The Guyana government has warned that motorists who fail to comply with new tint regulations will face a fine of GUY$75,000 (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents).
Home Affairs Minister Oneidge Walrond said that the measure is part of the efforts to standardise the use of tinted windows on motor vehicles, allowing all owners to apply 35 per cent tint on side windows and 70 per cent tint on front windscreens.
‘On my first day, I was greeted with a large stack of tint wavers and also with the request or people reaching out asking what the process is.Clearly, this confusion lends itself to lots of unscrupulous persons manipulating the system for their own benefit, taking advantage of citizens who are unclear in how to access this waiver,’ Walrond said, adding that this will eliminate the longstanding tint waiver system and ease public frustration while ensuring fairness and transparency.
‘We drafted the amendment based on the policy that everyone should have access to a tinted vehicle. Removing the whole burden on the system that people have to seek to get a waiver, and hence making the process transparent and predictable,’ Walrond said.
She said before drafting the amendment, there had been consultation with the Guyana Police Force (GPF), examining longstanding restrictions, finding no evidence linking tinted vehicles to increased criminal activity.
‘There was no basis to continue withholding permission for citizens to have tint, and the public clearly expressed they wanted this protection,’ she said, noting that UV exposure, climate considerations and strong public sentiment all supported easing the rules.
The amended legislation will be taken to Parliament soon and will outline compliance measures, exemption categories and enforcement procedures.