If you are one of those who like to have tinted windows in your car and you live in North Carolina, this article is of interest to you. The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) has announced the enforcement of the new law S_B 391, which requires drivers to comply with the new requirements regarding car window tinting.
Although the enforcement has already been partial, starting from December 1, 2025, all drivers with tinted windows will have to lower their window when a police officer approaches their vehicle. According to Captain Mark McDaniel of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, this measure aims to reduce the risk to officers during traffic stops. In addition, the law has confirmed that the polarization limit will remain at 32% light transmission.
Individuals who suffer from photosensitivity to visible light may request a special permit from the Driver Medical Evaluation Program that certifies that the polarization percentage of their windows may be higher than the established limit.
Another modification has been the elimination of the polarized inspection within the annual vehicle safety review. According to the sales manager of Sun Stoppers Charlotte, Garrett Kassel, the removal of this inspection does not mean that the law will no longer be respected.
More security for the agents
The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) has announced changes to legislation affecting North Carolina. Starting from December 1, 2025, the new legislation will come fully into effect. SB 391 states that drivers with tinted windows in their vehicles will have the obligation to roll down their window during roadside police checks. They will have to lower the window on the side where the officer approaches the vehicle. According to statements to Spectrum News from Captain Mark McDaniel of the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, ‘This makes it easier for them to see what is happening inside the vehicle as they approach and provides them with greater security, as they can react better once they get closer”.
Polarized glasses
Another measure that has been ratified is the light transmission percentage of polarized glasses. It has been set at 32%, so exceeding this would result in violations and misdemeanor charges. However, as with everything in life, there are always exceptions. This is the case for those people who suffer from photosensitivity to visible light and require greater protection in their vehicles. If this is your case, you must take into account the following aspects:
- Those who request a special permit due to photosensitivity will have to attach a medical certificate to the application submitted to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
- The validity of the permit is 5 years.The maximum number of valid permits at the same time is 4 vehicles.
- The document will include the vehicle’s details, as well as the windows that can be tinted and the allowed percentage.
- Each driver must carry their own permit.
- It will be mandatory to display an official sticker on the lower left side of the rear window.
Goodbye to mandatory inspections
Another aspect that has been modified with the new legislation SB 391 refers to the inspection of polarized windows during the annual vehicle safety check. From now on, that inspection will be eliminated, so mechanics will no longer have to check the level of tinting of the windows. With this, the extra fee of $10 for checking polarization with a light meter will also disappear, and mechanics will not even check those vehicles with a medical permit.
According to the manager of Sun Stoppers Charlotte, Garret Kassel, “a lot of people think that because the inspection requirement has disappeared, there are no limits anymore, but in reality, the law still maintains a tinting limit, it just no longer interferes with the review to renew the registration”.