Discussion
My son has a Mini One with dark tints on all glass other than the wndscreen, has has just been stopped by the police and they have used a device to determine the level of tint, the reading of the meter was 63.3.He has been advised to remove the tint on the two front windows, he's actually in the garage doing that now. He was given the results of the test on a pink slip, he was not given a producer, what fine / points can he expect?
glenn911C4S said:
My son has a Mini One with dark tints on all glass other than the wndscreen, has has just been stopped by the police and they have used a device to determine the level of tint, the reading of the meter was 63.3.He has been advised to remove the tint on the two front windows, he's actually in the garage doing that now. He was given the results of the test on a pink slip, he was not given a producer, what fine / points can he expect?
Does it have VDRS (Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme) written anywhere on it ?If not what else is on it ?
Above 30% Visible Light Transmission (Less Severe Window Tints)
The owner or driver of such a vehicle will be required to have the tinted film removed from the windows under the direction of either a Rectification Notice or a Delayed Prohibition Notice, A period of grace will apply for a limited number of days (normally ten) during which time the vehicle may be driven whilst the rectification work is to be completed. In either case, the vehicle will need to be inspected by either a Police Officer or Vehicle Inspectorate Officer to confirm that the glass has been restored to a compliant condition. Prosecution is unlikely in such circumstances provided the vehicle owner complies fully.
Below 30% Visible Light Transmission (Excessively dark Window Tints)
The owner or driver of such a vehicle may be issued with an Immediate Prohibition Notice and immediately prevented from driving the vehicle on public roads until the tints have been removed and either a Police Officer or Vehicle Inspectorate Officer confirms that the glass has been restored to a compliant condition. It is also possible, depending on the severity of the offence, that the owner may be prosecuted for driving a vehicle in a non-roadworthy or even a dangerous condition with the potential for Penalty Points and a Fine.
Driving such a vehicle on public roads before the tints have been removed and before a Prohibition Notice has been lifted will be a serious offence and the owner or driver is likely to be prosecuted.
May just have been given a Rectification Notice to remove the tints.
The owner or driver of such a vehicle will be required to have the tinted film removed from the windows under the direction of either a Rectification Notice or a Delayed Prohibition Notice, A period of grace will apply for a limited number of days (normally ten) during which time the vehicle may be driven whilst the rectification work is to be completed. In either case, the vehicle will need to be inspected by either a Police Officer or Vehicle Inspectorate Officer to confirm that the glass has been restored to a compliant condition. Prosecution is unlikely in such circumstances provided the vehicle owner complies fully.
Below 30% Visible Light Transmission (Excessively dark Window Tints)
The owner or driver of such a vehicle may be issued with an Immediate Prohibition Notice and immediately prevented from driving the vehicle on public roads until the tints have been removed and either a Police Officer or Vehicle Inspectorate Officer confirms that the glass has been restored to a compliant condition. It is also possible, depending on the severity of the offence, that the owner may be prosecuted for driving a vehicle in a non-roadworthy or even a dangerous condition with the potential for Penalty Points and a Fine.
Driving such a vehicle on public roads before the tints have been removed and before a Prohibition Notice has been lifted will be a serious offence and the owner or driver is likely to be prosecuted.
May just have been given a Rectification Notice to remove the tints.
Tints are measured by VLT, which is the percentage of visible light which is allowed to pass through. Hence 0% VLT tints are completely opaque, and 100% VLT is as clear as air. Glass itself has a VLT in the region of 90%.
The legal lower limit for car windows is 75% VLT on the front windscreen and 70% VLT on side windows forwards of the B pillar. You can do what you like on the rear sides and back.
As the OP said the tints were measured about 63%, it's not very far below the legal limit, therefore I'd realistically expect to be told to get the rectified and then checked as has been said above. Most likely no fine or points.
