The government in the United Kingdom has very strict laws about car window tinting. For the government, tinting plays a huge role in the majority of crime control in the country. Here is every detail that car owners in the UK need to know about tinting policies.
What is the legislation?
The tinting law in the UK states that the darkness of the window tint is dependent on the time when the vehicle was first time used.
For instance, vehicles used before April 1, 1985, the front windscreen and front side windows must both let at least 70% of light through.
If the automobile’s first usage was dated on April 1, 1985, or later, then at least 75% of light through is the required percentage of darkness. On the other hand, the front side windows must let at least 70% of light through.
Why are these laws passed in the first place?
This law was passed to ensure that drivers in the UK can still have great visibility when driving at night or in places with poor light conditions such as tunnels. Having this law allows drivers to see more pedestrians and cars.
The risk is greatest when you are driving at night. Imagine driving at night with sunglasses on.
Statistics tell that tinted cars are potential causes of vehicular crashes, especially at night. The probability of a driver being involved in a car accident is higher when the windshield is tinted because of the impairment it could bring to the driver’s vision.
To address this issue, the government enacted a law that would protect both the drivers and the pedestrians, as well as the property the driver may damage or hurt.
With the efforts of the police department and VOSA, the law is now enacted, and violators are punished. To see how much percentage of tints there is present at a car window, there is a measuring device used by these agencies.
What are the implications?
Selling glass or vehicles that are tinted beyond the prescribed percentage of darkness is strictly prohibited by the UK government. Businesses and car owners who violated the law will be held accountable for their actions.
How can the percentage of tints be measured?
The Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has a light measuring device that can detect the amount of light going through the window tint.
What are the punishments for not abiding this law?
An Endorseable Fixed Penalty Notice (EFPN) – meaning your license will be endorsed with 3 points, plus a fine of £60 once you are caught driving or owning a vehicle that does not follow the law regarding window tints.
But, if your windows are illegally tinted but close to the legal limit, authorities might require you to remove the tint at a police station. Proof that the tint is removed at a police station should be shown at the authorities.
If an accident occurred and the victim proceeded to sue the car owner, proof that the driver uses tinted as evidence towards a charge of careless or dangerous driving can be used as evidence in court, making the punishment harsher.
The law, however, has its limits. Tints at the back windshield and windows by the backseat are not covered by the law, and there is no limit on how much tint is put on them. The law only applies to the front windshield and the windows by the driver and the front seat.
What should I do if I have car tints that are not legal?
If you have had your car’s windows tinted (to a legal level), contact your insurance provider and tell them that you had a car modification so that claims in the future will be validated by the insurance company.
If you have bought a second-hand car with tinted windows and you think the windows may be too heavily tinted, you should:
- Remove the tint and go to a car tinting station to install tints on the legal percentage;
- Ask the tinting company or MOT if the tints in your window are legal, or;
- Contact your nearest VOSA test centre and rest your case. They will test the level of tints for you and instruct you what your next best move should be.
These are the laws of the UK when it comes to car window tints. Abiding them does not only make you safe from any legal mishaps; it also makes the lives of others safe as well. If you think that you should get your car tinted, never hesitate to go to Global Tint. Visit our website at https://globaltint.co.uk/ to learn more.
