Car window tinting is more than just a luxury, with most car makers offering window tint on new vehicles to help reduce harmful UV rays and achieve a more comfortable ride. As a result, there has been a rise of older vehicle owners wanting to tint their car windows.
With a high demand for car window tinting on both new and old car owners, we explore Australian Laws around window tinting and how it could affect you.
Whether you have chosen to DIY or get it professionally done, it’s a good idea to understand what are the laws of window tinting in your state.
Illegal window tinting can lead to hefty fines as well as a defect notice, which results in taking your car over the pits, which costs you time and money.
For most new car owners, your vehicle may come with standard privacy glass or as an optional extra-cost feature with a Visible Light Transmission (VLT) of between 15-26% to stay within the legal limit.
Window tint protection is measured in Visible Light Transmission or known as VLT, which is the amount of light that can pass through your window.
1. Western Australia Window Tinting Laws
Legal tint in WA for all passenger vehicles must have a 35% minimum light transmission for front side windows and 20% VLT on rear and backside windows. This means the darkest legal tint Perth can offer is 35% VLT. Only the uppermost part of the windscreen can have a tinted strip on top, equaling to either 10% of the total windscreen area, or a portion of the windshield above the reach of the wipers, whichever is greater.
Other WA tinting laws can include:
- Reflective or mirror-like tinted film is not permitted above 10% reflectance level.
- Any defects including bubbling, damage, discolouration or deteriorated film that impacts the driver’s vision is not accepted.
- Certain vehicles that are exempted can include ambulances, hearses, trailers and caravans, sunroofs and glazings located in the roof of the vehicle, and all glazings of upper deck and double-deck vehicles
- Medical exemptions may apply providing documentary evidence has been supplied from a medical specialist.
Find out more on car window tinting laws in WA.
What does tinting my windows do for me?
If you are sitting on the fence about tinting your windows then you may want to take some notes. Window tint provides a protective layer that not only removes glare but also blocks out harmful UV rays which we all know can do some considerable damage to your skin.
These rays can also infiltrate their way into the interior of your car and damage any parts exposed to the light. By adding tint to your windows not only blocks harmful UV rays to humans but can also protect the interior of your car. If in doubt, it is always good to consult professionals about the best-suited options for yourself and your vehicle.
Dean’s Autoglass can tint any window of any car model and year in a few hours only. We also supply glass products and tinting services for commercial fleet and heavy machinery. You can read more on the use of tinting in there commercial and mining sectors in the article just linked.
Contact Dean’s Autoglass for a quote on vehicle window tinting today.