The insatiable nature of man has made him to always seek luxuries in his life. There are instances wherein laws are enacted to regulate the usage of such luxuries.

In Nigeria, one of those laws is the MOTOR VEHICLE (PROHIBITION OF TINTED GLASS) ACT which regulate the usage of tinted glass car.

We shall hereunder discuss the said Act “MOTOR VEHICLE (PROHIBITION OF TINTED GLASS) ACT” especially the regulations and penalty for its violations

Section 1 of the act states that:

“Except with the permission of the appropriate authority designated for the purposes of this Act and for such good cause as may be determined from time to time by the appropriate authority, no person shall cause any glass fitted on a motor vehicle to be tinted; or shaded; or coloured lightly or thickly; or darkened; or treated in any other way, so that the persons or objects in the motor vehicle are rendered obscure or invisible”.

The law recognizes that there are some vehicles brought into the country with the glass already tinted. The law states in section 3 of the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act that anyone who imports a vehicle with tinted glasses into the country is allowed to change the glasses within a period of ninety days.

Anyone who decides to drive around in a tinted glass vehicle without a permit is committing an offence.

It should be noted that the law permits two grounds where a tinted glass vehicle could be driven around; 

First is on the grounds of security reasons and the second is medical reasons. If you need to get a tinted glass permit, you have to tender either of these two reasons beyond reasonable doubts.

The authority to issue a tinted glass permit is bestowed on the Inspector General of Police or any person or authority authorised by him to give such permission.

PENALTY: Section 4(1) provides;  Any person who commits an offence under this Act shall on 

conviction be liable to a fine of N2,OOO or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or to both such fine and imprisonment.

The general impression of Nigerians is that the law regulating the use of tinted glasses on all vehicles is no longer in effect, leading to the question: Is the tinted glass permit still necessary?

This question will be summarily answered.

First, tinted glasses are of two categories – factory fitted and non-factory fitted.

By the Minister’s declaration before the elections, it is illegal to drive any car whose glasses are not factory tinted as their permits were revoked outright, hence the forced removal of the tints. The permits for factory fitted glasses were exempted from this revocation, and all users of factory-tinted vehicles must continue to obtain permits as prescribed by the law (see link below) to legally drive their cars in Nigeria.

Let me state in addition that the Minister cannot on his own proscribe an existing law. There is a legal process for that, for which we have the Legislature. The Minister’s declaration can therefore not be read to invalidate an existing law – Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Decree

I submit therefore, that against the general belief that these permits are no longer necessary, every car owner whose vehicle carries factory tinted glasses must obtain a police permit for the car to be driven in Nigeria, and a knowledgeable Police Officer will be standing on the law if he seeks to enforce same at the usual checkpoints.

The Nigerian police have made it required for all vehicle owners to propose to utilize tinted glasses to get licenses from them in their states of residence. The Police Tinted Glass Permit is free if the best possible method is followed and it requires persistence, till the police deliver the license for the tinted glass.

In Nigeria, and in other countries of the world, it is entirely expected to see vehicles with tinted windows, which keep the daylight from entering, and cut off what an outcast sees of the inside of the vehicle. Car owners here and there like to have the windows and windscreens of their vehicles and different vehicles so concealed for various reasons. Tinted glasses make the driving experience pleasurable for these drivers.

This state of tinted vehicle windows, which reduces visibility into the vehicle, is known as tinted glass. In Nigeria, for various authority reasons, vehicle owners require an official tinted glass permit to drive a vehicle with tinted glasses legitimately.

The laws managing car ownership and use in Nigeria make it required for all vehicle owners and users with tinted windows to have a license to do as such. An inability to get an official prior to utilizing tinted windows on your vehicle is a genuine offense in Nigeria.

What Is So Great About Having Tinted Windows In Your Car?

