.  Furthermore, the officer suggested that you use removable film, however standard vinyl removable film also distorts vision, which will put you in violation again when anything is installed that compromises an unobstructed view on the front side windows.

What can possibly be the solution to your quandary is an 1999 amendment to the CA tint laws.  It states that:

However, legislation signed into law effective January 1, 1999, exempts from the above prohibition specified clear, colorless, and transparent material that is installed, affixed, or applied to the front driver and passenger side windows for the specific purpose of reducing ultraviolet rays. If, as, or when this material becomes torn, bubbled or otherwise worn, it must be removed or replaced.

Official CA.gov website - http://www.chp.ca.gov/html/answers.html

This legislation allows for a particular type of film called ceramic films.  These films do not appear tinted, but since it still blocks 99% of UV and 80% of Infra-red light, they still can achieve solar rejection rates of 40%.  Although priced at a premium since it is the latest technology, this is probably your best bet to avoid a quarrel with a nit-picking California cop.

In particular, check out SolarGard Ultra Performance 75 and  ASWF Dimension 80 car tint films as they comply with the 1999 California legislation allowing clear and colorless films for UV rejection purposes.