GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Guyana will introduce new vehicle window tint regulations from January 1, 2026, allowing motorists to use limited tint without exemptions while setting clear standards aimed at improving road safety and law enforcement, Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond said in a statement on Monday.
Walrond said that when she assumed office, the law effectively prohibited tinted windows unless a special exemption was granted, and even then required a minimum of 65 percent Visible Light Transmission (VLT). However, she noted that enforcement realities had shifted, with more than 70 percent of vehicles on the road operating well outside the legal limits.
“It was evident that our country had outgrown what was, in effect, a ban on tint,” Walrond said, adding that a more practical and enforceable framework was needed to reflect modern conditions while safeguarding public safety.
The new Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic (Tint) Regulations 2025 were enacted following public consultation and will introduce uniform, measurable standards enforced through approved tint meters, the minister said. The regulations remove the need for exemptions for most motorists by permitting a defined level of tint across vehicle categories.
Under the new rules, no tint will be allowed on the front windscreen, except for a visor strip not exceeding six inches from the top of the windscreen. Front side windows for drivers and front passengers must allow a minimum of 25 percent VLT, while rear side windows and the rear windscreen must allow at least 20 percent VLT. Mirrored or reflective tints are prohibited.
Walrond said the updated framework is designed to reduce ambiguity, promote fairness and consistency, and strengthen public safety by allowing law enforcement officers to rely on objective measurements rather than subjective assessments.
The regulations also provide for exemptions for specific categories of vehicles and individuals. These include vehicles used by the president and prime minister, designated senior government officials, the Guyana Police Force, Defence Force, Fire Service and Prison Service, emergency vehicles such as ambulances, and diplomatic and consular missions.
Exemptions will also apply to licensed private security agencies, businesses involved in high-risk cash handling or security-sensitive operations, and individuals with certified medical conditions requiring reduced exposure to sunlight.
Walrond said the revisions reflect the People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration’s approach of public engagement and responsiveness, noting that adjustments were made after feedback following her initial announcement earlier this month.
She said the new regulations strike a balance between modern vehicle use and the need for transparency and safety on Guyana’s roads, while supporting more effective and equitable enforcement nationwide.