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What Are The Tinting Laws In The UK?

The UK have very clear and strict laws for car window tints. The UK has the same laws for all vehicles types including pick up trucks, suvs and all other vehicle types. The entire UK has has the same laws including Great Britain’s England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

WHAT ARE THE LAWS FOR TINTING?

  • WINDSHIELD: The front windshield must let at least 75% of light through the glass.
  • FRONT SIDE WINDOWS: There has to be at least 70% light come through the glass for the driver’s side and passenger side window.
  • BACK SIDE WINDOWS: There is no laws restricting any level of darkness on these windows.
  • REAR WINDSHIELD: There is no law restricting any level of darkness on the rear windshield.

WHY ARE THERE LAWS FOR TINTING WINDOWS?

The reason they have laws for car window tinting is to make sure a driver’s visibility is not impeded by tints that are too dark. There has been some serious car accidents that tinted car windows have been to be a contributing factor.

WHAT ARE THE PENALTIES FOR INCORRECTLY TINTED WINDOWS?

In the UK having illegal window tint is punishable by law, the police and DVSA can measure the darkness of tint with a photometer, police officers are equipped with these machines as well. It is also illegal to sell a vehicle with illegal tints and the police or trading standards can prosecute you for it by law.

ITS ILLEGAL TO:

  • Fit or sell incorrectly tinted glass for a car.
  • Sell a car that’s fitted incorrectly tinted glass.

IF YOUR WINDOW TINT BREAKS THE LAW YOU COULD:

  • If you use extreme tint darkness you will be likely to be issued with a endorsable fixed penalty notice (EFPN), resulting in 3 points on your drivers licence and a £60 fine.
  • Be served with a Prohibition Notice, stopping you from using your car until the window tints have been removed. If you ignore this and don’t provide proof that your tints are off you will most likely be prosecuted for driving an unroadworthy vehicle.
  • Receive a court summons or penalty notice.

You should also consider letting your car insurer know you have tints on your vehicle even if they come within the legal limit. If you don’t your future claims may be invalidated as some insurance companies can consider tints as a car modification.

You might want to into consideration that window tint darkness is not part of your MOT test. This means your vehicle may pass the MOT even with illegal tint and passing the MOT can not be used as a defence for having illegal tint in court. If your involved in an accident during the night, illegal window tints can be used as evidence towards a careless driving charge.