Local News Motorists ‘frustrated’ over new tinting rules, report tint shops by Lourianne Graham 05/06/2025 written by Lourianne Graham Updated by Barbados Today 05/06/2025 5 min read A+A- Reset Share FacebookTwitterLinkedinWhatsappEmail 2K Vehicle owners across Barbados appear to have taken a dim view of new window tinting regulations, set to take effect on September 1, prompting a surge in complaints—and expressions of outrage—to tint shops about costs, privacy, and the effectiveness of the measures in tackling crime. As he presented the measures to the House of Assembly in amendments to the Road Traffic Act on Tuesday, Attorney General Dale Marshall outlined the stipulations for vehicle owners: 25 per cent for rear windows, 20 per cent for the front side windows (driver and passenger), and 70 per cent for windscreens. A higher tint percentage means more light passes through, allowing greater visibility. Several tinting shops have reported that some customers remain unaware of their tint percentage, while others had their tint changed when the amendments were first announced last year. Some companies reported no issue with the law and were in full support, even in the face of some customer protest. Owner of Tintz on My Lord’s Hill, Trevor Pinder, said: “A lot of the customers are annoyed that, from the back of the vehicle at night, you can see straight through the car.” He said that since Tuesday’s announcement, they have received numerous calls from customers inquiring about changing their tint. You Might Be Interested In Crystal Beckles-Holder, 2nd runner up in regional competition GUYANA: Body of child found after gold mine collapses Barbadians asked to help with return tickets for Haitians Tint removal normally costs $50, but some have admitted that, with the new laws, customers might see an increase in prices from some companies. Installation of tinting can vary from $100 up to $1 000, depending on the vehicle and requirements. He admitted that the main concerns for customers are privacy and protection of their goods. Owner of Sunshade Tinting Studio, Deighton Henry, said his firm has also seen an influx of calls from customers, including those who already made changes late last year. “Last year, when he [Marshall] first said, ‘I’ll give you three months,’ there were people who said, ‘I’ve got to get my tint changed’ because they’re afraid of what will happen if they get stopped . . . . The rush wasn’t as big, but now, since it’s been in the news, everybody has been calling me since [Tuesday].” He said customers have also been coming in to test their tint to ensure it is at the legal percentage. Henry added that some of his customers also disagreed that the tinting would have an impact on crime: “You would get a small number of people saying, ‘Why is government doing this? The tint isn’t going to stop crime; people are still using their cars or walking up to you to commit the crime’.” Owner of Tinted, Frederick Miller, noted that the tint laws are common internationally and not unusual. He said customers have started calling, but delays and government procrastination have caused confusion and inaction. “People weren’t sure because of the delay, but obviously the government said that they had other matters to deal with, and they mentioned before that people have a lot of time. So there were people who were doing it, but then others procrastinated because it was not according to what they were directly saying,” he said. He pointed out that some US states require 70 per cent VLT (Visible Light Transmission), while Barbados is setting limits at 20-23 per cent, which is darker. But one tinting professional, who asked not to be named, dismissed the law as inconsistent with previous guidance, drawing outrage from customers who made changes based on earlier advice. He said: “A whole bunch of people came and changed their car to 20 per cent; now, he wants 25 on the back, 20 on the front, and that still hasn’t passed yet . . . . Who’s to say when people go and change the tint again, he won’t change it again? It’s rubbish. That’s how everybody feels. You can’t be saying one thing and then changing it halfway through and then doing all this foolishness. That doesn’t make any sense.” Additional customer frustration stems from the cost of changing their tint, as well as safety concerns for business owners who use their vehicles to ply their trade and transport tools and merchandise. He said the transport authorities offered illogical solutions, such as cardboard in windows, to vehicle owners who raised concerns. “We have work vehicles with tools in the back and I have people at the Licensing Authority telling them to put sheets over the tools,” the tinting professional said. “You can’t stick vinyl over glass, that’s illegal in the Licensing Authority’s opinion. Their reasoning is that you would have to remove the glass, weld in a metal panel, and paint it. So what’s the difference?” The tinting professional, who has been in the business for over 20 years and has received extensive training, said there is also concern that some vehicles are imported pre-tinted or manufactured with darkened glass that cannot be altered. Other Caribbean countries have also enacted tinting legislation to combat crime. In the Turks and Caicos Islands, regulations restrict tint levels to a minimum of 50 per cent light transmission for front windows and 30 per cent for rear windows. In the British Virgin Islands, regulations mandate that front windows must allow at least 35 per cent of light to pass through, while rear windows must permit at least 20 per cent. Guyana’s tint laws require vehicle windows to allow at least 67 per cent transparency. The Jamaican government mandated the removal of tints from public passenger vehicles, but a 70 per cent inward view must be maintained on certain side windows of private vehicles. In Antigua and Barbuda, the allowed shade of tint on private vehicles is 35 per cent all around, except for the windscreen, where a 35 per cent tint is permitted only six inches from the roof. To date, none of these countries has reported a direct relationship between their tinting laws and crime reduction. louriannegraham@barbadostoday.bb Lourianne Graham You may also like UWI project offers lifeline to coastal businesses facing mounting climate risks 14/06/2025 Small craft advisory extended as windy conditions persist 13/06/2025 Barbados opens second phase of battery storage project to unlock grid 13/06/2025