Having tinted glass in vehicles and different vehicles is a mainstream pattern in Nigeria and even external the nation. Most tinted glass vehicles accompany processing plant fitted glass, however you can likewise have colors included in an auto-workshop. Vehicle owners and users will ordinarily look to get tinted glass in their vehicles for the following reasons:

1) Security: Security concerns are likewise a solid purpose behind getting tinted glass for your vehicle. The driver, travelers, and any things of significant worth in the vehicle will, in general, appreciate an additional level of security if they are mostly or completely stowed away from prying eyes. It is a frequently cited security exhortation to halt from keeping resources in a left vehicle to evade a break-in. Tinted glass makes this preventive measure pointless as potential violators can’t see into the vehicle. Likewise, in Nigeria, numerous public authorities generally speaking have tinted glass on their official vehicles that carry them around.

2) Decrease of daylight and warmth: In spite of the fact that this advantage is just relevant during the day, it is as yet a much-wanted advantage, particularly in warm atmospheres like Nigeria. You can accomplish relative coolness on a hot, bright day even without the utilization of the vehicle’s cooling framework if you have tinted glass in use. Some portion of this advantage is additionally the obstructing of possibly destructive bright beams from the sun.

3) Support of windows and glass: The tinted glass measure serves to partially make the glass and windows thicker. This fortifies the glass, making it significantly less liable to break on effect. In some cases, a polythene material is utilized for fixing/coloring the glass, making it a lot more secure if there should arise an occurrence of breakage as it forestalls fragmenting.

4) Protection & privacy: Individuals are exceptionally specific about their protection. When driving a vehicle, particularly in populated areas in Nigeria, a driver or car owner may confront a few hours in rush hour gridlock. In such cases, tinted windows and glass secure a level of protection.

What are the requirements for a tinted glass permit in Nigeria?

The tinted glass permit can be allowed by the Nigerian Police just on two conditions. In the event that you demand a coloured glass allow and observe you with an apt explanation, either for security reasons or for wellbeing reasons. Those are the significant two reasons the grant can be approved by the NPF.

1) Security: This is maybe the most widely recognized purpose behind the application and authorization of a tinted license. The candidate is needed to demonstrate their individual case to the responsible specialists. Conceding of the license isn’t programmed, and every application is endorsed or denied for its own benefit. Numerous public authorities and other public characters, for example, performers, footballers, and entertainers will ordinarily have their applications affirmed consequently.

These people of note require additional security just as protection because of their exceptionally open life and exercises. They likewise need this degree of secrecy when they are out and about or on the way, making a vehicle with coloured glass and windows very reasonable for them. They can in this way effectively apply for and get endorsement for tinted glass licenses.

2) Health status: An affirmed ailment can likewise be adequate motivation to be given a permit Victims of certain skin conditions that are exacerbated by direct daylight are qualified to apply under this condition. You will require clinical authentication from a certified constantly clinical specialist.

How To Apply for Tinted Glass Permit In Nigeria

1. To register for a Tint Glass Permit visit the Nigeria Police Force’s Website http://www.npf.gov.ng/tinted
2. Fill in the required information,
3. Click submit,
4. A login password will be provided 5) Upload proof of ownership and driver’s license,
5. Provide the details of your car
6. Input your car insurance number then upload these documents in the provided portal,
7. Select submit and print out the page,
8. Submit the printed copy to your nearest Police headquarters.

• – Provide your printout to the Police Headquarters ICT department, you will be required to register for capturing and biometrics of your fingers.
• – After undergoing the capturing process, a paper will be given to you, with this inscription:” UNDER PROCESSING WITH SIGNATURE & DATE.”
• – Visit your portal regularly to monitor if your permit has been approved.

Tinted glass permit in Nigeria: Everything you need to know

Most Nigerians love driving cars with tinted cars, most do this for privacy while others do this for security reasons. In other to curb the menace of kidnapping, drug smuggling, armed robbery, and other crimes, the government made it compulsory that any citizen who drives a car with tinted glass must have a permit to do so. This article will teach you everything you need to know about tinted glass permit in Nigeria. This will cover reasons for driving tinted glass, the process of acquiring a tinted permit in Nigeria, the level of tinted glasses that require a permit, the cost of acquiring a tinted permit in Nigeria, and the organization that issues tinted permit.

