Window tinting has become a trend in the auto industry worldwide. People love getting their vehicles’ windows tinted. Whether it is for aesthetic value or the highly practical benefits of tinting, getting your windows tinted is the new cool.
But when it comes to the car culture of the UAE, car owners have taken the tinting game to the next level. You will see the latest and rarest editions of luxury and sports cars on the roads like routine. Their shiny exteriors and tinted windows are the perfect indicator of the owner’s wealth. However, despite the luxury and lavish car culture, car owners have to abide by the rules.
No matter how exotic your vehicle is or which limited edition tint you own, you will have to follow Dubai tinting rules as soon as your car hits the road.
UAE’s Legal Window Tinting Percentage
Let us have a look at car window tinting rules the in UAE.
How much tint is allowed in Dubai?
UAE laws don’t allow car owners to tint their windshields. Your car’s windshield must remain clear and free of any tint. However, the maximum tint allowed in UAE is on the top side of your windshield, in a narrow strip with only 15 cm length.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) forbids tinting a vehicle’s side and rear windows more than 50%.
50% Visible Light Transmission (VLT) means that 50% light can transmit through your side and rear windows. This means that the other 50% of light will be blocked by the tint for protection and privacy. 50% VLT allows for adequate heat reduction and UV light blocking without compromising the visibility through the car windows.
Is 70% tint allowed in Dubai?
No, 70% tint is not allowed in Dubai. In fact, until 2017, only 30% tinting was allowed on cars, which meant 70% VLT through the windows. However, this law was revoked because of UAE’s extreme weather conditions particularly during summers.
Dubai Police and the RTA allow car owners to exceed this limit under special circumstances and with prior authorization from the relevant authorities.
Exemption From UAE Tint Laws
People with certain medical conditions or high ranking government officials can exceed the legal tint percentage allowed in UAE. But you will have to present the proof of your medical condition to get authorization. Additionally, you will have to carry the authorization documents with you in the car to prevent misunderstandings and fines by the police.
Fines And Penalties
As a driver in the UAE, if you fail to comply with the legal limit of tint allowed in UAE, you will be fined AED 1,500 by the police or the RTA. In some cases, your vehicle can be impounded as well. All these penalties can have a negative impact on insurance claims if your car meets an accident. Hence, following the tint percentage allowed in UAE is better than the trouble of heavy penalties and insurance risks.
Choosing The Right Tint For Your Car
Choosing the correct type of tint for your car in Dubai is extremely important. You also have to make sure that the place applying the tint on your windows is reliable. The quality and application of tint on your windows are significant as well. Inadequate or wrong application can be a health and safety risk.
Let us take a look at the most common types of tint in UAE’s car industry.
Crystalline Window Tint
This one is the ideal option for those who want their windows tinted for practical uses only. Crystalline tint won’t make your windows look darker but the tint film will provide necessary protection against the glare and UV exposure. 3M crystalline tint is the most favored film to effectively block out 97% infrared rays and 99.9% percent of harmful UV rays coming from the sun.
Dyed Window Tint
One of the least expensive tinting solutions is the dyed window tint. This tint film absorbs light and heat from the sun and does not reflect them. However, this tinting solution is notorious for peeling and fading over time.
Hybrid Window Tint
The hybrid tint film is a combination of metallic and dyed tints. It comes in both non-reflective and reflective options. The grey dye added to its composition creates a darker atmosphere, ideal for enhanced privacy. Its hybrid nature provides both privacy and effective blocking of harmful UV rays.
Ceramic Window Tint
The most expensive and premium quality tint is ceramic tint that blocks 50% of solar heat. It also prevents UV rays from filtering in through the windows up to 99.9%. The non-metallic and non-conductive nature of ceramic particles make the tint film resistant to peeling and fading.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, it is your choice as to which kind of tint to get for your car’s windows. The important thing is that your tint complies with the legal limit as per UAE’s tint laws. We have shared the legal limits of car tinting and the penalties if you fail to comply with them. If you are a responsible car owner and driver, it is your duty to follow the rules and keep yourself and everyone around you on the road safe.
