Category: Vermont

Photo: Justin.A.Wilcox, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Vermont, points go on your driving record each time you are found guilty of a motor vehicle violation. Reach 10 points within two years and the DMV suspends your license. Teens on a permit or junior license face a 90-day recall much sooner. This explainer lists the point values in the Vermont manual, the teen recall rules and the other ways a new driver can lose a Vermont license.

Key facts (Vermont DMV, as of November 2026)

• 10 or more points within 2 years means a suspension.
• The more points within 2 years, the longer the suspension.
• No points for parking or defective equipment violations.
• Vermont does not issue a “hardship” or “work” license.
• Permit and junior license holders: a single 3-point speeding ticket, or 6 points in total, means a 90-day recall.
• Reinstatement fee: $96 (DMV fee page, July 2026).

How many points for each violation in Vermont?

Examples from the Vermont Driver’s Manual:

Violation	Points
Speeding	2 to 8, depending on how far over the limit
Texting while driving	2 to 5
Driving without a license	2
Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light	2
Failing to obey a police officer	4
Failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk	4
Failing to yield to an ambulance, fire truck or police officer	5
Passing a stopped school bus with red lights flashing	5
Driving without insurance (when stopped)	2, plus a fine
Phone use in a work zone with workers present	2 (first), 5 (second or later)

The manual does not give the speeding point scale mile by mile. Check the exact figure for a ticket with the DMV or the Vermont Judicial Bureau.

What happens at 10 points?

1. The DMV sends a letter saying your privilege to drive is to be suspended.
2. You can request a hearing to verify the convictions and the point total.
3. The suspension length depends on how many points you received within two years.
4. To reinstate, serve the full term and pay the Driver Control (reinstatement) fee. Do not drive until the DMV sends written notice that you are reinstated.

The length comes from 23 V.S.A. § 2506: 10 days at 10 points, 30 days at 15 points and 90 days at 20 points, with longer terms for higher totals. Confirm the current period with the DMV (802.828.2000) before you rely on it.

Points rules for Vermont teens on a permit or junior license

Permits and junior licenses are provisional and can be recalled long before 10 points:

• One 3-point speeding violation, or 6 points in total: 90-day recall
• Junior operator texting: 30-day recall, plus a fine of at least $100 and at least 2 points
• Passenger, passenger age, work-driving or passengers-for-hire violations: 90-day recall
• Recommendation from a Diversion or Reparative Board: 30-day recall

During a recall you cannot get a junior or full license. There is no reinstatement fee when a recall ends. A recall also affects your next step: you need six months without a recall before a junior license, and six months without one (counted from reinstatement) before a full license at 18. Details are in Vermont junior driver’s license rules.

Other ways to lose your license in Vermont (manual Chapter 2 and beyond)

Situation	Consequence
Under 21 and caught with alcohol (misrepresenting age, buying, possessing or drinking)	Referral to the Teen Alcohol Safety Program. Miss contacting the diversion board within 15 days and, if found liable, face a $300 penalty and a 90-day suspension. Failing to complete the program also means suspension.
Under 21, driving with .02 BAC or more	Civil violation, license suspension and an alcohol and driving education program at your own cost
Driving at .08 BAC or more, or impaired by drugs	Suspension, fines, alcohol education, possible jail; Vermont can also suspend administratively before a criminal conviction
Refusing a breath or drug test (Implied Consent)	License loss for at least six months
Lying on a license or permit application, or using someone else’s identity	Fine up to $1,000, up to two years in prison, or both, plus a 90-day suspension
Driving uninsured and then crashing (even if not your fault), driving impaired, or committing certain other offenses	License taken until you get insurance; you must then prove insurance for 3 years
Suspended or revoked in another state	No Vermont permit or license until you prove reinstatement (checked through the national Problem Driver Pointer System)
Parent or guardian withdraws consent (under 18)	The DMV may take the provisional license away

More on alcohol rules: zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21 and implied consent and DUI in the US.

Phone use, fines and points in Vermont

Vermont bans portable electronic device use while driving on a public highway, even when stopped. Fines are $100 to $200 for a first violation and $250 to $500 for a second or later one. A conviction in a work zone with workers present adds 2 points the first time and 5 after that. For a junior driver, texting also triggers a 30-day recall.

Common questions

How many points before you lose your license in Vermont?

10 points within two years for a full license. Teens on a permit or junior license face a 90-day recall at 6 points, or after one 3-point speeding ticket.

How long do points count in Vermont?

