First you need to decide what tinting is. Toning is the application of special materials to the surface of a car’s glass that causes a color change and reduces the light transmission properties of glass.
Why is tinting necessary and why have drivers so often begun to do it? There are several reasons. Most often, the owner of a vehicle believes that a car with tinted windows looks “cooler”, more modern. Many in this way try to protect themselves from the scorching summer and bright winter sun. Some people who want tinting want to protect themselves and their personal space from annoying looks. Another reason is the thin film, which very often sticks and serves as a kind of protection for glass, preventing the formation of scratches and chips. In addition, the interior of the car burns out less through tinted glass.
Whatever the reasons, the fact remains. Glasses become darker, and the driver sees the road through them much worse, especially in the dark. Therefore, car inspection makes rather stringent requirements for windows in the driver's field of view: the windshield must pass at least 75% of the light. Despite the fact that most modern cars are produced from the assembly line with glasses already tinted by 20-30%, it becomes obvious that no additional protection can be installed on the front window without running into punishment for tinting.
The requirements for the windows on the right and left side of the driver are slightly softer, although they also remain serious. The light transmission of the glass installed on them should not be less than 70%. Accordingly, in order not to receive a punishment for tinting, you can slightly, slightly noticeably darken them.
As for the rear windows - everything is at the discretion of the driver. If desired, he can cover them with a black screen impervious to light or paint over them with multi-colored paints.
The only requirement is that the glasses should not be mirrored (the same applies to the side and windshield).
Most often, tinting is used in three types:
- Special films are very popular, mainly due to the low price and the possibility of self-installation. It should be noted that the punishment for tinting does not depend on its color, but only on the light transmission properties. Therefore, car owners can buy a multi-colored film of any shade: pink, smoky, green and dozens of other options that can harmoniously complement the image of the car. In addition, if necessary, it can be removed without harming the glass.
- Spraying - is done only in special salons, it costs more, but its service life is higher (while the appearance of the film deteriorates in a year or two).
- Removable screens - sold as an optional accessory to the car and installed if necessary.
What punishment for tinting that does not meet the requirements may follow? The most common is a fine.
Five hundred rubles - this is what a fine for a tint can an inspector write. However, this is not the biggest trouble that can happen to the owner of the car. A much more serious punishment for tinting is the refusal of the insurance company to pay in accidents. Moreover, the refusal is completely legitimate.
On the other hand, perhaps the most serious punishment awaiting car owners for whom the law on tinting has not been written, and who from all sides paste windows with an impermeable film, is almost a 100% guarantee of an accident. The standards that guide traffic police officers did not arise from scratch. When visibility is reduced by almost half, it is very easy not to notice a pedestrian standing on the side and suddenly stepping onto the carriageway or leaving a car due to a turn.