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Tinting windows and the law

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:28 am
by thedupleman
Tinted vehicle windows - the rules


If you have a vehicle that has heavily tinted windows in the front, you are risking prosecution by the police. The windows that must have the correct amount of tint are the front windscreen and the two windows to either side of the driver.

The windows that matter
The law requires that the windows on the vehicle allow at least:
75 per cent of light through the front windscreen
70 per cent of light through the front side windows
In most modern vehicles there is a slight tint added to the windows when they are made. If you add any more tint it’s likely to result in the windows failing to meet the legal requirements.
The rules on tinted windows don’t apply to the rear windscreen or the rear passenger windows.
Make sure you can see where your going
Window tints will restrict your ability to see the more vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists, especially in low light conditions. Visibility problems are particularly bad around dawn and dusk or the sudden onset of bad weather when light levels change quickly.
The penalties for having wrongly tinted windows
The police and vehicle examiners from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency use light measuring equipment to measure window tints.
If you drive a vehicle with heavily tinted front windows you may be subject to enforcement action. This could be a prohibition notice, stopping you from using your vehicle on the road until you have had the extra window tint removed. If you are stopped by the police you may also get a penalty notice or a court summons.
Selling your vehicle
It is an offence to sell a vehicle with heavily tinted front windows. The police or trading standards could prosecute you for doing so.

There are no regulations regarding tint on rear windows

Re: Tinting windows and the law

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:51 pm
by cazza
I contacted my insurance company prior to getting my rear windows tinted, they said it was fine as long as I didnt get the front ones done, as this could and would probably void my insurance AND if I had of got the rear ones done without informing them my insurance could have been void as well.

Re: Tinting windows and the law

Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 8:52 pm
by thedupleman
Worth noting thanks for input cazza :handgestures-thumbupleft: