KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Unless you are a billionaire or suffering from a skin condition, you may not be allowed to drive vehicles that have heavily-tinted windscreens and windows. A nationwide crackdown on vehicles with heavily-tinted glass starts on July 1. Owners of these vehicles will be slapped with a RM200 fine.

Road Transport Department (RTD) enforcement director Salim Parlan said those who were allowed to drive vehicles with heavily-tinted glass would have to show proof that they had permission to do so.

Motorists would need to show proof, such as a police report, if their life was under threat or a doctor's letter if they were suffering from a skin disease, he said.

"For instance, a billionaire or a person suffering from a skin disease can apply for an exemption from the transport minister."

Under the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Certain Types of Glass) Rules 1991, the chief judge and top ranking police and army officers are also exempted from the ruling.

The crackdown, which was supposed to have started in the middle of last year, was delayed due to technical problems.

It was found that the gadgets which are used to check windscreens and windows can only read the percentage of tint during the day.

The department then bought 150 autolight plus meters from Melbourne that can calculate light penetration at night.

The attorney-general's office also needed time to study the implications of the amended law.

With the amendment, car owners have to comply with a 70 per cent light penetration rule for the front windscreen and 50 per cent light penetration for the rear windscreen and side windows.

Non-governmental organisations and car associations were opposed to the move because they wanted a heavier tint for windscreens and windows to cope with global warming.

However, the Transport Ministry felt this was unnecessary because vehicles were equipped with air-conditioners which help to keep motorists cool.

Salim said the enforcement on tinted glass was given the green light due to safety reasons.

"If you have a heavily-tinted window, the driver might not be able to see the side windows well. It is dangerous."

Currently, drivers are issued a two-week notice by RTD enforcement officers to remove the dark tint from their windscreens and windows, and return for an inspection at any RTD office.