State tint law
Montana window tint law
Laws change and enforcement varies by area. Confirm with the Montana DMV before you install.
How dark can window tint be in Montana?
Darkness is measured as visible light transmission (VLT): the percentage of light that gets through. A lower number means darker tint.
| Window | Cars | SUVs and vans |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Non-reflective tint is allowed above the manufacturer's AS-1 line. | |
| Front side windows | Must let in more than 24% of light. | |
| Back side windows | Must let in more than 14% of light. | Must let in at least 14% of light. Factory-tinted privacy glass is exempt. |
| Rear window | Must let in more than 14% of light. | Must let in at least 14% of light. Factory-tinted privacy glass is exempt. |
Picked a legal shade? You can tint it yourself with a precut car tint kit from SnapTint, our DIY kit partner.
How reflective can tint be?
- Front side windows
- Must not be more than 35% reflective.
- Back side windows
- Must not be more than 35% reflective.
Other Montana tint rules
- Restricted colors
- Red, yellow and amber are not allowed on tint above the AS-1 line of the windshield. The law names no colors for the other windows.
- Side mirrors
- No side-mirror requirement.
- Film certification
- Film manufacturers don't need to certify the film they sell in the state.
- Sticker
- Stickers identifying legal tint are recommended but not required.
- Medical exemption
- The Highway Patrol or local police can grant a written waiver based on an affidavit from a licensed physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse. The waiver names the vehicle, owner and dates (61-9-428).
Enforcement and penalties in Montana
- Enforcement
- Police can stop you for tint alone. Installing film that breaks the limits is a separate misdemeanor for the installer.
- Penalties
- A misdemeanor for the owner or driver and for the installer (M.C.A. 61-9-429), with the fine set by the court.
Films of 24% VLT or lighter: legal on every window of a car in Montana. Darker films for the rear windows are in the full collection. All car window film.
Where to find the Montana tint law
These are the laws, rules and other sources we found for Montana. We list all of them rather than picking one, so you can read them yourself and decide. Laws change, so check the current text before you install.
Sources disagree: Many tint charts say SUVs can have any darkness behind the driver in Montana. The statute (MCA 61-9-405) only exempts factory-installed tinted glass, so aftermarket film has to meet 14%.
- Statute Montana Code § 61-9-405 (opens in a new tab) Justia
- Statute Montana Code § 61-9-405 (opens in a new tab) FindLaw
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