You’re cruising down a long, smooth highway, taking in the scenic beauty all around you. Suddenly, a sleek black sedan zooms by, catching your eye with its dark, mysterious window tints. The striking contrast between the deep black glass and the shining car body leaves you a bit envious—there’s something undeniably captivating about those dark tints.
Let’s be honest: dark tints give any car a bold, impressive look. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, they also offer practical benefits like protecting passengers from the sun and keeping the interior cool. However, it’s important to remember that there are specific regulations in New Zealand regarding the use of dark tints on vehicles, enforced by the New Zealand Transport Agency and the Ministry of Transport. These regulations must be followed to ensure your car stays road legal.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about shaded car window tints, including the legal requirements in New Zealand. We’ll also show you how to have these dark tints installed on your car, legally and expertly.
At AutoExpert.co.nz, we are specialists in shaded car window tinting with over 8 years of experience. When it comes to ensuring that your car’s tints are both stylish and compliant with legal standards, AutoExpert is the name you can trust.
To achieve the best and darkest legal tint for your vehicle, visit our studio. Our experts will guide you through the process, helping you choose the perfect tint to transform your car.
Curious about what makes AutoExpert stand out? Learn more about us here, where you'll also find our contact details and location.
Now, let’s dive into the rules and regulations surrounding window tinting in New Zealand and find out what the darkest legal tint is.
Dark tints can make a vehicle look sleek and imposing, but there are good reasons for the legal restrictions on their use.
One of the main concerns is visibility. Once windows are heavily tinted, the interior of the vehicle becomes obscured, which could be exploited by individuals with ill intent, making it difficult for law enforcement to see inside the vehicle.
To prevent such issues, New Zealand has established clear rules for the use of dark tints.
These regulations don’t just apply to windows; there are also restrictions on tinting headlights. According to the New Zealand Transport Agency, it’s illegal to apply tint to headlights or lamps, except for decorative purposes.
The darkness of shaded car window tints is measured by Visual Light Transmittance (VLT).
VLT refers to the amount of light that can pass through the tinted windows. A higher VLT percentage means more light passes through, indicating a lighter tint, while a lower VLT percentage means less light passes through, indicating a darker tint.
To better understand the legal requirements, let’s take a closer look at the classification of passenger vehicles.
The New Zealand Transport Authority categorizes vehicles based on factors like size, power, and seating capacity.
Other classifications include MD (light omnibus), ME (heavy omnibus), goods vehicles, and trailers, each with further sub-categories based on weight, capacity, and usage.
The most accurate way to check if your window tint complies with NZ laws is by using a calibrated VLT meter, available at our studio. This device measures the exact VLT of the tint, ensuring it fully complies with the regulations set by the New Zealand Transport Agency and the Ministry of Transport.
We also recommend placing a sticker on the windshield that indicates the VLT level of the installed tints, which can help speed up inspections. While not mandatory, this sticker can make the process smoother.
For a more detailed understanding of legal tinting regulations, you can visit the Ministry of Transport’s website: Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors Rule 1999.
Dark tints on car windows are not only stylish but also provide privacy and protection from the sun. However, they can also be misused, which is why strict regulations are in place.
At Dr. Tint, we have experience in installing top-quality dark tints that are both stylish and fully compliant with all legal requirements.
Consult with us today and give your car the perfect makeover with our expert tinting services!
Book Now
Car wrapping has become an increasingly popular method for vehicle customization, allowing car owners to express their style and protect their vehicles' original paint. However, like any automotive enhancement, car wrapping is not a permanent solution. In this blog, we'll delve into the factors that influence the longevity of car wrapping and answer the burning question: How long does car wrapping last?
Car wrapping involves applying a thin, adhesive vinyl film to the exterior of a vehicle. This vinyl can come in various colors, patterns, and finishes, providing car owners with a versatile and cost-effective alternative to traditional paint jobs. Car wrapping is known for its ability to protect a vehicle's paint from scratches, stone chips, and other environmental damage while allowing for easy removal or color changes.
Car wrapping longevity depends on various factors.
Signs that a car wrap may need a replacement include:
The cost of replacing a car wrap depends on various factors, including the size of the vehicle, the complexity of the wrap design, and the quality of materials used. On average, you can expect to pay a few thousand dollars for a full wrap replacement.
Whether it is your first car or a second buy, a car is always a prized possession. Becoming a proud owner of a sophisticated vehicle is nothing less than an achievement. The story does not end here! If you are a car enthusiast, you will probably love to make some modifications to enhance its aesthetics and value.
Have you ever considered tinting your car windows? If not, this summer is absolutely the perfect time to get it done! Car window tinting is not only about making your car look classy and sophisticated, but it does have potential benefits.
