In a previous article, I elaborated on the obscure Malaysian road safety rule which prohibits the use of curtains, blinds, or even removable sunshades on private vehicles. The issue has caused chaos among road users in the country recently, to the point that Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook himself has come out and clarified that the Ministry of Transport (MOT) or the Road Transport Department (JPJ) is not actively enforcing the rule except in cases where the driver’s visibility is compromised.
Unfortunately, Loke’s sunshade clarification seems to leave many motorists even more in the dark. In fact, confused Malaysians are now urging MOT and JPJ to issue clearer enforcement guidance on the matter.
With that in mind, another adjacent MOT "dark" rule that many road users are always confused about is the regulations on tinted windows. The common belief among Malaysians is that private vehicles cannot have window tints darker than the allowed Visible Light Transmission (VLT) thresholds, or they will be issued an RM300 summons.
For reference, VLT is the percentage of light that can pass through the glass. Since 2019, the legal thresholds have been set as follows:
- Windshield: 70% VLT
- Side windows (driver and front passenger): 50% VLT
- Rear windows and rear windshield: 0% VLT (fully dark)
However, did you know that MOT actually allows fully dark window tints for all windows on a private vehicle if you have valid health or security reasons?
There are several caveats, though. Among others, applications must be made directly to JPJ, and if the fully dark window tints are approved for security purposes, the applicant must pay an Approval Certificate Fee of RM5,000, which has a validity of two years.
Here is everything you should know about the requirements and process.
Key eligibility and general requirements
Introduced under the Pakatan Harapan Government in 2019 and still enforced to this day, this ‘perk’ is available to individuals who meet the baseline criteria set by JPJ:
- No Outstanding Records: Both the applicant and the vehicle owner must have completely clear records with no pending cases or outstanding summonses with JPJ or the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM)
- Vehicle Ownership: The vehicle must be registered in the applicant’s name. If it belongs to someone else (like a spouse or parent), official proof of relationship must be provided (e.g., a marriage or birth certificate)
- Application Submission: The applicant must submit Form CG1 along with a copy of their MyKad and Vehicle Ownership Certificate (VOC) to the Secretariat of the JPJ Enforcement Division at JPJ Headquarters or State branches
Applications based on medical grounds (health)
If the application is due to health reasons, such as chronic medical conditions like severe skin conditions or light sensitivity, these rules apply:
- Requirement: The applicant must provide an original, up-to-date medical report from a Medical Specialist from a Government Hospital or a Private Hospital recognised by the Ministry of Health (MOH), explicitly specifying the nature of the illness
- Application Fee: RM50 (strictly non-refundable)
- Approval Certificate Fee: Waived (Free)
Application based on security grounds
Meanwhile, if the application is for personal safety or high-profile security reasons, the required supporting documents depend on the vehicle ownership:
- Private Individuals and Companies: Applications for corporate-owned vehicles must include certified copies of Form 24 and Form 49, verified by a registered Company Secretary
- Government-Owned or Leased Vehicles: An official application letter from the Ministry’s Secretary-General or the Department’s Director-General is required
- Embassies and Diplomatic Staff: An official application letter from the relevant Embassy must be furnished
A non-refundable RM50 application fee is required upon submission. Unlike health-based applications, if a security-based application is approved, the applicant must pay an Approval Certificate Fee of RM5,000, which is valid for two years. However, this RM5,000 fee is entirely waived for Government-owned or Government-leased vehicles.
Step-by-step application process
- Payment and submission: The RM 50.00 application fee must be paid at a JPJ branch counter or online via the JPJ Public Portal. The completed Form CG1 and all required supporting documents must then be submitted.
- Vetting by Special Committee: A Special Committee reviews and verifies every application received before elevating the paperwork to the Minister of Transport for final consideration
- Official notification: JPJ issues an official decision letter to the applicant, delivered via email or registered post.
- Fee settlement and issuance: If approved, the applicant must settle the RM5,000 certificate fee (if applicable) via the JPJ portal or counter. The official Tinted Glass Approval Certificate is then sent via registered post or made available for physical collection at JPJ Headquarters
Renewals and vehicle transfers
- Validity and Renewal: All approved permits are valid for a duration of two years. To maintain continuity, renewal applications should be initiated three months prior to the permit’s expiry date, alongside the submission of required documents and settlement of fees
- Vehicle Transfers and Interchanges: If a vehicle owner undergoes a registration number interchange or changes their car, an application to transfer the existing approval can be made for an RM50 fee. This is only permissible provided the current permit has more than six months of remaining validity. If it has less than six months left, a completely new application must be submitted
Do note that all application and certificate fees are strictly non-refundable, regardless of whether the application is subsequently cancelled by the applicant or rejected for failing to meet JPJ's regulatory standards.
So, what do you guys think of the requirements for having fully dark window tints in Malaysia? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section!
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Saiful Ridzaimi (saiful.ridzaimi@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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