Can a car with very dark window film pass the annual inspection?
3 Answers
If the color change has not been approved by the traffic management department in advance, the car will not pass the annual inspection normally. It's not that cars are not allowed to have window film, but they must meet certain standards. Precautions for car window film: 1. Safety hazards: Some people use inferior or counterfeit window film, which can pose many safety hazards in the future. On one hand, its refraction can cause certain deviations in vision, leading to situations like rear-end collisions or scratches. 2. Harmful gases: Some inferior window films may develop small bubbles or even emit harmful gases after prolonged exposure to sunlight, posing serious threats to health. 3. Privacy protection: If the window film on the car has very low light transmission, it indeed protects privacy, but it also causes inconvenience for traffic police during inspections. This also allows some criminals to use such window film to conceal illegal items, making it even more dangerous.
During my last annual inspection, I encountered an issue with overly dark window tint. The tint was 90% dark at the time, and it failed directly at the inspection station. The staff informed me that the front windows must have a light transmittance of at least 70% to meet the standards, otherwise it would affect driving visibility and safety. Chinese regulations clearly stipulate that both front and rear window tints must be tested for light transmittance. Excessively dark tints will cause the annual inspection to fail, and may even result in on-the-spot rectification or additional penalty points. This was a lesson for me, and I advise everyone to regularly check the condition of their tints. If the tint feels too dark, you can purchase a simple light transmittance tester for self-checking or consult professionals at a 4S store in advance to avoid last-minute chaos during the annual inspection. Additionally, when choosing tints, prioritize compliant brands and don’t compromise on quality for the sake of saving money, as it could lead to bigger issues.
When I first bought my car, I applied ultra-dark window tinting, thinking it would provide better privacy. However, I later heard that it might cause issues during the annual inspection, which made me worried. After checking the regulations, I found that window tinting with too low light transmittance indeed fails the inspection, especially for the front windows, which require over 70% light transmittance. Otherwise, it's hard to see outside in the dark, increasing the risk of accidents. My experience is that when applying tinting, you should choose certified products and avoid layering it to make it darker. If the tint is already too dark, it's advisable to visit a repair shop a few months in advance to replace it or add a light-transmitting layer, avoiding last-minute hassles during the inspection. Don't overlook this issue—safety comes first, and it also saves time and money.
