Vermont

Your teen should be insured once they're licensed and begin driving on their own (i.e., without another supervising licensed driver). Teens with learner's permits don't yet require insurance while they're driving under the supervision of a licensed adult.

If you have a Vermont learner's permit, you may drive at any time as long as you are with a supervising licensed driver at least 25 years old seated next to you.

If you have a Junior Driver's License:

• During the first 3 months, you may not carry any passengers while driving unsupervised.
• During the next 3 months, you may only carry your family members as passengers while driving unsupervised.
• During the final 6 months, you may carry as many passengers as there are safety belts in your vehicle.

Once you pass your road test, you'll have your photo taken and receive either your official driver's license or a temporary license until your photo license arrives in the mail.

You may drive only when accompanied by a licensed supervising driver at least 25 years old sitting in the front seat at all times.

No, your photo will be taken at the licensing office where you apply.

You may begin practicing with your parents right away.

Once you pass your road test, visit your local DMV office to apply for your license. The licensing agent will give you either your official license or a temporary paper license to use until your photo license arrives in the mail. Call your local licensing office for specifics.

Visit your local driver license station.

Examples of proof of legal presence include your original birth certificate or your valid U.S. passport.

You'll need:

• Your learner's permit.
• A completed Application for License/Permit (form VL-021).
• Registration and insurance for your testing vehicle.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Citizenship or authorized presence.
  • Social Security number
  • Vermont residency.
    • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID, an Enhanced ID (to cross land/sea borders), or a non-compliant license. The VT DMV provides a guide to these different license types, along with the required documentation for each.
• Payment for the applicable license fee:
  • 2-year license: $32
  • 4-year license: $51

You'll need:

• Your learner's permit.
• Your driver education completion certificate.
• A completed:
  • Application for License/Permit (form VL-021), signed by your parent/guardian to provide their consent.
  • Driving Practice Log Sheet (form VN-210) that certifies your practice hours. You can also track your hours on the RoadReady app.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Citizenship or authorized presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • Vermont residency.
    • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID, an Enhanced ID (to cross land/sea borders), or a non-compliant license. The VT DMV provides a guide to these different license types, along with the required documentation for each.
• The registration and insurance for your testing vehicle.
• Payment for the applicable license fee:
  • 2-year license: $32
  • 4-year license: $51

To apply for a VT Junior Driver's License, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Have earned your learner's permit and held it for at least 1 year.
• Pass a state-approved driver education course.
• Complete at least 40 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.
• Pass the driving skills road test.

To apply for a first-time license as an adult in Vermont, you must:

• Have earned your beginner's permit.
• Pass the driving skills road test.

You can take your road test once you have earned your beginner's permit.

If you're under 18 years old, you must also:

• Have held your permit for at least 1 year.
• Completed your driver's education program and behind-the-wheel practice hours.

Unfortunately, Vermont does not provide work-restricted or hardship licenses. You'll need to consult with the court to determine the best path forward.

No. The knowledge test is a prerequisite to taking your road test. Once you have passed the knowledge test, you do not need to take it again to get your license.

You should be prepared to do the following during your road test:

• Properly adjust the seat, mirrors, steering wheel, and seat belts.
• Operate vehicle equipment such as windshield wipers and washers, heater and defroster, parking brake, headlights, and the horn.
• Respond to traffic control signs and signals.
• Interact with other motorists (e.g., yielding right-of-way correctly, responding to emergency vehicles).
• Back up and park your vehicle.
• Display proficiency in basic driving skills such as stopping and turning.
• Recognize any warning lights that may appear on your instrument panel.
• Execute other driving maneuvers as the inspector requires.

The biggest tip is to study the Vermont Driver's Manual! Everything you need to know to pass your skills exam is in the guide.

A licensed driver at least 25 years old may bring you to your driving test.

The vehicle you use for your road test must meet the following standards:

• It should be appropriate for the license class for which you are applying.
• It should have a valid registration certificate.
• It should have proof of insurance.
• It should comply with VT laws regarding tinted windows.
• It should not have an Ignition Interlock Device (unless you are required by law to use one).

The road test will not be conducted if the vehicle is deemed to be unsafe. Common reasons why vehicles are deemed unsafe include the following:

• The windows are illegally tinted.
• The brake lights or turn signals are defective.
• The tires are worn or damaged.
• One or more lug nuts are missing.
• A seatbelt is defective.
• The speedometer is defective.
• The brakes are defective.
• Other equipment is defective or missing.

Road tests are administered at driver licensing exam stations throughout the state.

