The demand for the use of tinted windows for private vehicles in Malaysia is very high. However, vehicle users are still subject to the rules that have been set by the government.
The regulation of the use of window tinted film based on the percentage of light transparency (VLT) by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), involving the amendment of the Kaedah-Kaedah Kenderaan Motor (Larangan Mengenai Jenis-Jenis Kaca Tertentu) 1991, was enforced on May 8, 2019.
The enforcement of this rule is a great relief to private vehicle users because the use of tinted mirrors helps passengers avoid the heat and glare entering the vehicle, in addition to prioritising user safety.
You can find information related to the percentage of light transparency (VLT) of tinted glass, the application conditions of window tinted film, and related documents here.
Visible Light Transmission (VLT) of tinted glass
The use of tinted mirrors according to the specification of the Visible Light Transmission (VLT) issued by the Road Transport Department (JPJ), updated in May 2019, is as follows:
Windshield: 70% VLT
Driver side mirror: 50% VLT
Passenger side mirror: No VLT percentage limit, provided the vehicle has a rear-view side mirror.
Rear view mirror: There is no VLT percentage limit, provided the vehicle has a rear-view side mirror.
Application conditions for tinted glasses
- Vehicle users do not need to submit an application for the use of tinted windows if the use of tinted windows is in accordance with the Visible Light Transmission (VLT) specifications issued by JPJ.
- Vehicle users who wish to obtain tinted windows with a lower Visible Light Transmission (VLT) specification for the windshield and windows at the driver’s side must submit an application to the Road Transport Department (JPJ).
- Applications for lower VLT-spec tinted glasses are based on health and safety requirements only.
- New, renewal, and exchange applications for each vehicle must be made separately and signed by the applicant.
- Applicants and vehicle owners must be free from any pending cases with JPJ and PDRM in relation to any violation of the APJ Act, ALPKP, APAD, and other relevant Acts.
Additional conditions for exchange applications
- The conditions for the application for the exchange of dark mirror approval are that the motor vehicle owner make an interchange (interchange) of the motor vehicle registration number or make the change to any motor vehicle he owns.
- The validity period of the previous approval is not less than 6 months from the end of the approval period. If the validity period of the previous approval exceeds 6 months, the applicant must make a new application.
- If the change application is approved, the approval will have the same validity period as the previous approval.
The validity period of the tinted windows application
- The validity period for applications related to health needs is 2 years.
- The validity period of applications related to safety requirements for government-owned vehicles is 5 years.
- The validity period of applications related to security requirements for individual or company-owned private vehicles and Embassy-owned or Embassy-leased private vehicles is 2 years.
- Approvals that have expired must make a new application three (3) months before the end of the approval period by submitting the documents as stated and paying the fee.
Window tinted application results
- The decision letter will be issued by the Enforcement Division, JPJ Headquarters, to the applicant by registered mail.
- The certificate of approval of dark mirrors will be delivered to the applicant by registered post, or the applicant can appear in person at the Enforcement Division, JPJ Headquarters, for the delivery of the certificate.
Rate of summons charged
According to the JPJ, any vehicle owner who fails to comply with the dark mirror regulations can be fined not more than RM2,000 or imprisoned for a period not exceeding six months; in the case of a second or subsequent conviction, they can be fined not more than RM4,000 or imprisoned for a period not exceeding 12 months, or both.
DISCLAIMER : The information contained in this article is an update contained in the Conditions and Application Guide for the Use of Dark Mirrors issued by the Road Transport Department (JPJ) on December 31, 2021 and its enforcement on January 1, 2022. Please refer to the JPJ website for full info.
