Car window tint rules in Singapore: how dark can you go?

The legal limits in Singapore

LTA's rules for tinted film and tinted glass, set out on its OneMotoring website, are about visible light transmission (VLT): the share of visible light that passes through the window. The higher the percentage, the lighter the tint.

• Front windscreen and the two front side windows: at least 70% of light must be able to pass through.
• Rear windscreen and the two rear side windows: at least 25% of light must be able to pass through.
• All tint film must be non-reflective. Mirror-like films are not allowed.
• The front windscreen must not interfere with ERP signals between the vehicle's on-board unit and the gantries.
• Tinted glass (as opposed to film) must also meet international safety glass standards.

If you want to be sure your tint complies, LTA says you can send the car for testing at any LTA-Authorised Inspection Centre. LTA's modification page also sets out penalties for illegal modifications, for owners as well as workshops, so it is worth getting right. Rules can change, so check OneMotoring or ask LTA if you are unsure.

Why the glass counts too

Most factory glass is not perfectly clear. Windscreens and side windows often have a slight tint of their own, and light has to pass through both the glass and the film. The two figures roughly multiply, so the finished window is always darker than the film on its own.

That is why a film described as "70%" can leave the front windows below the legal limit once it is on the glass. The figure that matters is the reading through the finished window. How much your own glass already blocks depends on the car, so there is no single film that is safe for every model.

Choosing a film: heat, glare and signals

Darkness and heat rejection are different things. A lot of the sun's heat comes from infrared light you cannot see, and some films block much of it while staying fairly light. That matters for the front windows, where you cannot go dark anyway.

• Compare heat rejection, not just darkness. Ask for the film's spec sheet, and compare like with like, as brands measure and describe heat rejection in different ways.
• Mind the ERP on-board unit. LTA's guidelines list solar film that interferes with radio frequencies, and windscreens with a metallic oxide coating or built-in defroster, as known causes of interference with the OBU antenna. If your windscreen or film is the problem, the antenna area may need a cut-out. Leave any moving or refitting of the OBU to an LTA-authorised installer.
• Think about night driving. Singapore roads are well lit, but dark rear glass still makes reversing and changing lanes at night harder. The legal minimum is not always the comfortable choice.

Sunshade strips, curtains and old film

LTA's rules also cover sunshades fixed to the glass. No part of a fixed sunshade should be more than 150mm from the top edge of the front windscreen, or more than 100mm from the top edge of the rear windscreen and side windows. Curtains and removable sunshades can reduce what the driver sees, so LTA says they can only be used when the car is stationary or parked.

Old film that is bubbling, peeling or has turned hazy is more than a cosmetic issue on the windscreen and front windows. If it is in the driver's line of sight and you cannot see clearly, especially at night or in rain, do not drive until it has been removed. Removing old film properly, including the adhesive, takes care, particularly on rear windows with demister lines.

Before you book

Tinting quotes are easier to compare when every workshop knows exactly what you want. Tell them:

• The make, model and year, and which windows you want done
• Whether there is old film to remove, with photos if it is bubbling or peeling
• Your priority: heat rejection, privacy, glare or UV
• That the front must stay within LTA's 70% limit, and whether you have the ERP on-board unit fitted

When the quotes come back, check the film brand and product line, the expected light transmission on each window, whether a tint meter reading is included, and how long the warranty runs and whether it covers fading, bubbling and peeling. On AXL you can describe the tinting job once and vetted workshops quote, so you can compare the film and warranty each one offers.

Frequently asked questions