Summer is coming soon in the UAE, so don’t forget to wear your shades and lather on the sunscreen. This is also the season for getting your car tinted, as a means of protection against the glaring summer heat.
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But before you go and get your car windows tinted, make sure that you are following the rules. There is a maximum level of tinting allowed in the country, and there are consequences for going beyond this amount.
Getting Your Car Tinted in the UAE
The maximum level of tinting allowed in the country is 30% Visual Light Transmission (VLT), which is a unit of measurement for the light that passes through your car window. Some cars may already come with a slight shade of tint upon purchase from the manufacturer. Nonetheless, the total amount of VLT of the factory glass and the window tint should still be 30% or less.
The law also states that only the side and rear windows of your car should be tinted, and not the front window. Failure to follow the rules means you will have to pay a fine of AED 500. What’s more, your vehicle will be confiscated for 30 days!
Car Tinting Rule Exemptions
In case you were wondering if the rule applies to women drivers, the answer is “yes.” Regardless of your gender — whether you are male or female — the 30% maximum rule should be followed.
However, if you have a medical condition that makes you extremely sensitive to the sun’s heat (e.g. eye problem or skin disease), you may apply to be exempted from the rule. To do this, you will need a special approval from the Dubai Police or the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Such cases are very rare, though, and requires validation from a licensed medical practitioner.
Blocking Out the Sun’s Heat
Depending on the brand and specification, car tinting generally helps to block heat from the sun. In fact, the best window tints are able to block 99.9% of UV rays and 97% of infrared rays. Even if you park your car out in the sun for several hours, the tint limits the amount of heat coming into your vehicle — making the temperature more comfortable when you get back in.
Tinting, Color, and Mobile Phones
Aside from blocking the sun’s heat, tinting can also help prevent your car seats and dashboard from fading. The sun’s UV rays is the number one cause of fading among vinyl and fabric materials. By tinting, you can preserve the colors of your car seats and dashboard for a longer period of time.
Meanwhile, the metal coatings in some car tints could affect the signal of your GPS, radio, and mobile phone. Hence, it is best to install non-metallic film on your car windows. Fortunately, carbon, ceramic, and other metal-free coatings are being used to tint car windows these days.
Car tinting helps to keep our vehicles cool, especially during the summer season. However, we should not make the windows so dark that it affects our visibility. After all, the main purpose of UAE’s car tinting law is to ensure our safety while driving on the road.
