Tinted car glass that blocks 30% of sunrays now allowed

AMMAN — The prevailing heatwave has pushed authorities to reconsider a years-long ban on installing tinted glass for vehicles.

On Wednesday, Public Security Department (PSD) Director Maj. Gen. Atef Saudi has instructed the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Department to allow car owners to use tinted glass with 70 per cent visual light transmission (VLT) in a bid to protect passengers from the sun, a security official told The Jordan Times.

VLT refers to the percentage of light the tinted glass allows from the exterior of the vehicle.

Previously, there was a ban on car windows with less than 90 per cent VLT due to security reasons, said the officer, who requested anonymity. 

Nabil Rumman — president of the Jordan Free Zone Investors Association, a syndicate that represents car importers — described the decision as positive because tinted glass gives extra protection to passengers from exposure to sunlight and hot temperatures. 

Darker windows also ensure that the air-conditioning system of the car performs better during heatwaves, Rumman said, adding that the association has long lobbied decision makers to allow the use of tinted windows.

The 30 per cent, he said, still does not block visibility inside cars. 

“We import tens of thousands of cars every year to the domestic market and a large number have tinted windows,” he said, adding that the new regulations will cut the costs on importers who used to replace dark windows. 

Rumman indicated that international recommendations call for having car windows tinted by up to 30 per cent to provide protection to passengers from sunrays.