-Home Affairs Minister affirms tint is allowed within the legal limit
WITH tinted windows now legally permitted within set limits, motorists across Guyana will from today be required to comply with the country’s updated vehicle tint regulations, as enforcement takes effect following the end of a three-month grace period.
Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond, while engaging with members of the media on the sidelines of an event on Tuesday, noted that the new framework marks a significant shift from the previous system, making vehicle tint accessible to all drivers once it falls within the prescribed legal standards.
“I don’t believe that for the majority of the persons they recognise that this new regime is that tint is permissible for everyone,” the minister told reporters.
She explained that many vehicle owners, when having their vehicles checked, found that tint levels of 20 per cent and 25 per cent visible light transmission (VLT) work well enough for them.
“In fact, there are some persons who even had 30 quite below the numbers that are permissible… meaning that they feel that they are operating with enough tint that they need,” Walrond added.
She also underscored that the longstanding requirement for exemptions has been removed under the new regulations.
“Tint is allowed for everyone; the previous regime, it was not allowed, so you had to get this tint waiver or exemption, so I think we don’t want to get that confused and the exemption is no longer required,” she said.
The enforcement follows the conclusion of a three-month amnesty period granted after the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Tint) Regulations 2026 were gazetted earlier this year.
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) had indicated that the grace period, which ended on March 31, was intended to allow motorists sufficient time to adjust their tint levels without facing penalties.
With that period now expired, motorists found in breach of the regulations will be subject to fines and other penalties as outlined under the law.
Under the updated rules, no tint is permitted on front windscreens except for a visor. Front side windows must allow at least 25 per cent VLT, while rear side windows and rear windscreens must allow a minimum of 20 per cent VLT. The use of mirrored or reflective tint is strictly prohibited.
The new system replaces the previous regime, under which tinted windows were only allowed by exemption and required a minimum of 65 per cent VLT, a standard that authorities said saw widespread non-compliance, with more than 70 per cent of vehicles operating outside the law.
The new regulations also provide for exemptions for certain categories, including senior government officials; members of the disciplined services; emergency vehicles; diplomatic missions; licensed private security firms; businesses involved in high-risk cash handling; and individuals with certified medical conditions. These will be recorded in a national digital tint registry.
Authorities are urging motorists to ensure compliance as enforcement activities begin nationwide, with fines for violations set at $30,000 for both drivers and businesses installing illegal tint.
