Effective tomorrow, the rear side windows and windshields of private cars may be fully tinted, says Transport Minister Anthony Loke.

Currently, the tint level is regulated at 30 percent. As for the front side windows and windshield, the level will stay at 70 percent and 50 percent.

"There is no more limitation. We received so many requests to bend the rules and allow darker tints to ward off the heat, and we have taken that into consideration.

"But we cannot compromise on the front side windows and windshield,” he said after a meeting with the Road Transport Department in Putrajaya today.

Loke noted that heavy tinting for the driver’s side could obstruct vision and ability to control the vehicle.

"It could potentially increase the risk of accidents, particularly when the light is dim, when it is raining, or when driving at night."

Service fee

Loke said vehicle owners could apply to use a darker tint on the driver’s side for specific reasons, such as security and health, for which they would be charged a service fee.

“For each application, the service fee is RM50," he said. "An approved application will be charged a fee of RM5,000 for a period of two years."

Upon expiry of the two years, the vehicle owners would have to reapply and pay the same fees.

According to Loke, the government could collect about RM6 million annually from these fees.

He added that applications for fee exemptions based on health factors required a written verification from a government medical specialist.

Meanwhile, he said the previous government approved 5,469 applications for dark tinting between 2011 and 2018 without imposing any fee.

"I look at the profiles of the people who obtained approvals, based on the factor of security, and most of them were those with means. 

"So I’m sure that if the fees are imposed, they could well afford it, which would be income for the government," he said.

The minister said a special committee chaired by RTD director-general Shaharuddin Khalid would be formed and hold monthly meetings to process the applications.

On vehicles that are already heavily tinted, he said it was an offence and the owners must make fresh applications.

"There were about 20,000 approvals for three years since 2011 and most have lapsed. 

"Therefore all the permits need to be renewed, or else they will be fined RM300 if the tinted glass does not pass the standard given,” he said.

- Bernama