Another window tint question.

arleitiss

Hey, I know this have been asked before but I never really saw a 100% direct answer so:
What are the laws about windows tinting in Ireland?
Specifically:

How much % are allowed for:
1) Front passenger and driver windows?
2) Rear passenger and drivers side windows.
3) Rear window? (if allowed at all)

I know the windscreen isnt' allowed at all, so not asking about it.

The reason I want windows tinted because I work in a place where I leave my car for whole day under the sun light, and when I come back it's becoming sauna, nearly feels like everything is melting and well obviously because I like how it looks too.
Thanks

colm_mcm

The hot weather won't last. Don't worry about it.

TestTransmission

Could just leave 2 windows a small bit open.

Renegade Mechanic

There are limits, and they are supposed to use meters to check, but generally they just approach you with a Stanley blade and tell you to either lose the tint, or lose the car. I think a minum amount of 65% light transmission is required to be "legal" so 35% tint? Apologies if wrong.

arleitiss

Just to add: to be legal and NCT worthy.

Mikros

The glass in the windscreen and front side windows will be required to have a light transmission level of not less than 65% in order to pass the test. So a tint of 35% is allowed. For rear side windows and rear windscreen there are no limits or requirements.

source: http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Your-Vehicle/Your-Vehicle-/NCT/Modified-Vehicles-/

goz83

Also most windows now have a natural level of tint, so if you get 35% film, you will fail nct. Happened me. Only way to know for sure is to have one of the devices to check the level of light transmission.

keithsfleet

Keep in mind though that most windows already have a natural tint in them, even if not visible to the eye.

pa990

Mikros wrote: »

The glass in the windscreen and front side windows will be required to have a light transmission level of not less than 65% in order to pass the test. So a tint of 35% is allowed. For rear side windows and rear windscreen there are no limits or requirements.

source: http://www.rsa.ie/RSA/Your-Vehicle/Your-Vehicle-/NCT/Modified-Vehicles-/

A tint of 35% less whatever the natural tint of the glass is

arleitiss

I thought of getting light-dark tint, which is like only 20%

goz83

arleitiss wrote: »

I thought of getting light-dark tint, which is like only 20%

do your homework, or risk getting it ripped out. rear windows can be totally blacked out

Renegade Mechanic

I for one dislike the uneven appearance of darkened front/blacked out rear. Id,have to go 35% all round.

biko

Get a sun shade to stick to the windscreen.

arleitiss

biko wrote: »

Get a sun shade to stick to the windscreen.

That looks kind of ugly + effort

bbability

It's not against the law, it's an NCT requirement

Toyotafanboi

the rear windows on my car are heavily tinted. i don't know the percentage, but to look at from the outside you literally can-not see through them, even if you get very close to them.

long story extremely short.

makes **** all difference this weather. if its parked in sunlight all day it is still boiling inside.

buy wind deflectors and leave your windows down a crack, i find this helps.

Del2005

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

makes **** all difference this weather. if its parked in sunlight all day it is still boiling inside.

Would a black window on a car attract more heat than a clear window?

djimi

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

the rear windows on my car are heavily tinted. i don't know the percentage, but to look at from the outside you literally can-not see through them, even if you get very close to them.

long story extremely short.

makes **** all difference this weather. if its parked in sunlight all day it is still boiling inside.

buy wind deflectors and leave your windows down a crack, i find this helps.

This. I have tints on my car and it's still like a sauna at the moment. Bear in mind black attracts the heat.

Renegade Mechanic

Del2005 wrote: »

Would a black window on a car attract more heat than a clear window?

Interesting question... Perhaps that mirror tint is what hes after. Pretty sure that wont last long!

nct tester

I have never come across an aftermarket tint that passed nct yet. We have a template of 35% tint in the office and you would barely notice the difference between it and a non tinted window.

Black_Knight

nct tester wrote: »

I have never come across an aftermarket tint that passed nct yet. We have a template of 35% tint in the office and you would barely notice the difference between it and a non tinted window.

Agreed. I recently got my car tinted and the legal tint is pretty much just clear glass.
Shame, as I wanted to blend the rear of the car to the front of the car, but putting 50% on the back and 35% on the front (which I was told would probably still fail a light transmission test) just looked pointless for the money.

Is there a reason 35% is the max for the front windows? 50% still lets you see whats going on inside the cabin.

_Kaiser_

Black_Knight wrote: »

Agreed. I recently got my car tinted and the legal tint is pretty much just clear glass.
Shame, as I wanted to blend the rear of the car to the front of the car, but putting 50% on the back and 35% on the front (which I was told would probably still fail a light transmission test) just looked pointless for the money.

Is there a reason 35% is the max for the front windows? 50% still lets you see whats going on inside the cabin.

Could always do what I did/do...

