Guidelines for Dark Window Exemption

Source: Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Department of Transportation

Background:

The dark window law was established to promote personal safety for police and highway patrol officers as well as the safety of the automobile operator and others.  The concern is that dark windows can alter vision, especially at night, dusk and on cloudy days.  Additionally, dark windows can obstruct vision of traffic and/or other objects. The dark window law provides no specific or routine medical grounds for granting a medical exemption.  Each case should be decided on its own merit. 

Recommendations:

• A medical exemption should be granted for a sound medical reason.
• A request for medical exemption must be carefully reviewed.
• If a medical exemption is granted, a record should be kept by the doctor of the medical reason given by the patient for the exemption.

Requirements:

• A medical exemption may be granted only by a licensed practitioner.
• A medical exemption shall not exceed 12 months and may be renewed is necessary.
• This exemption does not allow windows to be tinted with less than 35% light transmission.
• This exemption does not apply to commercial vehicles.