The suspension rule counts points received within two years.

Can I get a work or hardship license during a suspension?

No. The DMV says Vermont law does not provide for one.

Do parking tickets add points?

No. Parking and defective equipment violations carry no points.

Can I challenge a points suspension?

You may request a hearing to verify the convictions and points. Teens also have the right to a hearing when a recall is issued.

What does reinstatement cost?

$96 as of November 2026, payable online, by mail or at the Montpelier office. Some suspensions have extra requirements, such as an SR-22 or alcohol program.

Back to the full guide: learning to drive in Vermont. How other states compare: points systems and license suspensions in the US.

Sources

• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Vermont Driver’s Manual” (VN-007), Chapters 2, 5, 7, 8 and 9 (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “License Suspensions & Related Programs” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated License Laws” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver’s License Fees” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Statutes, Title 23, § 2506 (text as published by legal mirrors)

Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Vermont, every license applicant under 18 must pass a state-approved driver education course: at least 30 hours of classroom, 6 hours behind the wheel and 6 hours of observation. On top of that, a parent or guardian must certify 40 hours of supervised practice, with at least 10 at night. This guide explains both requirements, how to log the hours and what parents are signing.

Key facts (Vermont DMV, as of November 2026)

• Driver education is required under 18: 30 hours classroom, 6 hours behind the wheel, 6 hours observation.
• 40 extra practice hours, at least 10 at night, are required before a junior license.
• The 40 hours are in addition to the 6 behind-the-wheel hours from driver ed.
• “Nighttime” means 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
• Log hours on the Driving Practice Log Sheet (form VN-219) or the RoadReady app.

Is driver’s ed required in Vermont?

Yes, for anyone under 18 applying for a license. Students who pass get a wallet-sized Driver Education Certificate. Before your road test, your instructor must log your completion in the DMV’s Driver Education Certification Service. Without that record, the road test cannot be given.

Where to take driver education in Vermont

Option	What it is
High school driver education	Courses at high schools, overseen by the Vermont Agency of Education. Some schools also have instructors certified to give the road test to their own students.
Commercial driving schools	Privately owned schools licensed by the DMV that teach the same state-approved course. Instructors at participating schools can give the DMV road test to students who completed an approved course.
Adult “6+6” course	For new adult drivers: at least 6 hours classroom and 6 hours behind the wheel. Optional, not required at 18 or older.

Out-of-state driver education

Vermont accepts it only if a certified or licensed instructor taught it and it included both classroom and behind-the-wheel training. If a state agency did not issue the certificate, bring a letter on state letterhead from the appropriate agency. It must confirm the program is recognized and list its minimum completion requirements.

The 40-hour practice requirement

Who can supervise practice?

The supervisor rides beside you and must be one of these:

• a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian
• a licensed or certified, unimpaired driver education instructor
• a licensed and unimpaired person at least 25 years old

What counts as night driving?

Driving from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. At least 10 of the 40 hours must fall in that window.

How are the hours certified?

Your parent or guardian certifies the 40 hours, and proof goes to the DMV with your junior license application. Track drives as you go on form VN-219 or in the RoadReady app, so the total is easy to back up.

A simple plan for the 40 hours

You must hold your permit for at least a year, so there is time to spread the hours out. The manual’s advice on order:

1. Empty parking lot or quiet roads: seat and mirror setup, hand position (9 and 3 or 8 and 4), smooth starts and stops, left and right turns.
2. Light traffic: signaling at least 100 feet before turns, four-second following distance, intersections, roundabouts.
3. Busier roads and the Interstate: merging, lane discipline, speed control (65 mph Interstate maximum unless posted).
4. Night and winter driving: count toward your 10 night hours, and practice in snow, black ice and deer and moose areas, which the manual flags.
5. Road test maneuvers: hill start, side-street turnaround and parallel parking (see the Vermont road test guide).

If traffic backs up behind you while you are driving slowly, Vermont law requires you to pull over when safe and let it pass.

What Vermont asks of parents (manual Chapter 12)

• Give your teen plenty of supervised practice, even more than the required 40 hours.
• Set a good example as a driver.
• Agree family rules on seat belts, speeding, night driving after 9 p.m., phones, multiple teen passengers, drowsy driving and impaired driving.
• Talk with other parents so teens keep to the junior license passenger rules.
• Choose a safe, reliable, well-maintained car.
• Remember you can suspend your teen’s provisional license by writing to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

The passenger and work rules your teen must follow next are in Vermont junior driver’s license rules.

