Tinted windows offer a range of benefits, making them a popular choice for many UK drivers. For starters, they act as a first line of defense against prying eyes, providing increased privacy, especially for the driver and passengers.
The UK imposes specific rules on how dark your windows can be—particularly for the front windshield and front side windows.
In this article, we’ll inspect UK’s laws on window tinting, the legal limits for different windows, and the penalties you may face if you fail to comply with the regulations.
Is Window Tint Legal In the UK?
Window tint is legal in the UK as long as you follow the rules set by the government regarding the levels of tinting. The level of transparency is the main metric for setting window tint laws.
A unit known as visible light transmission, abbreviated as VLT, is used to determine the level of transparency. It quantifies how much light can flow through the tint.
VLT is the de facto norm for determining the transparency of window tint. There is a negative relation between the VLT and the lightness of the film. The higher the VLT levels, the lighter the film colour.
Also, window tint film shouldn’t have any metallic finish or reflectivity. The safety of the traffic coming the other way depends on this. Read on as we further elaborate on the different laws and regulations of the UK tint laws.
Understanding UK’s Window Tinting Law
In the UK, window tinting laws apply uniformly across many vehicles, from sedans and SUVs to pickup trucks and other vehicle categories. These regulations are consistent throughout the UK, including England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Here’s a breakdown of the key UK window tinting laws:
- Front windshield: The tint on the front windshield must allow at least 75% of light to pass through, meaning no more than 25% of the light can be blocked by the tint.
- Front side windows: The front side windows must have a minimum of 70% VLT, meaning no more than 30% of the light can be blocked by tint.
- Rear side windows: There are no specific restrictions on tint for the rear side windows. You are free to apply any level of tint to these windows, with no legal limits.
- Rear windshield: Similarly, the rear windshield can be tinted to any degree. There are no legal restrictions on how dark this window can be.
If your vehicle was first used before April 1, 1985, different rules apply. For older vehicles, the maximum allowable tint for the front windshield and front side windows is 70% VLT, meaning these windows can block up to 30% of light.
Penalties
In the UK, having illegal window tint is considered a criminal offence. Police officers and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have the authority to measure the darkness of your tint using a photometer, and the number of officers equipped with this device is steadily increasing.
If your window tint is only slightly over the legal limit, you’ll likely receive an Endorsable Fixed Penalty Notice (EFPN). This typically results in a £60 fine and three penalty points on your driving licence.
For more serious violations, such as heavily tinted windows, you may receive a Rectification Notice or Delayed Prohibition Notice. These notices give you a period (usually up to ten days) to remove the illegal tint, after which you must provide proof to a police station that the necessary changes have been made before you can resume driving.
In cases of excessive tint, such as on the windshield or front side windows with less than 30% light transmission, you could be issued a Prohibition Notice, requiring you to stop driving the vehicle until the tint is brought into compliance.
Ignoring such notices is a serious offence and could result in prosecution for driving a vehicle that is not roadworthy. Besides further fines, you may be summoned to court or receive additional penalties for failing to remove your tint.
Other Window Tinting Regulations
You might face legal consequences in the UK if you sell a car with window tint that doesn’t comply with regulations. Even if your window tint is within the legal range, let your car insurance company know about it.
Insurance companies may see it as a modification to your car, which might invalidate any future claims you make. In addition, the darkness of your window tint will not be evaluated during your MOT test.
The fact that your car passes the MOT test does not absolve you of responsibility for installing unlawful window tint, so be careful. In the event of a nighttime collision, proof of your vehicle’s unlawful window tint could be presented as a careless driving allegation.
Because of all these factors, we encourage you to always follow the law and have your car windows legally tinted.
Concluding Thoughts
Window tinting regulations exist to ensure visibility and safety, as it’s crucial for pedestrians and other drivers to be able to make eye contact with the driver.
Additionally, tinting the windows behind the driver can make it harder to see inside, which can be a good thing for protecting your belongings.
Many car owners choose to tint their rear windows to deter theft, as valuables left in the back seat are less visible to potential thieves.
Another key reason for window tinting is sunlight protection. Drivers who spend long hours on the road know just how damaging prolonged sun exposure can be—not only to the skin and eyes but also to the car’s interior.
High-quality window tinting can help block out harmful UV rays, keeping the car cooler and protecting your seats and dashboard from fading or cracking due to sun damage.
Additionally, tinted windows help reduce glare, making driving more comfortable, especially on bright days. That said, while tinted windows can certainly improve visibility by reducing glare, they shouldn’t replace sunglasses for optimal eye protection.
Ultimately, by staying informed about the UK’s window tint laws, you can enjoy all the benefits of tinted windows without running into legal trouble. Have you ever faced issues with your car’s tint? Share your experience in the comments below!