*This blog was recently updated with new information
Many drivers see their vehicles as a reflection of themselves, which is why it isn’t surprising that several people enjoy cleaning, maintaining and working on their vehicles. Some drivers even go as far as modifying the exterior of their vehicles to make them look flashier, sleeker or sportier.
Window tints are among the most common vehicle modifications in Ontario. Even though window tints are undeniably eye-catching and can provide drivers with privacy, there’s a lot of confusion around their legality in Ontario.
If you want to ensure that your vehicle has a legal tint in Ontario, you’re in luck — today’s article will go over all of the important details you need to know about the window tint rules and regulations in Ontario.
What tint is legal in Ontario? — An in-depth look at the rules and regulations
In July 2016, the Ontario government modified a law in the Ontario Highway Traffic Act regarding the placement, usage and darkness of window tints on vehicles.
According to Section 73 (3) of the Ontario Highway Traffic Act, drivers cannot:
“...drive on a highway a motor vehicle on which the surface of the windshield or of any window to the direct left or right of the driver’s seat has been coated with any coloured spray or other coloured or reflective material that substantially obscures the interior of the motor vehicle when viewed from outside the motor vehicle,”.
What exactly does this mean?
In short, the Ontario government no longer allows drivers to operate a vehicle with an aftermarket window tint on the windshield or front side windows. Since tinting the front side windows is not explicitly prohibited, a 70% VLT is generally considered within legal limits. VLT stands for Visible Light Transmission, which measures the amount of light that passes through a material. For example, a VLT of 70% means that the tint film blocks 30% of the light.
But drivers are allowed to operate a vehicle with window tints on the right and left side windows, as long as the tint is not excessively dark, with a maximum allowable darkness of 30%. Meanwhile, the back side windows and rear windshield can be tinted to any level of darkness.
The new rules and regulations do not affect the usage of window tints on the back right and left windows or the rear-view window.
All in all, if you want to purchase a vehicle with a legal window tint in Ontario, you can get a vehicle with (up to) 30% darkness on the right and left front windows and any level of darkness on the right and left back windows and rear-view windows. But you cannot get any aftermarket tint on the windshield of your vehicle.
Do the new Ontario legal window tint laws apply to all vehicles in Ontario?
Technically, no, the window tint laws that came into effect in July 2016 do not apply to all vehicles in Ontario. The Ontario government does have the power to enforce new laws about window tints, but they can’t force drivers to remove the tints from their vehicles.
Because of this, the laws regarding legal window tints in Ontario only affect cars that were manufactured after January 1, 2017.
So if you own or are thinking about buying a vehicle that was manufactured after January 1, 2017, you need to follow the new window tint rules Ontario has in place. In contrast, if you own a vehicle that was manufactured prior to January 1, 2017 and you already have tinted windows, the new window tint rules do not apply to your vehicle. Violating Ontario's window tinting laws can result in fines ranging from $85 to $500, along with potential additional costs and surcharges.
Why did the Ontario government change the window tint rules and regulations?
There are several reasons why the Ontario government decided to modify the laws surrounding the usage of tinted windows for vehicles.
For starters, tinted windows make it incredibly difficult for law enforcement officers to see what the driver of a vehicle is doing (this is what they’re intended to do, after all).
If a vehicle has a dark tint on the windshield and front windows, it becomes nearly impossible for law enforcement officers to tell if the driver is doing something illegal. Furthermore, window tints prevent authorities from getting a clear look at a driver’s face (this can hinder their efforts if they need to identify the driver).
Additionally, even if you have a street legal window tint on your windshield and side windows, it becomes incredibly difficult for cyclists, dog walkers and everyday pedestrians to see your vehicle, particularly during the nighttime.
If you don’t have your headlights on (this is a problem for another blog post), then the only source of light that pedestrians can use to see your vehicle is the light from inside of your vehicle. If your windows are tinted, they aren’t able to see the light from inside your car.
Lastly, tints prevent oncoming pedestrians and cyclists from seeing your face. If you’re sharing a tight space (like a city street), then they may not have time to react until it’s too late.
Getting into an accident with a cyclist, pedestrian, or another vehicle can lead to a number of severe consequences. If you’re responsible for the event, it can put you in a challenging legal position. Additionally, getting into an accident with a cyclist or pedestrian can negatively impact your auto insurance rates.
With all of this in mind, it’s clear that drivers should follow the rules and regulations regarding legal tints Ontario has in place.
Bonus tip — Check out this blog from CAA for more information about driving and cycling safety statistics.
3 illegal vehicle modifications in Canada
If you follow the rules and regulations, you can tint your windows without having to worry about any legal repercussions. That being said, there are a handful of modifications that are illegal in Ontario. Some examples include:
- Illegal engine modifications — You are not allowed to remove the charcoal canister or oxygen sensor from your engine
- Illegal modifications to exhaust systems — Drivers cannot alter their exhaust systems to make them create additional noise or smoke
- Nitrous oxide — Nitrous oxide (also referred to as NOS) is illegal in Canada. You can face a (maximum) fine of $2,000 and/or six months of jail time for using nitrous oxide.
Drivers should note that auto insurance companies do not cover illegal vehicle modifications in Canada.
