Montana window tint laws require front side windows to allow at least 24% VLT and limit reflectance to 35%. Rear windows on passenger cars must allow at least 14% VLT, though trucks, SUVs, vans, and buses are exempt. A tint violation is a misdemeanor carrying a fine up to $500 or up to 6 months in jail. This guide covers vehicle differences, waivers, and penalties under Section 61-9-405.
Key Terms in Montana Tint Law
Montana law measures tint darkness using two separate numbers, and confusing them leads to common mistakes. Light transmission is the percentage of light that passes through the film and glass together, so a higher number means a lighter window. Luminous reflectance measures how much light the tint bounces back outward toward other drivers, which affects glare rather than how dark the window looks from inside.
The statute also relies on the AS-1 line, a factory-marked line located near the top of the windshield glass. Tint is only allowed above that line, and material below it must stay clear and transparent, with red, yellow, or amber coloring also banned above it. A multipurpose vehicle under Montana law is one built to carry 10 or fewer passengers on a truck chassis or with off-road features.
What Montana Law Says About Tint Darkness
Montana Code Annotated Section 61-9-405 sets light transmission and reflectance limits for vehicle windows. The windshield may carry non-reflective tint only above the AS-1 line, and material below that line must stay clear and transparent at all times. Front side windows must allow at least 24% light transmission and may not reflect more than 35% of light outward, preserving cabin visibility for officers.
Rear side windows and the rear window carry a separate 14% light transmission floor, plus the same 35% reflectance ceiling as front windows. This 14% rule applies specifically to passenger cars such as sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks. Camper, motor home, and pickup cover glazing must instead meet the federal safety glazing standard found in Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 Part 571.205.
How the Rules Differ for Trucks and SUVs
A common misconception is that the 14% rear window limit applies to every Montana vehicle on the road. Trucks, vans, buses, and other multipurpose vehicles are specifically excluded from that requirement under Montana Code Annotated 61-9-405, window tinting and sunscreening statute. This means an SUV or pickup truck can legally have rear windows tinted darker than 14% without violating any state law.
The front side window rule stays the same across vehicle types, so every vehicle must still meet the 24% minimum and 35% reflectance limit there. The exemption applies only to windows located behind the front seat on qualifying multipurpose vehicles, vans, and buses. Manufacturer-installed tinted glass on a multipurpose vehicle is also exempt from the standard tint rules entirely, no matter how dark that factory glass measures on the vehicle.
Waivers for Medical and Safety Reasons
Montana Code Annotated Section 61-9-428 allows a driver to apply for a waiver permitting tint darker than the standard limits for medical or safety and security reasons. The waiver requires a signed affidavit from a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse explaining the medical basis for the request. The highway patrol or a local law enforcement agency reviews the request and decides whether to grant the waiver.
A granted waiver must be issued in writing and include the vehicle identification number or registration number, the owner’s name, the reason for the waiver, and the dates it remains effective. The document must also carry the granting officer’s signature, and the issuing agency keeps a copy until the waiver expires. A waiver is not automatic, and a doctor’s note alone does not satisfy this legal requirement on its own.
Vehicles Exempt From Standard Tint Rules
Certain vehicles fall outside the standard tint restrictions entirely under Montana law. Hearses, ambulances, and government vehicles are exempt from the light transmission and reflectance limits described in Montana Code Annotated 61-9-428, window tinting waiver conditions. Any vehicle carrying a currently valid certificate of waiver issued under that section is also exempt from the standard limits while the waiver remains active.
A separate exemption applies to vehicles registered in Montana on October 1, 1991 that already carried sunscreening material otherwise prohibited on that date. Those vehicles could qualify for a certificate of waiver issued by the state department based on their registration and equipment status at that time. This exemption reflects a grandfather provision built into the original 1991 legislation that first established Montana’s tint restrictions.
Penalties for a Tint Violation in Montana
A window tint violation in Montana is classified as a misdemeanor offense. Montana Code Annotated Section 61-9-429 states that a person who owns or operates a vehicle violating the light transmission or reflectance limits is guilty of a misdemeanor, and the same penalty applies to whoever installs the noncompliant material. The statute directs courts to punish this offense as provided in Montana Code Annotated 46-18-212, general misdemeanor penalty.
Under that general misdemeanor penalty section, a court may sentence a person convicted of a tint violation to imprisonment not exceeding 6 months in county jail or a fine not to exceed $500, or both. This structure applies broadly since 61-9-429 sets no separate fine amount and instead relies on the general misdemeanor framework. Courts retain discretion within these limits, and sentencing may vary by circumstance.
Common Misconceptions About Montana Tint Law
Many drivers assume Montana requires a sticker or certificate to prove legal tint, but the statute contains no such requirement for standard tint jobs within the legal VLT range. A sticker only becomes relevant when a driver holds a formal certificate of waiver, since that document must be affixed to the vehicle to prove the exemption applies under Montana Code Annotated 61-9-429, window tinting and sunscreening penalty and related provisions.
Another misconception involves local ordinances layering additional tint rules onto state law. Montana Code Annotated Section 61-9-405 establishes a single statewide standard for light transmission and reflectance, and the statute does not delegate authority to cities or counties. Drivers can generally expect the same VLT and reflectance thresholds statewide, from Billings to Missoula, as explained on the Lawwalls Disclaimer page.
Disclaimer
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. Lawwalls publishes informational content only and does not provide legal services or legal advice.
For legal advice about your specific situation contact a licensed attorney in your state. Laws change and vary by jurisdiction. Verify current rules with official government sources or a qualified lawyer.