Told I can't tint my windscreen - is this true?

[dilbu]

Hi everyone - i've got a t6.1 kombi and the amount of heat coming through front windscreen is nuts. I took it to a local tinters who told me me the vans come right on the edge of legal limit, and they couldnt really increase the tinting in any way that would be worth it.

I've gone home and done some reading and apparently he's only half right - and you can get tints that don't rely on blocking out light, but rather UV and there are some good ceramic options.

Does anyone know any more on this, and have a specific recommendation?

Thanks!

 

[DXX]

I would assume that somebody in the windscreen tinting business knows the regulations and techniques available.
I would also consult my insurer before considering this modification
From the UK MOT Manual;

 

[Sasquatch]

I forget the exact regs, but I believe 2018 is the cut-off date in con and use. From that point any tint applied to a windscreen, no matter the type or level of shade, is automatically unlawful.

 

[Rslad]

He not half right, he’s completely right.
There is no legal tint you can add to your windscreen in the uk.
Blocking UV alone will make no difference at all.
There was no 2018 cut off date, the law came in 01/04/1985. So I’m sure we are all past that!
If you add anything to your windscreen or front doors you are subject to having your insurance cover terminated on the side of the road (officer discretion) and could end will 6 points for no insurance. And yes I have seen this done.

 

[Sasquatch]

you are subject to having your insurance cover terminated on the side of the road (officer discretion) and could end will 6 points for no insurance.

We never had that power. It's entirely at the discretion of the insurer as to whether their cover remained valid under such circumstances. Of course, once the insurer has said 'nein' then we'd merrily seize the vehicle.

There was no 2018 cut off date,

There is parallel legislation with a 2018 date, as regards VLT which always seemed pointless as we'd rely on con and use anyway. I've been out the game 7 years now and memory fades with disuse, but next time im on the top floor I'll refresh my memory with Blackstones Traffic.

 

[Rslad]

He not half right, he’s completely right.
There is no legal tint you can add to your windscreen in the uk.
Blocking UV alone will make no difference at all.
There was no 2018 cut off date, it was 01/04/1985. Adding any additional tint can invalidate your insurance on the side of the road, and lead you to 6 points for the privilege. And yes I’ve seen this happen.

 

[Sackmycook]

I seem to recall we called it a 'technical no Insurance'.......basically there was a legal policy on the vehicle, but the vehicle as presented at the roadside had one or more issues that the insurance company had not been told about.
As at @Sasquatch says, a quick phonecall to the insurer and a question asked as to whether the policy was valid given the fact.

 

[Rslad]

1

 

[Rslad]

We never had that power. It's entirely at the discretion of the insurer as to whether their cover remained valid under such circumstances. Of course, once the insurer has said 'nein' then we'd merrily seize the vehicle.



There is parallel legislation with a 2018 date, as regards VLT which always seemed pointless as we'd rely on con and use anyway. I've been out the game 7 years now and memory fades with disuse, but next time im on the top floor I'll refresh my memory with Blackstones Traffic.

So, I never saidl

We never had that power. It's entirely at the discretion of the insurer as to whether their cover remained valid under such circumstances. Of course, once the insurer has said 'nein' then we'd merrily seize the vehicle.



There is parallel legislation with a 2018 date, as regards VLT which always seemed pointless as we'd rely on con and use anyway. I've been out the game 7 years now and memory fades with disuse, but next time im on the top floor I'll refresh my memory with Blackstones Traffic.

I never meant the officer cancels it. I meant it’s down to the officer whether to persue the no insurance or whether to give a fine.

I’ve worked with both cambs and Suffolk police for the last decade or more and never heard of a parallel legislation.

Either way, it’s illegal.

 

[Sasquatch]

I’ve worked with both cambs and Suffolk police for the last decade or more and never heard of a parallel legislation.

That's because they're carrot forces.

 

[dilbu]

Wow thanks everyone - you learn something new every day. The tinting companies out there must be slowly drying up then!

 

[Sackmycook]

So,

I never meant the officer cancels it.

That how I read it too mate

Would have been nice to have had that power though.....

 

[Dannyb6467]

Wow thanks everyone - you learn something new every day. The tinting companies out there must be slowly drying up then!

No...flat out. Sides, rear...and most are into wrapping too.

 

[Salty Spuds]

When I ordered my van I had the option to spec “heat reflecting glass including the windscreen, which I did. There’s definitely a faint tint to the windscreen glass. Van is a 2017 Highline. I’m assuming if I need a replacement screen, I can have like for like.

 

[FWhite]

When I ordered my van I had the option to spec “heat reflecting glass including the windscreen, which I did. There’s definitely a faint tint to the windscreen glass. Van is a 2017 Highline. I’m assuming if I need a replacement screen, I can have like for like.

A couple of my Renaults had that feature, in the early 2000s. It was a not so faint purple coating, almost invisible from the inside, but noticeable from the outside.
It did something against the heat, but not miracles.
Then last time I wasn't offended that option any more. So maybe something happened around 2018, probably some useful EU "norm" like the one for the the curvature of the banane or the size of the condoms

 

[dubber36]

How about those god awful chameleon tints?

Window Tinting Laws UK | Legal Tint Limits

Find out how UK window tinting laws affect the levels of window tint you can put on your car including chameleon tint.

window-tint.co.uk

 

[Shaun Witts]

I saw something recently about an electrically activated film that went from 0% to 100% tint at the flick of a button and anything in between. I thought that might be a useful blackout feature for a van when you don’t need the insulation that a screen cover provides. It seems to be known as Smart Tint.

 

[FWhite]

I saw something recently about an electrically activated film that went from 0% to 100% tint at the flick of a button and anything in between. I thought that might be a useful blackout feature for a van when you don’t need the insulation that a screen cover provides. It seems to be known as Smart Tint.

It is a normal technology i.e. for airplane windows (Boeing 787). Or for welding masks as well. I doubt that it will be ever allowed on car windshields for safety and security concerns.

 

[JumpShip]

Like chameleon tint

 

[ChrisBell]

Strange. I have seen a lot of premium luxury cars with what looks like chameleon tints and must be standard (Porsche BMW etc) and then obviously a lots of boy and girl racers . Seem now more popular than ever with no particular group choosing over in NI.

There's a whole thread with discussion on this forum on it. A partial tint at top was also discussed forming a sunstrip. Think the 'rule' was as long as it didn't hit the small markers or in path of window wipers? May be wrong. Each to their own in my view!