Regarding the tint spray, it's my understanding that this is intended for spraying tail lights, not glass windows. As the layer would most likely be uneven, not only would it probably not let sufficient visible light through, but it may also distort the optics of the glass slightly. If one was instructed to remove this, I guess it may be possible to remove via solvents or else change the glass. One thing I'm sure of is that the police will not allow special dispensation just because the owner has made the tint difficult to remove.
The legal lower limit for car windows is 75% VLT on the front windscreen and 70% VLT on side windows forwards of the B pillar. You can do what you like on the rear sides and back.
As the OP said the tints were measured about 63%, it's not very far below the legal limit, therefore I'd realistically expect to be told to get the rectified and then checked as has been said above. Most likely no fine or points.
Regarding the tint spray, it's my understanding that this is intended for spraying tail lights, not glass windows. As the layer would most likely be uneven, not only would it probably not let sufficient visible light through, but it may also distort the optics of the glass slightly. If one was instructed to remove this, I guess it may be possible to remove via solvents or else change the glass. One thing I'm sure of is that the police will not allow special dispensation just because the owner has made the tint difficult to remove.
My son has now recieved a summons to appear at Southend Court, or he has the option to plead guilty by post, which I have told him to do, what do you think his punishment will be, he already has 3 points; if he gets another 3 he will loose his license and will need to take his test again
glenn911C4S said:
My son has now recieved a summons to appear at Southend Court, or he has the option to plead guilty by post, which I have told him to do, what do you think his punishment will be, he already has 3 points; if he gets another 3 he will loose his license and will need to take his test again
What offences has he been summonsed for ?The summons reads
On a road, namely **** a motor vehicle, namely mini which was in such condition by reason of excessive tinted glass to front offside and front nearside windows and large crack to windscreen that danger was caused or was likely to be caused to any person in or on it or on a road.
Contrary to regulation 100(1) of the road vehicle (construction and use) regulations 1986, section 40a of the road traffic act 1988 and schedule 2 to the road traffic offenders act 1988.
On a road, namely **** a motor vehicle, namely mini which was in such condition by reason of excessive tinted glass to front offside and front nearside windows and large crack to windscreen that danger was caused or was likely to be caused to any person in or on it or on a road.
Contrary to regulation 100(1) of the road vehicle (construction and use) regulations 1986, section 40a of the road traffic act 1988 and schedule 2 to the road traffic offenders act 1988.
glenn911C4S said:
The summons reads
On a road, namely **** a motor vehicle, namely mini which was in such condition by reason of excessive tinted glass to front offside and front nearside windows and large crack to windscreen that danger was caused or was likely to be caused to any person in or on it or on a road.
Contrary to regulation 100(1) of the road vehicle (construction and use) regulations 1986, section 40a of the road traffic act 1988 and schedule 2 to the road traffic offenders act 1988.
He is looking at an obligatory 3 points if convicted of dangerous condition under Sec 40a.On a road, namely **** a motor vehicle, namely mini which was in such condition by reason of excessive tinted glass to front offside and front nearside windows and large crack to windscreen that danger was caused or was likely to be caused to any person in or on it or on a road.
Contrary to regulation 100(1) of the road vehicle (construction and use) regulations 1986, section 40a of the road traffic act 1988 and schedule 2 to the road traffic offenders act 1988.
Edited by vonhosen on Sunday 12th August 20:50
Mr_annie_vxr said:
Von, I maybe wrong but if he is going to get 6 points thus disqualifying him he's probably best going to court in person is he not ?
He won't be disqualified. If he is a new driver (under the terms of the act) his licence will be revoked on getting to 6 points (which is not the same thing). He then would have to apply to take his test again.vonhosen said:
Mr_annie_vxr said:
Von, I maybe wrong but if he is going to get 6 points thus disqualifying him he's probably best going to court in person is he not ?
He won't be disqualified. If he is a new driver (under the terms of the act) his licence will be revoked on getting to 6 points (which is not the same thing). He then would have to apply to take his test again.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff