Nets on car windows: are they allowed instead of tinting, fines, types, installation

Is it possible to use frame curtains according to traffic regulations?

You can, but not on the front windows, otherwise there will be a fine. And this is what the legislation says regarding the issue we are discussing!

The direct answer to this is contained in the Basic Regulations for the Admission of Vehicles to Russian Roads (this is the Appendix to the Traffic Regulations). Thus, paragraph 7.3 of the Rules indicates that:

It is prohibited to place any objects or coverings that limit visibility from the driver’s seat - and in practice, the area of such visibility is considered to be the front hemisphere: windshield and side front windows,
however, it is possible to install specific frame shades on rear windows, provided that your vehicle is equipped with both side mirrors.

A similar requirement is also contained in the Technical Regulations in paragraph 4.3 of Appendix No. 8. It also prescribes that the light transmittance of the front hemisphere must be at least 70% - that is, the front windows must transmit at least 7/10 of the total light, and no frame curtains, unfortunately, can provide this.

As for the formulation of visibility given above - that it is provided by the front and side windows at the front, confirmation of this is also contained in the Technical Regulations at the very beginning of the document - general provisions, definition of visibility.

Installing and driving are two different things

Please note that the above regulation establishes obligations regarding the completeness of vehicles when they are released into circulation on the roads of our country, and does not directly prescribe obligations for drivers. Therefore, the Code of Administrative Offenses does not contain a specific fine for a driver’s violation of the provisions of the Technical Regulations.

Traffic regulations prescribe responsibilities for the operation of vehicles. Thus, it is prohibited to drive with frame curtains.

However, if your car is stationary and you use curtains solely to, for example, protect the interior from sunlight or a sleeping child from bright light, then in this case the use of frame curtains is permitted, and there is a fine for this by law in 2021 year cannot be.

What is the responsibility under the Administrative Code?

Since when driving with frame curtains we violate a specific normative act in the form of the Basic Provisions, the punishment for this is provided for by the only norm for the entire list of such conditions and malfunctions in the Code - Article 12.5.

In our case, Part 1 of this article provides for a warning or a fine of 500 rubles for objects that limit visibility from the driver’s seat.

This is the only legal measure of liability in 2021 for frame curtains that is in the Code of Administrative Offenses. However, in practice you may encounter other additional security measures, including illegal ones. We'll talk about this below.

Step-by-step installation instructions

Installation of car curtains is not difficult and will require no more than 15-20 minutes. The main thing is to follow the correct sequence of actions:

Treat the surface with a degreasing liquid.
Remove the protective film from the aluminum guides. Give the top part a bend that follows the contours of the top part of the door and attach it using the pressing method. Interrupt the process for 12 hours. Let the double-sided tape adhere to the surface properly.
Install the bottom hooks. Move the latter in the opposite direction and put a plug so that when closing the curtains the hooks do not fly out. Frame curtains are also installed with magnets. The process and operation itself of the second option is more convenient.
Clean the place where the holder is installed on the door pillar, wait until it dries, remove the protective film, and attach it with the hook facing up.
Use a Velcro belt to encircle the curtain, insert it into a special holder and straighten the curtain.
If necessary, attach the curtain to the rear windows in the same way.

Are fines issued in practice?

Yes, sure. Moreover, quite actively - even though frame curtains are not such a favorite violation detected by traffic police officers as film darkening of windows, however, this type of removable tinting is also quite often punished by traffic police inspectors on the road.

This happens quite standardly:

you are driving along the road and you see an inspector, who, in turn, sees your car from afar with frame curtains (more precisely, only when you drive up to him will he discover that this is removable tinting, and from afar you will simply see an object that restricts the view and the interior is too dark),
the policeman stops you and simply issues an order under Part 1 of Article 12.5.

Is light transmittance measurement required?

No, this is not necessary for frame curtains, so the above are only 2 simple points in the scenario of holding such a driver accountable.

Here we should generally distinguish between 2 different norms of punishment:

12.5, part 1 – 500 rubles – for objects that limit visibility (on the front windows), this is a legal fine for frame curtains in 2021,
12.5, part 3.1 – for coatings or objects on glass that do not provide the light transmission required by the Technical Regulations (at the same time, the Code of Administrative Offenses directly refers to a violation of the regulations).

The technical regulations, in turn, indicate that the front hemisphere must transmit at least 70% of sunlight (and not only) light.

Thus, the cardinal difference between these two measures of responsibility is that under Part 3.1 you can be fined specifically for the light transmittance of the glass itself - with or without films. But part 1 is specifically for items that limit the view. Therefore, in the case of frame curtains, the fine is issued specifically for 1 part. And measuring light transmittance is meaningless here.

What is better, tinting or frame curtains?

It’s no joke, but both of these norms of sanctions provide for exactly the same penalties: either a warning (which, by the way, in practice in 2021 is issued very rarely and in exceptional cases) or a fine of 500 rubles.

