Scottie
5th September 2006, 11:03 PM
Found this today and thought it helpful as there has been many a question asked about window tints and legal or not.:D
Just in case anyone wants to tint front windows/windscreen, this is the Department for Transport advice for action against vehicles too heavily tinted:
"Immediate prohibitions should only be issued in cases where window tints are very dark (below 30% VLT).
Delayed prohibitions should be issued for less heavily tinted windows (30%-50% VLT)
The police and VOSA should generally only point out non-compliance with the law in the less serious cases (50%-70% VLT).
However, these are merely guidelines and the Police/VOSA have discretion to decide for themselves what action is appropriate in particular circumstances."
VLT = visual light transmittance
the Construction & Use Regulations state:
"Light Transmission of Glazing - Summary of requirements
Motor vehicles first used between 1/6/1978 and 31/3/1985 must have windows which allow at least 70% of light to pass through. Motor vehicles first used on or after 1/4/1985 must have windscreens which allow at least 75% of light to pass through - all other windows must admit at least 70% of light.
These requirements do not apply to:
any part of the windscreen outside the vision reference zone (as defined in C&U# Regulation 32(13));
windows through which the driver is unable, at any time, to see the road;
windows in ambulances which are behind the drivers seat;
windows in buses, goods vehicles, locomotives or motor tractors which are behind the drivers seat (except those which face the rear - as defined by C&U# Regulation 32(12) - or which form all or part of an exterior door); and
windows in cars which are fitted behind the drivers seat and which bear an e mark indicating type approval to the European glazing Directive 92/22/EC.
Tinted film
C&U# Regulation 32 does not specifically prohibit any window from having a tinted film applied, but a window with a tinted film which takes light transmittance levels below those specified above could be interpreted as contravening the Regulation.
If a vehicle's windows were excessively tinted by the use of stick-on film or a spray, there may be a contravention of C&U# Regulation 30. This requires that all glass or other materials fitted must be maintained in such a condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver. Again, it does not specifically prohibit those windows from having a tinted film applied, but doing so could be interpreted as contravening the Regulation.
You should also be aware that C&U# Regulation 100(1) requires:
a motor vehicle, and all its parts and accessories;
the number of passengers carried, and the manner in which any passengers are carried in or on a vehicle; and
the weight, distribution, packing and adjustment of the load of a vehicle,
to be at all times such that no danger is caused, or is likely to be caused, to any person in or on a vehicle or on a road."
VOSA & Police carry "Tintmaster" testers to immediately assess the level of light transmission permitted by any windows they test. Of cours, it is a matter of chance if you are stopped & tested. It would also be an MoT failure on 3 year old plus cars.
Just in case anyone wants to tint front windows/windscreen, this is the Department for Transport advice for action against vehicles too heavily tinted:
"Immediate prohibitions should only be issued in cases where window tints are very dark (below 30% VLT).
Delayed prohibitions should be issued for less heavily tinted windows (30%-50% VLT)
The police and VOSA should generally only point out non-compliance with the law in the less serious cases (50%-70% VLT).
However, these are merely guidelines and the Police/VOSA have discretion to decide for themselves what action is appropriate in particular circumstances."
VLT = visual light transmittance
the Construction & Use Regulations state:
"Light Transmission of Glazing - Summary of requirements
Motor vehicles first used between 1/6/1978 and 31/3/1985 must have windows which allow at least 70% of light to pass through. Motor vehicles first used on or after 1/4/1985 must have windscreens which allow at least 75% of light to pass through - all other windows must admit at least 70% of light.
These requirements do not apply to:
any part of the windscreen outside the vision reference zone (as defined in C&U# Regulation 32(13));
windows through which the driver is unable, at any time, to see the road;
windows in ambulances which are behind the drivers seat;
windows in buses, goods vehicles, locomotives or motor tractors which are behind the drivers seat (except those which face the rear - as defined by C&U# Regulation 32(12) - or which form all or part of an exterior door); and
windows in cars which are fitted behind the drivers seat and which bear an e mark indicating type approval to the European glazing Directive 92/22/EC.
Tinted film
C&U# Regulation 32 does not specifically prohibit any window from having a tinted film applied, but a window with a tinted film which takes light transmittance levels below those specified above could be interpreted as contravening the Regulation.
If a vehicle's windows were excessively tinted by the use of stick-on film or a spray, there may be a contravention of C&U# Regulation 30. This requires that all glass or other materials fitted must be maintained in such a condition that it does not obscure the vision of the driver. Again, it does not specifically prohibit those windows from having a tinted film applied, but doing so could be interpreted as contravening the Regulation.
You should also be aware that C&U# Regulation 100(1) requires:
a motor vehicle, and all its parts and accessories;
the number of passengers carried, and the manner in which any passengers are carried in or on a vehicle; and
the weight, distribution, packing and adjustment of the load of a vehicle,
to be at all times such that no danger is caused, or is likely to be caused, to any person in or on a vehicle or on a road."
VOSA & Police carry "Tintmaster" testers to immediately assess the level of light transmission permitted by any windows they test. Of cours, it is a matter of chance if you are stopped & tested. It would also be an MoT failure on 3 year old plus cars.