                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

EQUIPPING CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLES WITH SUN-SHADING OR TINTING FILMS OR
APPLICATIONS (§ 46.2-1053)

Notwithstanding the provisions of § 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&#8217;s or optometrist&#8217;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 § 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.
		For 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.

HISTORY: 1986, c. 67, § 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.