Factsheet 39 – November 2005

Vehicle windows, wipers and mirrors

This factsheet provides guidance on some of the legal requirements relating to your vehicle's windows, wipers and mirrors.

• Window film overlays
• Windscreen wipe and wash systems
• Rear-view mirrors

Window film overlays

The legal requirements for window film overlays balance road safety issues with the desire of some vehicle owners to put tinted films, advertising or other artwork on their vehicle windows.

The term 'overlay' includes any surface treatment that's fixed to a vehicle's glazing. It can include clear film, tinted film and some advertising film.

There are restrictions on film overlays because they can reduce the driver's ability to clearly see the road, other road users and potential obstructions.

About VLT

The amount of 'visible' light that passes through a vehicle's windscreen and windows is measured in visible light transmittance (VLT). Clear glass has a VLT of approximately 85 percent.

If an overlay is applied to a window, the overall VLT level is the amount of light passing through both the glass and the overlay film.

Where can I have a film overlay applied?

Windscreens

The only overlays allowed on windscreens are anti-glare bands that extend no lower than the bottom of the sun visors, and film overlay stone guards on trucks and buses.

Windscreens must have a VLT of 70 percent or more.

Front side windows

'Front side windows' means glazing forward of the left or right of the driver's seat back. These windows must have a VLT of 35 percent or more, with or without any film overlays.

Examples

The diagrams below show which windows on different vehicles may have film overlays, and the required VLT levels.

• A vehicle that has nine or fewer seating positions, including the driver's seat, has tinting restrictions for all the windows:

• All other vehicles, including those used as stretch limousines or for transporting the deceased, have restrictions on the windscreen and front side windows, but can have any level of tinting film applied to the rear and side rear windows, and the back window.
  
  Please note, though, that any vehicle with an overlay applied to a window that is further back than the driver's seat must have external rear view mirrors on each side.

How are window film overlays checked?

When you take your vehicle for its warrant of fitness (WoF) or certificate of fitness (CoF) inspection, the inspector will check the VLT level by:

• using a calibrated VLT meter, or
• checking any label inserted by the installer under the overlay, or
• checking any label placed over the overlay by an authorised installer or a NZ Transport Agency agent, or
• checking relevant documentation supplied by you.

How you can help make the VLT check easier

You aren't required by law to gather supporting documentation or get an official International Window Film Association label (explained below), but doing so could make the WoF or CoF inspection easier.

• The International Window Film Association label (pictured here) will prove to a WoF or CoF inspector that the overall VLT is no less than 35 percent.
  
  
  
  Members of the New Zealand branch of the International Window Film Association can check VLT levels and attach a label if the overlay complies with the law.
  Read a list of members and their contact details.
• You can also call into a vehicle inspection centre belonging to a NZ Transport Agency agent to have your windows checked and labelled.
• If your vehicle has a film overlay on a window that can't have less than 35 percent VLT, look for the installer's label. (Film overlay installers have to ensure the VLT levels are within the legal limits.) If you can't find one, you could try going back to the film installer (or a vehicle inspection centre) and asking for a label to be applied. Alternatively, the installer could provide you with documents identifying the make, model and registration number of the vehicle, the overall VLT level of your treated windows and the name and signature of the person who carried out the installation.

A note about 'stickers'

Perforated plastic overlays aren't considered to be transparent overlays or tint film. They are defined in law as stickers.

You can put stickers on your windows if they meet the requirements described below. If the stickers don't meet these requirements, your vehicle won't pass its next WoF or CoF inspection.

• If the stickers are on the windscreen, they must be completely within 100 mm from the top or bottom edge of the windscreen or within 50 mm from the side edge of the windscreen.
• Stickers on the front side windows must be completely within 100 mm from the bottom edge of the glazing or within 50 mm from the top or side edges.
• If your vehicle has nine or fewer seating positions, stickers on the rear side or rear windows must be completely within 100 mm from any edge of the glazing.

What else can I put on my vehicle's windows?

You can fit a radio antenna to any window, as long as it's within 100 mm from any edge of the glazing.

You can have an electrically-heated demister unit on the rear window.

Windscreen wash and wipe systems

The law says that your vehicle's windscreen wash and wipe systems must keep the windscreen clean and clear enough for you (or another driver) to be able to drive safely at all times and under all weather conditions.

The law says that agricultural vehicles with windscreens must have a windscreen wipe system. Agricultural vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 2001 also need to have a windscreen wash system, unless this requirement is inappropriate for the use of the vehicle.

Rear-view mirrors

The law sets out general safety requirements for a vehicle's rear-view mirrors. These requirements apply to original and replacement mirrors. They must:

• be adjustable
• be attached securely
• enable the driver to see the vehicle and its load 'adequately' (and also any trailer and load the vehicle tows).

How many mirrors do I need?

The law says that:

• new passenger cars must have two rear-view mirrors (one outside, on the right-hand side, and an inside rear-view mirror)
• new light goods vehicles must have an outside right-hand side rear-view mirror and either an inside rear-view mirror or an outside left-hand side rear-view mirror
• new mopeds and motorcycles must have one rear-view mirror
• all other motor vehicles (except pedal cycles) not covered above need to have at least one rear-view mirror.

Where you can find out more

The safety requirements for windscreens and windows are set out in Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors 1999 ('the Glazing Rule'), as amended by Land Transport Rule: Glazing, Windscreen Wipe and Wash, and Mirrors Amendment 2005 ('the Glazing Amendment Rule').

The Rule:

• covers applying film overlays to glazing
• lists approved standards and trade names
• specifies marking requirements
• sets out safety standards for glazing repairs
• covers requirements for windscreen wipe and wash systems and rear-view mirrors.

Printed copies of the Rule are available from some libraries, bookshops that sell legislation, and from Legislation Direct, PO Box 12-418, Wellington.

If you have a question about vehicle windows, wipers and mirrors, please contact us:

• Email: info@nzta.govt.nz.
• Phone our driver licensing contact centre: 0800 699 000.
• Write to us: NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141.