Auto window tinting is becoming predominantly popular this season, and we have listed all the reasons, making it a worthy investment. Let’s check them out.
Let’s face it; every car does not come from the showroom with tinted windows. Lucky those who already have it! Others have to live with the glaring sun on their face or get a customized service for tinted windows.
Now, why do we suggest you tint your car windows?
Glare Reduction- The most obvious reason to install a black or grey film on the windows is to reduce glare and enable a better of the road and the surroundings. Too much light makes you squint. As a result, you become prone to road accidents. So, whether it is the bright sunlight or the reflection from another vehicle, a tinted window curtails glare.
Block UV Rays- Driving on a hot sunny day means abundant exposure to UV rays. Despite applying sunscreens and sunblock creams, you still are exposed to the sun rays. What should you do? Tint the car windows and enjoy a more comfortable and safer drive! The tint films block UV rays, protecting you from their harmful effects.
Reduces Heat- Car tinting Tauranga is one of the best ways to keep off the heat while you are on the road! Your car’s interior feels cooler and more comfortable. Whether you have to park your car outside in the sun or have a long travel ahead, the interior of the car stays bracing.
Eliminate Health Risks - Often, prolonged driving in a very hot environment increases the risk of several health problems. Migraines, palpitation, and sun tanning are prevalent problems related to high temperatures. Sometimes, you may feel fatigued and exasperated when you have to deal with an uncomfortable surrounding.
Promote Energy Efficiency - What happens when you have a cooler temperature inside the car? The use of the air conditioning system becomes less. As a result, fuel consumption also decreases. It implies that you can save on your pockets! Isn’t it awesome?
Enhanced Protection - Driving a car means you are always susceptible to risks. In such an instance, if there is any physical impact on your car, even if the windows shatter, the glass pieces won’t fall apart. They will stick to the tint film. It saves the occupants inside from injuries.
Safeguard Upholstery - The cost to tint car windows is much less than your car upholstery! We mean that most tears and fading of the car upholstery happen due to excessive exposure to sunlight. Consider the seat covers or the synthetic seat belts, you will notice fading or tears at some point. You can considerably delay the process by tinting the windows and minimizing heat and light exposure.
Better Privacy - Undeniably, tinted windows provide better privacy than clear windows. Though you will be able to see the surroundings clearly, the ones outside will not get a transparent view of the interiors. Therefore, VIPs generally travel in cars with tinted windows.
Increased Comfort - When you have a cooler and more secure environment, naturally it boosts comfort. The heat does not burn your skin, the light stops glaring, and the ambience feels privatized- all of these contribute to enhanced comfort.
Boosted Aesthetics - Finally, how can anyone miss spotting a car with black windows? It looks highly sophisticated and classy. Anyone will turn their head to look at the car! So, elegance and class personified!
The benefit of car window tinting is enormous! From increased safety to enhanced aesthetic appeal, you have so many factors to count on! If window tinting was never on your list, we think now is the time you think over it and give it a try. The result will be marvellous!
Car window tinting has become increasingly popular among car owners in recent years. This process involves applying a thin, transparent film to the windows of a car, which helps to reduce the amount of heat that enters the vehicle. But how does car window tinting actually work to reduce heat inside the car? In this blog, we'll explore the science behind car window tinting and its effects on reducing heat inside the car.
Car window tinting works by blocking the sun's rays from entering the car. The film is designed to absorb or reflect the sun's radiation, which is responsible for the heat that builds up inside the vehicle. By reducing the amount of sunlight that enters the car, the tinting film helps to keep the temperature inside the car more comfortable.
In addition to reducing the amount of sunlight that enters the car, car window tinting also reduces the amount of visible light that enters the car. This helps to reduce glare, which can be a major problem for drivers, especially during the day when the sun is bright. By reducing glare, car window tinting makes it easier for drivers to see the road ahead, which can help to prevent accidents.
Car window tinting films are also designed to block up to 99% of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation can be harmful to both the skin and the interior of a car. Over time, exposure to UV radiation can cause the dashboard and other parts of the car's interior to fade and crack. By blocking UV radiation, car window tinting helps to protect the car's interior and keep it looking new for longer.
Because car window tinting helps to reduce the amount of heat that enters the car, it can also help to reduce the need for air conditioning. This not only saves fuel, but it can also help to reduce the wear and tear on the car's air conditioning system, which can extend its lifespan.
In conclusion, car window tinting works by blocking the sun's rays, reducing the amount of visible light that enters the car, blocking up to 99% of UV radiation, and reducing the need for air conditioning. Doing so helps to keep the temperature inside the car more comfortable, protect the car's interior, and improve the safety of drivers on the road. If you're considering getting your car windows tinted, make sure to choose a reputable provider who can help you choose the right type of tinting film for your needs.