This tint too dark for a taxi?

Lord Nikon · 07-09-2011 12:38AM #1

im plating up my audi in the next 2 weeks as a taxi, but it will also be my family wagon, and the kids get blinded by the sunlight shining in their windows.

Am I allowed to tint the windows on a taxi, if so does this look alright?

the car is identical to what i drive.

I Was VB · 07-09-2011 12:53AM

Legally your ok, but its a common theme that people will refuse to get into a taxi with tinted glass, especally women. Best of luck driving the taxi, your gonna need it give us a shout if ya need a hand with anything.

MugMugs · 07-09-2011 08:06AM

I Was VB wrote: »

Legally your ok, but its a common theme that people will refuse to get into a taxi with tinted glass, especally women. Best of luck driving the taxi, your gonna need it give us a shout if ya need a hand with anything.

+1 to that.

I am hardly a lady but still refuse any Taxi that looks like it's trying to hide something..... And tinted windows say just that IMO.

listermint · 07-09-2011 08:26AM

Sorry buddy but that much tint scream i am trying to hide something and dont want people to see me.

Get sun blinds for the kids in the back. Tints are bad news. And for taxi 'ing' worse news. Why would you want to make your chances of getting fares worse in an all ready crowded market?

MarkR · 07-09-2011 08:49AM

listermint wrote: »

Sorry buddy but that much tint scream i am trying to hide something and dont want people to see me.

Get sun blinds for the kids in the back. Tints are bad news. And for taxi 'ing' worse news. Why would you want to make your chances of getting fares worse in an all ready crowded market?

You can get these sun screens that are made for you car. Pop in and out in a sec. Look at WWW.vanstyle.Co.uk

Berty · 07-09-2011 08:52AM

Come on. We all know that parents like Tint because their children won't wear and refuse to wear seatbelts and they have it so the Gardai cannot see the kids jumping all over the place.

Nothing shady unless the car is full of heads.

Bandara · 07-09-2011 08:54AM

You may run into issues with your DOE check (I think taxis need a doe?)

I have a commerical jeep with windows tinted, the testers have new guidelines and can fail you on the window tint if its darker than a certain level (I think it was 40% max), I have 70% tint but I was passed after getting a letter from the manufacturer as it was a factory fitted tint and not fitted afterwards, this cleared the jeep to pass

Atlantic Dawn · 07-09-2011 11:16AM

Window tint is fine but using the car for personal use with your family might open a similar kettle of fish to the commercial tax for private use issue. Maybe have the metre running and hand the kids a €20 note to have if you need to "proove" its a customer.

L-M · 07-09-2011 11:21AM

Just asked 5 people sitting around the table infront of me, none of them would get in...

I'd say the same but I know if I was pissed and that pretty Audi pulled up it wouldn't take long for me to hop in.

Also, what about all the new Cmax's etc that come fitted with factory tint?

07-09-2011 11:26AM

I can't see how tints on a taxi would make folk not get that particular taxi, do ye reckon ye're more likely to get buggered or whatever in it

L-M · 07-09-2011 11:30AM

RoverJames wrote: »

I can't see how tints on a taxi would make folk not get that particular taxi, do ye reckon ye're more likely to get buggered or whatever in it

Taxi plate folds into the roof, doors lock, bulk head comes up from the floor and locks the passenger into the rear...

Probably what most of the Irish are thinking, lol

MugMugs · 07-09-2011 12:09PM

RoverJames wrote: »

I can't see how tints on a taxi would make folk not get that particular taxi, do ye reckon ye're more likely to get buggered or whatever in it

I'm not a fan of tints anyway.

Used em on my first Civic years back but that was for perving purposes.

I always ask myself "What are they hiding" when I see them on Taxi's.

Personal preference I suppose.

Bandara · 07-09-2011 12:34PM

RoverJames wrote: »

I can't see how tints on a taxi would make folk not get that particular taxi, do ye reckon ye're more likely to get buggered or whatever in it

any port in a storm !!!

fletch · 07-09-2011 12:38PM

I don't see the issue...I'd get into the taxi without hesitation. Tbh I'd much rather a well looked after newish A4 with tinted windows than a 10 year old Corolla.

vector · 07-09-2011 01:04PM

Everything else being equal.... Tinted windows on a taxi would put me off getting into it, yes.... but I'd rather get i9nto it then a Fiat Scudo

mgbgt1978 · 07-09-2011 01:04PM

Hammertime wrote: »

You may run into issues with your DOE check (I think taxis need a doe?)

