Police in Reg 3 taking ‘soft approach’ as new tint rules take effect

Even though the grace period for compliance with Guyana’s new vehicular tint regulations has ended, traffic police in Region Three (Essequibo Island West Demerara) say they are still taking a “soft approach” by warning and educating motorists rather than immediately moving to rigid enforcement. This was disclosed by Superintendent Maniram Jagnanan, Officer in Charge of Traffic for Region Three, during a recent episode of ‘Police and You. ‘ He explained that while the April 1, 2026 deadline has passed, officers are continuing their public sensitisation exercise across the region.

“We’re continuing with our tint sensitisation exercise. Although the grace period is over, we still take a softer approach towards members of the public, still educating persons about the tint regulation,” Superintendent Jagnanan said.

Officer in Charge of Traffic for Region Three, Superintendent Maniram Jagnanan and a colleague during a recent programme

He explained that the police are not seeking to abruptly penalise motorists who may still be unclear about the updated rules, but noted that particular attention is being paid to vehicles with front windscreen tint, which remains prohibited outside of the approved visor allowance.

“So, it’s not a case that because of the 4th of April, we started to do rigid enforcement. We still take a softer approach. We let members of the public still know. But for those who had the front windscreen, we politely ask them to remove it, so that they comply with it,” he stated. According to the traffic officer, police in Region Three had already conducted several roadside sensitisation exercises prior to the deadline, during which ranks stopped motorists and explained the permitted tint levels and visor requirements. He said one of the areas that continues to cause confusion among drivers is the legal visor measurement for windscreen tint. “If your windscreen is 36 inches or less, you have to have a six-inch visor. If your windscreen is more, which is 37 inches or upward, you can have a ten-inch visor. That’s what is required,” Jagnanan explained. He noted that despite concerns leading up to the enforcement date, traffic police in the region have generally been receiving cooperation from the motoring public. “So far, we are having full cooperation from members of the public,” he said. The Superintendent also said police have moved to ensure that traffic ranks are not seen as exempt from the rules, revealing that officers’ private vehicles were also checked and owners instructed to remove illegal tint.

“We would have also enforced a policy whereby our ranks in the region, their personal vehicle, we would have ensured that, look, at least you remove your front windscreen tint, so that members of the public… don’t have cause or reason to say, ‘How are you enforcing tint on me and your vehicle is darker?’” he said.

While acknowledging that some cases have already been made, Jagnanan stressed that officers were instructed to prioritise education and compliance over immediate punitive action. “Yeah, we made cases, but remember, like I said, we were told to ensure that we take a softer approach and to ensure that we continue the sensitisation exercises,” he added.

Authorities have repeatedly urged motorists to familiarise themselves with the new tint regulations and make the necessary adjustments to avoid penalties once stricter enforcement begins. The new tint regulations officially took effect on January 1, 2026, with motorists being granted a three-month grace period to bring their vehicles into compliance. That amnesty ended on March 31, and full enforcement was expected to begin from April 1, with authorities previously warning that motorists found in breach could face a $30,000 fine.

The Home Affairs Ministry reminded motorists that the approved tint levels are 25 per cent visible Light Transmission (VLT) for front widows’ glasses while the rear passenger windows and back glass is 20 per cent. No tint is permitted on the front windscreen, except for a visor measuring six inches from the top.