Common questions

Do the driver ed hours count toward the 40?

No. The 40 hours must be in addition to the 6 behind-the-wheel hours in driver education.

Can a grandparent or older sibling supervise?

Yes, if they are licensed, unimpaired and at least 25. The 25 age rule does not appear for a licensed parent or guardian.

Do I need driver’s ed if I am 18?

The requirement applies to applicants under 18. Adults can take the optional 6+6 course.

Do I need the 40 hours if I am moving to Vermont with a junior license?

The DMV’s current page says no, but you still need proof of driver education. Check with the DMV, as the printed manual is older.

Is there an official log?

Yes: the Driving Practice Log Sheet (form VN-219), or use the RoadReady app.

Back to the full guide: learning to drive in Vermont. Compare practice-hour rules in supervised driving hours by state.

Sources

• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Education” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Junior Driver’s License” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated License Laws” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Vermont Driver’s Manual” (VN-007) (dmv.vermont.gov)

Photo: King of Hearts, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A Vermont junior driver’s license is the provisional license for 16 and 17 year olds. Under Vermont’s Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) law it comes with passenger limits for the first six months and a one-year ban on driving for work. It can be recalled for breaking those rules. This explainer is for teens and parents who want the exact rules, month by month.

Key facts (Vermont DMV, as of November 2026)

• Age: 16 or 17.
• Hold a learner’s permit for at least one year first, with no recalls, suspensions or revocations in the last six months.
• Months 1 to 3: no passengers unless a qualified adult is in the front seat.
• Months 4 to 6: immediate family members allowed.
• No driving for a job (such as pizza delivery) for one year or until 18, whichever comes first.
• Fee: $39 for a 2-year junior license, plus the $23 road test.

How do you get a junior license in Vermont?

1. Get your learner’s permit at 15 or older (see the Vermont permit test guide).
2. Hold the permit for at least one year.
3. Keep a clean record for six months: no permit recalls, suspensions or revocations.
4. Finish a state-approved driver education course (30 hours classroom, 6 hours behind the wheel, 6 hours observation).
5. Complete 40 more hours of supervised practice, at least 10 at night, certified by your parent or guardian.
6. Get a parent or legal guardian to sign the application.
7. Pass the road test (see the Vermont road test guide), pay the fees and show identification.

Hours and course details are in Vermont driver’s ed and the 40-hour certification.

Vermont junior license passenger rules by month

Time on junior license	Who can ride with you
Months 1 to 3	No one, unless a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian, a licensed or certified driver ed instructor, or a licensed and unimpaired person 25 or older is in the front seat. With one of them aboard, there is no limit on passengers beyond one per safety belt.
Months 4 to 6	Immediate family members. The DMV manual lists siblings and parents.
After 6 months	No passenger limit, but never more passengers than safety belts.

The pizza delivery rule: no driving for work

For one year after your junior license is issued, you may not drive a vehicle as part of your job. The DMV’s own example: you cannot work as a pizza delivery driver until you have held the junior license for one year or turned 18, whichever comes first. You also may not carry passengers for hire at any point while on a junior license.

Other rules on a Vermont junior license

• Phones: no portable electronic device use while driving, for any driver. That includes reading or writing texts, instant messages and emails. Phones, tablets and laptops all count.
• Alcohol: under 21, driving with .02 or more is a civil violation. Your license is suspended and you must complete an alcohol and driving education program at your own expense (see zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21).
• Night driving: the GDL rules the DMV publishes contain no night curfew. The DMV’s parent chapter suggests families set their own rules on nighttime driving (after 9 p.m.).
• Parental withdrawal: a parent or guardian can suspend the license by writing to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles.

What gets a Vermont junior license recalled?

Learner’s permits and junior licenses are “provisional” and can be recalled:

Violation	Recall
Carrying passengers for hire	90 days
Driving for an employer	90 days
Passenger restriction or passenger age violation	90 days
One 3-point speeding violation, or 6 points in total	90 days
Texting (junior operator)	30 days, plus a fine of at least $100 and at least 2 points
Recommendation from a Diversion or Reparative Board	30 days

• You have the right to a hearing when a recall is issued.
• While a recall is in effect, you cannot get a junior or full license.
• The license is restored when the term ends, after a re-examination if required. There is no reinstatement fee for a recall.

Adult-style points suspensions are covered in the Vermont points system.

Moving from junior to full license

At 18 you can get a full driver’s license if you have had no recalls, suspensions or revocations in the previous six months. That six-month clock starts on the date of any reinstatement.