NO, An ordinary NCT and a suitability test are what's needed. Suitability checks that the car actually has 4 doors and carries the safety kit required by all taxis. Also checks for meter and printer.

There have been suggestions that taxi's cannot have tinted windows but this has not yet been implemented (apart from the NCT check, which is the same for private cars).

I Was VB · 07-09-2011 03:31PM

They serve no purpose in taxi's unless your doing alot of limo work for VIP/Celebs, had a few celebs in the taxi over the years and my lack of tinted windows was never a issue.

antodeco · 07-09-2011 03:36PM

What about tints excluding the two front sides? Id have no problem with a tinted taxi.

PCPhoto · 07-09-2011 03:40PM

never thought about whether the taxi has tinted windows or not but ....I wouldn't get into one with tinted windows.

no offence to taxi drivers out there with tinted windows - but it screams of either young "boy racer" or "dodgy guy hiding his face" ....or woman (there are women taxi drivers)

makes me think that the driver could be a rapist or could rob me.....and I'm a guy !

antodeco · 07-09-2011 06:01PM

PCPhoto wrote: »

makes me think that the driver could be a rapist or could rob me.....and I'm a guy !

That's an extra €1.50

opinion guy · 07-09-2011 06:03PM

Ok am I going to be the one to say this ?????

That car is far too nice to be condemned to taxihood!!!!!!

I Was VB · 07-09-2011 06:47PM

opinion guy wrote: »

Ok am I going to be the one to say this ?????

That car is far too nice to be condemned to taxihood!!!!!!

Give it a month, puke piss and blood will be encursted into the seats. The radio will be stuck on Q102, last weeks evening heddled with be on the dashboard.

Enjoy!!

Lord Nikon · 07-09-2011 08:11PM

Like my first post, I explained that I need the tinted windows because the kids get blinded by the sunshine. They are belted into their car seats from the second they get in until they get out. I am a safe driver and respect the safety of my kids too.

Drunken passengers would mess up the blinds I'm sure, opening windows and shouting their faces off. Tint is a better option.

Maybe some people would walk away from a taxi because of the windows tinted, but for my weekly work no one passes up a taxi period, more so they are waving one down. They see the roof sign, they hail the taxi.

I would prefer not to taxi it up, but work is work.

mgbgt1978 · 07-09-2011 08:29PM

The NCT will more than likely fail the car if you have a tinted film fitted.
What some people would do is fit the tinted film AFTER the NCT.
Having said that you can then expect questions from the guards and the Taxi Regulator inspectors (or enforcement officers, as they seem to prefer to be called).
I'm not trying to be smart neuromancer, but this is Ireland and although the sun does sometimes show itself, it's not really going to have too much of an effect on anyone inside a car. Surely the aircon works on your Audi if you, or your's, can't stand the heat......

Lord Nikon · 07-09-2011 10:37PM

mgbgt1978 wrote: »

The NCT will more than likely fail the car if you have a tinted film fitted.
What some people would do is fit the tinted film AFTER the NCT.
Having said that you can then expect questions from the guards and the Taxi Regulator inspectors (or enforcement officers, as they seem to prefer to be called).
I'm not trying to be smart neuromancer, but this is Ireland and although the sun does sometimes show itself, it's not really going to have too much of an effect on anyone inside a car. Surely the aircon works on your Audi if you, or your's, can't stand the heat......

Well the NCT has passed last week. Also being a taxi driver I see a lot of taxis with tint, most especially mini buses, and they are not plated as limos. Yet they seem to have no problem with tinted windows.

I am most likely going to get stopped by the garda for having tinted windows as much as a boy racer will get stopped for driving too slow. Gardai won't be bothered with me, just like everyone else driving around with tinted windows. Someone driving a lowered Honda Civic would get stopped quicker than me.

And you comment about the sun having no effect on people in the car, is silly. If that was the case all cars in Ireland should be sold without sunvisors, infact, let's stop selling sunglasses too.

Your opinion is your opinion, fine, but your talking through your hat.

I Was VB · 08-09-2011 12:12AM

neuromancer wrote: »

Well the NCT has passed last week. Also being a taxi driver I see a lot of taxis with tint, most especially mini buses, and they are not plated as limos. Yet they seem to have no problem with tinted windows.

I am most likely going to get stopped by the garda for having tinted windows as much as a boy racer will get stopped for driving too slow. Gardai won't be bothered with me, just like everyone else driving around with tinted windows. Someone driving a lowered Honda Civic would get stopped quicker than me.

