View Full Version : tinted screens and the law
Is a dark tinted screen legal?
For a bike yes, for a car no.
Quiff Wichard
19-06-06, 07:07 PM
for a telly--
useless !!
can't be illegal surely, i dont even look thru my screen...
bobit69
20-06-06, 04:13 PM
Tinted are ok, but Black ones will get you three points and £60 fine (Visor & Screen)! Ludricrous I know.. But True! :evil:
Villers
20-06-06, 05:54 PM
Surely that cant be true, bearing in mind that a screen is optional and is used for nothing more that deflecting wind?
Tinted are ok, but Black ones will get you three points and £60 fine (Visor & Screen)! Ludricrous I know.. But True! :evil:
Visors yes.. :evil:
screens no.. :roll:
Surely that cant be true, bearing in mind that a screen is optional and is used for nothing more that deflecting wind?
Sure its not true, what about naked bikes... surely they should therefore get done for not having a screen..?
SVeeedy Gonzales
21-06-06, 09:32 AM
Surely that cant be true, bearing in mind that a screen is optional and is used for nothing more that deflecting wind?
Sure its not true, what about naked bikes... surely they should therefore get done for not having a screen..?
It's probably got something to do with the bike being originally supplied with something and it only being classed as roadworthy with it in place - if it comes with a screen then it has to have it, but it it didn't have one in the first place it's alright.
I had a dark tinted screen from the previous owner which looked nice but I stuck the original back on, partly due to expected MoT/other hassles but mainly because I didn't fancy parts of the bike melting in the sun. Aftermarket screens can do that...
bobit69
21-06-06, 09:40 AM
Tinted are ok, but Black ones will get you three points and £60 fine (Visor & Screen)! Ludricrous I know.. But True! :evil:
Visors yes.. :evil:
screens no.. :roll:
This was read in MCN 30th June Issue, I know they talk crap, but I wouldn't have thought they would lie about that. Would they? Re Screen being illegal...
mudge32
21-06-06, 09:46 AM
I know they talk crap, but I wouldn't have thought they would lie about that. Would they? Re Screen being illegal...
Let me think about that for a microsecond :wink: (Thought denied if they try to sue us!!! ) :lol: :lol:
I don't see what difference the colour of a screen makes.
Are there any links to anywhere that says something about tinted screens? Smells like BS to me.
rictus01
21-06-06, 10:19 AM
having painted out a number of screens for one reason or another, I've never had an issue with it and don't expect to, with either DVLA test/plod or MOT's.
Cheers Mark.
rictus01
21-06-06, 10:21 AM
Tinted are ok, but Black ones will get you three points and £60 fine (Visor & Screen)! Ludricrous I know.. But True! :evil:
Visors yes.. :evil:
screens no.. :roll:
This was read in MCN 30th June Issue, I know they talk crap, but I wouldn't have thought they would lie about that. Would they? Re Screen being illegal...
MCN = use all the right words, just not nessisarily in the right order :lol: :lol: :lol:
Cheers Mark
I'll save the arguements, next time we get a police officer in (i work in a bike shop) i'll ask them what the law is on bike screens.
FFS, will everybody shut up before 'they' find something new to ban!!!!!!!!! :lol:
They are legal, even solid black ones. However, I think it's more to do with the fact it's main purpose is a wind deflector not a windscreen as such on a sports-bike. Looking through it is not a requirement of riding the bike. Also unlike a visor it's possible to see ahead of the bike without looking through it when the visibility drops by moving your head.
On the other hand, the massive riot shields on the front of Harley road kings etc. in solid black would see you pulled pretty sharpish, at least I hope so...... :wink:
Sir Trev
21-06-06, 11:58 AM
This may be why you do not see that many Ducati Paso's about any more...
http://www.micapeak.com/DPG/ducati/paso/00-PREVIEWS/ducati750paso.jpg.gif
muddycoffee
22-06-06, 03:40 PM
To be quite honest I watched the guy MOT my bike last week and it took about 6 minutes, and all these technical rules about things like this, I'm sure would pass him by unnoticed.
All I noticed him checking was the brakes, front Lights and steering bearings. And he put his hand on the rear tyre.
Not that I had anything dodgy, my bike is almost stock and in mint condition.
Agreed, watched my MOT and he didn't start the engine (but can was obviously standard)
Max legal tint on visor 20%.
No requirement on screens.
Thats my understanding of it.
100% tint sunglasses however do appear to be legal...... go figure :?
fizzwheel
22-06-06, 08:38 PM
My SV went through an MOT no problems. Its got a Powerbronze Double Bubble on in with a light smoke tint on it.
Ceri JC
23-06-06, 02:24 PM
My POV: Just fit it, plenty of police have seen my pitch black screen and never said anything.
If I did ever get a tug for it (not that I'm convinced it's illegal) I'd point out that as an advanced rider (rather than clown who constantly thinks they're on a racetrack) I sit upright, rather than "tucking in" visor pressed behind the screen. As a result, my screen obscures about a foot more in front of my front wheel than a transparent one would. Unless you're doing sub 1mph speeds, it is utterly irrelevant.
I think police might have something to say (and justifiably) if you had a completely matt black "windshield" on an electraglide, or even just on bikes where they stick up high (KTM Adventure, Triumph Tiger, etc.) where it actually obscured your view, but lets be honest, no one is going to fit something that would actually severely impair their view of the road. :roll:
guys did a bit of research on your behalf, being in the police I asked a few traffic friends who then set about trying to find an offence for a black or opaque screen.
VERDICT: none they could find however it would be the officers discretion as to whether the screen was considered an obstruction to the forwards view of the rider.
CONCLUSION: hopefully no-one on a tourer type bike would be senseless enough, equally what screen manufacturer would make one?? considering the business ethics of supply and demand.
So get out there and buy whatever screen you like to dress your SV!!
Thank you all for your postings
Now I just have to decide which screen to get?
My SV went tho MOT last week and the guy was very particular and thorough with his examination. My screen is solid black and he didnt comment on it at all - so it must be legal otherwise it wouldnt have passed?
just my tuppence worth
SVdevil
04-07-06, 08:24 PM
My dads a traffic cop ( i know its terrible) and he checked (as he would never pull one)
Screens-legal
visors-illegal.
Thread closed.
born2rock86
04-07-06, 11:59 PM
My screen is black, 100% opaque!
Had it like that for over a year and a half now.. never a problem.
My visor is silver, never a problem with that either..
SVeeedy Gonzales
06-07-06, 10:01 AM
I discovered on the way to/from Donington that if you hunker down on that tank at higher speeds (on the private roads) you'll be looking through the screen instead of over it. Get a few more mhp too. Then you'll definitely want to be able to see through the thing.
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