Issue Date:  -  Friday, 28 June 2002

Window tinting a dim view.

Drivers of vehicles with window tinting darker than the legal limit could face prosecution, warns the Department of Consumer and Employment Protection.

“Western Australia has very specific standards which apply to window tinting on motor vehicles in accordance with safety and road traffic regulations”, Consumer Protection Commissioner Patrick Walker said.

Recent information provided to the department has indicated that some consumers are requesting traders to fit tinting which is darker than legal grades and some traders are meeting these requests.

“Very dark window tinting can be dangerous, especially if fitted to windscreens. Traders have a responsibility to inform their customers of permitted grades of tint and impress upon them the illegality of fitting darker tints ”, Commissioner Walker said.

“To avoid any confusion on the issue of consumers being informed of legal grades of tint, traders may seek the consumers understanding in writing”, he said.

Police and the Department of Transport have the power to prosecute owners of vehicles who have had tinting applied which does not have a light transmissibility of at least 35% and a light reflectance value of more than 20%.

Consumers or traders with any concerns or inquiries about the standards need to contact the department on telephone number 1300 30 40 54. The Department of Transport is also able to assist with advice on telephone number (08) 9216 8000.