Welcome to your Guide to Car Window Tinting in Dubai. The Law states that Dubai has special attention to luxurious and customized vehicles. This hub for automotive enthusiasts is where you can find all kinds of luxury vehicles from worldwide, even the ones plated/ covered in gold and diamond. However, despite being a car-loving oasis, Dubai isn’t left away from rules and regulations. If you’re considering tinting your car windows in Dubai, it’s crucial to navigate the fine line between style and legality. Car window tinting in Dubai is more than just aesthetics, it offers protection from the relentless desert sun.
Car window tinting is one of the many ways Dubai residents enhance their vehicles. Automobiles here are more than just a mode of transportation; they act as a sign of status and self-expression. But the question is, “What is the legal window tinting ratio for cars in Dubai”? Whether you’re a long-time resident or a newcomer, understanding these rules is essential to avoid fines and legal trouble.
Join us in this article as we clarify the legal requirements and percentages you must adhere to while getting your car’s window tinted. Let’s begin:
What is the legal window tinting ratio for cars in Dubai?
Understanding the legal requirements for car window tinting in Dubai is essential to avoid fines and ensure your safety on the road.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the regulations:
Front Windshield Tinting is a Maximum of 30%
The front windscreen of a car must have a minimum visible light transmission (VLT) of 70%. In simpler words, it means that the tinting on the front windscreen cannot be darker than 30%.
A tinted strip up to 30 cm wide can be installed on top of the front windscreen as long as it doesn’t go below the AS1 line, denoting the maximum permitted tinting level.
Only high-quality tinting films that meet specific criteria should be used on car windows to avoid fines and legal consequences.
Tinting the front windscreen can impact safety, especially at night or in low light, so it’s advisable to evaluate it carefully with a professional tinting service.
Side Windows Tinting is a Maximum of 50%
The front side windows of a car must have a minimum VLT of 50%, meaning that the tinting on the front side windows cannot be darker than 50%.
The combined VLT of the rear side windows and the rear windscreen should not be less than 30%. This allows for more heavily tinted rear side windows.
Reflecting or mirrored tinting films are not allowed on any car windows in Dubai. Only colored, non-reflective films that meet specific requirements are approved.
The tinting film used on car windows must be of high quality and free from damage that impairs the driver’s vision.
Regulations for Tinting the Back Windshield – No specific Rules
There are no specific regulations governing the amount of tinting that can be applied to a car’s rear windscreen.
However, the combined visible light transmission (VLT) of the rear windscreen and rear side windows should be around 30%. Also, when tinting the back windshield, using premium window tinting films is crucial. Also, it is important to maintain a balance between rear side window and rear windshield tinting. Doing so will ensure compliance with the law and maintain visibility.
General Window Tinting Laws:
The total window tinting percentage (including manufacturer’s tint, if any) should not exceed 50%.
Tinting is permitted on side and rear windows only; frontal glasses should not be tinted.
Heavy vehicles are strictly prohibited from having tinted windows.
Violating the window tinting regulations may result in a fine of AED 500 and vehicle confiscation for 30 days.
- Medical Exemptions: Some exemptions apply to drivers with specific medical conditions (eye or skin conditions) that make them sensitive to the sun’s heat or rays. Approval for medical exemptions requires validation by a licensed medical practitioner.
- Vehicle Registration: Only vehicles registered under an individual (not a company) are allowed to have tinted car windows.
Types of Car Tinting in Dubai
In Dubai, car owners have several options when it comes to choosing the type of window tint that suits their needs and preferences.
Here’s a breakdown of the common types of car window tinting available:
- Crystalline Window Tint: This type of tinting involves multilayer optical film nanotechnology. It effectively blocks about 99.9% of UV rays and 97% of infrared rays. However, Crystalline maintains visibility and does not make the windows too dark.
- Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Window Tint: This type of tinting provides thermal insulation and filters out UV rays. PET also reduces excessive sun exposure from cars indoors, thus saving from tanning and other UV-related skin issues. The Polyethylene Terephthalate Tint is made from thermoplastic polymer resin.
- Dyed Window Tint: This type of tint creates a certain hue and absorbs heat rather than blocking it. It, in fact, dissipates heat inside the vehicle. Dyed window tints are highly affordable, but they come with the downside of fading, peeling, or failing over time.
- Hybrid Window Tint: This type of car window tint combines reflective dyes and metals. The Hybrid tint is a versatile choice that allows a good amount of light to pass through. However, it provides privacy, blocks UV rays, and reduces heat.
- Ceramic Window Tint: This type of high-quality tinting blocks around 50% of solar heat and 99% of UV rays. It contains ceramic particles and offers resistance to fading and discolouration, making it a long-lasting choice.
Dubai Car Window Tinting Rules: Fine To Be-Aware Of
Illegal Window Tinting: Vehicle owners who exceed the approved window tint percentage or apply unauthorized tinting to vehicles such as taxis and trucks may face a significant fine of Dh1,500.
The permitted window tinting typically allows for up to 30 percent light brown tint on the side and rear windows. Vehicles exceeding this limit without prior authorization from the traffic authority may incur fines and have their vehicles confiscated.
Enforcement of Window Tinting Regulations: In cases where vehicle window tint is found to be in violation of established regulations, vehicle owners are typically required to remove the illegal tint to bring their vehicle into compliance with the law.
Advantages (Requirement) of Car Window Tinting in Dubai
Due to the hot and sunny climates like Dubai and the Emirates, there are numerous benefits of tinting car windows. Here are a few reasons justifying the same:
- Heat Reduction and Sun Protection: Tinted windows can significantly reduce the heat inside the car by blocking a substantial portion of the sun’s rays. It also maintains a comfortable temperature inside the car even when the conditions outdoors are extreme.
- UV Ray Blockage: Tinted windows prevent harmful UV rays from entering the cabin and protect car interiors, upholstery, and occupants from any kind of sun damage.
- Enhanced Safety: Tinted windows can act as a shield, making it more difficult for the glass to shatter upon impact. It aids in enhancing the safety of passengers inside during an event of an accident.
- Glare Reduction: Tinted windows reduce glare from the sun and other vehicles, especially at night, which improves visibility and driving safety.
- Fuel Efficiency: During the scorching summer season, tinted windows reduce the need for excessive air conditioning. It thus plays an important role in fuel savings and improved fuel efficiency.
- Privacy: Tinted windows offer a level of privacy for occupants, allowing them to travel without feeling exposed to onlookers.
- Comfortable Driving: With cooler cabin temperatures and reduced glare, driving becomes more comfortable, reducing driver fatigue and stress.
In Dubai, where scorching temperatures and intense sunlight are common, car window tinting is not just a luxury but a practical necessity.
Cost of Car Window Tinting in Dubai (Estimated)
The cost of car window tinting in Dubai varies depending on the type of vehicle and the tinting material chosen. Here’s an estimated overview for the same:
In the Midrange category:
- For small sedans: Approximately AED 850.
- For large sedans: Approximately AED 950.
- Medium SUVs: Approximately AED 1,000
- Large SUV: Approximately AED 1,200.
High-end tinting options (CR, Crystalline)
- Small sedans: Approximately AED 1,600.
- Large sedans: Approximately AED 1,800.
- Medium SUVs tinting: Approximately AED 1,800
- Large SUVs are approximately AED 2,000.
In the entry-level category (FX series)
- Small sedans: Approximately AED 600
- Large sedans: Approximately AED 750
- Medium SUVs: Approximately AED 800
- Large SUVs: Approximately AED 900.
This was all about Car Window Tinting in Dubai, the permissible percentage of tinting, laws and regulations, type of car tinting, and more. We hope you will now be able to make an informed choice for your vehicle in Dubai.