GEORGETOWN, Guyana — Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond on Friday announced a major overhaul of Guyana’s motor-vehicle tint regulations, unveiling a new system that introduces universal tint allowances, sharply defined waiver categories and stricter enforcement measures aimed at curbing widespread abuse.
Walrond said the revised framework, which takes immediate effect, follows a comprehensive review of the existing mechanism and consultations with the Guyana Police Force and other technical specialists. She said the current process has become “burdensome, inconsistent, and vulnerable to manipulation,” with an exponential rise in requests for tint waivers and mounting complaints of unscrupulous practices.
Under the new regime, all motor vehicles will now be permitted to have tint of no less than 35% light penetration without requiring a waiver—a major shift from the previous rules, which did not allow tinted windows without ministerial approval.
For higher-risk or security-related cases, the ministry will introduce three clearly defined tint-waiver categories.
Categories 1 and 2 will apply strictly to diplomats, government officials, high-profile security-related persons and other individuals specifically approved by the Minister. Walrond said the legislation governing tint exemptions will be amended to reflect and legalize these new classifications.
“These changes are intended to bring predictability, equity and fairness to the long-standing issue of tint management,” Walrond said, warning that non-compliance will attract the prescribed fines and charges under traffic laws.
She noted that before this overhaul, no tint was permissible without a ministerial waiver, and even with a waiver, the minimum previously allowed was 65% light penetration—much lighter than what will now be allowed across the board.
To ensure an orderly transition, motorists have been granted a compliance period until December 31, 2025. After that date, the Guyana Police Force will launch aggressive nationwide enforcement operations.
Walrond said the reforms aim to eliminate administrative delays, streamline the approval process and restore integrity to tint oversight, which has long been criticized for loopholes and opportunities for abuse.