Illegal Tinted Windows

[Mogin]

Its my first message for PH so hello all! A friend of mine was stopped recently by the police. His car's side windows were apparently too dark. The policeman tested the widows to show this. He also went on to say that he had recently failed a number of brand new PT Cruisers. The policeman wrote a corrective action certificate and gave the victim his mobile phone number telling my friend to contact him when the problem had been rectified so they could meet on a motorway junction to retest the windows.

Is this legal? I thought if you were issued with a rectification certificate you had to report to a police station with an MOT certificate.

To cut a massively long story short. The company which tinted the windows removed the tint for free and my friend met with the officer on the motorway junction. The car was retested and passed. When my friend asked for his certificate to be signed to show it was OK the officer stated it wasn't necessary as he hadn't done the paperwork in the first place!!!

Whats going on?
Has anyone else had a problem like this?

[jmorgan]

There was an article in Auto Express some time ago about this. Upshot is police with a gadget to test tints. Also if he pulled a car for the test he would also check for other details and catch a few for illegal stuff as well, as for the rest, dunno.

[MikeyT]

Sounds like your mate might be being had by a bogus copper – never heard of being given a copper's mobile no before or having to meet him on a motorway junction or bridge.

If he still has the mobile, go down the cop shop and tell 'em about it.

Watch out, there's a thief ab ut




o

[mel]

I think it's fairly common for plod to have "company phones" certainly the situation I had earlier in the year when a copper phoned my house during the day and left a message on the machine saying "It's PC whatever from Medway can you contact me on mobile number 07......... I need to speak to you urgently" raised an eyebrow. I phoned it late that evening and got him (probably at home) he wouldn't tell me what it was about but insisted on making an appointment to visit my house, turned up dressed like a clubber in a battered fiesta, all very suspicious and certainly made me suspicious he was a "bogus copper" turned out it was all genuine and just the way they work now days. I think the only time you'd get a bogus plod was if they were trying to dish out on the spot fines, what would be the point of pulling people to give bollockings for tinted windows ???

Must say though it strikes me as a bit a lazyness on behalf of the copper and makes you wonder what would have happened if your mate had just ignored him and thought, sod that its not correct procedure so bollocks to him ??

[incorrigible]

Your mate can now see where he's going and the plod haven't spent hours filling forms in

Seems sensible to me

It's officially called a 14 day Mr Fixit

[Cotty]

I used to run black perspex windows in my Mk1 Cortina pick up (pic in link on profile) and never had a problem, even when the police pulled me over for a spot check nothing was said (They were pulling anyting that didnt look right)

Copper: you have no front bumber
Me: yep
Copper: you have no door handles or door locks
Me: yep
Copper: your rear lights are tinted
Me: yep
Copper: eerrr ok on your way

Anyway tinted windows, there are different strengths of window tinting this is measured by how much light is allowed through the window once tinted. I think it odd that a major manufacturer would not check to see what the rules are before releasing a car with tinted windows.

Also what equipment did the police officer use to test this. I does not sound like the usual kind of thing they would carry.

Paul


>> Edited by Cotty on Wednesday 16th October 13:25

[M@H]

Cotty said: Also what equipment did the police officer use to test this. I does not sound like the usual kind of thing they would carry.

A torch..?

[Fatboy]

They often carry them when policing 'Cruises', don't think it's omething they routinely carry...

[Cotty]

Fatboy said: They often carry them when policing 'Cruises', don't think it's omething they routinely carry...

Which makes me think its a bit odd for this officer to have the equpment in his car and checking peoples glass. A PT Cruiser is not the sort of think you would usually take to a cruise.

[tailslider]

Mikey T, quality!

[nick heppinstall]

Yup this happened to a mate of mine. Spent all weekend and I mean all weekend putting this tint on his Golf Gti. It was a bit of a nightmare getting all the air bubbles out. Plod stopped him on his first run out and made him rip it off while they watched !!

[tailslider]

A better option is offered on audi's option lists - leccy powered side blinds. Good for keeping a low profile. Handy for shagging the missus too.

[dennisthemenace]

I think the rear and rear side windows have to let a minimum of 70% of light through passenger and drivers side front are not allowed to be tinted due to the same reasons im not allowed to wear a tinted visor at night

[rpguk]

whats the difference between having your rear window/rear side windows tinted to fcuk and driving a van?

(from both a legal and "why would you want to?" point of view)

[Fatboy]

You can tint the rear and rear side windows as much as you like - just make sure both your wing mirrors are OK (Need to have 2 good rearview mirrors). Front side windows have to let 70% light through IIRC, and windscreen cannot be tinted at all in main viewing area (same reason big sunstrips are illegal)

[madcop]

tailslider said: A better option is offered on audi's option lists - leccy powered side blinds. Good for keeping a low profile. Handy for shagging the missus too.

even handier for shagging someone elses, eh mungo



>> Edited by madcop on Wednesday 16th October 18:31