Get 35% all round to keep the look even and remove the fronts for the NCT and get them reapplied after (most places will do this for about €40)

I've never had any hassle about it either but then I'm old and don't drive a "typical boy racer" type car

arleitiss

Guess I will wait until my NCT, then pass it in oct and do the tinting

Black_Knight

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Could always do what I did/do...

Get 35% all round to keep the look even and remove the fronts for the NCT and get them reapplied after (most places will do this for about €40)

I've never had any hassle about it either but then I'm old and don't drive a "typical boy racer" type car

Struggling to remember did I get 50% on the back, and 35% on the front, or 65% on the back and 50% on the front. Either way, my NCT isnt for over 2 years so I just need to meet some friendly garda if im ever at a checkpoint

Ill take them off for the NCT anyways. Shades.ie have it priced at €80 to take em off and back on again. €40 off, €40 on.

Tint on:

Black_Knight

arleitiss wrote: »

Guess I will wait until my NCT, then pass it in oct and do the tinting

Dont forget, you can do your NCT early. 6 months early if its your 1st NCT (I NCTd mine early and got a disk for the next 2 years and 3 months). So do your NCT now (probably take a month to find an appointment) and get the tints straight afterwards.

NCT wrote:

PLEASE NOTE: NCTS can issue your certificate up to six months early for a first time NCT and three months early for subsequent NCT tests. For example, a car was first registered on the 5th June 2009. The car was due for its NCT on the 5th June 2013, the car is brought for its NCT on the 20th January 2013 and it passes. An NCT Certificate is received with an expiry date of 4th June 2015

_Kaiser_

Black_Knight wrote: »

Struggling to remember did I get 50% on the back, and 35% on the front, or 65% on the back and 50% on the front. Either way, my NCT isnt for over 2 years so I just need to meet some friendly garda if im ever at a checkpoint

Ill take them off for the NCT anyways. Shades.ie have it priced at €80 to take em off and back on again. €40 off, €40 on.

They did my Passat previously (and a very good job as well) but wouldn't do the (first) A6 so I got it done by Autoflair as recommended here, and will be going back to them after payday with the second A6 - I've spent enough for one month what with the car itself, tax, cruise control retrofit (on Wednesday) and the upgraded parking system module for the graphical display that's on the way from Germany


Yours look very well though and from a practicality point of view, they don't seem to be blocking any light/visibility to me?

arleitiss

Black_Knight wrote: »

Dont forget, you can do your NCT early. 6 months early if its your 1st NCT (I NCTd mine early and got a disk for the next 2 years and 3 months). So do your NCT now (probably take a month to find an appointment) and get the tints straight afterwards.

First NCT for cat or for person?
I mean car is 2001, it's NCT is due in october. I never put a car through NCT yet and I own this for only 7 months now.

_Kaiser_

arleitiss wrote: »

First NCT for cat or for person?
I mean car is 2001, it's NCT is due in october. I never put a car through NCT yet and I own this for only 7 months now.

I'd imagine the car as it's always based on the age of the vehicle.. who owns it or when they bought it has no bearing.

Also note that as the car is over 10 years old you'll need to get it NCT'd every year.

djimi

arleitiss wrote: »

First NCT for cat or for person?
I mean car is 2001, it's NCT is due in october. I never put a car through NCT yet and I own this for only 7 months now.

The car of course! The NCT has nothing to do with the owner...

If its a 2001 then you can test it 3 months early.

arleitiss

djimi wrote: »

The car of course! The NCT has nothing to do with the owner...

If its a 2001 then you can test it 3 months early.

So I can do it in august really?

Tipperary Tinting Ltd

arleitiss wrote: »

Hey, I know this have been asked before but I never really saw a 100% direct answer so:
What are the laws about windows tinting in Ireland?
Specifically:

How much % are allowed for:
1) Front passenger and driver windows?
2) Rear passenger and drivers side windows.
3) Rear window? (if allowed at all)

I know the windscreen isnt' allowed at all, so not asking about it.

The reason I want windows tinted because I work in a place where I leave my car for whole day under the sun light, and when I come back it's becoming sauna, nearly feels like everything is melting and well obviously because I like how it looks too.
Thanks

I would be happy to answer your questions above.

All windows behind the pillar "behind the driver" you can have any shade of tint you like. Passenger and drivers side windows must allow 65% light in through the window for it to be legal. Cars after 2000 are said to have a factory natural tint of between 3% & 7% but I have found this is far from being true. I have a Subaru WRX on a 02 plate and I put the light meter on my two front side windows and light transmission is 80%, that makes the factory tint 20%. The lightest tint available on the market is 70% so your front two side windows must have a maximum tint of 5% or other wise you will be over the limit and Its always down to the discretion of the NCT inspector. Hope this answer's is of help to you