The purpose of the law is to ensure the drivers’ ability to see the road is not excessively restricted
by glass tint.
If you are the driver -
You must not drive a vehicle on the road with the windscreen or front side windows
excessively tinted. You may also invalidate your insurance with this modification, particularly as the vehicle is likely to
be illegal.
If you are a tinting company -
You must not modify, or offer to supply, a part that when fitted to a vehicle means that it does not comply
with Construction & Use Regulations. If you’re selling a vehicle with extra tinting applied to the windscreen or
front side windows
The vehicle may now have glass that is darker than permitted by Construction & Use regulations, in which
case the vehicle should not be sold.
Why are tinted windows not includes in the
MOT test?
Excessively tinted glass is seen as a serious issue but one which currently affects only a small number of the
24 million vehicles tested annually. To include this item in the MOT test would require all 18,000 garages to incur expenditure
on special test equipment and the time taken to carry out an MOT would increase. The MOT fee would have to be raised to cover
the extra time and investment. This extra cost would affect all motorists - all for a small number of vehicles. With the current
levels of offending, roadside enforcement is a better route as it targets the offenders while minimising the cost and inconvenience
to compliant road users.
Is this a nationwide campaign?
Yes. VOSA staff throughout the country have been issued with testing equipment. If the equipment is not available,
a subjective assessment will be carried out. If the vehicle is considered dangerous to drive then an immediate prohibition
may be issued.
How to contact VOSA.
National Number : 0870 60 60 440
enquiries@vosa.gov.uk
www.direct.gov.uk/motoring
