§ Tom CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to police forces on action to be taken against motorists who drive vehicles with densely blacked out windows; and if he will make a statement. [137394]
§ Caroline FlintThe blacking out of vehicle windows is governed by the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986. Regulation 32 prescribes minimum light transmittance (vlt) values, through the windscreen and to the windows to either side of the driver.
In order to clarify the legislation applying to vehicle window tinting we plan to amend regulation 32 to make it clear that the vlt values apply not only to the 'glazing' itself but also to any 'tint' or 'tinted film' applied to the glazing. The Association of Chief Police Officers are aware of this proposed amendment.
The enforcement of construction and use offences is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police. The police recognise the importance of such enforcement and ensure that these offences receive appropriate attention. They are aware of guidance employed by the Vehicle Operator Services Agency.