Can a car with very dark window film pass the annual inspection?
2 Answers
Window film that is too dark cannot pass the annual inspection. Before the annual inspection, the window film on the vehicle must be removed, otherwise it will not pass. During the annual inspection, the windshield of the vehicle should be intact, with no cracks or damage in the driver's field of vision, and no mirror-reflective sunshade film should be applied to any windshield. The following is an introduction to the annual inspection of vehicles: The annual inspection, also known as the annual check, is a safety inspection conducted every year or every two years on the vehicle, including a comprehensive check of the horn, brakes, axle weight, chassis, ignition system, lighting system, exhaust system, license plate installation, etc. Before the annual inspection of the vehicle, it is necessary to check whether the vehicle has any traffic violations. If there are any violations, they must be dealt with before the annual inspection, otherwise the annual inspection cannot be processed if the violations are not resolved.
As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I can confirm that if your car window tint is too dark with light transmittance below the regulated standard, it may indeed fail the annual inspection. China has clear requirements for vehicle annual inspections - the windshield must have at least 70% light transmittance, the front side windows (driver and passenger) need over 50%, while rear windows have relatively looser standards but still can't be excessively dark. If you've installed dark tint, I recommend using a light transmittance meter for self-testing first (you can buy one online for just tens of RMB) to avoid wasting time at the DMV. I've seen cases where friends' cars got stuck at inspection stations due to overly dark tints, forcing them to either remove the film on the spot or replace it - costing hundreds extra and ruining their mood. My advice: always check the light transmittance label when selecting window film and don't just go for the cheapest option. While darker films offer better sun protection and heat insulation, they significantly reduce visibility and compromise safety, especially during night driving. Regular maintenance and attention to these details can prevent many troubles.