Tinted Glass Permit in Pakistan: The Rs 15,000 Plan
No, a tinted glass permit is not open to ordinary drivers in Pakistan. Dark tinted windows are still not allowed on normal private vehicles. But that may change, because the government has proposed letting car owners tint their windows legally for Rs 15,000 a year.
Important: this is a proposal, not a law. Nothing has been notified. If someone tells you tint is legal now, they are early.
What the Government Has Proposed
The biggest change is the price, and most people have missed it.
The earlier draft charged Rs 15,000 for three years. In May 2026, the Senate Standing Committee on Interior recommended charging Rs 15,000 every year instead. Same number, one third of the coverage.
The Ministry of Interior then prepared a revised draft of the Tinted Glass Permit Policy. What it says:
- Ordinary citizens pay Rs 15,000 per year
- Serving and former MNAs and Senators pay nothing
- Foreigners are out. "Foreigner" was replaced with "diplomat", so only accredited diplomatic staff can apply
- Who qualifies is still narrow. The latest reports say permits will mainly be for medical or security reasons (TechJuice)
The draft has gone to stakeholders for comments. Final approval and notification are still awaited.
What Is Legal Today
Nothing has changed on the ground yet.
Dark tints on windscreens and side windows are largely prohibited under the Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 and the Pakistan Motor Vehicles Rules 1969. Limited tinting on rear windows is allowed in some areas under specific conditions.
Current permits are rare. In August, the Interior Ministry told a Senate committee that existing permits carry a QR code, last 6 to 12 months, are checked on the spot, and that about 1,800 are active (APP).
Crackdowns are not rare either. Security-driven operations have run in Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Rawalpindi, and on motorway routes.
Fines differ by province. Punjab Traffic Police list a Rs 500 fine for a car or jeep with tinted or covered glass. There is no single national figure.
Fake Tint NOCs: The Ministry Is Chasing Them
In September, the Interior Ministry ordered provincial chief secretaries and police chiefs to act against people issuing fake tinted-glass NOCs in its name (TechJuice).
The ministry says it has issued no tint NOC since 31 March 2013. That does not fully match the 1,800 QR-coded permits it reported a month earlier, so treat any permit offer with extreme care.
- Never buy a tint "NOC" from an agent. It may be fake, and you may be the one caught with it
- Check the domain. A real Government of Pakistan site ends in .gov.pk
- Never pay a permit fee to a website you cannot verify
What the Draft Still Does Not Say
- How dark you can go. No tint percentage or light-transmission limit is stated
- How to apply. No application procedure is published
- Who issues it. The issuing authority is not confirmed
- How it will be enforced, or whether it will work the same way in every province
So even if you wanted to follow the rule today, you could not. The rulebook is unfinished.
What a Tinted Glass Permit Means for Car Buyers and Sellers
At AutoOnes we see this from both sides every week.
If you are buying an imported car
Japanese imports often arrive with factory tint already fitted. It was legal where the car was built. Here it sits in a grey area.
Keep your import documents in the car. They show the tint came fitted from the factory, not from a shop.
Authorities have cancelled permits that were already issued, including some on medical grounds and some for imported vehicles. A permit in hand has not always meant permanent safety.
If you are selling
Aftermarket tint can quietly cost you money. Buyers know the film may have to come off, so they discount your car before they even call.
Many sellers now remove the tint before listing. It photographs cleaner and it kills one objection.
Why People Are Arguing About It
Parliamentarians get it free. Ordinary citizens pay Rs 15,000 every year.
Many people feel a road safety rule should cost the same for everyone, or nothing for everyone.
The security argument is real too. Dark windows make it hard to see who is inside a vehicle, which is why agencies have pushed back for years.
What You Should Do Right Now
- Do not install dark tint yet. The policy is not notified. Today's rules still apply
- Carry your import papers if your imported car came with factory tint
- Use the official route if you have a genuine security or medical case. That runs through the Ministry of Interior
- Never buy a tint NOC from an agent. The ministry is chasing fakes
- Wait for the notification. When it lands, we will publish the exact steps here
Tinted Glass Rules in Pakistan: Quick Comparison
| Today | Under the proposed policy | |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary drivers | Not allowed without a permit | Rs 15,000 per year |
| MNAs and Senators | Case by case | Free |
| Foreigners | Could apply | Accredited diplomats only |
| Tint darkness limit | Restricted under 1965 and 1969 rules | Still not defined |
| Status | In force | Draft, not notified |
FAQs
Is tinted glass legal in Pakistan right now?
Not for ordinary drivers. A Rs 15,000 yearly permit has been proposed, but it has not been approved or notified.
How much will the tinted glass permit cost?
The proposed fee is Rs 15,000 per year for private vehicle owners. Serving and former parliamentarians would pay nothing.
Who will qualify for a permit?
The latest reports say the draft mainly allows permits on medical or security grounds. Final rules are not out.
What is the fine for tinted glass?
It depends on the province. Punjab Traffic Police list Rs 500 for a car or jeep with tinted or covered glass.
Are tint NOCs sold by agents real?
Be very careful. The Interior Ministry says it has issued no tint NOC since 2013 and has ordered action against fake ones.
What about factory tint on imported cars?
It has been a grey area for years. Until the new policy is notified, keep your import documents in the vehicle.
How dark can my tint be?
Nobody knows yet. The draft states no tint percentage. Today's limits come from the 1965 Ordinance and the 1969 Rules.
Sources
- TechJuice on the fake NOC crackdown and the draft's medical and security grounds (21 September 2026)
- APP on QR-coded permits and the 1,800 active permits
- ProPakistani on the annual fee and the exemption
- Samaa on the eligibility change
- Punjab Traffic Police offences and penalties list
- Provincial Motor Vehicles Ordinance 1965 and Pakistan Motor Vehicles Rules 1969
- Senate Standing Committee on Interior recommendations, May 2026
Disclaimer
This article explains a proposed government policy in plain words. It is not legal advice. Rules can change without notice and enforcement varies by province. For your own case, confirm with the relevant authority or a qualified lawyer.
We track every change in Pakistan's auto rules. When the tinted glass policy is officially notified, this page will be updated with the full application process. Bookmark it.