Fine for window tints

[NeilMc]

I got pulled over today by a traffic cop who wanted to 'check my windows'. I have a pretty dark tint on the rear three windows, my drivers side one has no aftermarket tint (it was broken not long ago and haven't put anything back on it), and my passenger window has a very light tint on it from before I bought the car. I explained this to the officer and he decided to check my untinted drivers window first. Apparently it let 71% light through, meaning Audi tint their windows to 29% from the factory. The legal limit is 30%. This meant my 'light tint' on the other side automatically made that window illegal and I was issued a £30 fixed penalty. Now I've known a lot of people get pulled for window tints, and every time have been told to get it sorted. I personally haven't known anyone get a fine straight away. The thing that annoys me most is that it's cost me £30 and I have no reason to get it sorted out (other than the fact I might get pulled up again). At least when you're told to get it sorted and then have it inspected at a later date, the police know that it's now legal. It's like they'd rather have the money than sort out the problem.

Anyway, if you're driving in Manchester with tinted windows and you see a traffic cop who looks distinctly like Lembit Opik, put your windows down quickly!

[MoRS6+]

Was watching a Traffic Cops repeat (I think) recently and this cop stopped this girl in a Range Rover with quite dark tints (she was bloody gorgeous as it goes!). Rather than issue a penalty, he made the owner peel off some of the tint knowing that they wouldn't drive it around for very long like that (was a bit like when you peel off a sticker and it goes horribly wrong) and would have to remove it. I think this was a really good idea/compromise and everyone was happy - well, almost! At least he gave them a chance and restored some of my faith in the traffic cops' discretionary powers (aka common sense)..

[NeilMc]

I really was expecting him to say: 'This is a fixed penalty offence... so you better get it sorted quickly so I don't have to fine you', rather than 'here, have a fine'. I feel like not getting the tint taken off and driving in to work a different way. I've had the car for 4 years and never got pulled over for my windows before, probably because they really don't look dark at all. What's the point in pulling someone over for an offence and then giving them no incentive to put the problem right?

[teknobod]

I really was expecting him to say: 'This is a fixed penalty offence... so you better get it sorted quickly so I don't have to fine you', rather than 'here, have a fine'. I feel like not getting the tint taken off and driving in to work a different way. I've had the car for 4 years and never got pulled over for my windows before, probably because they really don't look dark at all. What's the point in pulling someone over for an offence and then giving them no incentive to put the problem right?

I think I'd be considering the £30 fine an incentive personally.

Trouble is now you've been tugged once, I guess they may be looking out for you in future.

Presumably you weren't aware that any aftermarket tint forward of the B pillar is illegal now.

Andy

[Nige_RS4]

Presumably you weren't aware that any aftermarket tint forward of the B pillar is illegal now.

Is this strictly true i.e. if the oem window isn't tinted in the first place?

[BigMo]

I too in the 3 years of ownership have not been stopped. Many friends have questioned their legality but I think that couple with the sunroof the tints aren't too dark!

[NeilMc]

I didn't know that any tint forward of the B pillar was illegal, and the funny thing is that even after 20 minutes talking to the cop that pulled me over, I still am not aware of that! I have tried to find clarification online of the law, but not come up with exactly what I am looking for. I certainly haven't found anything on VOSA or DVLA about fixed penalties for windows that are slightly over tinted. The only information given about penalties refer to windows that are dangerously dark (i.e. 30% light or less - far darker than mine). Anything lighter than that and it seems you are supposed to be given 14 days to remove the tint before being fined.
I worked out today that the aftermarket tint on my front window was 15%. This, added to the 29% (or thereabouts) tint on the Audi supplied piece of glass, is what made my passenger window illegal. But I do have £30 in 1p, 2p and 5p pieces... so I'll send them that.

[teknobod]

Although this isn't a government site, it does actually reference the legislation and explain it quite well;-

http://www.sctints.co.uk/qas_thelaw.php

Andy

[mip]

I hear a nasty rumour that if you have an accident and an insurance inspection is made, you may void your insurance ...

[paulm846]

i had a range rover with to dark a tint and got pulled, they said to get it sorted. then had a t5 with same and got pulled in that, they reported me for prosecution as i had been pulled before and warned. went to court, explained that it was on the car when i bought it and that i asked the owner if it was legal. got let off completely !
moral of story, it was always on there and you asked seller if it was legal !