Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 12 July 2025
In an effort to enhance road safety and ensure strict compliance with vehicle visibility norms, the Andaman & Nicobar Traffic Police has issued a public advisory reiterating the legal position on the use of tinted films/nets in motor vehicles.
Referring to the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment in Avishek Goenka vs. Union of India (Writ Petition (Civil) No. 265 of 2011), dated 27th April 2012, and the provisions under Rule 100(2) of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, the advisory highlights the prohibition of black films or any additional material on vehicle windows and windscreens, regardless of their Visual Light Transmission (VLT) percentage.
According to the ruling, vehicle manufacturers are permitted to produce vehicles with factory-fitted tinted glasses, provided they meet the required VLT standards — 70% for front and rear windscreens and 50% for side windows. However, any aftermarket application of black films or other materials on the glass surfaces of vehicles is strictly prohibited.
The Supreme Court had further directed enforcement agencies to not only issue challans for such violations but also ensure the immediate removal of the black films from the offending vehicles.
The A&N Traffic Police has urged vehicle owners, automobile service providers, and other stakeholders in the transport sector to adhere strictly to these regulations in the larger interest of public safety and effective law enforcement.
Additionally, the general public has been encouraged to report traffic violations by sending clear photographs or short videos — capturing the registration number, date, time, and location of the offence — to the official WhatsApp number 9531892228 for prompt action.
