Vehicle tint of 35% approved; waiver system scrapped

…enforcement begins Dec 31

Motor vehicle window tint will now be universally permitted at 35 per cent light penetration, removing the need for the long-utilised waiver system for standard tint approvals. The announcement was made on Friday by the Home Affairs Minister, Oneidge Walrond, in a published social media video message, confirming that revised tint regulations take immediate effect and are backed by pending legislative amendments. The decision comes some two days after Minister Walrond formally announced that any rank within the Guyana Police Force (GPF) who has tint on their private motor vehicle that does not comply with the regulations and who does not possess a valid tint permit must remove the tint immediately. Ranks were further advised that no tint is to be reinstalled unless an approved tint permit has been formally applied for and granted. According to the Minister, since the announcement, the Home Affairs Ministry observed what she described as an “exponential increase” in applications for tint waivers, coupled with rising complaints about abuse of the system.
“I’ve observed an exponential increase in requests for tint waivers. At the same time, I’ve received numerous complaints regarding unscrupulous practices and individuals who have sought to abuse the existing system. It has become evident that the current mechanism is burdensome, inconsistent and vulnerable to manipulation.”
She added that having conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the system and following consultations with the GPF and other technical experts, “I wish to announce the following measures which take immediate effect. There will be the introduction of three clearly defined tint waiver categories based on assessed risk profiles. In the interest of equity and to eliminate administrative delays, there will be a universal provision for basic tint without waiver, which stipulates that all motor vehicles will now be allowed tint with no less than 35 per cent light penetration.” Under Categories One and Two, restricted waivers will be issued only to specified high-security groups, including diplomats, Government officials and individuals assessed as high-profile for national security purposes. These waivers must be expressly approved by the Home Affairs Minister. The Government confirmed that the Traffic Enforcement Regulations will be amended to formally reflect, authorise, and legalise the new provisions.
Under the old policy, window tint was not permissible without a waiver, and even approved waivers capped tint at 65 per cent light penetration, while factory-installed tinted windows were generally disallowed regardless of waivers.
“The current legislation governing tint waivers will be amended to reflect and legalise these new measures. All motor vehicle owners and operators are required to comply fully with these revised tint regulations. These changes are intended to bring predictability, equity and fairness to the long-standing issue of tint management. Failure to comply will result in the application of prescribed fines and charges under the relevant traffic and enforcement regulations,” the Minister stated. To ensure an orderly national transition, all vehicle owners are being granted a compliance period up to December 31, 2025. After this date, the GPF has been authorised to begin aggressive nationwide enforcement operations, with violators facing prescribed fines, charges and penalties under traffic law.
Minister Walrond and the Ministry of Home Affairs also warned against non-compliance, stressing that failure to adhere to the revised tint levels will result in statutory enforcement actions facilitated through the courts.
“To support an orderly transition, motor vehicle operators are granted a compliance period up to December 31, 2025. After this date, the Guyana Police Force will commence aggressive nationwide enforcement operations,” the Minister warned.