What are tinted glasses?

  Tinting a glass is when you add some layers of covering to it in other to reduce the amount of light and visibility that enters the vehicle.

 What is a tinted permit?

 This is a document issued by the Nigerian Police to citizens or corporations who own tinted vehicles. In other parts of the world, a tinted permit is also issued. The law regulating motor vehicle ownership and use in Nigeria makes it mandatory for all car users with tinted windows to have a permit to tint their glasses.

Getting a tinted permit now is very easy since Nigerian Police design an online form where you can register and upload documents to their online database. The only place you might be delayed is when you go for biometric capture at the Police headquarters.

1. Go to http://npf.gov.ng/tinted/
2. File the application form on the right to obtain an Application ID.
3. Complete the Application Process by Login in with your email and the Application ID electronically generated.
4. Fill in the Bio-Data form when logged-in and enter the details of the vehicle you want to obtain a tinted permit for with the instructions outlined on the page.
5.  Upload your vehicle license, proof of ownership.
6. Print out the information submitted then take the Print-out to the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) in any Police Command, to capture your biometrics.
7. Applicants applying on medical grounds must upload a medical report obtained from any government hospital and must bring original copies of all relevant documents for verification before their biometric can be captured.
8. Upon completion of this procedure, your application shall be processed and decisions including the issuance of the permit if the application is successful shall be conveyed within five working days. Your application will be fully processed after these steps.

Applicants with challenges of processing their application online can go to the State Intelligence Bureau (SIB) within their State Police Command or the FHQ Abuja for support. Note that motor vehicle tinted permit can only be issued to applicants that meet the requirement as stated in section 66(2) of the National Road Traffic Regulation (1997) and Section 1(1) of the Motor Vehicle (prohibition of tinted glass) ACT, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

   Can tinted permits be transferred to another user?

 NO. The tinted permit cannot be transferred to another user. If you sell your car with tinted glasses, the new owner must either apply for his permit or change the glasses.

 Nigerian Police evaluate applications based on an owner/vehicle basis.

  What’s the cost of applying for a tinted permit?

Applying for a tinted permit in Nigeria is free. It could have been 100% free if the process can be completed online. When you go biometric capture, any money that is requested from you is illegal.

  My glass is not that dark, do I need a tinted permit too?

 Yes, you do. Any car that does not come with 100 percent clear glasses must have a tinted permit. It’s clearly stated in the constitution.

  What’s the grace period of the tinted permit?

 The grace period of a tinted permit is 14-days from the day of clearing at the port or the first day of purchase.

 What are the conditions for applying for a tinted permit?

 There are only two conditions by which you can apply for a vehicle tinted permit in Nigeria. They are 1. Security reasons and 2. Medical grounds.

• Security: Most people, especially the VIPs always apply for a tinted permit for this reason. Popular people such as politicians, footballers, musicians, etc can apply on the grounds of security and get it approved for their safety. The reason that These public figures can be approved is because they need some level of anonymity when they are on the road.
• Medical grounds: Your application can be approved on medical grounds if you can present a medical report that the sun rays have effects on your body. This is the easiest way of applying for a tinted permit. The sun rays most times is not too good for the especially the rays you find in some northern part of the country. If you have medical conditions, you can do well to apply for a tinted permit.

Are there fake tinted permits?

 Yes, there are fake ones. For your best interest, I will advise you to apply for it directly or if you want someone to help you, it must be someone you trust.

Conclusion

In the event that you are driving a vehicle with colored glasses, I will encourage you to cross paths with anybody. So that you can exercise your right at any time, anywhere, always be on the safe side. I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t have a tinted permit because it’s free and easy to get.

Additionally, people inquire about the cost of obtaining a tinted license in Nigeria and how to apply for one in Nigeria.

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