Home Affairs Minister says new tint policy aims to restore order after years of unregulated use

Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond has defended Government’s overhaul of Guyana’s tint regulations, saying the initiative is intended to restore order to an area that had gone unregulated for far too long.
In a statement posted to her official Facebook page, the Minister stressed that the issue goes beyond the darkness of vehicle windows, noting that the previous environment allowed widespread misuse. She said the absence of proper controls resulted in motorists using tint without permission; some of whom took advantage of the loopholes to conceal illegal activities, evade police detection, and engage in reckless driving.

According to Walrond, the new measures bring structure, uniformity, and accountability to a system that had become inconsistent and vulnerable to selective enforcement. She emphasised that every motorist will now be allowed to install tint, once it meets the required 35 per cent light penetration, under what she described as a fair, transparent, and enforceable framework designed to support public safety and effective policing.
“That era is over. This policy brings structure, uniformity, and accountability to an area that was chaotic and abused. It closes the gaps, removes the excuses, and eliminates the selective practices of the past. And let it be clearly understood: Every motorist in Guyana can now have tint, but within safe, transparent, and enforceable limits that protect the public and support effective policing. This is what fairness looks like. This is what responsible governance looks like. And this is how we build safer roads and a more law-abiding society”, the release read.
More than a week ago, the Government announced sweeping changes to the country’s tint regulations, granting universal approval for tint with at least 35 per cent light penetration and eliminating the long-standing waiver system.
The decision was confirmed by Minister Walrond in a published video message on November 29, where she noted that the revised rules take immediate effect and will soon be formalised through amendments to the Traffic Enforcement Regulations.

The overhaul came just days after the Minister instructed all ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to remove non-compliant tint from their private vehicles unless they possessed valid permits. That announcement triggered an “exponential increase” in waiver applications, along with mounting complaints about misuse of the system and allegations of unscrupulous practices.
Under the previous policy, tint use was technically prohibited unless a waiver was granted, and even those permits allowed only up to 65 per cent light penetration. Factory-installed tinted windows were also generally disallowed, creating additional bureaucratic hurdles and inconsistent enforcement.
The new framework introduces three categories of restricted waivers reserved for specific high-security groups, including diplomats, Government officials, and individuals assessed as national-security risks. These waivers require direct approval from the Home Affairs Minister. All other motorists will be able to use 35 per cent tint without any application process.
To support a smooth transition, the Government has set a compliance deadline of December 31, 2025. After that date, the GPF is authorised to begin aggressive nationwide enforcement operations, with violators facing statutory fines, charges, and court action.
Officials say the updated rules are intended to eliminate manipulation of the old system, standardise enforcement, and improve safety on the nation’s roadways.