Kerala High Court Rules Sun Film on Cars Is Legal — What the 2024 Order Means for You

Kerala High Court: Sun Film on Cars Is Legal If VLT Standards Are Met

In September 2024, the Kerala High Court delivered a significant ruling for car owners and the window tinting industry: applying aftermarket safety glazing film on vehicle windows is legally permissible, as long as it complies with the stipulated Visual Light Transmission (VLT) standards and Indian Standards specifications.

The challans (traffic citations) issued by the Regional Transport Officer against vehicle owners who had installed compliant sun films were declared illegal and unsustainable in law.

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Case Details

The petitioners — a sun film supplier — challenged the state's practice of penalising vehicle owners whose cars had aftermarket window films installed, arguing that the legal position had changed following a 2021 amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.

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What Changed: The CMVR Rule 100 Amendment (April 2021)

The legal turning point is Rule 100 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, which governs glazing standards for motor vehicles.

Before April 1, 2021, the rule permitted only factory-installed safety glass. Aftermarket plastic films were widely considered outside its scope, which was the basis for penalising vehicle owners.

Effective April 1, 2021, Rule 100 was amended to explicitly permit "Safety Glazing including glazing faced with plastics" — provided the glazing conforms to:

• Indian Standard IS 2553 (Part 2) (First Revision): 2019
• Global Technical Regulation No. 6
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) guidelines

The amended rule effectively brought compliant aftermarket films within the legal definition of permissible safety glazing.

The Kerala High Court's ruling is a direct application of this amended rule — it held that authorities cannot penalise vehicle owners for using materials that the amended law now explicitly allows.

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VLT Requirements: What the Court Confirmed

The court confirmed that the minimum Visual Light Transmission (VLT) thresholds remain unchanged:

VLT is the percentage of visible light that passes through the glass. A 70% VLT means 70% of light comes through — higher is clearer. Any sun film that maintains these minimums on the respective glass panels falls within the permissible standard.

The court also addressed a practical enforcement argument: it noted that no traffic officer can visually determine whether a plastic film was applied by the manufacturer or by the vehicle owner after purchase. This further undercut the rationale for penalising owners whose films were otherwise compliant.

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What the Court Struck Down

The court declared invalid the challans issued by the Regional Transport Officer against vehicle owners whose window glazing met the stipulated VLT percentages and IS 2553 standards.

The core finding: penalising compliant safety glazing is legally unjustified under the amended rule.

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Important Context: The Supreme Court's 2012 Order

This ruling does not exist in a vacuum. In 2012, the Supreme Court of India issued an order directing that no vehicle should have any black film on its windows. That order predated the 2021 CMVR amendment and has been the source of considerable legal uncertainty since.

The Kerala High Court's 2024 ruling is based on the post-amendment legal position — that the 2021 amendment to Rule 100 substantively changed what is permitted. However, as a single-bench High Court judgment, it does not override the Supreme Court's 2012 direction, which remains binding nationally under Article 141 of the Constitution.

This legal tension between the SC's 2012 order and the 2021 CMVR amendment has not been finally resolved at the Supreme Court level. The Kerala HC ruling is a strong and reasoned interpretation, but it is specific to Kerala jurisdiction and can be challenged.

In practice: enforcement in Kerala has eased significantly following this ruling, and compliant films are unlikely to attract challans. But car owners should remain aware that the national legal picture is still evolving.

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What This Means for Car Owners in Kerala

If your sun film complies with VLT requirements: - You cannot be lawfully penalised for it in Kerala under the current ruling - Challans issued against compliant films are legally challengeable - The film must meet IS 2553 (Part 2): 2019 — the standard applicable to safety glazing with plastics

If your sun film does not comply (too dark, below VLT minimums): - It remains illegal regardless of this ruling - The VLT thresholds — 70% front/rear, 50% sides — are the line

Practically speaking: - Choose films that maintain legal VLT from a reputable installer who can advise on compliance - Retain documentation of the film product and its specifications - Do not apply films below the VLT minimums and expect legal protection

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What to Do Before Installing Sun Film

1. Confirm VLT compliance — ask your installer for the film's VLT specification sheet. The film must allow at least 70% light through on the windscreen and rear glass, and 50% on the sides.

1. Choose IS-compliant film — look for products certified or tested against IS 2553 (Part 2): 2019 or equivalent recognised standards.

1. Use a professional installer — a controlled studio environment reduces risk of application defects, and a reputable installer will guide you on legal compliance before fitting.

1. Keep product documentation — in case of a roadside check, film brand details and specification sheets can support your position.

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TAS Detailing Studio: Legal-First Installation in Trivandrum

At TAS, every window tinting consultation starts with VLT compliance. We advise on the right film for your vehicle, use, and legal requirements — and we do not install films that breach the legal thresholds.

Our studio installation process in Trivandrum ensures cleaner application, better edge finishing, and documented product selection — giving you both thermal comfort and a defensible legal position.

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*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The law in this area is evolving. Consult a legal professional or your local RTO for current enforcement guidance specific to your situation.*