LEGAL

Car Window Tinting Legal Requirements in the UK Vehicle & Operator Services Agency (VOSA) Statement

The UK Road Vehicles (Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 Act details the legality of window tinting in the UK – and as amended specifies the minimum levels of light that must pass through the windscreen and front side windows.

For a legal window tint in the UK the specifications are:

A) Motor Vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1985

B) The light transmitted through the windscreen must be at least 75%.

C) The front side windows (to either side of the drivers’ head) must allow at least 70% of light to be transmitted through them.

If the glass is tinted to a point whereby it lets through less light, the vehicle is breaking UK Window tinting law.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF ILLEGALLY TINTED WINDOWS!

If you are driving with less than legally required light transmitting through the windscreen and front side windows, the following could happen:

  • A) You could be stopped and fined – you are effectively handing the police a ‘reason’ to stop your vehicle – the car could be impounded if it is considered dangerous to drive and/or could be given a prohobition order until removed!
  • B) You will be required to remove the film (which will cost) and present your car to the Police confirming it has been returned to a legal status.
  • C) If you have an accident and it can be proven that the reduced vision caused by the illegal film was a contributing factor, you are likely to get part or full blame – even if it was not under normal circumstances your fault!
  • D) Even worse – your insurer – if they stand to be in a position where they are looking at full acceptance of liability (as you were at fault) – may determine that your insurance is invalidated! and you will be looking at footing the costs on your own for your own vehicle and any other damage to third party vehicles or property.

In summary, it might look great – and you may get away with it – in the same way that there are plenty of motorists with illegal exhausts or number plates – but is it worth the risk? It would be difficult for an insurer to maintain that a ‘dodgy’ number plate contributed to an accident – but how easy would it be to claim that the reason you did not see the motorbike is because you had illegally tinted the window?

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