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Anon

How is the level of window tinting determined by the Vehicle Testing Stations?

Do they have equipment to measure the light loss through the window tints or is it up to the judgement or a "guesstimate" of the WoF inspector carrying out the inspection?

John

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 5 October 2010

jbiddle

The larger issuing authorities such as the AA Testing Stations use a annually calibrated “Visible Light Transmission” (VLT) meter approved by the New Zealand Transport Authority (NZTA).

This meter sends a beam of light through the tinted glass/overlay and measures how much light passes through.

This is measured as a percentage and is what the inspector makes their decision upon.

Lesser equipped WoF issuing sites are required to use a tinted piece of film which enables them to carry out a visual comparison with the tinted glass fitted to a particular vehicle.

This method is accepted by the NZTA who are the overruling authority on warrant standards.