We’ve all seen those big cars go by with the dark tinted windows and wondered if there is someone famous inside.

For the people on the other side of the glass, part of the fun is making everybody think there is a celebrity inside. So it’s not surprising that in the window tinting industry, the darkest tint is called the Celebrity Tint.

But before you rush out and turn your car into something from a Hollywood movie set, there are actually guidelines how dark you can legally tint your car windows.

People tint their car windows for a number of reasons.

• Studies have shown that automotive window film can enhance road safety measures by reducing glare by up to 90 percent.
• Up to 80% of the heat that penetrates untreated windows can be blocked by solar control window film. This reduces the need for air conditioners, plus makes fuel consumption more effective.
• Tinting blocks up to 99% of UV radiation, not only protecting passengers but also reduces sun damage to the car’s interior.
• Some people just like the added privacy that tinting can bring.

States and territories have different laws and regulations when it comes to tinted windows. It is the car owner’s responsibility to comply with these regulations, so check them carefully before applying window tint to your car.

However, in all states and territories across Australia, the front windscreen must not have any additional window film applied to it, with the exception of a visor strip across the top section that does not exceed 10 percent of the windscreen.

Most regulations refer to a “Visible Light Transmission” (VLT) which describes the percentage of light that is able to penetrate through the window film to the interior of the car.

Current regulations for windows other than the windscreen

• VIC, NSW, ACT, SA, TAS and QLD: a minimum VLT of 35 percent applies to all side and back windows.

• NT: driver and front passenger side windows must have a resultant VLT of not less than 35 percent. Windows behind the driver can be tinted to a minimum resultant VLT of 16 percent.

• WA: driver and front passenger side windows must have a resultant VLT of not less than 35 percent. Windows behind the driver can be tinted to a minimum resultant VLT of 20 percent.

As applying a tint that breaches the legal limit renders your vehicle unroadworthy, always check local government regulations before having tinted window film applied. Keep in mind that regulations and laws may change over time.