Beware if you have tinted windows
Discussion
I'm sure this has been raised before but maybe worthy of a reminder.
This may just be a Reading area thing but Mr. Plod has decided tinted windows are the crime of the moment. I was the 4th they had done on the one day. I have what I thought was mild tint on my passenger and driver windows on the RS Clio 182. However, on Saturday I was treated to a lengthy chat with a couple of mobile PC's. They had spotted me on a roundabout and followed me to a petrol station.
They checked the light transmission through the windows and, as a result issued me with a £50 fine! The fine varies according to how little light the tint allows in to the car. The legal limit is 70% but there is another limit at 30%. Below this figure not only do get hit with a fine but an endorsement on your license as we'll! Given that my windows really we're not that dark this limit is crazy. The left side readings were marginally under 30 (like 29.6) but the right side was just over 30. Because I acted reasonably the plods let me get away without the endorsement. When I said the the tint was supplied on the car they just said "we'll you driving it"!
It'll take barely any tint at all to get under the 70% figure so be aware.
This may just be a Reading area thing but Mr. Plod has decided tinted windows are the crime of the moment. I was the 4th they had done on the one day. I have what I thought was mild tint on my passenger and driver windows on the RS Clio 182. However, on Saturday I was treated to a lengthy chat with a couple of mobile PC's. They had spotted me on a roundabout and followed me to a petrol station.
They checked the light transmission through the windows and, as a result issued me with a £50 fine! The fine varies according to how little light the tint allows in to the car. The legal limit is 70% but there is another limit at 30%. Below this figure not only do get hit with a fine but an endorsement on your license as we'll! Given that my windows really we're not that dark this limit is crazy. The left side readings were marginally under 30 (like 29.6) but the right side was just over 30. Because I acted reasonably the plods let me get away without the endorsement. When I said the the tint was supplied on the car they just said "we'll you driving it"!
It'll take barely any tint at all to get under the 70% figure so be aware.
eybic said:
I think there is a blanket ban on non manufacturer front tints. Pretty much anything over the standard tint is classed as illegal.
Not that I'm aware of. I think there's just a 75% limit for the windscreen and a 70% limit for the front side windows. As the OP mentions, it doesn't take much of a tint to break the 70% limit and even 30% doesn't look hugely dark - basically, anything that looks tinted forwards of the B-pillar is not allowed.
Edited by kambites on Monday 17th March 14:18
kambites said:
Not that I'm aware of. I think there's just a 75% limit for the windscreen and a 70% limit for the front side windows.
I'm not sure how much light clear glass lets through but I know that even with the standard green/ blue tints, it leaves it very close to the legal limit.eta: even these guys (tinters) wont tint front windows: http://www.sunguard-tinting.co.uk/Law.html
Edited by eybic on Monday 17th March 14:19
Chris Y said:
tint on my passenger and driver windows on the RS Clio 182
No reflection on you or your car, but it's probably the small hatchback with tints thing. Unfortunately I'd assume you're being associated with Barry down at McD's car park on a Friday night, and thus treated with an air of suspicion, so more likely to be pulled over for 'minor' infractions, just as an excuse to have a look round and see if you give them any lip.
As I understand it, the manufacturer tint is about 70% which is why it is never any darker - think about it, if they could get a matching tint front and rear, they would.
I imported a Corvette with a tint and found it dangerous and ripped it off straight away.
Ignorance is no excuse, regrettably. Mind you. some people don't help themselves, I followed a saxo the other evening, 3 young lads in it and one rear light out and one headlight out. Don't they ever check, given they ae going to attract Police like a magnet.
I imported a Corvette with a tint and found it dangerous and ripped it off straight away.
Ignorance is no excuse, regrettably. Mind you. some people don't help themselves, I followed a saxo the other evening, 3 young lads in it and one rear light out and one headlight out. Don't they ever check, given they ae going to attract Police like a magnet.
MattOz said:
rigga said:
Anything forward of the B post is a no no, restricted visibility for other road user's is rightly frowned on by bib.
+1. Anyone driving a car with front tints is just begging for a tug. Also marks them out as a bit of a tool. 
My car has/had them when purchased. Been past many a police car over the last 15 months and not been stopped so far.TX.
rigga said:
Good for you, I hope you never have to utter the imortal line "sorry mate I didn't see you "
When he pulls out and a motorbike/car with no lights on ploughs into the side of him?You aren't blind just because of tints and i say that as a once young guy who thought a black BMW with limo tint on all the side windows and rear was a good look.
Soupie69uk said:
Wonder if in London they will do the chaps who bring their cars across from abroad with tinted windscreens too.
A red Citroen Berlingo drove past me over the weekend with a red tinted screen, to the point where it didn't look at all like a windscreen, just a sheet of perforated red metal across the front. Really weird.ETA: Bristol.
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