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Montana Window Tint Laws & Regulations

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Tahir Azam
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Car window tinting laws were introduced in Montana back in 1991 and saw a major amendment in 2007, after which they have mostly stayed the same.

These laws determine how much dark and reflective your windows can be.

Montana window tint laws generally restrict the people from having less than 24% VLT tints, often pressing for more and only in some cases allowing for a 14% restriction.

The laws for the windshields are universal, and so are the rules on reflective tints.

If you are not aware of any of these regulations, then do not fear, as I am going over all the rules and regulations related to tinting your car windows in Montana and will go over any questions or concerns that you may have.

How Much Tint Darkness Is Legal In Montana?

What is the legal window tint in Montana? Check my guide

Tinting darkness varies on a per-window basis in Montana, with some windows being limited to 24% VLT, while in some cases; the restrictions can loosen up and require only 14% or more.

Some windows outright lose their restrictions entirely.

Tint Darkness Limit For SUVs And Vans

Sports Utility Vehicles and vans have it the easiest, with many of their windows not having any restrictions.

The windshields are allowed to have tints so long as they are non-reflective and are limited to above the windshields AS 1 line set by the manufacturer.

The front windows are standard for the state are limit the owners to have more than 24% VLT.

These restrictions are immediately dropped when you move to the back windows, which have no limitations. The rear windows are also not limited to any VLT requirements.

Tint Darkness Limit For Sedans

Mostly, the sedans are more limited in their tinting and have restrictions on all of their windows. I will present these restrictions here so that you can understand them better.

1. Front Windshield

The windshield does not have any restrictions on the amount of light it must pass through, but it is limited because it cannot have any reflective tints.

The tints you apply must be non-reflective and above the AS 1 line.

2. Front Seat Side Windows

Just like SUVs and vans, the windows of the front seat of sedans are imposed with having a VLT restriction of 24% or more.

3. Rear Window

VLT restrictions are lowered for the rear windows of sedans by about 10%. This means you can have tints as dark as 14% VLT, but you are not allowed to go any lower.

4. Back Seat Side Windows

This rule continues for the back seat, which can have darker tints but only above 14% VLT or more.

Window Tint Reflection And Tint Colors

  • There are various rules on the amount of reflection your car window tints must be able to reflect.
  • For all cars and vehicles, the front seat side windows are not allowed to be more than 35% reflective.
  • This rule applies to the back seat windows as well. They can reflect any percentage below 35% but cannot cross this threshold.
  • The state of Montana also limits the choice of colors you can apply to your window tints.
  • While most colors are allowed, here are a few colors that are banned in the state of Montana:
    – Red
    – Yellow
    – Amber

Medical Exemption Of Window Tint Laws In Montana

While this may not affect many people, there should be certain laws in place that allow for the medical exemption from having lighter tints.

This is because there are many people with various conditions that cannot tolerate the sun’s rays.

These people generally drive their vehicles while having special tints which are darker than what the state allows.

It is most fortunate for these people that Montana allows people to be medically exempt from the laws governing window tinting.

To become medically exempt, you must start by getting a signed affidavit from your physician, doctor, or in some cases, the licensed physician assistant or registered nurse.

This affidavit must state the reason for your medical exemption.

You will then be provided a waiver from local law enforcement or highway patrol based on the affidavit, which will contain all the information about your vehicle, your information, and the date when it was issued.

Once the waiver is granted, you are free to apply special tints. However, the waiver will expire, and you will have to get it renewed.

Get A Certified Sticker From The Company

Having a certification sticker can help law enforcement immediately recognize your window tints as being street legal.

This prevents them from stopping you are suspecting you of breaking the law. In many cases, a certification sticker is a necessity.

However, in Montana, it is more of a recommendation. There is no requirement to provide documentation or stickers to show their legality.

These rules also extend to the tint manufacturers who are not required to certify that the tints that they are manufacturing are legal and up to the state’s standards.

Other Window Tint Law Rules And Regulations In Montana

Here are a few other rules that you should know if you are living in Montana:

  • There are no rules on side mirrors whatsoever.
  • You are not allowed to have red, yellow, and amber as your tint colors.
  • No need to provide documents to prove the legality of tints.
  • Medical exemptions are allowed, and the waivers they are based on must be renewed when they expire.

Cost Of Car Window Tint In Montana

Depending on the vehicle you own and the tint you are going for, the cost of your window tinting will change significantly.

A basic tint for your sedan can cost less than $150 and increase as you raise the quality of the film. Premium films that deliver high-quality tints can cost as high as $400 or more.

The number of windows your vehicle has and the warranty you are getting the tint for also play a role in its pricing.

Aside from all of this, you can easily get a DIY tinting kit that will win your windows for less than $100.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is 15% Tint Legal In Montana?

The front windows have a restriction of 24% VLT on their tints, so applying 15% tints would be illegal on them.

However, the rest of the windows across all vehicles have much lower limitations, making this tint legal in all other vehicles.

Q2. Are 5% Tints Legal In Montana?

5% tints are only legal on specific windows of sports utility vehicles and vans.

They are completely illegal on all the windows of everyday sedans and must not be applied to them. You can only use them on vans and SUVs’ rear and back windows.

Q3. Is Limo Tint Legal In Montana?

I cannot recommend the use of limo tints in Montana on anything other than the back windows and the rear window of SUVs and vans.

This is because limo tints are generally very dark and will not mesh well with the restrictions set by the state.

Q4. Can I Get Pulled Over For Tint In Montana?

If the police do not think that the tints you are using are legal in the state or find you using illegal colors, you can be pulled over.

They will then test the tints of your windows and then decide accordingly to the result of their testing.

Q5. How Much Is A Tint Ticket In Montana?

If you get a ticket, you may be facing a misdemeanor that can get you a fine of $500. You can also face up to 6 months in the county jail for not following the rules on even worse notes.

Conclusion

Montana tint laws offer very limited restrictions on the tints of the windows.

With VLT requirements falling as low as 14%, you should be able to get very dark tints for your vehicle and not have to worry about being limited by any rules.

However, in some cases, you will have to bite the bullet and go for a 24% tint as the front seat side windows require it of all cars.

With this article coming to a close, you should be easily able to understand and follow the window tinting laws set by Montana.

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