The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that there will be new regulations for vehicular tint from January 1, 2026.In a release, it was noted that rear side windows and the rear windscreen will now be permitted to have tint with a minimum visible light transmission (VLT) of 20%. Front side windows may have tint with a minimum VLT of 25%.However, no tint is permitted on the front windscreen, except for a visor, which must not exceed six inches when measured from the top of the windscreen.See below the full release: When I assumed the Office of Minister of Home Affairs, the legal position was clear: no vehicle was permitted to bear tinted windows unless an exemption had been granted, and even then, the law allowed for a minimum of sixty-five percent (65%) Visible Light Transmission (VLT).Despite this clarity, the reality on our roads reflected widespread non-compliance, with over seventy percent (70 %) of vehicles operating far outside the legal limit. It was evident that our country had outgrown what was, in effect, a ban on tint, and that a more progressive, practical, and enforceable legal framework was necessary to reflect modern realities while safeguarding public safety.It is against this background that I have moved to have enacted the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Tint) Regulations 2025, which will come into force on January 1, 2026, as part of our continued efforts to strengthen public safety, enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement, and provide greater clarity, consistency, and fairness for all road users.Guyanese will be pleased to know that the new Regulations allow all vehicles to carry some level of tint without the need for an exemption; introduce new clearly set permissible VLT standards; and establish a modern policing regime using approved tint meters, removing ambiguity and supporting fair, consistent enforcement nationwide.Following my initial announcement earlier this month, we received public feedback and, in keeping with the hallmark approach of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration, we listened carefully and made further adjustments.Therefore, with effect from the commencement of the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Tint) Regulations 2025 on January 1, 2026, the following will apply:1. Front windscreen:• No tint is permitted, except for a visor which must not exceed 6 inches measured from the top of the windscreen.2. Front side windows (driver and front passenger):• Minimum 25% VLT3. Rear side windows:• Minimum 20% VLT4. Rear windscreen:• Minimum 20% VLT• The use of mirrored or reflective tint is prohibited under the new regulation.Exemptions and Application ProcessRecognising that certain categories of vehicles require enhanced protection or accommodation, exemptions are in place for:• Vehicles used by the President and Prime Minister• Designated senior government officials• The Police Force, Defence Force, Fire Service, and Prison Service• Emergency services, including ambulances• Diplomatic and consular missions• Licensed private security agencies• Individuals with certified medical conditions requiring reduced exposure to sunlight• Businesses engaged in high-risk cash handling or security-sensitive operations.Applications for exemptions must be submitted using the prescribed system to the Minister of Home Affairs who shall consider the application and may issue or refuse to issue an exemption certificate.In the case of exemptions on medical grounds, applications must be supported by certification from a registered medical practitioner. All approved exemptions will be recorded in a digital national tint registry.Updated FinesThe new regulations also provide for adjusted fines of thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for offences related to the installation or use of non-compliant tint, including for vehicle operators and businesses engaged in applying tint contrary to the law.These fines were carefully calibrated to serve as a deterrent without being punitive or excessive, and to reinforce compliance rather than create hardship.Government will closely monitor compliance, enforcement patterns, and public impact during the implementation phase, and where necessary, further adjustments, including increases tofines, will be considered.Amnesty Period and Voluntary ComplianceTo support an orderly and fair transition, a three-month amnesty period will take effect from the commencement of the regulations. During this period, the Guyana Police Force will establish voluntary tint testing sites across the country, allowing vehicle owners to test their vehicles and make adjustments where necessary without penalty.Information on the locations and operation of these testing sites will be released shortly. At the conclusion of the amnesty period, full enforcement will commence.I encourage all motorists to take full advantage of the amnesty period and to ensure compliance with the new standards as we move forward together in the interest of safer roads and stronger public trust.The Government remains committed to safeguarding public order, protecting lives, and strengthening confidence in our road traffic and public safety systems as Guyana continues its national transformative development.The post New 20- 25% tint regulations take effect from Jan. 1 appeared first on News Room Guyana.