How is it with tinting windows? As long as it's legal in UK should I be alright driving across continental Europe?

And second question If I have Sunset glass (which I believe tint is part of the glass itself) can I have layer of tint to put on top of it to make it darker? I hope that gives a sense.

When we had our Roomster we had dark tints from the B pillar back and had no problems in France or Italy as they have the same options over there. and yes you can have film added to your sunset glass.

The only thing I had with my Roomsters tinted glass was on the return crossing, when Customs requested I dropped my rear passenger window as it was too dark for the lady in the booth to see in to to the rear seats.

The law in most places is equal to it more lenient than ours, so generally no problems. There are a few anomalies - Austria being one of them IIRC. I suspect some of the countries subject to more or earlier darkness might also be stricter but that's just a guess based on 'logic' which is a word not found in many traffic laws.......

Update - just found this:

http://www.pleveles.lt/lt/Pleveles-automobiliams/index_html/lt/Pleveles-automobiliams/euro

It seems that many places are actually harsher than us - with absolutely no windscreen tint allowed in France or Italy. I reckon that law doesn't apply to foreign cars in some way though, or you have gendarmes dishing out spot fines left right an centre on the exit ramp of the ferries.......

Thanks guys.

Just considering getting my windows darker than the factory option. I don't want them stupidly dark as it makes it a lot more difficult to reverse in the dark.

So seeing the regulations across Europe I should be fine.

Thanks again

The guy who done mine says he gets a lot of people complaining about the sunset tints, and getting them done darker. One in particular was apparently looking into claiming a refund from the dealer on account of it being mis-sold as sunset 'privacy' glass......

In certain light conditions it does look quite dark, but most of the time difficult to see any tint to it.

I always liked the look of estates with dark windows.

Not worth the hassle try to argue with dealer. When I get some spare £££ I'll go for it.

Does anyone have any idea how much could cost me? From "B pillar" back.

Should be between £150 and £200. Think my hatch was either £140 or £160........

Thanks for replays, find it all very useful.

Only problem I've heard of was in Italy. They made a mate of mine peel them off his Imprezza. No fine though.

If you have the sunset privacy glass another option for making the windows darker is to use the window blinds that Skoda sell. That way they can be removed if necessary.

Sarge.

I was warned by the dealer not to tick the "Sunset glass" option as it is way too light to be "privacy glass". So instead, I had the dealer tint my windows with Quantum film (has a metallic shine in sunlight). Looks really good with my anthracite gray estate VRS.

As far as laws go - I've never had issues with tinted windows in mainland Europe. But the again, I keep my windscreen and front sides clean from film.

I was warned by the dealer not to tick the "Sunset glass" option as it is way too light to be "privacy glass". So instead, I had the dealer tint my windows with Quantum film (has a metallic shine in sunlight). Looks really good with my anthracite gray estate VRS.

As far as laws go - I've never had issues with tinted windows in mainland Europe. But the again, I keep my windscreen and front sides clean from film.

Arguably even the standard tints from the factory fall foul of some (and a few surprising) countries' rules. As mentioned above though, I think there must be some official leeway for cars which meet the 75%/70% standards.

If e interested to know where you got the quantum film and how much it was. I've heard that its popular in the states as it gives much better visibility at night time from inside......

As other have said, you'll be fine.

Boring answer, but ece r43 calls for >70% light transmission on glazing in front of the 'B', pillar and believe is applicable to the whole of Europe. Behind the 'B' pillar you can do what you want, so adding an addition tint is fine. It's surprising how dark you can go and still see out of them. Personally I went for sun blinds from Van style (I think that's their name...) and take them in or out as the seasons change.

Arguably even the standard tints from the factory fall foul of some (and a few surprising) countries' rules. As mentioned above though, I think there must be some official leeway for cars which meet the 75%/70% standards.

If e interested to know where you got the quantum film and how much it was. I've heard that its popular in the states as it gives much better visibility at night time from inside......

Dealer fixed the film and installing it for 160€ (Sunset package was 150€). It is very hard to see in my car (I also helps that I have the black version interior, so roof lining, pillars etc all are black), but not that hard to see out. Much better visibility than 60% black film on my old Passat.

AS for the tinted window laws - I haven't seen a single country that has banned the tint IF you keep windshield and front windows clean from it. I might be wrong of course.

Dealer fixed the film and installing it for 160€ (Sunset package was 150€). It is very hard to see in my car (I also helps that I have the black version interior, so roof lining, pillars etc all are black), but not that hard to see out. Much better visibility than 60% black film on my old Passat.

Cool, thanks. Too late for me on this car but maybe the next one ill go for quantum films (if they're available)

AS for the tinted window laws - I haven't seen a single country that has banned the tint IF you keep windshield and front windows clean from it. I might be wrong of course.

See the link I posted - although I assumed at first it meant tinting regs it does say film. However, Italy (for example) allows no film at all so my point was: does that mean that even the manufacturers treatments (which may be as low as 70% VLT are not allowed?