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License Plate Guide

Tinted Windows


Image of Tinted Windows License Plate



Definition (625 ILCS 5/12-503):
“A person owning and operating a motor vehicle, who is determined by a physician licensed to practice medicine and is afflicted with or suffers from medical disease including but not limited by systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus, disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis or albinism, which would require that person to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun is entitled to operate said vehicle with tinted windows. This exception also applies to a vehicle used in transporting a person when the person resides at the same address as the registered owner and the person is afflicted with or suffering from a qualifying medical condition”. However, no exemption from the requirements of subsection (a-5) shall be granted for any condition, such as light sensitivity, for which protection from the direct rays of the sun can be adequately obtained by the use of sunglasses or other eye protective devices.

No person shall drive a motor vehicle with any sign, poster, window application, reflective material, non-reflective material or tinted film upon the front windshield, except that a non-reflective tinted film may be used along the uppermost portion of the windshield if such material does not extend more than 6 inches down from the top of the windshield.
(a-5) No window treatment or tinting shall be applied to the windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver, except:
(1) On vehicles where none of the windows to the rear of the driver's seat are treated in a manner that allows less than 30% light transmittance, a non-reflective tinted film that allows at least 50% light transmittance, with a 5% variance observed by any law enforcement official metering the light transmittance, may be used on the side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver.
(2) On vehicles where none of the windows to the rear of the driver's seat are treated in a manner that allows less than 35% light transmittance, a non-reflective tinted film that allows at least 35% light transmittance, with a 5% variance observed by any law enforcement official metering the light transmittance, may be used on the side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver.
(3) On multipurpose passenger vehicles, as defined by Section 1-148.3b of this Code, a non-reflective tinted film originally applied by the manufacturer, that allows at least 50% light transmittance, with a 5% variance observed by any law enforcement official metering the light transmittance, may be used on the side windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver.
(b) On motor vehicles where window treatment has not been applied to the windows immediately adjacent to each side of the driver, the use of a non-reflective, smoked or tinted glass, non-reflective film, perforated window screen or other decorative window application on windows to the rear of the driver's seat shall be allowed, except that any motor vehicle with a window to the rear of the driver's seat treated in this manner shall be equipped with a side mirror on each side of the motor vehicle which are in conformance with Section 12-502.

Tinted Windows Certification Form



To Apply

  • The owner must obtain a certified statement or letter written by a licensed physician. The certification must be carried in the vehicle at all times. The owner must also submit a copy of the certification or letter to the Secretary of State’s Office and in turn display a Window Tint License Plate. The certification must be updated annually by the physician and a copy must accompany the license plate renewal application ever year. Tinted Window Certification.

The Secretary of State’s Office will accept the following medical conditions from a licensed physician:

  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
  • Discoid Lupus Erythematosus
  • Albinism
  • Lupus Erythematosus
  • Disseminated Superficial actinic porokeratosis
  • Xeroderma Pigmentosum

The request can only be processed in Springfield. Mail all required documentation and the $29 replacement fee to:

  • Secretary of State
    Special Plates Division
    501 S. Second St., Rm. 520
    Springfield, Illinois 62756

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