{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/46.2-1053.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/46.2-1053.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/46.2-1053.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/46.2-1053.html"}],"law_id":70045,"edition_id":1,"section_id":70045,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1053","catch_line":"Equipping certain motor vehicles with sun-shading or tinting films or applications","history":"1986, c. 67, \u00a7 46.1-291.01; 1987, c. 391; 1989, cc. 65, 727; 1990, c. 161; 1993, cc. 800, 808; 1996, cc. 943, 994; 2017, c. 670.","full_text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 46.2-1052, a motor vehicle operated by or regularly used to transport any person with a medical condition which renders him susceptible to harm or injury from exposure to sunlight or bright artificial light may be equipped, on its windshield and any or all of its windows, with sun-shading or tinting films or applications which reduce the transmission of light into the vehicle to levels not less than 35 percent. Such sun-shading or tinting film when applied to the windshield of a motor vehicle shall not cause the total light transmittance to be reduced to any level less than 70 percent except for the upper five inches of such windshield or the AS-1 line, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield. Vehicles equipped with such sun-shading or tinting films shall not be operated on any highway unless, while being so operated, the driver or an occupant of the vehicle has in his possession a written authorization issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles authorizing such operation. The Commissioner shall issue such written authorization only upon receipt of a signed statement from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist (i) identifying with reasonable specificity the person seeking the written authorization and (ii) stating that, in the physician’s or optometrist’s professional opinion, the equipping of a vehicle with sun-shading or tinting films or applications is necessary to safeguard the health of the person seeking the written authorization. Written authorizations issued by the Commissioner under this section shall be valid so long as the condition requiring the use of sun-shading or tinting films or applications persists or until the vehicle is sold, whichever first occurs. Such written authorizations shall permit the approval of any such vehicle upon its safety inspection as required by this chapter if such vehicle otherwise qualifies for inspection approval. In the discretion of the Commissioner, one or more written authorizations may be issued to an individual or a family. The Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to \u00a7 2.2-1112, shall determine the proper standards for equipment or devices used to measure light transmittance through windows of motor vehicles. Law-enforcement officers shall use only such equipment or devices to measure light transmittance through windows that meet the standards established by the Division. Such measurements made by law-enforcement officers shall be given a tolerance of minus seven percentage points.\n\t\tFor any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons, where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court on or before the court date.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":253024,"text":"Notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 46.2-1052, a motor vehicle operated by or regularly used to transport any person with a medical condition which renders him susceptible to harm or injury from exposure to sunlight or bright artificial light may be equipped, on its windshield and any or all of its windows, with sun-shading or tinting films or applications which reduce the transmission of light into the vehicle to levels not less than 35 percent. Such sun-shading or tinting film when applied to the windshield of a motor vehicle shall not cause the total light transmittance to be reduced to any level less than 70 percent except for the upper five inches of such windshield or the AS-1 line, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield. Vehicles equipped with such sun-shading or tinting films shall not be operated on any highway unless, while being so operated, the driver or an occupant of the vehicle has in his possession a written authorization issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles authorizing such operation. The Commissioner shall issue such written authorization only upon receipt of a signed statement from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist (i) identifying with reasonable specificity the person seeking the written authorization and (ii) stating that, in the physician’s or optometrist’s professional opinion, the equipping of a vehicle with sun-shading or tinting films or applications is necessary to safeguard the health of the person seeking the written authorization. Written authorizations issued by the Commissioner under this section shall be valid so long as the condition requiring the use of sun-shading or tinting films or applications persists or until the vehicle is sold, whichever first occurs. Such written authorizations shall permit the approval of any such vehicle upon its safety inspection as required by this chapter if such vehicle otherwise qualifies for inspection approval. In the discretion of the Commissioner, one or more written authorizations may be issued to an individual or a family. The Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to \u00a7 2.2-1112, shall determine the proper standards for equipment or devices used to measure light transmittance through windows of motor vehicles. Law-enforcement officers shall use only such equipment or devices to measure light transmittance through windows that meet the standards established by the Division. Such measurements made by law-enforcement officers shall be given a tolerance of minus seven percentage points.