In Dubai, Doha or Riyadh, tint is close to essential. It keeps the cabin cooler and the sun out of your eyes, and plenty of cars wear dark film all round. The UK sees things differently, at least for the glass at the front.
What UK law says
The rules are about how much light the glass lets through. For a car first used on or after 1 April 1985, which covers almost every car we bring from the Gulf:
| Glass | Minimum light let through |
|---|---|
| Front windscreen | At least 75% |
| Front side windows | At least 70% |
| Rear windscreen and rear side windows | No limit |
For a car first used before 1 April 1985, both the windscreen and the front side windows must let through at least 70%. The rear glass is unrestricted either way.
Why Gulf cars usually fall short
Factory glass already cuts some light. Add a film on top, even a fairly light one, and the total often drops below 70%. The darker films that are popular in the Gulf go well below it.
In practice, that means the film on the windscreen and front side windows will very often have to come off. The rear tint can usually stay. We look at the car before it ships and tell you at the quote if the front tint is likely to be a problem, so it is never a surprise when the car arrives.
How it is checked
The police and DVSA examiners measure tint with a light meter, so there is no guesswork about whether a film is too dark. Tint that fails can lead to a prohibition notice, which means the car cannot be used until the film is removed, as well as a penalty notice or a court summons.
It also matters before the car is registered. The car is tested for UK roads before it gets its plates, and the front glass needs to be right for that. Our guides to the IVA test and how old your car is explain which test your car takes.
If you are buying in the Gulf
If you are choosing a car out there with the UK in mind, picture it with clear front glass. The tint you like in the showroom may not be staying. Our guide to buying a car in the Gulf for the UK covers the other things worth checking before you commit.
The rest of the conversion
Tint sits alongside the usual changes a Gulf car needs: headlights that dip the right way, a rear fog light and an mph speedometer. Our guide to headlights, fog lights and the speedo covers those. To find out what your car will need, ask for a quote with the make, model and year.
Questions people ask
Can I keep the tint on the back windows?
Yes. UK law sets no limit for the rear windscreen or the rear passenger windows, so dark tint behind the driver can usually stay.
Is it the same in Northern Ireland?
Yes, the figures are the same: at least 75% of light through the windscreen and 70% through the front side windows.
What if the car is very old?
Cars first used before 1 April 1985 have a slightly different rule: both the windscreen and the front side windows must let at least 70% of light through.
What happens if I drive with tint that is too dark?
The police and the DVSA test tint with a light meter. Tint that is too dark can mean a prohibition notice, which stops you using the car until it is removed, a penalty notice or a court summons.