And you comment about the sun having no effect on people in the car, is silly. If that was the case all cars in Ireland should be sold without sunvisors, infact, let's stop selling sunglasses too.

Your opinion is your opinion, fine, but your talking through your hat.

You will be passed by at a taxi rank because your windows are tinted, if someone hails ya they will want to see you before they get into your car. Elderly people / women especally wary of this. Few options for ya

1) Take the tints off use a stick on sun blind for when ya have the kids in the car, take them off when ya dont.

2) Leave the tints on your car, rent a ****box taxi for a ton a week, kids are happy, Audi is happy. And if ya dont like taxi work ya can fuk back the ****box rental taxi go back driving your Audi, once a car goes under a taxi plate ya can safely knock 1/3 of the price off it.

As i've already said if ya need to know more PM me.

I Was VB · 08-09-2011 12:13AM

Here's a lovely wanked out taxi for ya to rent a week, very reasonable only €100pw.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/businessopportunities/2502557

CianRyan · 08-09-2011 12:26AM

I'd have absolutely no issue getting into a taxi with tints. I do get taxi's a lot so maybe I'm am exception but I really feel people are a bit OTT with this.

What's the first thing I'd do if I got robbed, harrassed by a taxi driver?
Report the licence plate and registration number too the guards. Presuming the offender is caught they're not going to be taxi-ing again and they definitely won't be buying a shiny new Audi to be doing it in.

OP, I'd always choose the first car at a rank but if I was the type to go around picking my chariot I'd head for yours.

All the same, I'd still buy something cheap to taxi. Your car will get hurt and so will it's resale value!

I Was VB · 08-09-2011 12:41AM

I think were all agreed its a lovely car (i also agree 100%) but taxis are working cars and take five years of driving and abuse over 12 months.

CianRyan · 08-09-2011 12:55AM

I Was VB wrote: »

I think were all agreed its a lovely car (i also agree 100%) but taxis are working cars and take five years of driving and abuse over 12 months.

+1 on this!

There's a lad who I know well enough at this stage that has told menall sorts of taxi stories.

My favourite was his decider to change to his current car and go with leather seats.
Basically what has happened was he'd pick up two old lads from a pub, the one which could stand the least was placed into the front and his mate in the rear.
As he was shipping them home he got a very foul smell, the sort no driver wants in there car. As the lad in the front got out it became known that the smell was extremely runny ****e that at this stage had sunk pretty far into the soft fabric seat and the poor lads jeans.

Taxi's should never be nice cars and should always have leather seats.
Easy to clean and inexpensive to behind with.

HappyHouseWife · 08-09-2011 10:10AM

Hi OP, with all due respect to you, you're feckin mad plating up your own (rather nice) Audi to go taxiing, does your car have them rims too? they'll be destroyed in months, no matter how careful a driver you think you are, you are going to kerb them, if you insist on taxiing your own car, pick up a 2nd hand set of 16's (hundreds of VAG wheels out there on Donedeal, Adverts etc) and stick 'em on.

You are basically making your car completely worthless by putting a plate on it, you really should rent a car for a couple of weeks before you dive in.

Re Tints, your point about needing the tints for the brats is pure crap unless they're allergic to sunlight, have they ever been on a sun holiday????

Hubby removed his tints because he was getting waved on and passed over on ranks(drives a 2 yr old spotless top spec Skoda so age and condition of car were not factors)

It's like drivers wearing baseball hats and sunnies, what are they hiding?

I've PM'd you as well with some other stuff.
Rgds

listermint · 08-09-2011 10:18AM

neuromancer wrote: »

Like my first post, I explained that I need the tinted windows because the kids get blinded by the sunshine. They are belted into their car seats from the second they get in until they get out. I am a safe driver and respect the safety of my kids too.

Drunken passengers would mess up the blinds I'm sure, opening windows and shouting their faces off. Tint is a better option.

Maybe some people would walk away from a taxi because of the windows tinted, but for my weekly work no one passes up a taxi period, more so they are waving one down. They see the roof sign, they hail the taxi.

I would prefer not to taxi it up, but work is work.

Like my first post, there is such a thing as removal sun visors. Most people use these for their kids and removing them is simple suction on suction off.

People do pass up taxis, not me personally. But i have yet to be out with mates where they refuse taxis in many random an varied reasons. They are constantly at it the mind boggles.

So again i ask, why are you removing customers from your loop in an all ready crowded market place? It makes no sense, short of you really liking the look of the tint on your car (which i think is the real reason, Which you entirely entitled to its your car)

But just to be clear you will actively lose customers because of it. More often than not at night time. Its plain as day, people like to see the drivers face and a car that looks like it has something to hide will come across as such.

