Drivers urged to get compliant ahead of new tint regulations roll out from April 1

With just weeks to go before Guyana’s new vehicle tint regulations take full effect, the government is ramping up efforts to ensure motorists are ready and compliant.

On Thursday, at Traffic Headquarters in Georgetown, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond oversaw a live demonstration of newly procured tint meters, part of the national preparatory process ahead of the April 1, 2026 enforcement date.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Guyana Police Force, aims to make the system fairer, more transparent, and safer for everyone on the road.

During the demonstration, a fully compliant vehicle was tested to show exactly what the new standards will look like in practice.

Under the updated regulations:

•             Front side windows (driver and passenger) must allow 25% Visible Light Transmission (VLT).

•             Rear windows must allow 20% VLT.

•             Front windshields are only permitted to have a top visor strip at 25% VLT.

•             No additional tint is allowed on the front windshield beyond the visor strip.

Minister Walrond explained that excessively dark tint not only hampers police investigations but also creates serious safety risks for drivers, particularly at night.

“Heavy tint contributes significantly to road accidents, especially when drivers cannot see clearly at night,” she noted, adding that the regulations will also strengthen crime detection and prevention efforts.

Drivers do not have to wait until April 1 to find out whether they are compliant.

Some 47 testing sites are already operational across the country at designated police stations. At these centres, trained certification officers — not traffic ranks — are using fully calibrated tint meters to test vehicles.

The devices, Minister Walrond said, were procured with one-year calibration certificates and will be recalibrated annually through the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) to ensure accuracy.

“We want citizens to come voluntarily if they are unsure. This is about getting everyone on board, not punishing people,” she emphasized.

The Minister described the previous tint permit system as bureaucratic and inefficient.

In the past, citizens were required to apply directly to the Minister’s office for exemptions, leading to long lines, lost productivity, and opportunities for unfair practices.

“People had to run into the minister’s office, wait for hours, sometimes days. It wasted time and created unnecessary bureaucracy,” she said.

The new system eliminates that process entirely. Every driver is entitled to the legal tint levels without needing special approval.

“It removes the need to beg, removes the bias, and creates transparency and ease for every citizen.”

For members of the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, and other eligible security agencies who qualify for tint waivers, an online portal will soon be available.

Applications will require supporting documents to be uploaded electronically, reducing human bias and increasing accountability. Once approved, the waiver will be digitally linked to the vehicle’s registration number.

During a traffic stop, officers will be able to input the vehicle’s registration into their system and instantly determine whether a waiver exists.

“There’s no pulling out paper permits. Once the registration number is entered, the system will show whether a waiver is attached,” the Minister explained.

The government has allowed what Minister Walrond described as a “long amnesty period” to give citizens time to adjust.

Up until March 31, 2026, drivers will still have the opportunity to correct non-compliance.

However, from April 1, strict enforcement begins.

The penalty for non-compliance is $30,000 per infraction — not per window.

“It’s not $30,000 per glass,” the Minister clarified. “It’s $30,000 per infraction. Whether one window or multiple windows are in breach, it is treated as a single offence.”

Drivers found non-compliant after April 1 will be charged.

While some critics have questioned the focus on tint regulations, Minister Walrond insists the changes have far-reaching implications.

“This is not just about tint. It’s about public safety, road safety, and crime prevention,” she said.

She also hinted that additional traffic regulations are forthcoming, all aimed at making Guyana’s roadways safer for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians alike.

The Minister is calling for full cooperation from motorists.

“This is for the benefit of all of us — our families, our children, our communities. We are looking forward to full compliance.”

 

With testing centres already operational and April 1 fast approaching, drivers are being urged to check their vehicles now before the grace period expires.