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The current Licence conditions state:
Tinted Windows. All vehicles must comply with the Road Vehicles
(Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 and in particular the
requirements relating to tinted windows, which states that as a
minimum:
•The light transmitted through the windscreen must be at least
75% and the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light to
be transmitted through them.
•Waverley also requires that vehicles will only be considered
suitable where all rear windows allow at least 22% of light to be
transmitted through them.
•Tinted films applied to the vehicle windows (after
manufacture) are not permitted.
It is proposed to amend the condition to state:
Tinted Windows. All vehicles must comply with the Road Vehicles
(Construction & Use) Regulations 1986 and in particular the
requirements relating to tinted windows, which states that as a
minimum:
•The light transmitted through the windscreen must be at least
75% and the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light to
be transmitted through them.
•Waverley also requires that vehicles will only be considered
suitable where all rear windows allow at least 22% of light to be
transmitted through them.
•Vehicles with privacy glazing installed at the time of
manufacture are excluded from this licence condition.
•Tinted films applied to the vehicle windows (after
manufacture) are not permitted.
This brings the WBC licence conditions into line with the GBC
licence conditions.

Reasons for the decision

New cars are increasingly supplied with tinted
rear side and tinted rear screens which do not meet the current
tinting conditions. The cost of replacing these windows is
prohibitive and is often extremely difficult to source them. We are
requiring vehicles to be replaced after they are 10 years old with
vehicles under 4 years old. The additional cost significantly
affects the viability of replacing vehicles and operating taxis or
private hire vehicles. Many customers also express a preference for
vehicles with tinted rear side windows and rear screens for
privacy. Guildford BCs licence conditions allow factory fitted
tinted rear side and rear windows and this amendment will bring
Waverley's policy into line with Guildford's. Safeguarding concerns
can be addressed by other licence conditions around the suitability
of drivers, DBS and criminal records checks etc.

Alternative options considered

Not allowing the exemption- Waverley's licence
conditions would differ from Guildford's licence conditions. The
significant additional cost will deter some operators from
replacing vehicles and opting to cease providing the service which
would have an adverse impact on the availability of taxis and
private hire vehicles and limit customer accessibility to the
service.