Moving to Vermont with an out-of-state junior license

The DMV’s current junior license page (updated October 2026) says junior licenses from other states now transfer like a standard license. You will:

• not need to retest
• not need to certify 40 hours of driving
• still need proof of driver education

You stay under Vermont’s GDL rules unless you have held the other state’s junior license for at least six months. The older printed manual still lists tests and 40 hours, so confirm with the DMV before you go. General moving advice is in moving to a new state.

Common questions

How long do I need a permit before a junior license in Vermont?

At least one year, with a clean six months before you apply.

Can I drive my friends on a Vermont junior license?

Not in the first six months unless a qualified adult (parent or guardian, driver ed instructor, or licensed person 25 or older) is in the front seat. From month 7, yes, up to one passenger per safety belt.

Can I drive my brother or sister?

From month 4. In months 1 to 3, only with a qualified adult in the front seat.

Is there a curfew for teen drivers in Vermont?

No curfew appears in the GDL rules the DMV publishes. Phone, passenger and work rules still apply at all hours.

Can I drive to my job?

The rule bans driving “in the course of” employment, such as deliveries. If you are unsure whether your commute or job counts, ask the DMV before you drive.

What happens if I break a passenger rule?

A 90-day recall, and you cannot move up to a full license while it is in effect.

Back to the full guide: learning to drive in Vermont. See how Vermont compares in US graduated driver licensing compared.

Sources

• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated License Laws” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Junior Driver’s License” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Vermont Driver’s Manual” (VN-007) (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver’s License Fees” (dmv.vermont.gov)

Photo: Steven Bergeron, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Vermont road test always includes three set maneuvers: stopping and starting on a hill, turning around by backing into a side street, and parallel parking. Around those, the examiner watches whether you drive safely, courteously and correctly and follow the rules of the road. This guide covers how each maneuver is done the Vermont DMV way, what to bring, and what happens if you fail.

Key facts (Vermont DMV, as of November 2026)

• Under 18: hold your learner’s permit at least one year and finish driver education first.
• Road test fee: $23. With a 2-year junior license ($39), the total is $62.
• All DMV visits are by appointment (mydmv.vermont.gov or 888.970.0357).
• You supply the car, and it must be registered, inspected and insured.
• Fail: wait at least seven days. Fail three times: wait at least one month.

Before you book the Vermont road test

• Permit: must not be expired. If it has been expired for 3 years or less and renewed before the exam, you can still test; if it is expired more than 3 years, you must retake the written test first.
• Driver education: your instructor must have logged your completion in the Driver Education Certification Service before the test can be given.
• 40 hours: a parent or guardian certifies 40 hours of practice, at least 10 at night, on top of driver ed’s 6 behind-the-wheel hours. The manual adds that at least five hours of your practice should be in traffic.
• Consent: a parent or legal guardian signs the application if you are under 18.
• Adults with a permit: bring a licensed, unimpaired supervisor (parent or guardian, driver ed instructor, or someone 25 or older) whose license is valid.

Full eligibility rules are in Vermont junior driver’s license rules and Vermont driver’s ed and the 40-hour certification.

Car checklist for the Vermont road test

No test is given if the car fails any of these:

• Registered and inspected (any state), with a valid inspection sticker
• Insurance card showing the insurer, effective and expiration dates, the insured’s name and the vehicle description including VIN
• Registration certificate
• Working headlights, horn, wipers, rearview mirror, tail lights, brake system, turn signals, tires, steering, windshield, exhaust, fenders and bumpers
• Safety belts (no belts, no test) and defrosters
• A parking or emergency brake strong enough to hold the car in neutral on a hill, facing up or down
• No illegal tint on the front windows
• Clean car, and no animals inside

Not allowed: rental cars (unless the rental company gives a letter accepting full responsibility), dealer plates (unless you are an immediate family member of the dealership), and agriculture, antique or exhibit plates.

How to do the hill start on the Vermont road test

1. When told, signal right, pull to the right side of the road and stop.
2. Set the parking brake and shift to neutral. The brake must hold the car without rolling back.
3. Put the car in gear. Signal left.
4. Check mirrors and your left blind spot.
5. Accelerate gently until you feel the car want to move, then release the parking brake (unless yours releases itself).
6. Look over your left shoulder again and drive up the hill without rolling back.

If your car has hill assist or a parking brake that disengages automatically, do the hill start the way the car is designed to.

