Window Tints: Legal?

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Si_GTi
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Window Tints: Legal?

Post by Si_GTi »

Hi everyone,

Seeing as I'm planning on tinting my windows in the next couple of months, I've been doing a bit of research on tints and what can and can't be done within the law. But I'm still more confused than ever! :?

As I see it, the official line is, you can have tints from the B-pillar back, so your rear screen and rear side windows can be as tinted as you like. The front screen is a no-no, and always has been, so thats fine. The confusion comes in with the front side windows, B-pillars forwards - in my case the two driver's doors' windows. Would I be right in thinking that the front side windows have to allow at least 65% of the light in?

I also read somewhere that if you tint your windows "illegally", i.e. too dark at the front of the car, you can invalidate your insurance as well as annoying the local constabulary... but what I'm after at the end of the day is no heavier a tint than Josh had done to his Fabia, just something subtle - so is that about 25-30%?

Pic:
Image

Linked from here

I really like the subtle effect that Josh has achieved there and thats what I'm after for the Polo. One last thing - do I tell my insurance company? My default response, as always, would be "YES", I don't want invalid insurance :shock: How do you think it'll effect my premium?

If you guys and gals can assist in clearing this all up that'd be great, I'm just not sure where I stand after I get my tints done :?

Thanks
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SiDaBa
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Post by SiDaBa »

It is basically illeagal to tint your windows at the front anyway.

However there is the confusing point that your front windows have to let through 70% light (I think).

Inusrance wise I personally if i was going to tell them would tell them only about the rear and not the front windows.

In my case i haven't told my insurance company.
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jay_muir
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Post by jay_muir »

My mate got pulled once and done for the tints on his civic. The front passengers and drivers side windows where too dark apparantly. He got issued some piece pf paper saying he had a week to have them removed and take his car to a valid test center.

The bloke said that in the back you can have anything but on the front they have to let in a certain percentage of light anything within 10% lower than this you get what m y friend got, and then anything lower than that your car was taken off the road apparantly?

Don't ask me I was too busy laugthing at the other lads who got pulled for it who where asking the guy to test the police car which had tints?!?!?!?!?

Madness?
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Johnmk4
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Post by Johnmk4 »

yer i think it looks very smart with mediums back and back sides and lights on the fronts, i dont think you will get police trouble with these

my best mate has a black punto with Limo on teh back 3 and midnight on the fronts and hasnt ever been pulled!!

let me know how it goes tho si as i want my done soon, dont know about insurance as its a kind of security deterrant and fitted standard on some cars
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carmadaaron
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Post by carmadaaron »

front (side) windows can be tinted, but they have to be very light in order to be in the right side of the law.

i have the lightest johnson tints (45%) and these are legal, (on top of VW's OE tint)
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SiDaBa
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Post by SiDaBa »

One form the archieves.

http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/v ... ight=tints
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Si_GTi
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Post by Si_GTi »

Thanks guys. Probably go for a light tint all round then, maybe 50-70%, will ask tinter and see what he suggests. To be honest I think that my windows aren't tinted in any way at the moment, in factory trim. If I drop the driver's side window halfway and look out, there's no visible darkening by looking through the glass, compared to looking 'over' it - whereas on my parent's Bora there is a noticeable but fairly light factory tint to the glass.
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Steve_O
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Post by Steve_O »

Josh had 50% on the sides and 35% on the back.

It was done by tinter - who goes by the name 'tinter' on here!! :lol:

http://www.tigerstyle.co.uk/poloforum/v ... php?t=9505
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carmadaaron
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Post by carmadaaron »

Si_GTi wrote:Thanks guys. Probably go for a light tint all round then, maybe 50-70%, will ask tinter and see what he suggests. To be honest I think that my windows aren't tinted in any way at the moment, in factory trim. If I drop the driver's side window halfway and look out, there's no visible darkening by looking through the glass, compared to looking 'over' it - whereas on my parent's Bora there is a noticeable but fairly light factory tint to the glass.
if u have a GTI (as ur sig and username suggests!) u have tints. :D

just very light, and its greeny colored :P
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Si_GTi
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Post by Si_GTi »

carmadaaron wrote:if u have a GTI (as ur sig and username suggests!) u have tints. :D

just very light, and its greeny colored :P
Indeed I do have a GTi - pre-alignment mind you if that makes a difference...? I can't tell that the windows are tinted myself tbh :lol: but a little extra tinting won't hurt I guess :wink:
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GaryUK
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Post by GaryUK »

Hiya, found this thread on uk mkivs that might help.

Linky

I've heard so many different views on tints it's unbelievable! If I was gonna get it done I would go for 50% sides and 35% rear. But if you came across a touchy copper be prepared take the front side ones off. Oh and tell the insurance company, I'm sure your premium won't go up by that much if at all.

Gary.
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carmadaaron
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Post by carmadaaron »

depends what insurance company it is, some are really picky and wont even insure a car with aftermarket tints! :shock:
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Si_GTi
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Post by Si_GTi »

I'm gonna ring my insurers next week sometime - Direct Line. I could well find they won't be pleased with my planned mods :(

If they're not happy about it, I'll swap insurers - hopefully without putting my NCB entitlement for this year's policy at risk... but hopefully they'll be OK with just tints, then I'll stockpile the other parts in the pipeline and put them all on in September when it's renewal time :wink:

50% sides and 35% rear looks like the way to go. 8)
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carmadaaron
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Post by carmadaaron »

Si_GTi wrote:I'm gonna ring my insurers next week sometime - Direct Line. I could well find they won't be pleased with my planned mods :(

If they're not happy about it, I'll swap insurers - hopefully without putting my NCB entitlement for this year's policy at risk... but hopefully they'll be OK with just tints, then I'll stockpile the other parts in the pipeline and put them all on in September when it's renewal time :wink:

50% sides and 35% rear looks like the way to go. 8)
yeah, tat is a good combo 8)
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