I also have a feeling regardless of what people tell you here you will do your own thing. (again thats your right) Its all opinions after all.

Lord Nikon · 08-09-2011 10:32AM

I have been renting for weeks now, at over €200 a week. That's a lot of cash to make up before takehome.

I could rent something cheaper, but what I've seen I wouldn't get into myself. Even renting for cheaper, in some cases, I would have to provide my own insurance. Doing this would require me to create a new policy, because I couldn't carry my NCB, as its already on the Audi.

Also, the kids are under 3 and haven't left the country for a holiday yet.

The car has full Audi history on it from new, and I will continue to keep this going. Plan is to unplate it before I sell it anyway.

It doesn't have leather unfortunately, but seat covers are a must for any taxi anyway.

I have a set of 16" alloys I took off when I bought the car, but plan to run with the 18" for a while anyway. 50% thread left after 30k miles, I'm no maniac driver.

Renting a taxi is like a rental car, you drive it like you don't own it. At least my own car will be clean and cheerful and treated with respect.

cadaliac · 08-09-2011 10:57AM

listermint wrote: »

I also have a feeling regardless of what people tell you here you will do your own thing. (again thats your right) Its all opinions after all.

+1
Anyway,
I think you are mad using "18's on a taxi.
To be fair, If I was p1ssed, late at night, standing on a street corner with a line of perfectly good Taxi's lined up and you were first in line with 18in rims and tint on the windows, sorry dude, not for me.

Now, to get home....
TAXI!!

08-09-2011 11:12AM

Am I the only one thinking that you won't be tinting the front side windows? If you don't intend tinting the fronts than all the points about the driver hiding something are futile enough really.

Lord Nikon · 08-09-2011 11:19AM

Im guessing some people are under the impression that the tinting is to hide something. I'm not getting heavy tint for hiding, the tint will cover the rear passenger windows, the windows viewing into the boot section and the window on the boot itself.

Front passenger and driver window will be left standard, as I need my customers to see me approaching the car.

I am driving an estate car too, just to clarify again.

galwaytt · 08-09-2011 11:25AM

Limerick man wrote: »

Taxi plate folds into the roof, doors lock, bulk head comes up from the floor and locks the passenger into the rear...

Probably what most of the Irish are thinking, lol

....bloody VW electrics...........shoite I tell ya, shoite........

neuromancer wrote: »

Like my first post, I explained that I need the tinted windows because the kids get blinded by the sunshine.

I've heard of global warming, but where is this sunshine (allegedly..) ??

What did people do way back the........noughties, nineties, even ?:rolleyes:

HappyHouseWife wrote: »

It's like drivers wearing baseball hats ..what are they hiding?

Bald heads ?

pippip · 08-09-2011 11:51AM

neuromancer wrote: »

Im guessing some people are under the impression that the tinting is to hide something. I'm not getting heavy tint for hiding, the tint will cover the rear passenger windows, the windows viewing into the boot section and the window on the boot itself.

Front passenger and driver window will be left standard, as I need my customers to see me approaching the car.

I am driving an estate car too, just to clarify again.

If you have a tint on the boot section it means a customer will be unable to see the boot is clear and safe.

I have no problem with tint on windows and wouldn't bother me getting into a taxi with them but I can see how others would say no, far too many horror stories out there for the risk and I would never be happy with my wife getting a taxi with them.

08-09-2011 11:53AM

pippip wrote: »

If you have a tint on the boot section it means a customer will be unable to see the boot is clear and safe...........

Because without the tint people can see through the parcel shelf or tonneau cover no bother at all :cool:

HappyHouseWife wrote: »

...........

It's like drivers wearing baseball hats and sunnies, what are they hiding?

.........

Nothing at a guess.
Although bus drivers wear that attire when doing nixers driving other buses and HGVs

pippip · 08-09-2011 11:58AM

RoverJames wrote: »

Because without the tint people can see through the parcel shelf or tonneau cover no bother at all :cool:

And how is the customer going to see that you have a parcel shelf with the tinted windows?

HappyHouseWife · 08-09-2011 12:01PM

RoverJames wrote: »

Nothing at a guess.

