Window Tint Laws Explained – What’s Legal and What’s Not?

The legal requirements for window tints in the UK have restrictions for the front windshield and front passenger windows, whilst there are none for rear windows. Here is an explanation of the requirements

How dark can front windows be tinted?

For modern vehicles (Those used on or after April 1st 1985) front windows must have a minimum of 75% of light passing through the tint. Any vehicles used before the 1st of April 1985 must allow at least 70% of light to pass through. 

Front side windows, regardless of the vehicle’s age, must allow a minimum of 70% of light to pass through.

When it comes to rear windows, the darkness of the tint has no minimum requirement or limits. But what happens if your windows are found to be illegal?

What are the penalties for an illegal window tint?

Penalties for an illegal window tint in the UK can be between a prohibition notice, fixed penalty notice, court summons, MOT failure or insurance invalidation. Below is an explanation of each potential penalty. 

Prohibition notice

This notice prevents you from using your vehicle on public roads until the illegal tint is removed.   

Fixed penalty notice

This often involves a fine, and potentially penalty points on your driving licence. It can be common to see a £60 fine, and points added to the licence.   

Court summons

In more severe cases, or if you ignore a prohibition notice, you could be summoned to court. This can result in higher fines and additional legal penalties.   

MOT failure

If your vehicle fails its MOT test due to illegal window tints, you won’t be able to legally drive it until the tints are removed and the vehicle passes the test.   

Potential insurance invalidation:

Driving with illegal window tints could invalidate your car insurance, making your car illegal to drive. Be sure to check your insurance requirements before making any customisations.

The penalties can vary depending on the situation, with more severe or repeated offences resulting in a more serious penalty. 

Can the police stop a car for window tints?

Yes, police in the UK can stop a vehicle specifically to check window tints. Here’ why:  

• The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 set out the legal requirements for window tints. Police officers have the authority to enforce these regulations.
• Excessively dark window tints can obstruct the driver’s vision, posing a safety risk, this is enough to facilitate a legal stop.   
• Dark tints can also hinder police officers’ ability to see into the vehicle, which is a security concern. Therefore, police officers can stop vehicles to check if the window tints comply with the legal VLT percentages.   

It is also worth remembering that police officers have general powers to stop vehicles for various reasons, and a potentially illegal window tint could be one of those reasons, or become apparent during another stop.
 Are coloured window tints illegal?

No. Most coloured window tints are not illegal for your vehicle, however, there are important considerations to remember. The colour isn’t necessarily an issue, like regular tints, it’s about the amount of VLT that the tint can transfer. The aforementioned VLT regulations apply even with coloured tints. 

Do coloured tints impact VLT?

Yes, certain colours can significantly reduce VLT. For example, very dark colours or those that create strong reflections or distortions can easily cause a window to fall below the legal VLT threshold.

An example of this are “Chameleon” tints that change colour depending on the light conditions, Because of the way that they change colour, they can fall outside of legal parameters.   

What to remember with coloured tints?

• Tints that create excessive glare or reflections can be considered a safety hazard and may attract attention from law enforcement.
• Any tint that significantly impairs the driver’s vision, regardless of colour is likely to be deemed illegal.

Remember, while the law focuses on light transmission, coloured tints can easily violate those regulations if they reduce VLT below the legal limits. Therefore, caution is advised when considering coloured tints, especially for front windows.

How can I make sure your car tints are legal?

to ensure your car meets UK legal tint regulations, make sure to:

• Check VLT: Before applying tint, use a VLT meter or consult a professional to confirm the film’s light transmission percentage. Or use a professional service.
• Focus on front windows: Pay strict attention to front windscreen (75% VLT post-1985, 70% pre-1985) and front side windows (70% VLT).  Rear windows have no restrictions.
• Professional installation: Use a reputable fitter. They should know the laws, and be able to supply compliant films.
• Avoid excessive darkness: Steer clear of very dark or reflective tints on front windows.
• Regular checks: Periodically check your tint, as degradation can affect VLT.
• Carry documentation: If you have documentation verifying the VLT of your tint, keep it in your vehicle.

Who applies window tints legally?