Fixed Penalty Notice for Tinted Windows – Points & Fine Amount

Have you been given a Fixed Penalty Notice for tinted windows? This might seem a bit scary but don’t worry; we’re here to help. This article will make it easy for you to understand:

• What a Fixed Penalty Notice is.
• If you must pay for having tinted windows.
• How you can say no to the Fixed Penalty Notice.
• Situations where you might not have to pay.
• What could happen if you ignore the notice.

A group of MPs and Peers are worried about Fixed Penalty Notices. They say FPNs, which can cost up to £10,000, are hard to understand and might be unfair.¹

This is why, every month, more than 130,000 people come to our website for advice on fines and parking tickets. We know that getting a Fixed Penalty Notice can be a bother, so we’re here to offer useful tips and examples to guide you.

Let’s get started!

UK laws around tinted car windows

The law states that vehicles should allow at least 70% or 75% of light through the windscreen, driver-side window and passenger-side window depending on the age of the vehicle. 

Interestingly, there are no laws around window tinting to rear passenger windows or the rear windscreen. 

It can be measured with special light measuring equipment handled by VOSA and the police. 

The reason this law is in place is to keep the driver and other motorists safe due to the tint causing reduced visibility, especially at night. 

There has been a significant number of vehicles involved in accidents at night that have tinted windows, compared to vehicles without tints. 

How do the police measure light?

The police use portable meters that measure the percentage of light that gets through a tinted car window.

The meter’s technical accuracy can be relied on which means it’s a useful tool that law enforcement agencies can use.

Pros and cons of tinted car windows

Car window tinting provides some benefits, some of which I’ve listed here:

• Improved security
• Specialised tint films are harder to break

However, there are some disadvantages to consider as well, which are:

• Reduced visibility at night
• Reduced visibility going through tunnels
• Peeling or bubbling may occur

What happens if you get caught?

Nothing will happen if you are stopped by a police officer and have tints within the legal limit. 

However, if you get stopped and have tints that don’t allow enough light to pass through, you will probably face consequences. 

Can you get an FPN for it?

Yes, it’s possible to be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice if your windows are tinted more than the legal allowance.

I explain the full details shortly.

Fixed Penalty Notice for tinted windows – full explanation

If your windscreen or front side windows are too heavily tinted, i.e. above the legal allowance, you can be served with an endorsable Fixed Penalty Notice. 

This means you’ll be fined and receive penalty points on your licence.

However, if you’re windows exceed the legal limit for window tinting but only just exceed this limit, you might not be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice.

Instead, you could be issued a Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice.

This second type of notice requires the driver to fix the defect with their vehicle quickly by getting a professional service.

In this case, to have the tinting reversed or to have it tinted to within the legal limits. 

Once this has been done, the driver will need to prove the defect has been fixed by attending a police station with the vehicle.

Or by completing a form that has been signed by the professional who made the fix. 

» TAKE ACTION NOW: Get legal support from JustAnswer

What is the fine for tinted windows?

It’s most likely that you’ll be fined £60 for tinted windows when served with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

How many points can you get?

You could get penalised with three penalty points on your driving licence.

The offence will be recorded on your licence for four years from the date of the offence. 

Appealing your FPN

Appealing your FPN can help save you money, but if the process goes against you, the situation could take a turn for the worse. This is why, you have to be prepared and know exactly how to appeal a parking ticket in order to increase your chances of success.

Here are some valid reasons to appeal a ticket.

Violation Category	Specific Offense	Common Appeal Reason
Traffic Signal	Running a Red Light	Traffic light was malfunctioning/out
Insurance	Driving without Insurance	Proof of valid insurance at the time
Speed Limit	Exceeding Speed Limit	Incorrect speed limit signage/malfunctioning speedometer
Seat Belt	Not Wearing a Seat Belt	Belt was worn but not visible or medical exemption
Mobile Phone Use	Using a Mobile Phone while Driving	Emergency situation or not in use
Vehicle Condition	Driving a Vehicle in Poor Condition	Recent vehicle maintenance or misjudgment of condition
Parking	Illegal Parking	Unclear, obscured, or misleading parking signs
Documentation	Failure to Display Tax Disc	Disc was displayed but not visible
Driving License	Driving without a Valid License	License was valid but not present
Vehicle Registration	Driving Unregistered Vehicle	Registration was in process/delayed

Tinted windows and careless or dangerous driving

You can also be issued a Fixed Penalty Notice for careless or dangerous driving.

These Fixed Penalty Notices can come with much greater fines and more penalty points on your licence, depending on the exact nature of the offence. 

The exact circumstances around the incident will help determine how much the fine should be and how many penalty points you receive.

And this is where window tinting comes in. 

If you are deemed to have been at fault for a careless or dangerous driving incident, and your vehicle has tinted windows, it’s possible that the tinted windows will be judged to have contributed and you may face more severe consequences.  

Do I have to declare tinted windows?

You must declare tinted windows to your insurance provider.

Source: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6366494/to-declare-window-tint-or-to-not-declare-window-tint 

Your vehicle insurance company will consider tinting to be a vehicle modification. 

Failing to declare tinted windows could lead to an insufficient insurance policy, and costly consequences should you later need to make a claim. 

Will my insurance go up if I tint my windows?

No. Your car insurance premium should not go up or down when you have tinted car windows, provided they are legal.

There are restrictions on front windscreens and side-view windows which must be respected.

Quick recap

It’s possible to get issued an endorsable Fixed Penalty Notice for tinted windows, which is likely to carry a fine of £60. 

Tinted windows could also make the punishment of an FPN for careless or dangerous driving more severe if the tinted windows are thought to have contributed to the incident. 

References

1. UK Parliament – Joint Committee on Human Rights: Every Fixed Penalty Notice issued under coronavirus Regulations must be reviewed