Tinting windows conflicting advice

T

TommyGG

Member
Hello!

I'm getting my e85 wrapped in metallic blue. I think it'd look a lot better with tinted windows so am investigating this right now.

As you all know, a Z4 only has 4 windows, rear, front and 2 side.

I've been told by various people tinting driver/passenger side windows is illegal. However this seems to conflict with the government advice here:
https://www.gov.uk/tinted-vehicle-window-rules

If you’ve got tinted vehicle windows, the front windscreen must let at least 75% of light through and the front side windows 70%.
Click to expand...

In their pamphlet:

Motor Vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1985:
The light transmitted through the windscreen must be at least 75%.
The front side windows must allow at least 70% of light to be
transmitted through them.
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First of all I know that allowing 75% through the windscreen doesn't mean I can get a 25% tint as glass doesn't let 100% of the light through.

But am I correct in saying that I can go ahead and get a tint on the side windows and windscreen as per regulations above, and rear windscreen any level I want?
 
Your windscreen is already tinted and can't be tinted anymore
Your side windows can have a very faint tint put on them but if you wanted to keep it legal it would be so little that you wouldn't be able to notice it,all the glass in your car is already tinted green
Russ
 
All my cars had tinted windows, some massive 75% some 20%, never had problems whit the police.

Sent from my LT18i using Tapatalk 4 Beta
 
Most cars have a slight tint on the glass, so any more and you have an issue on your hands IF you are pulled over by Traffic cops who will test them.

Most police don't care, but traffic police will.

Fact is, the worst that will happen is they will issue a prohibition letter demanding you go get another MOT but they never check as all you do is go to a police station and they remove the order once you present an MOT.

Do as you will.

the reasoning behind the police not liking tints is that a) they can't see you clearly b) they think others can't see you clearly and what you may or may not be doing

e.g if you're on a phone, another driver may see that and stay clear of you as you're a hazard etc

If you're a responsible driver then it's your choice but be wary.
 
This is my understanding of the legislation which clearly states that 70% of visible light must pass through the driver's side windows (75% through the windscreen) including any other substrate fitted to the glass. People misunderstand the regulation and presume that 70% allows a 30% tint which It doesn't. Glass does not however let in 100% of light. Clear glass only allows approximately 86% of light to pass and the slight tint of standard manufactured glass varies from the 70% maximum limit up to approx 80% of light passing through, so any film being applied to the windows will drop the light transmissions to below the regulation legal limit.

If your front windows are tinted to any level you do risk being stopped by either my colleagues in the Traffic Police or VOSA (Vehicle & Operator Services Agency) they have "TintMan" light meters to test the VLT (visible light transmission) that passes through your glass. If you have a subtle tint fitted then you should just be asked for it to be removed, if you have dark front door windows you could be told you can't drive your car any further and face a fine and points on your licence!

Worth noting that Tinted windows are not included in the MOT test, but window tinting is classed as a vehicle modification so you should inform your vehicle insurer. Do be aware that if you have your front door windows tinted and you have an accident, it could possibly be a get out clause for your insurance company!
 
A friend of mine had had a Shogun tinted apparently within limits by a genuinely pro outfit, and quickly found himself with notice for the side windows after a traffic cop tested it with his magic tintO'meter. But as someone said I'm sure most people get away with it :|
 
My mate had a light smoke on his WRX. Police stopped him and made him take a VOSA inspection within 21 days.

Believe it or not - with OEM tint, it showed as *just* being legal. Not much room for any additional tint


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stumpruss said:
Also the fact that you can see less when it's dark,and the police can ask you to remove the tint at the roadside
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They can't do that anymore, hence the prohibition order allowing you to drive off as you can claim damage if they forced you to take the tint off - it's rubbish from when yobo's had the police peel them off and claim the residue glue ruined window mechanisms etc.

Regardless, one thing wrong with the system is the test itself.

They don't test how much light actually comes into the car from within the car, so all they test is if it's pitch black how much light would come through a specific point and exit through the other side eliminating any ambient light whatsoever.

Poor explanation but if you've ever had one done you'll know what i'm on about.
It's not a true result of how much light gets into the car itself.

Tints - unless totally black don't reduce vision that much, and in my opinion reduce glare if you use a mild/medium shade.
Black is a no no, but a 30% film is perfect.

That's my opinion so please don't start shouting. And I might add that as much as I want to tint my windows i'd rather be on the right side of the law than stress about anything when driving.
 
ba3bas said:
stumpruss said:
Also the fact that you can see less when it's dark,and the police can ask you to remove the tint at the roadside
Click to expand...

They can't do that anymore, hence the prohibition order allowing you to drive off as you can claim damage if they forced you to take the tint off - it's rubbish from when yobo's had the police peel them off and claim the residue glue ruined window mechanisms etc.

Regardless, one thing wrong with the system is the test itself.

They don't test how much light actually comes into the car from within the car, so all they test is if it's pitch black how much light would come through a specific point and exit through the other side eliminating any ambient light whatsoever.

Poor explanation but if you've ever had one done you'll know what i'm on about.
It's not a true result of how much light gets into the car itself.

Tints - unless totally black don't reduce vision that much, and in my opinion reduce glare if you use a mild/medium shade.
Black is a no no, but a 30% film is perfect.

That's my opinion so please don't start shouting. And I might add that as much as I want to tint my windows i'd rather be on the right side of the law than stress about anything when driving.
Click to expand...


Hmmmmmm :fuelfire: :D

Its not a true result of how much light comes into the car - True
But the rules state its how much light passes through the window in question, not how much comes into the car as a whole!!

You say 30% tint film is fine, OEM windows as stated above in various posts let only 70-80% of light through as standard, so to add 30% on top takes the light transmission down to 30-40% which = massively reduced visibility, through the window in question and is akin to driving at night with a dark pair of sunglasses on- which you wouldn't do,

I wont tell you the dangers in that one, and is why its taken seriously by the traffic police etc- and I used to have them when I was a youngster on a saxo and read max power - did I just say that out loud lol :tumbleweed:
 
Maybe my math is wrong, but if a window allows 70% of light through and you apply a 30% tint, that would let 49% of the light through theoretically? (80% with 30% tint = 56%)

Don't mean to nitpick but wouldn't the range would be 49% to 56% not 30% to 40%?
 
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