Window Tinting

[Code Monkey]

Heard from someone who knows someone who knows.....

Have the regulations regarding tinting the front side windows changed in the last few months?

apparantly it is no longer possible to tint the front side windows on any 06 onwards car.

With the number of 4x4's running around now with higher than average level lights a slight level of tinting is a good thing to prevent glare coming in from the side mirrors at night. not suggesting pimp tints just a light smoke. not sure what the light level figures that would be though

[GKP]

Front side windows need to let 45% light through to be legal. 30%-44% and you'll get 10 days to remove with no further action. Less than 30% could see the vehicle removed until faults rectified.


I've recently had a chat with a very nice chap from VOSA who gave me a pink piece of paper.....

[cooperman]

Why would anyone want heavily tinted windows? It it a desire to be like a pop star or a politician?

[GKP]

Yup, twas a PG9 (but I do have the PG10 now, so put the handcuffs away )
Nothing specific is written in the Defects box except for 'Excessively tinted' etc.

The percentage values are what the chap was quoting me while he was checking the windows with his magic electronic light reading box. Because my (front) side windows weren't limo black and did let 'some' light through, I was just issued with the PG9 and allowed the short time period to rectify the problem. I'm in Hampshire that adds any difference to the mix?



In my defence, your honour, the tints were already on the car when I purchased it and knowing what bitch they are to remove, I was more than happy to leave 'em on

[hedders]

GKP said:

In my defence, your honour, the tints were already on the car when I purchased it and knowing what bitch they are to remove, I was more than happy to leave 'em on

Out of interest how much does it cost to remove tinting, or is it something you can do yourself?

[Wedgetarian]

Quote "Out of interest how much does it cost to remove tinting, or is it something you can do yourself? "

About the cost of half a brick - but it ends up being a bit breezy!

[just_william]

Sorry just being nosy, but if its measured on light being allowed in..... could you have completely mirrored side screens on the front provided they let in sufficient light on the inside? Like my helmet visor for instance which is mirrored but is only like a light pair of sunglasses on the inside.
Thanks

[GKP]

A couple of sharp Stanley blades, half a bottle of tar and glue remover, a generous amount of Autoglym glass polish, three hours, one fingernail and a scratched knuckle. For two windows.

[hedders]

Sounds like a pain!

I am not sure if mine are legal or not..i have 'midnight' on the rear windows and 'dark smoke' on the front, anyone know?

[mybrainhurts]

It's quite easy, really, if you do it in one piece. Removed them from my side rears.

I took advice here, there's a thread from a few months ago.

The only one I wouldn't tackle is the back window....heating elements and all that.

[CombeMarshal]

They are a piece of cake to remove, done mine, just get the hairdryer out!!

[mybrainhurts]

lambo cop said:

mybrainhurts said: It's quite easy, really, if you do it in one piece. Removed them from my side rears. I took advice here, there's a thread from a few months ago. The only one I wouldn't tackle is the back window....heating elements and all that. Just so you are aware you can have the rear windows as dark as you like. There is no law regarding them. The law only covers front and front side.

Yes, thanks. Removed mine because they made the car look like a van, horrible.

[SpudGunner]

We got em on the wifes 306, but will wait till I get pulled b4 removing them as quite like them as they are!

[vonhosen]

SpudGunner said:

We got em on the wifes 306, but will wait till I get pulled b4 removing them as quite like them as they are!

Better hope when/if you get stopped then, that you aren't a long way from home & it gets PG9'd.

>> Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 7th May 22:53

[mybrainhurts]

SpudGunner said:

b4

Grrrrrr.........

[g_attrill]

hedders said:

Sounds like a pain! I am not sure if mine are legal or not..i have 'midnight' on the rear windows and 'dark smoke' on the front, anyone know?

TBH, if you think they might be illegal then they probably are. "Dark smoke" sounds pretty dark, and 70% transmission (30% tint) is a lot lighter than you think, some factory tints are only just legal.

All SVA stations will have a tint-meter but they will probably give you a PG9 if it fails!

Gareth

[sultanbrown]

Just to add for anyone with tinted fronts: a mate of mine got pulled and had his tints checked, and even though he offered to remove them then and there he still copped a fine (though they let him drive off with the tints intact).

[hedders]

sultanbrown said:

Just to add for anyone with tinted fronts: a mate of mine got pulled and had his tints checked, and even though he offered to remove them then and there he still copped a fine (though they let him drive off with the tints intact).

It's all about safety ya see....

[kennyGti]

hedders said:

sultanbrown said: Just to add for anyone with tinted fronts: a mate of mine got pulled and had his tints checked, and even though he offered to remove them then and there he still copped a fine (though they let him drive off with the tints intact). It's all about safety ya see....

And nothing to do with being able to see who's in the vehicle?

[fangio]

Try this:-

CARkeys-The Law On Window Tinting (Copy and paste)