Three more months to fix tint on vehicles

In this March 2021 file photo, Transport Commissoner Clive Clarke, right, demonstrates how the tint meter works during the opening of the Peytonville bidge, in Arima, as Works and Transport Minsiter Rohan Sinanan observes. Photo by Sureash Cholai
In this March 2021 file photo, Transport Commissoner Clive Clarke, right, demonstrates how the tint meter works during the opening of the Peytonville bidge, in Arima, as Works and Transport Minsiter Rohan Sinanan observes. Photo by Sureash Cholai

Vehicles can be tinted, but it must be in compliance with the law or face the consequences, so said Transport Commissioner Clive Clarke.

Clarke was speaking to the media at the commissioning of a bridge at Kelly Drive, Peytonville, Arima on Saturday.

The moratorium was initially set for December but was extended to March 7 and again until June 6.

He said the use of a tint measuring device would scientifically determine the percentage and allow for proper action to be taken against the lawbreakers.

“This makes a big difference when compared to the previous system. The previous system was where a policeman, a transport officer or a traffic warden could look at your vehicle and the charge you by exercising a level of subjectivity without any scientific means of defending those matters in court.

“The new system allows us to use a tint measuring device to measure the visual light transmittance (VLT) and gives the capacity to truly identify if a vehicle is in compliance with the law.”

Clarke warned that while law also allowed for variances in the readings, vehicle owners should be careful with their tint percentages.

He explained, “The law allows for a plus or minus variance. So, if a vehicle is stopped and the metre shows 17 (per cent), it means it is acceptable. The law allows the vehicle to be tinted so people do have a level of comfort.

“Those who have reasons for a darker tint must apply to the commissioner for an exemption.”

He added that almost 325 people have applied for the exemption but about 240 have been processed but not approved as yet.

Clarke noted people have been producing fake documents for their vehicles such as certified copies, driver's permits and tint certificates and warned against it. In order to combat this, he said the ministry’s certificates will now be computerised and database developed and shared with related offices.

“One of the things we have had to do in implementing the tint legislation is ensuring it is computerised. Every application and approval are in a database.

“In addition to that, if an officer stops vehicles, he can have an idea is there is an approval. Within the next three months we will be implementing the computerised inspection system in all the garages.”

He said this would allow for monitoring and tracking of vehicles owners who use fraudulent documents for transactions.

The minimum level of visible light transmittance (VLT) on a windscreen should be at least 70 per cent.

Windscreen anti-glare band (AGB) or visor (six inches or 15 cm from the top of the windscreen): at least 35 per cent VLT.

Both rear windows (including side windows) and rear windscreen: at least 20 per cent VLT.

The front windows (driver and passenger): at least 35 per cent VLT.

Comments

"Three more months to fix tint on vehicles"

More in this section