Montana Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
Montana Window Tint Laws (2026): Legal VLT Limits
Montana law requires front side windows to allow at least 24% visible light transmission (VLT). Sedans must have at least 14% VLT on rear side and rear windows, while multipurpose vehicles, vans, and buses face no restriction on those windows.
What is the legal tint limit in Montana?
Montana allows some of the darkest legal tint in the country. The front side window minimum is 24% VLT, which is among the loosest front-window limits in any state. A higher VLT percentage means lighter tint; a lower VLT percentage means darker tint. At 24%, your front windows can be fairly dark while remaining legal.
The rules differ for sedans versus multipurpose vehicles on the windows behind the driver. For sedans, back side windows and the rear window must allow at least 14% VLT. That is quite dark, but there is still a number. For multipurpose vehicles (SUVs, vans, and buses), there is no VLT restriction at all on windows behind the driver.
| Window Position | Sedans | Multipurpose/Vans/Buses |
|---|---|---|
| Front side windows | 24% minimum VLT | 24% minimum VLT |
| Back side windows | 14% minimum VLT | No restriction |
| Rear window | 14% minimum VLT | No restriction |
| Windshield (below AS-1) | Clear only | Clear only |
Note that the 24% front side limit applies equally to all vehicle types. Montana only creates the sedan-vs-multipurpose distinction for the windows behind the driver.
Windshield tint rules in Montana
Montana requires the windshield below the AS-1 line to remain clear. The AS-1 line is the manufacturer-marked line near the top of the windshield that indicates the upper portion of the safety glass. Below that line, no tint film may be applied.
Above the AS-1 line, Montana permits a top strip. However, red, yellow, and amber colors are prohibited on that upper strip. A non-reflective, non-colored top strip is acceptable.
Montana also limits reflectivity on front side and back side windows to 35% luminous reflectance. Windows that appear highly mirrored or metallic would likely exceed that threshold. Red, yellow, and amber are the expressly prohibited colors on the windshield strip; no other color restrictions apply to side or rear windows under the main statute.
Medical exemptions
Montana offers a medical exemption process under MCA 61-9-405. Drivers with a documented medical condition that requires protection from sunlight, such as a photosensitivity disorder, lupus, or certain eye conditions, can obtain a certificate of waiver that allows darker tint than the standard limits.
If you are pursuing a medical exemption, start with a physician's documentation of your condition and the need for reduced light transmission. Submit that with a waiver application through the appropriate Montana state channel. The exemption certificate should be carried in the vehicle so that it can be produced during a stop.
The specifics of the application process and any forms required may change over time. Check with the Montana Motor Vehicle Division or the relevant state agency directly for current procedures. The medical waiver allows you to install legally darker film that you would otherwise not be permitted to use.
How tint is measured and certified
Tint compliance in Montana is measured using a VLT meter that reads how much visible light passes through the window. The officer or inspector places the meter on the glass and takes a reading. Montana statute does not specify a measurement tolerance, so readings are compared directly against the statutory minimums: 24% for front side windows and 14% for sedan rear windows.
Montana does not appear to require a specific compliance sticker or installer label by statute. However, getting documentation from your installer showing the VLT rating of the film is a practical step. Film can degrade over time, and factory VLT specs from the installer give you a record of what was installed. If there is ever a dispute at a stop, a certificate from the installer can clarify the situation.
Ask your installer to provide a receipt or certificate listing the film brand, VLT percentage, and which windows were treated. Keep that in the glove box with your registration and insurance card.
Penalties for illegal tint in Montana
Driving with non-compliant window tint in Montana is a misdemeanor under MCA 61-9-429. As a misdemeanor, it carries the potential for fines and, in theory, more serious consequences, though tint violations in practice are typically resolved through fines and correction rather than jail time.
Selling or installing non-compliant tint can also expose an installer to liability under the statute. The practical outcome for most drivers is a citation, a fine, and an instruction to remove or replace the offending tint. Correcting the violation promptly is the most straightforward resolution.
If you receive a citation, removal and replacement of the non-compliant film before your court date typically results in a more favorable outcome. Check with local courts about whether Montana allows a fix-it ticket resolution in practice.
If you want to tint your windows in Montana
Montana is one of the more permissive states for window tint, especially for multipurpose vehicles. Here is how to stay legal:
For front side windows on any vehicle, choose a film rated at 24% VLT or lighter. Given that Montana does not specify a measurement tolerance, selecting a film at exactly 24% is the legal minimum. Many drivers choose 20% film on front windows in states with tolerances, but in Montana it is safer to stay at or above 24% to leave no room for dispute.
For back side and rear windows on a sedan, the minimum is 14% VLT. That is quite dark and allows meaningful privacy. For SUVs, vans, and multipurpose vehicles, you can go to any darkness on those rear windows. Limo tint (5% VLT) is legally available on the rear of your SUV or van in Montana.
Avoid red, yellow, and amber tints anywhere on the windshield strip. Those colors are expressly prohibited. Confirm your film does not produce a highly metallic or mirrored appearance that could push reflectivity above the 35% cap on front and back side windows.
Ask your installer for a certificate listing the VLT and reflectance values. If you have a medical condition requiring darker front windows, obtain a certificate of waiver through the appropriate Montana state channel before the installation.
For a state-by-state comparison, visit our guide to Window Tint Laws by State. For related rules on what you can mount or hang near the windshield in Montana, see Montana Windshield Mounting Restrictions.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice. Window tint limits vary by state and change, and enforcement depends on local practice and your specific vehicle. For a definitive answer, check your state DMV or consult a local attorney.
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Sources
- Montana Code Annotated, MCA 61-9-405 (Window tinting): https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0090/part_0040/section_0050/0610-0090-0040-0050.html