But the answer to the question of which method is safer to use in terms of a fine: frame curtains or regular film tinting, becomes obvious if you know that the police today are practicing a rather interesting additional method of dealing with the latter. And it is called “a requirement to eliminate the conditions entailing a violation.” Or the same “warning”.

The essence of this is that by installing the film, you are a priori going to violate, although you do this only while driving a vehicle (if the car is stationary, you can at least board up the windows with plywood).

We explained in detail why such a requirement is illegal in one of our previous articles. However, despite the illegality, inspectors continue to issue such papers, and judges imprison drivers for up to 15 days under Article 19.3 for disobeying the allegedly legal demands of a police officer.

In the case of frame curtains, such requirements are practically not issued - only fines, therefore, from the point of view of bringing to responsibility, using curtains is, as it were, “safer”.

If you managed to remove it?

It's not that simple here. Frame curtains have a wonderful advantage - they can be removed not only before communicating with the traffic police, but often even before the officer stops you. But this life hack doesn’t work very well for a car enthusiast.

Let’s say an inspector saw you on the road while driving with curtains, but you managed to remove them, and when the policeman approached the car, there was no violation. But he saw them!

In this case, the Administrative Code obliges the traffic police officer to conduct an inspection of the car, since this procedure is carried out in order to search for instruments of committing an offense:

the inspector draws up an inspection report,
attracts 2 witnesses or includes a video recording,
searches and finds frame curtains,
issues a resolution or draws up a protocol for further consideration (in the latter case, the curtains will most likely be confiscated from you - we’ll talk about this a little below).

Can frame curtains be confiscated?

No. Frame curtains are not an item that can be confiscated because they are not prohibited for use in principle.

Confiscation in administrative law is a separate type of punishment and is assigned exclusively by a judge. That is, the very possibility of such punishment should be provided for by the norm of liability in the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation. But in our case, Part 1 of Article 12.5 directly states: a warning or a 500 ruble fine.

But the seizure is legal!

The fact is that in order to correctly use evidence when accusing a driver of violating the Code of Administrative Offences, the Code of Administrative Offenses provided for the possibility of confiscating the item with which the offense was committed (Article 27.10).

The confiscation of frame curtains is carried out just after the car is inspected in order to search for them, but only if the case is not considered immediately and the driver, accordingly, is not issued a fine, but draws up a report and sends it to the traffic police department for further consideration. Any traffic police officer authorized to draw up protocols has the right to seize curtains.

Something else useful for you:

Fine for non-working rear license plate light in questions and answers
How to appeal a fine for jaywalking or running a red light for a pedestrian?
What is the fine for crossing solid markings dividing parking spaces?

Do you have to return it after seizure?

Yes. In our case, part 3 of Article 29.10 of the Code of Administrative Offenses provides that seized items must be returned to their rightful owner after consideration of the case. The only exceptions are situations when:

the owner of the frame curtains is not identified,
the item is prohibited (drugs, weapons, etc.), and curtains are not one of them.

Therefore, any removable tint must be returned to the car owner after removal. This is done precisely after the consideration of the case. If a traffic police officer issued a fine for using frame curtains on the front windows on the spot, then he must return it immediately.

There is also no need to prove that these curtains are yours, either by receipts or by any other means. By default, in administrative law, the presumption of innocence also implies a presumption of ownership - that is, for example, you can not drive your own car, and when you drive someone else’s car, you are not asked for a written power of attorney. The same goes for curtains - they may not be yours, but they must be returned to the owner. Possession and ownership are two different things. The first includes the ability to dispose of property.

Installation methods, main advantages and disadvantages

Installation of frame curtains is carried out in several ways - it all depends on the choice of fastening. Three main types are known:

on magnets - they are attached under the rubber of the window frame using L-shaped corners. If there are no corners, you can use tape;
on hooks - this is a universal option when a rubberized blank is used during installation. Such hooks can easily bend. They are also universal - suitable for cars of any brand;
on clips - this is when the parts are installed on the side and along the arch of the window. Before installation begins, experts remind you to lower the glass.

The disadvantages of installing auto curtains include the visibility of the fastenings, which cannot always be reliably disguised or completely hidden.

Frame curtains

on cars are designed to improve visibility and all-round visibility for drivers, especially in clear weather. Their presence allows the driver to feel more confident and composed behind the wheel and to control the situation on the road. And this, in turn, allows you to avoid wear and fading of finishing materials and seats, and prevents road dust and small insects from entering the interior. Their advantages include excellent visibility for the driver. At the same time, they mask the contents of the cabin and allow air to circulate quietly throughout the cabin. They are simple and easy to install/dismantle. The material is durable and strong.

The disadvantages include the likelihood of condensation forming on the inside of the glass in rainy weather. Some drivers don't like the appearance of a car with auto curtains

with the windows open.