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Medical exemption allowing window tinting no longer being granted

News

July 3rd, 2012 by Ric Hanson

The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) reminds motorists that an Iowa Administrative Rule which takes effect July 4th will eliminate the provision that allowed the DOT to grant a medical exemption from the minimum standard of window transparency provision set forth in a subrule, and permit dark window tinting of a vehicle registered in Iowa. In the past, a driver with a medical condition could request a physician’s exemption from the minimum standard of transparency for vehicle windows.

While new exemptions will not be granted, those who have a previously approved exemption will continue to be exempt from the minimum transparency rule. The exemption form must be carried at all times in the vehicle to which it applies. At such time that a vehicle is no longer used to transport the passenger or operator that is the subject of a previously granted exemption, the exemption expires. The exemption cannot transfer to any replacement vehicle purchased after July 3rd, 2012.

Once no longer used for these transportation purposes, the owner of the vehicle to which the exemption applied must return the vehicle to conformance with the minimum standard of transparency within 60 days of expiration of the exemption. Pursuant to Iowa Code, a person shall not operate on the highway a motor vehicle equipped with a front windshield, front side window or front side wing that is excessively dark or reflective. “Excessively dark or reflective” means that the glass does not meet a minimum standard of transparency of 70 percent light transmittance.