• Learner's permit: $20.
• 2-year license: $32.
• 4-year license: $51.

The Vermont Driver's Manual is available online and at your local driver licensing office.

If you're 18 or older, you can get your driver's license at any time after you've earned your learner's permit and practiced enough to feel confident in passing your road test.

If you're under 18 years old, you can get a Junior Driver's License once you've held a learner's permit for at least 1 year and have completed both your Driver's Ed course and your 40 required practice hours.

• Knowledge test: $32.
• Learner's permit: $20.
• 2-year license: $32.
• 4-year license: $51.

No, there is no drug test involved.

No. If you're worried about passing the knowledge test, try taking some of our free practice tests to help you prepare.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must accompany you to co-sign your application to give their consent. If you are at least 18 years old, no one needs to accompany you for your permit exam.

You can take your permit test online or in person if you take it online, be sure you can provide copies of the documents you'd have to submit to the DMV in person.

You will need:

• A completed Application for License/Permit (form VL-021), which you can do online as part of your permit test application.
  • Your parent/guardian must provide their consent within the application.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Citizenship or authorized presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • Vermont residency.
    • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID permit, an Enhanced ID (to cross land/sea borders), or a non-compliant permit. The VT DMV provides a guide to these different license types, along with the required documentation for each.
• Payment for the applicable permit fees:
  • Knowledge test: $32
  • Learner's permit: $20.

You may apply for your learner's permit once you're at least 15 years old.

The Vermont DMV is one of few state agencies that allows you to take your permit test online in lieu of visiting a DMV office. You can submit your application and payment for your permit and knowledge test during this process, as well, so long as you can provide copies of the required proofs of identity (see below for details). Otherwise, you may need to complete your application in person.

Generally, to earn your permit you will need to:

• Submit a completed Application for License/Permit (form VL-021), which you can do online as part of your permit test application.
  • If you're younger than 18 years old, your parent/guardian must provide their consent within the application.
• Provide proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Citizenship or authorized presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • Vermont residency.
    • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID permit, an Enhanced ID (to cross land/sea borders), or a non-compliant permit. The VT DMV provides a guide to these different license types, along with the required documentation for each.
• Pass the online knowledge exam.
• Pay the following fees:
  • $32 testing fee.
  • $20 permit fee.

Some examples of potential questions include:

You must use your headlights:

1. At all times
2. From 30 minutes after sundown and 30 minutes before sunrise
3. Only during poor weather

Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed limit on Vermont roads and highways is:

1. 50 MPH
2. 55 MPH
3. 60 MPH

If the roadway is wet or icy you should:

1. Follow the posted speed limit
2. Reduce your speed
3. Speed up

Find more sample questions on a free Vermont practice test.

No; however, if you're under 18 years old, you must complete Driver's Ed before applying for your Junior Driver's License.

The Vermont Driver's Manual has everything you need to pass your permit test. It's also a good idea to use a free practice test to get ready for the testing format and prepare yourself for the actual experience of taking the exam.

Yes, your vision test occurs during your learner permit application.

No, a physical exam isn't required for a Vermont instruction permit.

You'll need:

• A completed Application for License/Permit (form VL-021), which you can do online as part of your permit test application.
  • If you're younger than 18 years old, your parent/guardian must provide their consent within the application.
• Proof of your:
  • Identity.
  • Citizenship or authorized presence.
  • Social Security number.
  • Vermont residency.
    • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID permit, an Enhanced ID (to cross land/sea borders), or a non-compliant permit. The VT DMV provides a guide to these different license types, along with the required documentation for each.
• Payment for the:
  • $32 testing fee.
  • $20 permit fee.

You can contact your local driver licensing office by phone. You can contact the state Department of Motor Vehicles headquarters online or by phone.

You may apply for your beginner's permit once you're 15 years old.

If you hold an instruction permit, you may drive with a supervising licensed driver at least 25 years old seated next to you at all times.

If you have a Junior Driver's License:

• During the first 3 months, you may not carry any passengers while driving unsupervised.
• During the next 3 months, you may only carry your family members as passengers while driving unsupervised.
• During the final 6 months, you may carry as many passengers as there are safety belts in your vehicle.

You may only drive with your Vermont beginner's permit when accompanied by a licensed supervising driver at least 25 years old sitting in the front seat at all times..

You must fill out an Application for License/Permit (form VL-021), signed by your parent/guardian to provide their consent if you're under 18 years old. You'll also need a completed Driving Practice Log Sheet (form VN-210) that certifies your practice hours. You can also track your hours on the RoadReady app.