Ja reckon? Any driver who wears a baseball cap and sunnies while driving around at night is doing so for a reason. Usually to disguise themselves. Why?
And it contravenes regulations regarding the operation of a PSV.

opinion guy · 08-09-2011 01:19PM

Whatever about the customer objections arguments about tinting, OP I don't mean to be obnoxious or insulting, but getting tints because your kids are blinded by the sun is a bit of a weak reason maybe ? They might be a tad spoilt ?? Do they have some kind of sun allergy ? Buy them 2.99 plastic sunglasses like everyone else. The kids will think they are cool anyhow

08-09-2011 01:20PM

HappyHouseWife wrote: »

Ja reckon? Any driver who wears a baseball cap and sunnies while driving around at night is doing so for a reason. Usually to disguise themselves. Why?
And it contravenes regulations regarding the operation of a PSV.

So we're now saying it's at night. I presumed, wrongly obviously that we were talking about during the day, sunglasses and all.

Lord Nikon · 08-09-2011 03:00PM

My god, I wish I never brought up the subject. People are now questioning tinting the windows regardless or what it is, because they think I am hiding something.

Jesus, sure we should ban suncream in the shops too, and sunglasses, and foglights too because it's rarely foggy out. Let's ban alloy wheels too because we don't need them aswell

My kids are not spoilt in the slightest, but under 3 year olds don't understand if I tell them to put on their shades, hence the reason for tinting. To say it's never sunny in Ireland is stupid, the sun comes out everyday and it's not allways behind the clouds either. It's typical Irish pessimism to say it's never sunny in Ireland, bah humbug.

The car is there with tint on it, if it looks too strong say so. If I wanted the cheap option I would buy blinds or shades for the kids, but I want someone that will work and looks well too.

It's still my family car remember, my pride and joy. Can I not have the best for it?

pippip · 08-09-2011 03:07PM

I think the audi estate looks brilliant with window tints.

The problem is it's just not right for a taxi. With a car like that I think your mad using it as a taxi in the first place, it'll just be ruined both by wear and financially.

If your already paying €200 a week would you not go and buy something right for the job.

cjt156 · 08-09-2011 03:14PM

FFS talk about over reactions on this thread. You'd think it was a rape-van he was driving! Free candy anyone?
Go ahead and tint it and feck the begrudgers. If you find you're losing customers, have it removed.

But you have to drive it in a hockey-mask with a chainsaw on the passenger seat - deal?

Antikythera · 08-09-2011 03:14PM

HappyHouseWife wrote: »

does your car have them rims too? they'll be destroyed in months, no matter how careful a driver you think you are, you are going to kerb them

You can't expect everyone to live your experiences.

I Was VB · 08-09-2011 03:15PM

neuromancer wrote: »

My god, I wish I never brought up the subject. People are now questioning tinting the windows regardless or what it is, because they think I am hiding something.

Jesus, sure we should ban suncream in the shops too, and sunglasses, and foglights too because it's rarely foggy out. Let's ban alloy wheels too because we don't need them aswell

My kids are not spoilt in the slightest, but under 3 year olds don't understand if I tell them to put on their shades, hence the reason for tinting. To say it's never sunny in Ireland is stupid, the sun comes out everyday and it's not allways behind the clouds either. It's typical Irish pessimism to say it's never sunny in Ireland, bah humbug.

The car is there with tint on it, if it looks too strong say so. If I wanted the cheap option I would buy blinds or shades for the kids, but I want someone that will work and looks well too.

It's still my family car remember, my pride and joy. Can I not have the best for it?

Op you asked a question as if your car's tints are suitable for taxi work, you got the answer you didnt like. BTW as soon as that plate goes on that car its a commercial vehicle, your place of work.

HappyHouseWife · 08-09-2011 03:43PM

Antikythera wrote: »

You can't expect everyone to live your experiences.

No, you're right of course:rolleyes:, when you find a taxi (that has been a taxi for more than 6 months) that does not have a scuffed rim (no matter how small) let me know.

@OP, nobody was suggesting for one minute that you had anything to hide, as VB says, you asked a question re tints and you got your answers, it's punters perception of tints on taxis that's the issue here.
Punters (particularly women and older passengers) do not like tints, END OF!
And trust me, that car will cease to be you beloved precious. You will develop a completely different set of emotions (not necessarily bad ones) regarding your car but it won't be what you feel for it now.
This thread has pretty much run its course I think. Best of luck whatever you do.

-Chris- · 08-09-2011 03:46PM

Between lectures on the fragility of the OP's kids, to suggestions of axe murder, I doubt this thread is what the OP expected/requested.

I'm closing the thread as the OP's question has been answered as best it can be, and I don't see it going anywhere constructive beyond this.

This tint too dark for a taxi?

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