*Receive an immediate full refund if we cannot get you approved for a Legal Tint Exemption*
An Iowa medical window tint exemption previously allowed certain individuals with qualifying medical conditions to legally operate a vehicle with darker window tint than normally permitted under Iowa law. However, Iowa no longer approves new medical tint exemptions. Since July 4, 2012, drivers can no longer obtain new physician-approved exemptions for darker front window tint in Iowa.
The exemption qualification process involves two parts:
Some people ask whether an Iowa exemption allows them to tint their windows as dark as they want. The answer is no. Iowa does not currently approve new medical window tint exemptions, and front windshield and front side windows must still meet the state’s 70% light transmittance requirement unless a valid exemption approved before July 4, 2012 still applies.
ForeverTint helps simplify the process by providing clear information about Iowa’s current tint laws, older grandfathered exemptions, and what documentation may still be required for drivers who previously received an approved Iowa DOT medical tint exemption.
Some people ask whether an Iowa exemption allows them to tint their windows as dark as they want. The answer is no. Iowa does not currently approve new medical window tint exemptions, and front windshield and front side windows must still meet the state’s 70% light transmittance requirement unless a valid exemption approved before July 4, 2012 still applies.
ForeverTint helps simplify the process by providing clear information about Iowa’s current tint laws, older grandfathered exemptions, and what documentation may still be required for drivers who previously received an approved Iowa DOT medical tint exemption.
It’s important for all Iowa drivers to understand the state’s window tint laws, especially since Iowa no longer approves new Medical Window Tint Exemptions. Iowa has specific regulations that determine how dark your vehicle windows can be tinted. These laws are intended to maintain visibility and roadway safety while still allowing flexibility for rear vehicle windows.
These regulations mean that darker tint on the windshield or front side windows is generally not permitted in Iowa. The state no longer issues new medical tint exemptions, and only certain exemptions approved before July 4, 2012 may still remain valid if the original documentation requirements are met. ForeverTint helps drivers better understand Iowa’s current tint laws and older exemption rules so they can avoid unnecessary citations or compliance issues.
*For any reason should you not be approved for a Legal Medical Window Tint Exemption you will receive an immediate refund. In our experience only 1 out of every 50 applicants are not approved.
Before Iowa stopped approving new medical window tint exemptions in 2012, certain medical conditions could qualify if a licensed physician determined that reduced sunlight or UV exposure was medically necessary. These conditions generally involved increased sensitivity to sunlight, heat, or ultraviolet (UV) exposure. Some commonly associated conditions included:
Chronic or severe vision problems can be aggravated by bright sunlight. Darker tint can reduce glare, improve comfort while driving, and help protect eye health.
Eczema is a skin condition that can flare up due to heat and sunlight exposure. A tint exemption helps limit UV penetration, reducing the likelihood of painful flare-ups.
Some people experience rashes, burning, or swelling when their skin is exposed to direct sunlight. Darker tint acts as a protective barrier to prevent these reactions.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where UV exposure can trigger serious symptoms, including skin lesions and fatigue. A window tint exemption allows for safer daily travel by reducing UV contact.
This condition causes skin inflammation and rash when exposed to light. Darker tint helps reduce UV exposure and prevent painful flare-ups.
Xeroderma makes skin especially sensitive to sunlight, which can lead to cracking, irritation, and damage. Extra tinting provides a layer of defense against sun-related irritation.
For individuals with melanoma or a history of skin cancer, limiting UV exposure is critical. A tint exemption allows for significantly safer protection during daily commutes.
People with albinism lack the protective pigment melanin, making them extremely sensitive to sunlight. Darker tint reduces harmful UV rays that can damage both skin and eyes.
Porphyria is a group of disorders that make the skin and nervous system highly sensitive to sunlight. A tint exemption helps limit painful and potentially dangerous reactions.
Sunlight can worsen scarring and slow healing of severe burns. A window tint exemption offers ongoing protection during recovery and beyond.
This rare genetic disorder causes extreme sensitivity to sunlight, leading to skin damage and other complications. A medical tint exemption provides necessary protection for daily life.
Bloom syndrome increases the risk of skin cancers due to UV sensitivity. Extra tinting safeguards individuals against unnecessary exposure while driving.
Vitiligo reduces pigmentation in the skin, which removes natural protection against UV rays. Tint exemptions help protect depigmented skin from damage.
Many autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis or dermatomyositis, involve increased sensitivity to UV light. Darker tint protects patients from flare-ups linked to sun exposure.
Texas law also recognizes that there are many less common conditions that may cause extreme sensitivity to light. If your physician determines that darker tint is medically necessary, you may qualify for an exemption even if your condition is not listed here.
In Iowa, having a medical condition that requires additional sun protection is no longer enough to receive a new medical window tint exemption. Iowa stopped approving new medical tint exemptions after July 4, 2012, and drivers must still comply with the state’s current tint laws unless they already have a valid grandfathered exemption with the proper documentation carried in the vehicle at all times.
This exemption documentation served as the official proof that darker window tint on a vehicle was medically necessary and legally permitted under older Iowa law. Without valid documentation, drivers with darker front window tint could still receive citations for violating Iowa’s current tint regulations.
Before July 4, 2012, Iowa medical tint exemptions generally required official documentation that included:
Drivers with older grandfathered exemptions were required to keep the original Iowa DOT Form 432020 inside the approved vehicle at all times. If law enforcement questioned the tint, this documentation served as proof that the darker tint had been previously approved under Iowa law.
Iowa law does not allow new medical window tint exemptions, and verbal explanations alone will not protect drivers from window tint violations. Any older grandfathered exemption must still include valid original documentation connected to the approved vehicle. Without that documentation, darker tint on front windows can still result in citations or other enforcement action under Iowa law.
Under Iowa Code §321.438, the state prohibits operating a motor vehicle with a front windshield or front side windows that are excessively dark or reflective to the point that visibility into the vehicle is reduced. The Iowa Department of Transportation established a measurable standard requiring at least 70% light transmittance on the windshield and front side windows. Iowa previously allowed medical window tint exemptions for individuals with qualifying medical conditions, but the state stopped approving new exemptions on July 4, 2012. Older exemptions approved before that date may still remain valid if the driver maintains the original Iowa DOT Form 432020, the exemption remains tied to the originally approved vehicle, and the documentation is carried in the vehicle at all times. These grandfathered exemptions are the only remaining circumstance under Iowa law where darker front window tint may still be considered legally permitted.
Source: 321.438 Windshields and windows
Having a medical recommendation from a Doctor to have darker window tint does not guarantee you will not get a ticket. An officer can still give you a ticket at their own discretion. However, in our experience with existing customers if you take your ticket to court and provide your medical recommendation documents your ticket can be dismissed.