As long as you are careful to get legal window tint for cars in British Columbia, you can and by all means should have window film applied on all legal windows if your car does not already have factory tint in place. In BC, there is no need to worry about the VLT (or visible light transmission) rating of tints, because on some windows no tint is allowed, while on others the tint darkness is not regulated and any darkness of tint can be used.

 

We will look at each window of vehicles in turn in order to make it clear what tint is legal in British Columbia and what tint is prohibited.

 

Windshield Window Tint in British Columbia

 

You are allowed to apply windshield tint to a thin strip at the top of the windshield of a vehicle registered in British Columbia. BC tint laws allow for a 7.5-centimeter strip (three inches) of window film applied onto the glass, and this strip of tinting can help keep the sun out of your eyes as you drive. It is a great safety feature and should by all means be applied, but it’s also readily visible from the exterior of the vehicle, so police will see if you get illegal windshield tinting.

 

Front Side Window Tint in British Columbia

 

Window tint is completely illegal on the front side windows of all privately owned vehicles in British Columbia. That means the windows beside the driver and shotgun seat must be completely free of window film. While this is a frustration for many vehicle owners, there are logical reasons to ban tint on these windows. First, the clear windows allow police and other authorities to see into the cabin and ensure their own safety during a traffic stop.

 

And second, because window film greatly reinforces auto glass, tinting can make it hard to break a window and allow easy escape from the vehicle (or allow rescue personnel to get into the automobile) if the doors are damaged during an accident.

 

That said, you are allowed to install optically clear but UV-blocking window film on these front side windows.

 

Back Side Window Tint in British Columbia

 

The windows on the side of a car behind the driver’s row may be tinted to any darkness, including complete blackout privacy tinting. This is true for the back seat row in a sedan or for multiple rows in vans or larger SUVs. This rear side window tint can completely block the view into the vehicle, which can help keep occupants private and keep possessions stored in the vehicle protected from the sight of potential thieves while the car is parked.

 

Rear Window Tint in British Columbia

 

As with the rear side windows, the rear window (also known as the rear windshield) of a vehicle in BC may be tinted down to any darkness. Rear windows can be completely dark from the outside, blocking all view into the vehicle.

 

If any window tint is present on the rear window, even if it is not dark privacy tint, then the vehicle must have exterior rear view windows (AKA side view windows) in place.

 

Other British Columbia Car Tint Laws

 

The rules are clear cut when it comes to which windows of cars can be tinted in BC, but there is more to know in terms of details. For example, all reflective tint is banned in British Columbia, and thus many colors of tint are effectively prohibited, like metallic and mirrored window films.

 

No medical exemptions are allowed for darker tint, so don’t bother seeking work arounds for the tint laws in BC. Certificates and stickers that prove your tint is legal are not required, so at least that common frustration is avoided.

At the Tint Academy our team is asked from our registrants if it is recommended, normal, or even frowned upon to get a tip from a customer after a Tint Service. 

In short, the answer is yes and recommended. But first, let's call it a Gratuity and not a Tip.

Gratuities are things of value given “for or because of an official act performed or to be performed". When you tint a vehicle, house or boat - you a performing or servicing. 

So, how can you ask or gain more tips? 

In past week of service, I tinted 18 vehicles and included $480 in additional revenue via asking for gratuity after completion of the service. 

Here are a few easy ways to ask for a gratuity: 

1) When the customer paid with credit or debit card. 

When I let them know the final amount of their installation, I simply stated, it is $440, would you like to add a gratuity on todays service?

7 Customers paid with a credit card, 6 included an additional amount for gratuity.

2) When they customer paid via etransfer or "EFT" payment

Just like with method number 1, state the amount after the service is completed.

Ask for the customers email address to "request" an etransfer. {Most will ask for your email to send funds, most banks will allow for an etransfer request}

Ask you customers if they would like to add a gratuity onto their service. 

The secret. ASK. 

"Can I have my windows tinted in the winter time?"

and number 2....

"Does business slow down?"

In short, The cold weather doesn’t inhibit Window Tinting services in the Winter. If you haven't done our courses yet, we use a slip solution that consist of baby and dish soap and distilled water. We use this solution called 'slip' to clean and instal window film.

In the Winter, this moisture does not receive the same amount of heat and Sun that it would normally get in warmer months. With that in mind, we ask our customers to give the windows 3-5 days before rolling down their windows. After that amount of time, moisture should not be present between the window and film.

It is also best to use warmer water, and if the car comes to your shop, to get it warm before applying window tint.

All-in-all, it does not effect the cure time or installation tinting windows in the winter time. 

But does it slow down?

No. December and January tend to be the busiest month with Window Tinting due to dealerships getting rid of more inventory before the new season. 

As well, we see Window Tint being gifted. If you take our course, we give you the exact Gift Certificate Template to use during the season {if you have taken our course, now is a good time to be getting those ready ;) }

If you have not taken our course, we still have 4 locations before the 2022 year comes to an end

Are you a detailer, wrapper or PPF Installer? Now is an even better time to take this course to add additional services to your customers. Historically, Detailing and Wrapping does slow down. Most consumers have the mind set where they will have their vehicles cleaned after the winter season.

Online courses may be less expensive than bringing an instructor on site and take less time, but are they adequate to create the highly skilled workers needed? 

Some of the promotional messages on the internet make it sound like online and classroom training are all you need for all skilled jobs.

When it comes to learning how to tint, hands on skills are what matter most. The core fundamentals can watched from videos, but learning the hand on skills with a certified instructor is the best route to be successful as a window tinter.

Window tinting is a process, and we can excellerate that process working in our small group settings on real vehicles.

Being a window tinter is more than applying film to a vehicle, it is about the touch, feel, reading scenarios, and customer services to create an overall positive experience for your customers and shop. 

With hands on training in our shop, we take you step by step and correct any mistakes immediately so you can be successful within the week

Watch our behind the scenes of how this course can take your career to the next level.