Peel off the dark film and wash off the excess tint on the windows of your cars before driving out of your garage on Friday. If you don’t, the authorities may pull you up for violating an order of the Supreme Court and slap you with a contempt charge or a hefty fine.

But you might also get lucky and escape scot-free, as the authorities may drag their feet and fail to enforce the rule.

In its ruling on last Friday, the apex court ordered a blanket ban on tinted films that are pasted on factory-made glasses of cars to alter or enhance their opacity. The judgment reads: “The Rule not impliedly, but specifically, prohibits alteration of such VLT (Visual Light Transmission) by any means subsequent to its manufacturing. No black film or any other material can be pasted on the windscreens and side glasses of a vehicle. The directions contained in this judgment shall become operative and enforceable with effect from 4th May 2012.”

The transport department, however, claimed that it was yet to receive any official communication regarding the judgment. “We are waiting for a reference from the Supreme Court regarding the judgment on tinted glasses. We will initiate the necessary steps to implement it after receiving official communication,” said Rahul Singh, the state transport commissioner.

Traffic police claimed that they had initiated necessary steps to enforce the ruling but also said that its hands were full and it might be difficult to bring violators to the book. “We have issued directives to all personnel to keep a look out for vehicles with tinted glasses but full coverage may not be possible. We have other priorities as well, including prevention of accidents and checking traffic snarls, which are equally important,” said Chandrika Prasad, superintendent of police (traffic).

Vehicle owners, too, are not too keen to follow the directive. “Preventing the usage of black film on car glasses can reduce criminal activity to a small extent. But citizens should also be allowed to have their way at times. My car has dark films on windows. I use them to keep out the heat and improve the performance of my car air-conditioner. These films can also prevent sunburns,” said Exhibition Road resident Nihar Hisariya.

Sources said such exceptions could be made for persons who face security threat. A committee comprising the director-general of police and home secretary can provide clearance to persons to use black film on car windows as a security measure.

Sellers of tinted films claim that influential persons and senior officers often use these. Kumar, the manager of Shitla Car Accessories, said: “Many influential people like legislators and police officers use tinted films on their car glasses.”