Montana Window Tint Laws 2026
Montana is one of the most permissive states. Front side windows need at least 24% light transmission, the rear window and side windows behind the front seat need at least 14%, and reflectance on those windows can't exceed 35%. The windshield has no inch measurement: anything below the AS-1 line must be clear and transparent. The rules are in MCA 61-9-405, and violations are misdemeanors.
Aftermarket film gets no SUV break: Montana exempts multipurpose vehicles only when the tinted windows were installed by the manufacturer. Film you add yourself to an SUV or truck is held to the same 24% and 14% limits as a car.
Quick Reference
| Window | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Windshield | Clear below AS-1 | No red, yellow or amber above |
| Front side windows | 24% VLT minimum | 35% max reflectance |
| Rear window and side windows behind front seat | 14% VLT minimum | 35% max reflectance |
| Factory-tinted multipurpose vehicles | Exempt | Manufacturer-installed only |
| Waiver | Safety, security or medical | Law enforcement grants |
How the Limits Work
Under MCA 61-9-405(4), it is unlawful to operate a vehicle if the front side windows have sunscreening or other transparent material with a luminous reflectance of more than 35% or a light transmission of less than 24%, or if the rear window or side windows behind the front seat have material with a reflectance of more than 35% or a light transmission of less than 14%.
The statute applies to all vehicles equipped with tinted windows, including windows with less than 100% light transmission to which additional sunscreening material has been applied. That wording points toward a combined reading of glass and film, so choose film with your factory glass in mind and leave a margin above 24% on the front.
The Windshield
Sunscreening material below the AS-1 line must be clear and transparent. Above the AS-1 line it can't be red, yellow or amber in color. Montana's statute doesn't set a four- or five-inch limit, so the AS-1 line is the boundary.
Multipurpose Vehicles and Other Exemptions
The tint limits don't apply to a multipurpose vehicle equipped with tinted windows installed by the vehicle's manufacturer. A multipurpose vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle designed to carry 10 or fewer passengers that is constructed on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road use. The limits also don't apply to hearses, ambulances, government vehicles, or any vehicle with a currently valid certificate of waiver affixed. The department must issue a waiver certificate for a vehicle that was registered in Montana on October 1, 1991 and already had prohibited sunscreening on that date.
Legal vs Illegal
Legal
- ✓Front side windows at 24% light transmission or lighter
- ✓Rear and rear side windows at 14% or lighter
- ✓Reflectance of 35% or less on those windows
- ✓Clear, transparent film below the AS-1 line on the windshield
Illegal
- ✗Front side windows below 24%
- ✗Rear or rear side windows below 14%
- ✗Reflectance above 35% on side or rear windows
- ✗Tinted or colored film below the AS-1 line, or red, yellow or amber above it
Fines and Penalties
A person who owns or operates a vehicle in violation of 61-9-405(4) is guilty of a misdemeanor under MCA 61-9-429. The tint statutes don't set a separate fine, so the default penalty for a misdemeanor in MCA 46-18-212 applies: up to six months in the county jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. A separate subsection makes it a misdemeanor, punished the same way, for a person who applies sunscreening material or glass-plastic glazing material in a way that leaves a vehicle with a window violating the limits. The statute doesn't specifically name sellers.
Waivers and Medical Exemptions
Under MCA 61-9-428, the Highway Patrol or a local law enforcement agency may grant a waiver for safety or security reasons, or for medical reasons based on an affidavit signed by a licensed physician, licensed physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse. The waiver is a written document that lists the vehicle, the owner, the reason, the dates it is effective and the officer's signature. The statute doesn't set a darkness figure. Section 61-9-405(7) exempts a vehicle only while a currently valid certificate of waiver is affixed to it, so keep the certificate on the vehicle as the statute describes.
What Legal Tint Actually Costs in Montana
With 24% allowed on the front and 14% on the rear, Montana lets owners go noticeably darker than in most states. Keep film reflectance low, since the 35% cap applies to side and rear glass, and ask your installer for a film rated above the limits so a meter reading with your factory glass still passes. Ceramic film is a popular choice for heat and UV rejection and for glare off winter snow.
| Film Type | Sedan | SUV / Truck |
|---|---|---|
| Dyed film | $130 to $250 | $190 to $360 |
| Carbon film | $190 to $310 | $250 to $400 |
| Ceramic film | $220 to $420 | $310 to $570 |
Use the calculator to get an estimate specific to your vehicle before contacting any shop.
Free Tint Cost CalculatorFrequently Asked Questions
Tint Enforcement by City
Billings
Montana's largest city. Statewide rules apply.
Missoula
Western Montana, where the same statewide rules apply.
Great Falls
Cascade County, standard statewide rules apply.
Bozeman
Gallatin County, standard statewide rules apply.
Helena
The state capital. Statewide rules apply.
Related Reading
Window Tint Laws by State
Montana tint law is one piece of a bigger picture. Every state sets its own VLT limits, and they vary more than most drivers expect. Browse the full directory below.
Montana tint law reference: MCA 61-9-405, with waivers under § 61-9-428 and penalties under §§ 61-9-429 and 46-18-212. Laws can change. Always verify current requirements with the Montana Highway Patrol or your local court before getting your windows tinted.