When it comes to tinting your car’s windows, has way more benefits than just making your car look stylish. Picking the right tint shade for your car can improve your driving experience, improve privacy, and protect you against Sydney’s harmful UV rays.
Getting tints for you car can be a great idea, but making sure your tints stay in line with Sydney’s laws and regulations is important, by picking the right kind of tints you can avoid getting fined and can be sure your tints are safe for the road. This article will go over the current laws and regulations behind window tinting, so you can pick the best shade whilst staying compliant with NSW road laws.
What is Car Window Tinting and Why is it Important?
Window tinting involves applying a thin film to your car’s windows, this is done for many reasons such as:
Improved security – Darker tints will provide greater privacy for your car and make it harder for thieves to see what you have inside the car.
Infrared, and ultraviolet (UV) reflection – Getting a quality tint can block up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, which protects your skin from skin cancer.
Regulates heat – Tints will reduce the amount of heat that enters your car, which will mean you will need to use your AC less.
Reduces glare – Tinting your car windows reduces glare from the sun and headlights from oncoming traffic.
Aesthetic look – Tints make your car look more stylish
Use less petrol – Due to the tints reflecting heat, you will have less of a need to use the AC, which in return will save you money on petrol.
Legal Rules For Tinting in Sydney, Australia
In Sydney, as well as the rest of New South Wales, there are specific regulations for window tints on vehicles. These regulations are put into place to make sure safety and visibility are not affected by the tint. Here are the current rules:
Visible Light Transmission (VLT)
The VLT is the amount of light that can pass through the window. For Sydney, these are the VLTs that are put into place:
– The front windscreen can only have a tinted band across the top, and it must be above the wiper arc. A full front windscreen tint is not allowed.
– The front side windows must have a minimum VLT of 35%. This means that the tint must allow at least 35% of visible light to pass through.
– The rear side windows and the rear window can have a darker tint, with a minimum VLT of 20%.
– Some commercial vehicles are allowed to have tints as dark as 5 VLT, this is to protect goods they may be carrying.
Reflectivity
The reflectiveness of the tint must not go past 10%. This law was put in place to make sure other drivers do not get unnecessary glare. Excessive reflectivity can be pretty distracting and can impair the vision of other drivers on the road, which can lead to potential accidents.
Tint Application
The application of the tint must be done properly so that it does not interfere with the driver’s ability to use their vehicle. This includes distractions like bubbling, peeling, or improperly applied tint that can affect visibility.
Additional Things To Consider
Medical Reasons
In some cases, people with specific medical conditions that require more protection from sunlight can apply for an exemption to the standard NSW VLT requirements. This requires the right documentation and approval.
Regulation Updates
Laws and regulations can often change, so it’s a good idea to stay updated with any new changes that may happen in regard to tinting in NSW.
Quality of Tint
Using high-quality tint films that meet NSW standards will allow you to stay compliant and provide you with better protection from Sydney’s sun. This is why it’s best to pick a quality tint so that you can get better UV protection and durability.
By thinking about these things you can enjoy getting tints for your windows, without breaking the law or getting bad quality tints. This is why it’s always a good idea to get it installed by professionals.
Summary On Choosing the Right Tint Shade for Your Vehicle in Sydney
Picking the right tint shade for your car in Sydney involves looking into how it will look on your car, how functional it is, and if the tint is legal. By sticking to NSW tint laws you will not only protect yourself from getting fines but will also make sure your tint is safe to see through. Always go for a professional to install your tint to make sure it is compliant and applied the right way. With the right tint and the right cleaning and maintenance, you can keep up performance on your tints and enjoy a cooler, more comfortable car which will add more privacy and protect you from Sydney’s harsh sun.
If you are eager to get your tints done, get in contact with our team today!