But Transportation undersecretary Tim Orbos confirms in a recent media interview that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will release in the first quarter of 2018 an order setting the allowable grade of tint for car windows.
Orbos explains that the new tint regulation will not only address safety and security aspects, but it will also help the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in its implementation of the “high-occupancy vehicle” (HOV) lane on EDSA.
During its weeklong test, the MMDA monitored 27,524 vehicles on the HOV lane. But most of these, specifically 14,645 vehicles, had heavily tinted windows, making it impossible for the agency to check if drivers complied with the policy. Only vehicles with a minimum of two occupants are allowed on the HOV lane located on the innermost lane of EDSA.
So, how dark must your car tints be? We googled some mainstream facts about window tints and here's what we've learned so far.
WHY SHOULD WINDOW TINTING BE REGULATED FOR CAR USE?
Automobile window tinting reduces the "Visible Light Transmission" (VLT) through car windows. This can be problematic at night, or when motorists must be able to see through the windows of other vehicles in order to spot hazards. Police also may want to be able to identify the passengers in a vehicle. Therefore, in many jurisdictions, there are laws to restrict the darkness of tinting.
HOW DARK CAN YOU TINT YOUR CAR WINDOWS?
The degree of darkness allowed depends on the location of the window in your car. The back windshield and rear passenger side windows don’t usually have restrictions as passengers do not necessarily have to acquire the best vision. However, if you intend to put dark tints on your back windshield, your side-view mirrors must compensate, and must provide at least 200 feet of visibility. Meanwhile, the front passenger side windows can’t be too dark and must allow 70% of visible light (VLT) to pass through them.
ARE YOU ALLOWED TO TINT YOUR FRONT WINDSHIELD?
Some countries prohibit the use of tints on front windshields, obviously to give their drivers the clearest vision of the road. However, the top few inches of the front windshield may be tinted. This is known as an “eyebrow strip,” and it’s useful for blocking glare – and for achieving a custom look for your car.
WHAT OTHER WINDOW TINTING RESTRICTIONS SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT?
In San Diego, California, USA, a tint can’t be any more reflective than a normal window, regardless of the darkness of its tint. This means you can’t use a tint with a mirrored or metallic finish. In addition, you can’t use just any old color; red, amber, or blue tints are prohibited. And if there is a need for medical exemptions for any of these regulations, a doctor’s certificate may be required.
HOW DO YOU PROVE YOUR WINDOW TINTING JOB IS LEGAL?
In some countries, manufacturers of tinting films are required to be certified. So if you have tinted windows, you’re required to carry a certificate, signed by the tinting company, that lists the manufacturer’s name and address, and clearly states the VLT of the film used on your car.
REGULATION BY COUNTRY
Australia— In New South Wales, the Roads and Traffic Authority permits VLT of 35% on all windows. Tint on the windscreen – a band across the top is permitted with a depth of no more than 10% of the depth of the windscreen. An exception to the side & rear window tinting regulations applies to cars tinted before 1 August 1994.
Belarus— Any kind of window tint is illegal. An exception is made for factory tint in vehicles purchased before 1 April 2006. Also exempt are vehicles of cash collectors, KGB and certain officials.
Canada— Automobile tinting laws are set at the provincial level. In Ontario, new laws prohibit the front windshield from being tinted after market and stipulate windows to the right and left of the driver must not block more than 30 per cent of light. There are, however, no limit for rear windows.
India— The rules governing tinted glass are defined in The Motor Vehicles Act 1988, which states that the front and rear windshield should be 70% VLT and all other windows are limited at 50% VLT. On 27 April 2012, the Supreme Court of India ordered all black films to be removed.
Italy— Window tinting is permitted on rear windows and rear windshield only, with no limits on films graduation. A professional installer certificate is also required, and it's necessary to keep visible the film's brand and homologation number on the windows.
Malaysia— The Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai launched the Malaysian Vehicle Tint Film Standardization Mechanism, MS2669 on all window tinting on newly-registered vehicles starting January 1, 2018. Current permissible VLT levels are 70% for the front windscreen, 50% for front side windows and 30% for rear side windows and rear screen.
Malta— The Malta Transport Authority Permits VLT of 70% on Front Side windows. Tint on the windscreen – a band across the top is permitted with a depth of no more than 100mm of the depth of the windscreen. 30% on the rear and side windows.
New Zealand— The NZ Transport Agency stipulates that private motor vehicles must have at least 35% VLT after film has been applied. Side and rear windows; including the windows next to the driver; are allowed full coverage. The front windshield may have an anti-glare band no lower than the extended sun visors. There is no concise regulation for a sunroof. There is an exception for factory tinted glass, which may be any VLT level. Also, commercial goods vehicles are allowed any level of VLT on windows behind the driver, provided the driver has adequate rear vision via side mirrors.
Russia— Window tinting limits are specified in GOST 5727-88. The limit is 75% for the front windshield (a darker stripe no wider than 10 cm is allowed at the very top) and 70% for the front side windows. Tinting of back windows is not regulated. In practice, however, bribes are often used to pass inspection or avoid road police tickets even with illegal tint.
United Kingdom— Regulations set forth by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 provide that all front windows in front of the B post can have no less than 70 percent VLT. Windscreens are only allowed tinting outside the sweep of the windscreen wipers to a maximum of six inches from the top of the windscreen. British police are increasingly cracking down on illegal tinting on vehicles although window tints are not checked on the annual MoT Test.
United States— each state has different limits of allowable tint as measured on the front side window. These range from a low VLT of 24% in Washington, to 88% in California, with less stringent restriction being common for windows in the rear of the vehicle. Full details of glazing and sticker laws can be found at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.
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