window tinting and the LAW . . .

[Tontsy]

ok, so we get this ALOT!
what are the rules, what can you or can not you do.

im always on the beeper to VOSA due to work issues or because of a shed or another!
so i thought id post up a fax they sent me not too long ago, and also post up a PDF leaflet expaling!
if you have any issues, PRINT THE LEAFLET OFF! and keep it with you imo!

i hope this finally clears alot of things up for alot of people!
maybe the mods could take the link to the PDF and do an offical thread with it on?

Dear Mr Rogers,

Thank you for your email enquiry dated 14th September 2009, concerning
Tinted Windows.

The Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 as amended specify
the minimum levels of light that must pass through the windscreen and front
side windows. The limits are:

Motor Vehicles first used before 1 April 1985:
The windscreen and front side windows must allow at least 70% of light to
be transmitted through them.

Motor Vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1985:
The light transmitted through the windscreen must be at least 75%.
The front side windows must allow at least 70% light to be transmitted
through them.

If the glass is tinted to a point whereby it lets through less light, then
the vehicle does not meet legal requirements.
With regard to the tinted windows, it is difficult to advise, as a certain
amount of tint is permitted (a visual transmission of light of not less
than 70%). As a very rough guide, if the tint is more than just a light
colouring of the glass, then it is possible that it is excessively tinted.
This requirement does not apply to windows that are behind the driver. ((please take note! i know alot of you get problems with having 100% on the rear! or in my case NO REAR WINDOW! THIS IS LEGAL!))

VOSA produce an information leaflet on Tinted Windows, if you wish to view
this leaflet click on the following
link
http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosacorp/repo...Oct%202008.pdf

The vehicle would not be required to go through a further MOT.

I hope this information has assisted you with your enquiry, but if you have
any further questions please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Kind Regards,

Rebecca
VOSA Contact Centre
Customer Directorate
Tel: ................

[LaurenceVTR]

Pretty usefull, should probably be stickied somewhere.

[J222JRA]

Originally Posted by LaurenceVTR

Pretty usefull, should probably be stickied somewhere.

Agreed....this is very useful as we get lots of threads about this which get full of mixed opinions.

Thanks for sharing this Tonto.

James

[RichM]

Already knew this when I got pulled over a couple of years ago asking me to remove my front tints lol luckily got away without any points or fine.

Oh and Tonts, the life of the rolling,camo'd,streetbassing chalkboard ICE SOLD...now the car needs to go (IN JUNE/JULY LOL) you need to take that bit out if its sold

[Tontsy]

Originally Posted by J222JRA

Agreed....this is very useful as we get lots of threads about this which get full of mixed opinions.

Thanks for sharing this Tonto.

James

thanks james.
i know how it feels to be harassed by the rozzers!

it just becomes a mind boggle! to the newbies and such when they try to search for advice!

[9Freedman9]

Do the Police have the right to peel the tint off there and then if they pull you?

[Josh-VTR]

Believe so.

[RichM]

Originally Posted by 9Freedman9

Do the Police have the right to peel the tint off there and then if they pull you?

No, they won't peel it off for you as if they damage anything in the process of doing it, they're reliable - seen it on a TV programme(Traffic Cops?) and they made the owner of the car peel some of it off before letting them on their way so that they know they will peel the rest off otherwise it will look stupid driving around with a big gap of missing tint.

[Mieran]

Last time my mate got pulled by a woman cop, she goes to him "fronts are fine but back windows are too dark" lmao

Thats on a car with limo black on all windows

[headless]

so to clear that up..u can have 30% tint on front 2 and as dark as you want on rear 3 completely legally?

[Tontsy]

Originally Posted by headless

so to clear that up..u can have 30% tint on front 2 and as dark as you want on rear 3 completely legally?

Basically, yes... Well 25 on the front to allow 75 light. Anything behind the drivers head you can have as dark as you like. I painted mine black.

[x_steph_vts_x]

I got fined a couple of weeks ago
My front 2 were only letting 28% light in ...
but its stupid coz i could see perfectly fine out of them

[Furio-92]

This is very useful thanks I want my furio tinted all around, i have been told several times that the front two windows cant be touched at all, thanks for clarifying that up I will be getting the front two tinted to about 20% soon hopefully.

[claire-salmon]

thanks this is very useful!!!! my back windows are tinted black my front were tinted but wouldnt say really dark and i got pulled sayin they were too dark, i didnt get fined just told me to take them off within 7 days

[timmythechef]

I seen the traffic cops RichM's on bout, it was on a range, i got 5 windows tinited on my saxo, the back three are limo, and front 2 are 35%, i have been warned for them when a officer pulled me over for my french pressed plates, but apart from that, i never been pulled just for my tints

[scooba91]

Just to clarify, you can legally have all your windows tinted?

[Tontsy]

Originally Posted by scooba91

Just to clarify, you can legally have all your windows tinted?

yes you can legally have all windows tinted, aslong as the fronts allow the legal requirement of light through.
this is not much different to how they come out of the show room though!

[timmythechef]

the legal for the front ones is 25%, so they have to let 75% thru

[chapperz]

any 1 no ruff cost ov tintin all round??

[jaytay]

wouldnt bother anymore to much hassle after 60 pound fine last time and rozzers on ur case for avin em they only go all over the car once they found one illegal thing.truth is they dont like em cuz they cant see who is in the car not that they would admit that of course