To get your permit, you must pass a knowledge test and a vision exam. To get your driver's license, you must also pass an on-road driving skills test.

Vermont drivers under 18 years old must complete a state-approved driver education program consisting of:

• 30 hours of classroom time
• 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction.
• 6 hours of in-car observation.

Applicants 18 and older are not required to complete driver education.

Before earning your learner's permit in Vermont, you must first be at least 15 years old and have studied VT driving laws to pass the knowledge exam. You'll also need to gather your required identity documents to bring to the DMV.

The only requirement to apply for your VT learner's permit is to be at least 15 years old.

Your renewal notice will state whether you need to retake a vision test for your renewal..

Yes, you may renew your Vermont driver's license by mail as long as you had your photo on it taken within the previous 4 years.

Yes, Vermont drivers are encouraged to renew your license online if your renewal notice states that you're eligible to do so.

If you're transitioning from a non-compliant license to a REAL ID license or an Enhanced Driver's License, you'll need to do your renewal in person (this is a one-time requirement so you can submit your additional identity documents).

To renew online, you do not need any specific documents, but you will need to provide information pertaining to your identity and license status, plus valid payment information. This includes:

• Your first and last name as it appears on your current driver's license.
• Your date of birth.
• Your street address.
• Your driver's license number.
• Your Social Security number.

You'll also need payment for the applicable license fee:

• 2-year license: $32
• 4-year license: $51

To renew in person or by mail, you will need all documents listed on your renewal form, plus payment for your renewal fee.

You can renew your VT driver's license in person, by mail, or online. Your renewal notice will state which option(s) you're eligible for.

Driver's licenses in Vermont expire every 2-4 years. You can renew up to 6 months before its expiration date. You should receive a notice prior to its expiration.

License renewals vary based on how many years your license is valid for:

• 2-year license: $32
• 4-year license: $51

No, there is no one else permitted to be in the vehicle during your road exam except for your examiner.

Yes, Vermont gives you the option to take your test and apply for your permit online.

You can take the knowledge exam as many times as needed to pass.

Yes, each question has four answer options.

Have your glasses or contact lenses, if you need them, as well as all of your required proofs of identity.

The Vermont permit exam will test you on topics such as road signs, state driving laws, right-of-way procedures, driving safety requirements, and more. You can find examples of topics in the Vermont Driver's Manual, as well as on free practice tests to help you prepare for your exam.

Appointments are not required for knowledge tests but are highly encouraged. You can also take the exam online.

Contact your local driver licensing office to see if they offer Saturday appointments.

Your test will be administered on a computer, either online at your home or at the DMV office.

Yes, all new drivers in Vermont must obtain a learner's permit prior to applying for a driver's license.

Schedule your appointment online to take your road test at a local driver license office.

After passing your VT permit exam, your next steps depend on your age.

Under 18 years old:

• You must hold their permit for at least 1 year with no traffic violations within the previous 6 months before taking your road test.
• You must also complete:
  • A state-approved driver education course.
  • 40 hours of driving practice.

18 or older:

• You may practice driving as long as necessary to feel prepared to take your road test.

If you fail your first or second driving test attempts, you must wait at least 1 week before taking the exam again. Practice the skills you failed with your supervising driver until you're able to come back for a retest.

If you fail any subsequent attempts, you must wait at least 1 month before retesting.

If you fail your first or second driving test attempts, you must wait at least 1 week before taking the exam again. If you fail any subsequent attempts, you must wait at least 1 month before retesting.

If you fail your exam, you must wait at least 1 day before you can retest.

If you fail your exam, you must wait at least 1 day before you can retest.

If you're simply visiting Vermont, you can drive with your out-of-state license throughout your stay, as long as you maintain residency elsewhere. If you establish residency within the state, you must exchange your out-of-state license for a Vermont driver's license within 60 days.

You may practice driving with an out-of-state permit if you aren't a resident of the state. As soon as you establish residency, you must transfer it to a Vermont permit, and it must meet all of the qualifications for a VT instruction permit.

If you have an unrestricted out-of-state driver's license, you do not need to pass the road test if it's currently valid/unexpired for less than 3 years. If it has expired for 3 years or longer, you must take both the knowledge and skills tests.

You must obtain a Vermont license within 60 days of establishing residency in the state.

You must answer 16 of the 20 questions correctly.

There are 20 questions on the Vermont permit exam.

You can miss up to 4 questions on the permit exam.