Rush Is On To Remove
Tinted Windows
Auto decoration shops across the country,
especially in San José, have been busy this
week not beautifying vehicles with tinted
windows, artistic decals that defines the
vehicle's owner's fashion statement, but
rather removing all types of obstructions
from rear windows.
"Polarizados", the Spanish term for tinted
windows has been prohibited in the rear
windows of vehicles for a long time, even
though a Riteve inspection terms it as a "leve"
or light infraction, the Policía de Tránsito
(traffic police) have routinely issued
tickets.
However, the ticket prior to March 1, 2010,
used to be only ¢5.000.
Now, the ticket is ¢152.568 colones when you
add in the portion for the PANI (child
welfare agency) and court costs that are
part of every traffic fine.
The cost to remove the tinted film is
between ¢7.000 and ¢15.000 colones, about
the same price for having it installed in
the first place.
Although a person can remove the film on
their own, many choose to go to the experts
for a "clean" job.
Also there is confusion as to which windows
cannot be tinted.
The new traffic law only prohibits tinting
or any type of sticker on the rear window.
That includes the micro perforation art
decals that form part of advertising design
on many minivans and buses and small trucks
that have a rear window.
Article 32 of the new Ley de Tránsito is
clear that front and rear windows must have
100% visibility, The only exception is
factory tinting. As to the side windows,
tinting is permitted at 70% obscurity.
Since the application of this law is new,
there is confusion to the tinting.
Although it quite clear that front and rear
windows cannot be tinted aftermarket, what
about placing a curtain over the rear
window, akin to the movies of the past where
vehicles carrying high profile passengers
pulled the curtain for privacy?
As to the side windows, are only the driver
and passenger windows affected or are also
the side rear passengers? What method does a
traffic official use to determine if the
tinting is 70%, as per the law, or 80% or up
to 95%, which is known as limousine grade
tinting?
Many vehicle owners are not happy about the
enforcement as in many cases tinted windows
allows a certain level of security, given
the high incidents of car jackings. With
completely clear windows, car jackers now
have a better visibility of the interior of
their target.
However, transit authorities insist that
tinted windows are dangerous and hamper the
proper maneuverability of a vehicle,
especially at night.
Whatever side of the argument you are on,
one thing is clear, the traffic cops have
the power to ticket and you have the right
not to remove the tinting.
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