Is window tinting legal in the UK?
Yes, window tinting is legal in the UK, but only behind the front seats without limits. Rear side windows and the rear windscreen can be tinted to any darkness. Front side windows must let at least 70% of light through, and the windscreen at least 75%, on vehicles first used after 1 April 1985.
Last reviewed by Autotint Nottingham
The legal limits, window by window
UK tint rules are set by the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. They only restrict the windows the driver looks through — everything behind the B-pillar is unrestricted.
The measurement used is VLT, or Visible Light Transmission: the percentage of light that passes through the glass and film combined. A higher VLT means a lighter tint. Importantly, the limit applies to the glass and film together, not the film on its own — factory glass already blocks some light, which is why a film sold as "70%" can still put a front window under the legal limit.
- Front windscreen: must let at least 75% of light through
- Front side windows: must let at least 70% of light through
- Rear side windows: no legal limit — any shade is allowed
- Rear windscreen: no legal limit — any shade is allowed
- Vehicles first used before 1 April 1985: front windscreen and front side windows must both let at least 70% through
Why our standard package is everything behind the B-pillar
Because the rear glass has no legal limit, a full rear tint — rear side windows plus the rear windscreen — is completely road legal at any shade, including 5% limo black. That is what we fit as standard, and it is why you can choose any darkness you like without worrying about the law or your MOT.
We do fit front side windows as an optional extra, £50 alongside a rear tint or £65 on their own. Be aware of what it means, though: most cars already have a light tint in the front glass from the factory, near the 70% limit, so almost any film on top will take them under it. That is an MOT failure and something police can stop you for. It is your car and your decision, and we will go through the shades with you at the studio before anything is fitted.
What about a windscreen sunstrip?
A sunstrip is a band of film across the very top of the windscreen. It is legal provided it stays above the swept area of the wipers and does not intrude into the driver's field of view. That keeps the 75% windscreen requirement intact for the part of the glass you actually look through.
We fit sunstrips as an optional extra alongside a rear tint, in the same appointment.
MOT and enforcement
Excessively tinted front windows are an MOT failure. A tester checks the windscreen and front side windows; rear glass is not assessed for tint darkness.
If police stop a vehicle with illegal front tint they can issue a prohibition notice, which takes the car off the road until the film is removed, along with a penalty notice or a court summons depending on the circumstances. Officers use a calibrated meter at the roadside rather than judging by eye.
This is general guidance rather than legal advice — if you are unsure about a specific vehicle, check the current rules on GOV.UK.
Common questions
Is 5% limo tint legal in the UK?
On rear side windows and the rear windscreen, yes — there is no legal limit on rear glass, so 5% limo black is road legal. On front side windows it is not, because those must let at least 70% of light through.
Will tinted windows fail an MOT?
Only if the front windows are too dark. The windscreen must let at least 75% of light through and the front side windows at least 70%. Tint on rear side windows and the rear windscreen is not assessed and cannot fail an MOT.
Can I tint my front windows in the UK?
Legally, only very lightly: the glass and film together must still let at least 70% of light through, and most cars start close to that from the factory, which rules out nearly every film. We do fit front windows, £50 with a rear tint or £65 on their own, but going under the limit is an MOT failure, so it is a decision to make with your eyes open. We will talk it through with you at the studio.
Do I need to tell my insurer about window tint?
Tinting is a modification, so it is good practice to tell your insurer even when it is fully road legal. Most treat a legal rear tint as a minor change.
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