car window tinting

[chevrolet1.8]

i have been thinking of having this done to my rear side windows and back window of my car. there seems to be a lot of confliction over what is and what isn't allowed. it's all to do with the % of light. if i get it done am i going to get pulled or do the police turn a blind eye anyway. i have seen many cars that have had it done but don't want to have to fork out to have it removed after i have had it done in the first place

[jake-the-peg]

I don't think there's an issue with the rear side windows and the back windows it's just the front issues that the restrictions apply to

http://www.carkeys.co.uk/features/everything_e lse/2276.asp

[NORMANTHEDOG]

if you have it too dark then you run the risk of getting stopped by the police and having to remove it, and i think also it might be a wise idea to check that it would pass a mot like it,but i expect you will get a more comprehensive answer later,by the way have it done by a pro as its very hard to get it good.

[chevrolet1.8]

def. would have it done proffesionally, hopefully the police won't carry light meters. my car is brand new so won't need an mot for 3 years anyway. thanks

[Toureman]

Vans do not have any rear side windows and some have no back windows so where's the problem?

[__LEE__]

only front windows are an issue

[nick49]

when i bought my car it already had tinted windows, as i am 23 i thought the police would stop me quite a bit in it but in the 2 years i have had it so far i got stopped once but that was because the dvla hadn't updated their records to say i had taxed it.
i don't know if there is any problem about light in the car as at night mine is very dark.

(also as my car is red i was worried about the police playing there snooker game)

[pope-ye]

The legal requirement is for the windscreen to allow 75% of available light through and the front side windows to allow 70% through. As all modern cars are fitted with tinted glass as standard adding any additional film to the glass will probably make them illegal.
The point about light meters being carried by the police depends on the area you are in. I am a VOSA examiner in central Scotland where most of the road policing departments have Tintman available to them. VOSA examiners also have Tintman and can prohibit the use of any vehicle that does not meet the minimum requirement.
The rear side and back windows can be tinted as dark as you want, as a previous answer pointed out, vans have metal sides and back doors and they are perfectly legal.
Tinted windows are not included in the MOT unless they are dark enough to, in the testers opinion, affect the drivers view of the road.
If you have your windows tinted you also leave yourself open to prosecution as we routinely caution drivers when they are issued with the prohibition notice, if they fail to comply they are reported for prosecution. That is potentially 3 points per window plus a fine.
My advice is to spend your money on something to improve your car, not to make it more dangerous.