Comply with tint law or face heavy fines – Traffic Chief warns

As the enforcement of the country’s updated vehicle tint regulations took effect on Wednesday, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) signalled strict implementation, with both motorists and tint vendors now under scrutiny.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Police programme “Traffic and You”, Traffic Chief Assistant Commissioner Mahendra Singh made it clear that the time for adjustment has passed and compliance is now mandatory.
“The legislation gave forces time to adjust to what it spoke to… Over the past months, you would find the response from the member of the public may not be what you would have liked,” Singh said.
He stressed that enforcement will be firm and uncompromising, warning that any deviation from the law will result in penalties.
“We are as serious as we should be… no discretion would be exercised, as to do so would mean compromise,” Singh stated, underscoring that flexibility in enforcement could undermine the intent of the law.
Under the regulations, motorists are required to meet specific visible light transmission (VLT) limits, while those granted exemptions must produce the relevant certificate when requested by Police.
“Not producing the same makes it an offence… you are liable to a fine of $30,000,” he warned.

Liability for owner & vendor
Importantly, Singh highlighted that enforcement is not limited to drivers, as tint vendors are also being targeted.
“Offences and penalties 7.2 cater to the liability of the owner or the vendor, so to speak… The vendor will be investigated. It wouldn’t just stop at where we establish new friends for a motorist and his motor vehicle,” he said.
He raised concerns about vendors pushing non-compliant tint products onto customers for profit.
“Here is a case where I’m thinking, and I’m hearing you say that that vendor is seeking to push out the tint which he has on his hand and not to keep it because that’s in compliance with 25 per cent or 20 per cent,” Singh noted.
According to the Traffic Chief, motorists must take responsibility for ensuring compliance, regardless of vendor recommendations.
“Yours is to be in compliance with what is established… There is a demand, there’s a supplier, and there is a choice if you’re going to be compliant or you’re going to be lawless,” he said.
Singh maintained that the measures are rooted in public safety and are not intended to target citizens unfairly.
“What we are doing is intended to benefit you. The public interest is at the heart of each serving member of the traffic department,” he added.
With enforcement now in full effect, Police are urging both motorists and tint operators to adhere strictly to the law or face the consequences. The current strict enforcement of vehicle tint regulations comes after sweeping amendments to Guyana’s traffic laws, which authorities say were necessary to address widespread non-compliance and growing safety concerns.
The updated tint regulations are part of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Amendment Act. The changes introduced clear, measurable standards for tint on motor vehicles, something that had previously been inconsistently applied and poorly enforced.
Under the law, front side windows must allow at least 25 per cent visible light transmission (VLT), while rear windows and the rear windscreen must allow 20 per cent VLT. The front windscreen is restricted to a six-inch visor strip, with no full tint permitted. These standards are now enforced using calibrated tint meters issued to traffic ranks across the country.
Law enforcement officials had raised concerns that prior to the amendments, a significant number of vehicles were operating with heavily tinted windows, limiting visibility for drivers and posing challenges for law enforcement. Dark tint has been linked to reduced road safety, particularly at night or in poor weather conditions, and has also been cited as a factor that can hinder Police in identifying occupants of vehicles during routine checks or criminal investigations.
To ease the transition, a grace period was granted from January to March 2026, during which motorists were encouraged to test their vehicles and make the necessary adjustments without facing penalties. During this period, the GPF conducted nationwide public awareness campaigns, offered voluntary tint testing, and engaged motorists and vendors on the new requirements.

Compliance
However, traffic officials noted that compliance levels remained mixed, with many motorists failing to take advantage of the opportunity to regularise their vehicles. As a result, on Wednesday when the enforcement took effect, Police stopped a number of vehicles which were in breach of the regulation.