Excessively tinted car windows will not land motorists in jail, says Loke

KUALA LUMPUR: It is untrue that drivers will be jailed for window tints that are too dark, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Loke said that drivers found violating window tints only have to pay a fine of between RM100 and RM250, and added that no cases have been brought to court.

"So far, only fines apply and it is not expensive. A notice will be given to them and they have to be present at the Road Transport Department (JPJ) office," said Loke.

"If it (the window tint) does not follow regulations, we will just ask them to remove the tint,” he said during his winding-up speech on the Budget 2024 policy stage debates in Parliament today.

At pesent, vehicle window tint regulations stipulate that visible light transmittance for a vehicle’s front windscreen should be at least 70% and at least 50% for the front side windows.

Rear side windows and the rear windscreen may allow for 0% visible light transmittance.

Loke was responding to a recent news report quoting the JPJ as warning drivers that violations on window tint regulations could land drivers a fine or jail time.

On this, he explained that JPJ’s remarks were misunderstood as the jail warning was a general reminder for errant drivers who continuously break driving rules.

“So far, not a single tinted window case was brought to the courts. It is untrue that we will jail those who over-tint their windows,” said Loke.

Loke said the regulation of 50% light transmittance at rear side windows and 70% at front windscreen was a new policy introduced during his first tenure as Transport Minister in 2019.

“We decided to relax regulations because many people said the weather was too hot in the country,” said Loke

Loke said that fully tinted windows are allowed for VVIPs or ministers for safety purposes, and they need to apply for a special approval with the JPJ director-general.

“A committee chaired by the JPJ director-general will filter through the list of applications and they will forward the revised list to the minister for endorsement,” said Loke.

Loke said the special approval for fully tinted windows is allowed and it costs RM5,000 for a two-year validity period.

“For those with health issues, they can get a doctor’s approval and we will allow (fully tinted windows) without any extra charge,” added Loke.