Car Privacy Glass Window Tinting and Its Legal Aspects

MondaySleeper on 07/07/2016 - 12:12

Hi Fellow OZBs

Can I please ask for some advice? Thanks.

I got a new Suzuki Vitara which has back side privacy window but plain front windows. Searching internet forums, came to know that the factory privacy window doesn’t have much UV filtering and heat rejection. The back seat is used by a 8 year kid so thought I should get that as well tinted to block the UV (min 45 minutes journey for the kid in the car)

I contacted one tinting company (with good reviews in FB and other sites as well) and negotiated the price. I asked him about what will happen if we add another tint on the privacy and he said its back window and it’s legal. I asked him to use the highest VLT (Max light through) as I don’t want visibility compromised even if its legal. So he said we can use 45%. Not sure why I got still confused and called him again to discuss but I was assured its legal.

While driving in the night I noticed that the cars behind are not as visible as it was even when rear-view mirror was put on day-mode. Started searching the legal requirements and I noticed in NSW all windows should be minimum 35% VLT. I was discussing this a friend, whose friend works with an insurance agency and I was told that my insurance claims, if any made, can be rejected based on this. Oh…. god.

Has anyone done tinting on the privacy glass? Anyone got issues with insurance or cops? I am thinking of removing it even though I might lose around $100. Safety is more important.

TLDR - Can we tint a factory privacy window with tint film?

Automotive

Comments

  • zfind on 07/07/2016 - 12:36
    +1

    For Western Australia anyway, you're allowed to tint the rear windows and rear windscreen darker than the fronts. Talking to my tinter it was because cars were coming out of the factory that way and were fine to sell on the Australian market, yet if that window got smashed and was replaced it needed to be tinted darker than the laws allowed, which made no sense. My backs are quite a bit darker and hard to see through in anything but broad daylight, the fronts are nicely darkened. All are 99% UV block. You can get clear UV block film to put over existing privacy glass.

    • MondaySleeper on 07/07/2016 - 12:52

      Thanks. This is what I am going to do. Just measured (not very accurate) - Front in the range of 30% and back in the 10%. The factory is 10-20% VLT usually and when a film of 40-50% added, it makes around 10%.

      I would expect the tinting professional know the legal aspects of what they are doing.

      • Euphemistic on 08/07/2016 - 07:40

        You might be surprised to find out that your tinting professional is just someone who can install the stuff, not someone with a degree. They may be more interested in relieving you from your money than in providing you with a legal product.

        However, if you ask the questions they should be able to provide you with the correct legal answers.

        It still pays to find out the answers yourself as well though. It's not hard to look up the information on the net theses days - and I mean looking up the legislation/ensign rules, not asking on a forum

  • whooah1979 on 07/07/2016 - 13:10
    -7

    While driving in the night I noticed that the cars behind are not as visible as it was even when rear-view mirror was put on day-mode.

    why do you need to use the rear view mirror at all while driving? many couriers, tradies and commercial vehicles consist of vans, utes, station wagons and hatchbacks with no rear view mirror visibility. the side view mirrors are a much better tool for changing lanes and parking.

  • spackbace on 07/07/2016 - 14:43

    If it's from factory, it's perfectly legal, it's only when it's put on after the fact.

    So here at the dealership, we do a clear UV film over the privacy glass for added protection, and 35% on the front windows (max legal)

  • bobbified on 07/07/2016 - 14:51

    I was discussing this a friend, whose friend works with an insurance agency and I was told that my insurance claims, if any made, can be rejected based on this. Oh…. god.

    Only if they can show that the tinted glass has significantly contributed to or caused the accident. Or if your vehicle has been defected by the police and you shouldn't have it on the road at all.

    If you're sitting at the lights surrounded by other cars, it's not going to make a difference to you whether you can or can't see the car that's about to ram you from the back.

  • Joney on 07/07/2016 - 15:57

    The numerical rating refers to the percentage of light allowed to pass through the tint. ie 35% light passing through is less than 45% passing through. As such your 45% tint complies with the 35% limit.

    • MondaySleeper on 07/07/2016 - 19:01

      Not really. The VLT of factory tint is usually 15-25%. Considering 25% light (the MAX Light) comes through (that itself is against the law but its an exception as its from factory. God only knows what law is it), if you apply 45% on top of that its 25*.45 = 11.25% which is well below 35%.

      I found an app (android) which seems quite useful. Its called Tint Meter

  • nocure on 07/07/2016 - 19:00

    Mine has 18% sides and rear (not recommending as it's not legal) and has passed a recent inspection by the popo.

    • MondaySleeper on 07/07/2016 - 19:04

      My number comes roughly to 12-14% when tested with Tint Meter. It looks good but I consider safety and legal compliance far more than the looks. Thinking of asking the tint shop to remove it. My concern is that if that will cause damage to the rear demister circuit on the windshield :(

      • nocure on 07/07/2016 - 19:08

        They will warn you ,that can occur with removal of old tint.

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