Tinted Windows: Legal Limits, Penalties and Insurance
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:
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- 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.
The outcome depends on the measured light transmission and alleged offence. Read the notice carefully; a prohibition on driving is separate from a demand for payment.
This guide explains the rules for front-window tinting and the practical steps to take after a notice.
Let’s get started!
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UK laws around tinted car windows
For vehicles first used on or after 1 April 1985, the windscreen must transmit at least 75% of light and the front side windows at least 70%. For vehicles first used earlier, both must transmit at least 70%. See the government’s tinted-window rules.
Interestingly, there are no laws around window tinting to rear passenger windows or the rear windscreen.
The police and Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) vehicle examiners use light-measuring equipment to check the tint.
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.
Excessive front tint can restrict the driver’s view. A vehicle must meet the legal light-transmission limits even if its rear windows can lawfully be darker.
How do the police measure light?
The police use portable meters that measure the percentage of light that gets through a tinted car window.
If you dispute a measurement, ask the issuer how to obtain the reading and relevant evidence. Do not assume that disagreement with the reading automatically establishes a defence.
Check the right challenge process
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A Fixed Penalty Notice does not normally use the council parking tribunal process. The notice explains how to dispute the allegation, which may require a court hearing. If convicted, the penalty and costs can be higher than the fixed penalty. Check the process and deadlines before deciding what to do.
Procedures vary by notice and jurisdiction.
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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 front windows are too dark, the police or DVSA may issue a prohibition notice preventing road use until the extra tint is removed, a penalty notice or a court summons. The outcome is not always an endorsable fixed penalty.
Any fine or points depend on the particular offence and the way it is dealt with. Check the wording and amount on your notice.
A small breach does not guarantee a warning or exemption. The authority decides the appropriate action under the applicable rules.
Instead, you could be issued a Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice.
If a Vehicle Defect Rectification Notice is offered, it requires the defect to be corrected and the stated proof to be provided by its deadline.
In this case, to have the tinting reversed or to have it tinted to within the legal limits.
Follow the notice’s instructions for proving rectification. Do not assume every scheme requires you to take the vehicle to a police station.
The required evidence may include a signed inspection or repair form. Check with the issuing force if the instructions are unclear.
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What is the fine for tinted windows?
There is no single £60 penalty that applies to every tinted-window case. The alleged offence, jurisdiction and whether the case goes to court determine the amount. Use the notice and the official guidance.
How many points can you get?
Some offences involving an unsafe vehicle carry penalty points; others do not. Do not assume that every tint notice automatically carries three points.
If an endorsement is imposed, check its code and retention period against the DVLA’s endorsement list.
Appealing your FPN
A motoring FPN does not use the council parking tribunal appeal process. If you dispute it, follow the court-election instructions on the notice before the deadline. A conviction after a court hearing can bring a higher penalty and costs.
Check the alleged offence, measurements, vehicle details and evidence. A generic objection is not a guaranteed defence.
| Issue to check | Possible evidence | Important limit |
|---|---|---|
| The alleged offence did not occur | Contemporaneous photographs, video or reliable records. | The relevant legal elements and evidence must be assessed. |
| Valid insurance or entitlement | Policy documents or DVLA records covering the exact time and use. | Holding a document now does not prove cover or entitlement at the time. |
| A recognised statutory exemption | Evidence establishing the exact exemption, such as an applicable medical exemption. | An emergency or misunderstanding does not automatically amount to a defence. |
| Identity or vehicle details | Evidence of a mismatch, mistaken identity or cloned vehicle. | Follow the notice’s response requirements; do not invent a driver or account. |
| Signage or equipment | Photographs and reliable evidence relevant to the alleged offence. | A malfunctioning speedometer is not a general defence to speeding. Seek legal advice before contesting. |
FPNs do not use the same appeal procedure as council PCNs. Follow the notice; contesting the allegation may require a court hearing. Paper tax discs have not been required since 1 October 2014.
Tinted windows and careless or dangerous driving
Some careless-driving cases can be dealt with by a fixed penalty. Dangerous driving is a serious criminal offence dealt with by the courts, not an ordinary FPN.
Court penalties depend on the charge and circumstances and can include disqualification. Serious offences can carry imprisonment.
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.
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Do I have to declare tinted windows?
Answer the insurer’s questions about modifications accurately and check the policy’s requirement to report changes during the cover period. Ask before adding aftermarket tint if you are unsure.
Aftermarket tint may count as a modification. Factory-fitted equipment and later modifications can be treated differently by insurers.
Failing to disclose a modification when required can affect cover or a claim. The consequences depend on the questions asked, policy terms and circumstances.
Will my insurance go up if I tint my windows?
Tinting can affect premiums or an insurer’s willingness to cover the vehicle. Do not assume the price stays the same merely because the tint is legal. See the Financial Ombudsman’s guidance on modifications.
There are restrictions on front windscreens and side-view windows which must be respected.
Quick recap
Excessive front-window tint can lead to a prohibition notice, penalty notice or court summons. Check the specific allegation and instructions instead of relying on a generic fine or points figure.
If restricted visibility contributes to an incident, it may be relevant to a separate careless- or dangerous-driving allegation. Dangerous driving is dealt with by a court.
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References
