PUTRAJAYA: From Wednesday, private car owners will be able to enjoy darker vehicle tinting as the Road Transport Department will now allow zero visible light transmission (VLT) for rear side windows and rear windshield.
In announcing this, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said the minimum VLT for the front windshield and front side windows, however, would remain at 70 per cent and 30 per cent respectively.
Previously, VLT for the rear side windows and rear windshield stood at 30 per cent.
Loke said the move was in line with United Nations Regulation 43 which says safety glazing with VLT of below 70 per cent is allowed when two exterior rear view mirrors are fitted.
“There have been so many requests since I took office as minister to review the current regulations for vehicle window tinting. After many discussions and meetings, we have decided that private car owners would be now be able to decide the tint level for their vehicles as now there is no limitation.
“This move would also be applicable for privately owned e-hailing vehicles,” he told reporters at the ministry headquarters here.
Loke said private car owners who want darker tints fitted for the front windshield and windows will have to apply to the RTD, adding that consideration would be given to security and health factors.
“A fee of RM50 will be charged for every application and upon approval they will have to pay RM5,000 for every two years. But for health reasons, no charges will be imposed,” he added.
A special committee chaired by RTD director-general Datuk Seri Shaharuddin Khalid will go through each and every application.
“Once the application is received, it will have to go through a strict vetting process by police for criminal records and pending summonses. If the applicants have any criminal record, the application will be rejected, while summonses must be cleared before approval is given,” said Loke.
He said the move was expected to generate income for the government, adding that from 2011 to 2018, some 20,000 cars were allowed darker tinting but had not generated any income for the government.
He said the new regulation would be fully enforced in August. Failure to adhere to the regulations would see a compound fine of RM300 issued.