MT · tint law reference

Montana window tint laws

Last verified September 13, 2026 · MCA 61-9-405(4) (standards); 61-9-428 (waiver); 61-9-429 (penalty)

Legal tint limits at a glance

VLT is the share of light the window must let through — a lower number is darker film, and the reading includes the factory glass.

Montana window tint limits by window and vehicle type
Window Sedans SUVs, vans & trucks
Windshield Must be clear and transparent below the AS-1 line; sunscreening permitted above the AS-1 line Same as sedan for aftermarket tint
Front side 24% VLT or lighter 24% VLT or lighter
Back side 14% VLT or lighter 14% VLT or lighter
Rear 14% VLT or lighter 14% VLT or lighter

Dual side mirrors required if the rear is tinted? Not stated in the sources we checked.

Is my tint legal here?

Film darkness and glass darkness multiply. Enter the film you are considering and the VLT of the bare glass to get the number a meter would read.

70 for tinted OEM glass, 80 for clear

Net VLT 14% 20% film × 70% glass

    Pass/fail compares net VLT against the limits on this page only. Some states apply a measurement tolerance — see Measurement tolerance below — and none of this replaces a meter reading on your own glass.

    The rest of the rule

    Reflectivity

    Max 35% luminous reflectance on front side and rear/back side windows

    Colors

    None specified in the statute text reviewed

    Medical exemption

    Yes - highway patrol/local law enforcement may issue a waiver for safety, security, or medical reasons based on an affidavit from a licensed physician, PA, or APRN (MCA 61-9-428); separate grandfather waiver exists for vehicles registered before Oct 1, 1991 with pre-existing tint

    Stickers & certification

    Written waiver/certificate must be issued and kept with the vehicle, containing VIN, owner name, reason, and effective dates

    Measurement tolerance

    This state does not state a measurement tolerance in the sources we checked.

    Penalties

    Misdemeanor under MCA 61-9-429 (applies to both vehicle owner/operator and installer), punishable per general misdemeanor sentencing in MCA 46-18-212

    Notes

    The multipurpose-vehicle/van/bus exemption in 61-9-405(4) applies only to manufacturer (OEM) installed tinted glass, not aftermarket film - aftermarket tint on SUVs/vans must still meet the same 24%/14% limits as a sedan. Exemptions also cover hearses, ambulances, and government vehicles.

    Montana tint questions

    What is the darkest legal tint in Montana?

    For a sedan in Montana, front side windows must let at least 24% of light through, back side windows at least 14%, and the rear window at least 14%. Lower VLT means darker glass, so those percentages are floors, not targets, and the meter reads the film and the factory glass together.

    Is 20% tint legal in Montana?

    No, not on the front side windows. Montana requires at least 24% VLT there and 20% is darker than that, before you even account for the factory glass, which makes the reading darker still. The back side windows have a 14% floor, so 20% film can be legal there.

    Can I tint the windshield in Montana?

    Montana's rule for the windshield: Must be clear and transparent below the AS-1 line; sunscreening permitted above the AS-1 line

    Does Montana allow a medical exemption for darker tint?

    What the source says: Yes - highway patrol/local law enforcement may issue a waiver for safety, security, or medical reasons based on an affidavit from a licensed physician, PA, or APRN (MCA 61-9-428); separate grandfather waiver exists for vehicles registered before Oct 1, 1991 with pre-existing tint Confirm the current process with the agency named before you have film installed.

    Do I need a tint sticker or certificate in Montana?

    Written waiver/certificate must be issued and kept with the vehicle, containing VIN, owner name, reason, and effective dates

    Nearby states

    Where this comes from

    Statute cited: MCA 61-9-405(4) (standards); 61-9-428 (waiver); 61-9-429 (penalty)

    Checked against the state's own statute or DMV page on September 13, 2026. Laws change; if you find a newer rule, email admin@getpeelboard.com.

    Legal disclaimer: general information, not legal advice; verify with your DMV.

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