Getting darker glass for photosensitivity is possible but
far from instant. Form MV-80W demands your registration, a New York medical
provider’s signature, and a copy of that provider’s license. DMV’s Medical
Review Unit quotes four-to-six weeks to decide, and the exemption tags both the
patient and one specific vehicle. Swap cars or lease returns and you start over
from scratch. Even after approval, the DMV prints the required VLT on the
certificate, so your installer must match that number precisely and file a copy
in your glove box.
Hidden Costs Most Drivers Ignore
Failing the DMV meter doesn’t end with the fine. You’ll pay to strip and retint
glass, cover a second inspection fee, burn PTO for weekday shop hours, and
maybe watch your insurer slip a “high-risk” surcharge onto the next renewal.
Suddenly the bargain-basement film that looked like a $200 upgrade balloons
past a grand. Factor in a mid-winter commute with peeled adhesive residue
clouding the glass and the downtime feels longer than the bill.
Wrap Smart, Tint Smarter
Planning a matte charcoal wrap or fleet graphics? Do the tint and wrap on the
same day at the same shop. Pros meter first, choose a non-reflective film that
complements the vinyl tone, and install the mandated legality stickers in one
visit. That coordination keeps you out of mismatch territory and away from
roadside meters that can pop up at seasonal enforcement sweeps.
Read the full article → https://medium.com/@tintshoprocer/2025-new-york-tint-law-checklist-vlt-med-ex-waivers-and-the-inspection-photo-rule-227b7ff4d2af