\n\t\tFor any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons, where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court on or before the court date.","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1}},"ancestry":[{"id":15072,"edition_id":1,"name":"Windshields and Windows","identifier":"6","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12828,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:51:59","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:51:59","permalink":{"id":229615,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":15072,"identifier":"6","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/6\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12828,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicle and Equipment Safety","identifier":"10","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12827,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12828,"identifier":"10","token":"46.2\/III\/10","url":"\/46.2\/III\/10\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12827,"edition_id":1,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12770,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:55","permalink":{"id":228597,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12827,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12770,"edition_id":1,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:52","permalink":{"id":225289,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12770,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":70949,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1052","catch_line":"Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties","url":"\/46.2-1052\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1052","metadata":false},{"id":70045,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1053","catch_line":"Equipping certain motor vehicles with sun-shading or tinting films or applications","url":"\/46.2-1053\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1053","metadata":false},{"id":78616,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1054","catch_line":"Suspension of objects or alteration of vehicle so as to obstruct driver's view","url":"\/46.2-1054\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1054","metadata":false},{"id":61313,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1055","catch_line":"Windshield wipers","url":"\/46.2-1055\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1055","metadata":false},{"id":57465,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1055.1","catch_line":"Windshield defroster or defogger","url":"\/46.2-1055.1\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1055.1","metadata":false},{"id":75928,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1056","catch_line":"When safety glass required","url":"\/46.2-1056\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1056","metadata":false},{"id":86558,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1057","catch_line":"Windshields","url":"\/46.2-1057\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1057","metadata":false},{"id":81260,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1058","catch_line":"Replacement of glass in vehicle","url":"\/46.2-1058\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1058","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":70949,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1052","catch_line":"Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties","url":"\/46.2-1052\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1052","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":78616,"structure_id":15072,"section_number":"46.2-1054","catch_line":"Suspension of objects or alteration of vehicle so as to obstruct driver's view","url":"\/46.2-1054\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1054","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-1053\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1986. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 67 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1986 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 6 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1987, chapter 391; in 1989, chapters 65 and 727; in 1990, chapter 161; in 1993, chapters 800 and 808; in 1996, chapters 943<\/a> and 994<\/a>; in 2017, chapter 670<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":68913,"section_number":"16.1-69.48:1","catch_line":"Fixed fee for misdemeanors, traffic infractions and other violations in district court; additional fees to be added","order_by":null,"url":"\/16.1-69.48_1\/"},{"id":70949,"section_number":"46.2-1052","catch_line":"Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1052\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":81448,"section_number":"2.2-1112","catch_line":"Standardization of materials, equipment and supplies","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-1112\/"},{"id":70949,"section_number":"46.2-1052","catch_line":"Tinting films, signs, decals, and stickers on windshields, etc.; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-1052\/"}],"permalink":{"id":229621,"object_type":"law","relational_id":70045,"identifier":"46.2-1053","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1053","url":"\/46.2-1053\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-1053\/","token":"46.2\/III\/10\/6\/46.2-1053","dublin_core":{"Title":"Equipping certain motor vehicles with sun-shading or tinting films or applications","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-1053","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

Notwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 46.2-1052<\/a>, a motor vehicle<\/span> operated by or regularly used to transport any person with a medical condition which renders him susceptible to harm or injury from exposure to sunlight or bright artificial light<\/span> may be equipped, on its windshield and any or all of its windows, with sun-shading or tinting films or applications which reduce the transmission of light<\/span> into the vehicle to levels not less than 35 percent. Such sun-shading or tinting film when applied to the windshield of a motor vehicle<\/span> shall not cause the total light<\/span> transmittance to be reduced to any level less than 70 percent except for the upper five inches of such windshield or the AS-1 line, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield. Vehicles equipped with such sun-shading or tinting films shall not be operated on any highway<\/span> unless, while being so operated, the driver<\/span> or an occupant of the vehicle has in his possession<\/span> a written authorization issued by the Commissioner<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Motor Vehicles<\/span> authorizing such operation. The Commissioner<\/span> shall issue<\/span> such written authorization only upon receipt of a signed statement from a licensed physician or licensed optometrist (i) identifying with reasonable specificity the person seeking the written authorization and (ii) stating that, in the physician’s or optometrist’s professional opinion<\/span>, the equipping of a vehicle with sun-shading or tinting films or applications is necessary to safeguard the health of the person seeking the written authorization. Written authorizations issued by the Commissioner<\/span> under this section shall be valid so long as the condition requiring the use of sun-shading or tinting films or applications persists or until the vehicle is sold, whichever first occurs. Such written authorizations shall permit the approval of any such vehicle upon its safety inspection as required by this chapter if such vehicle otherwise qualifies for inspection approval. In the discretion of the Commissioner<\/span>, one or more written authorizations may be issued to an individual or a family. The Division of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to \u00a7 2.2-1112<\/a>, shall determine the proper standards for equipment or devices used to measure light<\/span> transmittance through windows of motor vehicles<\/span>. Law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> shall use only such equipment or devices to measure light<\/span> transmittance through windows that meet the standards established by the Division. Such measurements made by law<\/span>-enforcement officers<\/span> shall be given a tolerance of minus seven percentage points.\n\t\tFor any summons<\/span> issued for a violation of this section, the court<\/span> may, in its discretion, dismiss the summons<\/span>, where proof of compliance with this section is provided to the court<\/span> on or before the court<\/span> date.<\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nEQUIPPING CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES WITH SUN-SHADING OR TINTING FILMS OR\nAPPLICATIONS (\u00a7 46.2-1053)\n\nNotwithstanding the provisions of \u00a7 46.2-1052, a motor vehicle operated by or\nregularly used to transport any person with a medical condition which renders\nhim susceptible to harm or injury from exposure to sunlight or bright artificial\nlight may be equipped, on its windshield and any or all of its windows, with\nsun-shading or tinting films or applications which reduce the transmission of\nlight into the vehicle to levels not less than 35 percent. Such sun-shading or\ntinting film when applied to the windshield of a motor vehicle shall not cause\nthe total light transmittance to be reduced to any level less than 70 percent\nexcept for the upper five inches of such windshield or the AS-1 line, whichever\nis closer to the top of the windshield. Vehicles equipped with such sun-shading\nor tinting films shall not be operated on any highway unless, while being so\noperated, the driver or an occupant of the vehicle has in his possession a\nwritten authorization issued by the Commissioner of the Department of Motor\nVehicles authorizing such operation. The Commissioner shall issue such written\nauthorization only upon receipt of a signed statement from a licensed physician\nor licensed optometrist (i) identifying with reasonable specificity the person\nseeking the written authorization and (ii) stating that, in the\nphysician’s or optometrist’s professional opinion, the equipping of\na vehicle with sun-shading or tinting films or applications is necessary to\nsafeguard the health of the person seeking the written authorization. Written\nauthorizations issued by the Commissioner under this section shall be valid so\nlong as the condition requiring the use of sun-shading or tinting films or\napplications persists or until the vehicle is sold, whichever first occurs. Such\nwritten authorizations shall permit the approval of any such vehicle upon its\nsafety inspection as required by this chapter if such vehicle otherwise\nqualifies for inspection approval. In the discretion of the Commissioner, one or\nmore written authorizations may be issued to an individual or a family. The\nDivision of Purchases and Supply, pursuant to \u00a7 2.2-1112, shall determine the\nproper standards for equipment or devices used to measure light transmittance\nthrough windows of motor vehicles. Law-enforcement officers shall use only such\nequipment or devices to measure light transmittance through windows that meet\nthe standards established by the Division. Such measurements made by\nlaw-enforcement officers shall be given a tolerance of minus seven percentage\npoints.\n\t\tFor any summons issued for a violation of this section, the court may, in its\ndiscretion, dismiss the summons, where proof of compliance with this section is\nprovided to the court on or before the court date.\n\nHISTORY: 1986, c. 67, \u00a7 46.1-291.01; 1987, c. 391; 1989, cc. 65, 727; 1990, c.\n161; 1993, cc. 800, 808; 1996, cc. 943, 994; 2017, c. 670.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}