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[Loch View]

from a pro

"i run a busy tint shop and get asked (and always explain) the same questions everytime, mainly, whats a " legal tint for the front side windows?"

well, to put it simply, there isnt any! the law states that the windscreen and both front side windows must allow 70% light transmission. how they got to this figure im not sure, but if you drive a  modern renault, citroen, ford, vw, rover, etc, chances are that your front glass measures 65-68% straight from the showroom!

technically,the dealers broke the law when they sold the car! this is our wonderful government for you, (which is why i dont bother voting) anyway, what it means is that any film applied to front side windows will not be legal-ish.

i say legal-ish because although the police state 70%, the ministry of transport (who are the geezers with the light testing kits) should only issue an advisory if the glass reads 45% or lighter, but then if youre stopped by the feds for tints (usually outside a max power show) it doesnt matter if youve got tints above 45% or not, the law is 70%"

[HolyCount]

iirc -- been a while since I read it -- the way the new regs are worded, it is illegal even to put a CLEAR film on a CLEAR front side window or windscreen ( like those they sometimes use to filter UV or to protect occupants from bits of glass flying in an accident ). However, VOSA did state that, in such a case, it is very unlikely that it willl be detected and therefore won't be enforced in such situations.

In theory though -- if you are stopped for any other reason and you p*ss the officer off AND he/ she notices a clear film you can find yourself on his/ her bad side !!!!

The only tints leagllly permissable on front windows is where the glass itself is tinted -- not a film --- and within the limits for light transmission laid down.

[Loch View]

Well, today's the day for tinting  

I've already seen a potential problem though  :-/
The rear side windows have alarm sensors.....anyone know how to get around these?