New tint laws take effect on July 29

WITH EFFECT from July 29, drivers will face a $2,000 fine and docked three demerit points if their vehicle does not meet light transmittance requirements permitted by the new tint regulations.

Failure to maintain windscreens or windows free from scratches can also land drivers a $450 fine without demerit-points deductions. The unauthorised use of curtains and screens will cost $750 and two demerit points.

On July 26, the office of the Transport Commissioner under the Ministry of Works and Transport encouraged drivers to acquaint themselves with all other provisions of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Windscreen and Window Tint) Regulations 2020.

The ministry said the intentions are to “encourage general compliance with traffic laws and promote road safety for motorists and pedestrians; introduce a standardised method of assessing tint levels via the use of tint meters, which removes the subjectivity that previously existed with the enforcement of tint laws; assist in the fight against crime and criminality; and create safer roads.”

Notable changes include regulation 3(1), which says a person “shall not cause or permit a vehicle to be used, or drive or have charge of a vehicle, upon any road where a windscreen or window of the vehicle is composed of, coated or covered by, or treated or darkened with, any material, overlay or other product, that has the effect of making the windscreen or window non-transparent or reducing the visible light transmittance of the windscreen or window unless –
"A. the front windscreen has a visible light transmittance of at least 70 per cent;
"B. Each front window, including the side wind and side window, on either side and forward of the vertical plans immediately behind the driver’s seatback in its rearmost and upright position, has a visible light transmittance of at least 35 per cent;
and C. Each rear window, including any side window behind the front window and the rear windscreen, has a visible light transmittance of at least 20 per cent.”

There is an exception in the event “where the material on the windscreen or window was installed by the manufacturer of the vehicle and approved by the Licensing Authority.”

Concerning glare visors on the front windscreen: “Affixed to its top, along its width and in such a position as not to interfere with the vision of either the driver or a passenger carried in the front seat, a band of material or an anti-glare band overlay must –
"(i) measure in width from the top of the windscreen, no more than 15 centimetres or six inches;
"or (ii) in the case of a vehicle above Class 3, cover an area above the highest point of the windscreen that is swept by a windscreen wiper, and have a visible light transmittance of at least 35 per cent."

Regulation 4 states, “A person shall not cause or permit a vehicle to be used, or drive or have charge of a vehicle, on any road, if a windscreen or window of the vehicle is composed or coated or covered by, or treated with, any material, overlay or product, that has the effect of making the windscreen or window appear to have a metallic, reflective or mirrored effect sufficient to dazzle motorists.”

Regulation 4(2) states: An owner, driver or operator of the vehicle shall ensure that no windscreen or window of the vehicle had –
"(a) scratches or other defects that unreasonably impair the driver’s vision through, or unreasonably comprise the strength of the windscreen or window.
"(b) laminated, glazing or glass that shows signs of discolouration that impair the driver’s vision through the windscreen or windows,
"or (c) material with any bubbling or other defects that unreasonably impair the driver’s vision through the windscreen or window.

Regulation 5 involves: "Prohibition in the installation of any curtain, screen or other device that obstructs the view of a person into the vehicle and prohibition on the driving of a vehicle on any road if a curtain, screen or other device is installed in the vehicle that obstructs the view of a person into the vehicle.

"There is an exception “in the case of a curtain, screen or other device that is being used on a rear window to shield a child five years of age or under from the direct rays of the sun.”