Get tinted film off car windscreen today

Fine for first offence will be Rs 500 & second, Rs 1,000

Friday (May 4) calls an end to off-limit tints from motor vehicle windows as the the Supreme Court has ruled that orders for their removal takes effect on the day.

Vehicle owners have to obey regulations on tinted films from their car windows and windscreen or pay fines for the offence.

As per Rule 100 (2) of Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, the glass of the windscreen and rear window of motor vehicle (except tractors) should have the visual transmission of light (VTL) not less than 70 per cent. The side window minimum visibility should be 50 per cent.

This means, vehicles whose windows have the permissible visual transmission of light built by manufacturers can escape the fine. However tinted film is not allowed.

As per the proposed amendment to the Motor Vehicle Act, the fine for fist offence will be Rs 500 and second offence will be Rs 1,000. Under the existing rules however, the fines are Rs 100 for first offence under tinted glass category and for second offence it will be Rs 300.

The Supreme Court, in its recent judgment, prohibited the use of tinted glass on vehicles beyond the permissible limit prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act, saying its use was a social evil and helped criminals to escape from the clutches of law.

A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia said that the use of black films of any VLT percentage or any other material upon the safety glasses, windscreens (front and rear) and side glasses of all vehicles should be banned throughout the country from May 4.

The Bench observed that the use of these black films had helped create a criminals’ paradise and turned into a social evil…. This certainly helped the criminals to escape from the eyes of the police and aided commission of heinous crimes like sexual assault, robberies, kidnapping, etc. If these crimes could be reduced by enforcing the law, it would further the cause of rule of law and public interest.

For VVIPs too

EvenVVIPS cannot escape from this ruling as there is no provision to exempt their vehicles from the existing Motor Vehicle Rules. The Supreme Court has said that a committee headed by the home secretary of a state can give exemption to official cars used by Z and Z+ security covered people. For such VVIPs’ cars, the committee should give exemption certificates.

Senior fellow of the Indian Foundation of Transport Research Training (IFTRT) S P Singh welcomed the Supreme Court ruling. He agreed that removal of tints from motor vehicle glass would help the law and order authorities to curb crimes. Initially, tinted glass was allowed to tone down sunlight entering the cars but later, it helped criminals to hide their activities while inside the vehicles, he told Deccan Herald.