Vehicle standards information

VSI 2 - Window tinting and films

This page outlines the requirements when applying any film or tint to the windows or windscreen of a motor vehicle.

Published: October 2021.
This page supersedes all previous copies of VSI 2.

This information sheet applies to vehicles with a gross vehicle mass (GVM) of 4.5 tonne or less. For heavy vehicle requirements please refer to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) website.

Requirements

Regulation 35 of the Road Safety (Vehicles) Regulations 2021 requires all modifications to a vehicle to either have specific approval from VicRoads or to be carried out in accordance with guidelines published by VicRoads.

Application of film to windows on a motor vehicle is a modification.

This document is a published guideline for the purposes of Regulation 35.

A vehicle fitted with a windscreen or window to which any film is applied not in accordance with the requirements set out in this information sheet is non-compliant.

Vehicles constructed for a special purpose may be granted an exemption from these requirements by VicRoads.

General

Safe driving requires the driver to have the best possible vision of the road and other road users. Any reduction in driver vision, particularly in poor light conditions, such as twilight or wet weather conditions, will lead to a reduction in safety.

Tinted windows can significantly reduce driver vision. This is likely to be more critical for the elderly and other people with even minor vision loss.

It's desirable that the visible light transmittance (VLT) of windows on a motor vehicle isn't reduced below the level as supplied by the vehicle manufacturer.

Nevertheless, windows on motor vehicles are often tinted with the intention of reducing heat, glare, and ultraviolet (UV) light transmittance into the cabin of the vehicle.

Tint films may not significantly reduce the transmittance of UV light into the vehicle as the glazing material used in the windows of motor vehicles already blocks out most of the UV light. However, there are specific UV protective films available.

While a tint film may have some effect in reducing heat transmittance into the vehicle it can also cause an increase in cabin temperature by retaining heat in the vehicle.

The glazing material used in the windows of many new vehicles is manufactured with a slight tint. Therefore, if applying any film to a window, care should be taken to select a film which won't cause the VLT of the window to fall below the figures specified in this information sheet.

The following requirements must be complied with if the windows of a motor vehicle are to be fitted with any film.

Windscreen

Windscreens fitted to motor vehicles manufactured before July 1971 must transmit at least 70% of visible light.

All other motor vehicles must comply with Australian Design Rule (ADR) 8 - Safety Glazing Material which requires the windscreen to have a minimum VLT of 70% or greater, depending on the vehicle’s year of manufacture.

Tinting is only acceptable for windscreens if they are darkened during the manufacturing process. No film may be applied to a windscreen except for the top section of a windscreen as described below.

It's permissible for a windscreen to have a tinted band of less than 70% VLT above the wiper arc area or the top 10% of the windscreen, whichever is greater.

Care must be taken to ensure the tinted band does not obscure any sensors or cameras mounted to the inside of the windscreen.

Windows

All windows to the side and ahead of the driver in the normal driving position, other than the windscreen, may have a film fitted provided the resulting VLT is 35% or more.

Where a vehicle has at least one rear vision mirror fitted to each side, a film may be fitted on the rear windows located behind the driver in the normal driving position provided that the resulting VLT is 20% or more.

Windows above or behind the driver’s seating position on buses and vehicles primarily designed for the carriage of good, with a rear vision mirror fitted to each side, need not comply with the above light transmittance requirements for windows.

Privacy glass

Some newer vehicles are fitted with windows that been darkened at the time of manufacture. They're known as 'privacy glass' or 'body tinted' windows and are typically marked with the word 'TINTED' or the codes 'S3' or 'V'.

If a film is to be applied to a factory tinted window care must be taken to ensure the resulting VLT isn't less than the requirement of this VSI.

If a factory tinted window has a VLT less than the requirements of this VSI than no film may be applied to the window. This probibition includes 'clear' films.

Signs and wrapping

Perforated signs and vehicle wraps are effectively regarded as tinted films. Rear windows may be covered by a perforated sign or wrap if the above light transmission requirements are met.