In everyday driving you may have to stop on a hill at a sign or light. To avoid rolling back, move your foot quickly from the brake to the gas, or hold the car on the parking brake, press the gas lightly and release the brake as you move off. Going downhill, never coast in neutral or with the clutch pressed down.

How to do the turnaround using a side street

1. As you approach the side street on your right, slow down, check traffic in all directions and signal.
2. Drive just past the street and stop about 18 inches from the curb or road edge.
3. Shift to reverse. Check all directions and your blind spots.
4. When clear, back slowly into the side street, staying on your own side. Look mostly through the rear window.
5. Stop once the car is fully in the side street, past any crosswalk or stop line.
6. Signal left, shift to drive and make a proper left turn back out when no vehicles are coming.

Never back across an intersection. While reversing, you are responsible for traffic in all directions.

How to parallel park on the Vermont road test

Entering the space

1. Check your rearview mirror and signal right.
2. Stop alongside the front vehicle, two to three feet away.
3. Shift to reverse. Check for traffic and pedestrians all around and look over your left shoulder.
4. Back in slowly, looking through the rear window, steering fully right and then fully left.
5. Pull forward slowly to center the car in the space.

Leaving the space

1. Back up if needed so you can pull out in one motion.
2. Signal left; check mirrors and your left blind spot for vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians.
3. Pull out slowly and stay on your own side.

You may be asked to park with only a front vehicle in place. Use the same steps.

What the Vermont examiner looks for

The manual says you will not be asked to do anything illegal and no tricks will be played. You are expected to:

• follow the examiner’s directions
• handle the car with skill
• drive at proper speeds for the conditions (50 mph on Vermont roads unless posted)
• obey signs and rules of the road
• signal at least 100 feet before turns and lane changes
• yield to pedestrians and bicyclists

For mistakes that commonly fail learners nationwide, seecommon reasons people fail the US driving test.

Taking the road test with a driver ed instructor

Some DMV-licensed driving school instructors and enrolled high school driver ed instructors are certified as road test examiners. They test only their own students. If you pass with a high school instructor, you get a Driver Education Examination Certificate. Then take it to a DMV office in person, with your valid permit, the signed application, the road test and license fees, and proof of Vermont residency.

After the test

• Pass: pay the fees, show identification and your license is issued.
• Fail: wait at least seven days to retest and pay the $23 road test fee again. After three fails, the minimum wait is one month.
• Bad road conditions can cancel tests. Reschedule on mydmv.vermont.gov or at 802.828.2000.

Common questions

What maneuvers are on the Vermont road test?

A hill stop and start, a turnaround backing into a side street, and parallel parking, plus general driving in traffic.

How much is the Vermont road test?

$23 for the test. A 2-year junior license adds $39 ($62 total). For adults, a 4-year license adds $62 ($85 total).

Can I use a rental car?

Only if the rental company provides a letter accepting full responsibility for the road test.

Can my car be registered in another state?

Yes. The DMV says the state of registration and inspection does not matter, as long as both are valid and the car is insured.

How long do I wait after failing?

At least seven days. After a third fail, at least one month.

Does an automatic parking brake matter for the hill start?

No. Do the hill start the way your car is meant to, including hill assist if it has it.

Back to the full guide: learning to drive in Vermont. Compare other states in US road tests by state, and practice parking with US parking rules for new drivers.

Sources

• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Vermont Driver’s Manual” (VN-007) (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Junior Driver’s License” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver’s License Fees” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Learner’s Permit” (FAQs) (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Education” (dmv.vermont.gov)

Photo: Steven Bergeron, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Vermont learner’s permit test is taken online at mydmv.vermont.gov, not at a DMV office. It has 20 multiple-choice questions and you need at least 16 right to pass. This guide is for Vermont teens (15 and up) and parents: what the test covers, what it costs, what happens if you fail, and the step many people miss after passing.

Key facts (Vermont DMV, as of November 2026)

• Minimum age to take the test: 15.
• Format: online only, 20 questions, four answer choices each, one correct.
• Pass mark: at least 16 correct (80%).
• Fail: wait at least one day, then retake. No limit on attempts, but you pay the test fee each time.
• Cost: $39 knowledge test plus $24 permit, $63 in total (DMV fee page updated July 9, 2026).
• Passing does not issue your permit automatically. You still have to apply for it.

Who can take the Vermont permit test?

• You must be at least 15.
• If you are 15, 16 or 17, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application before you take the test (unless you are an emancipated minor).
• Under 18, you need a “clean” driving record for the previous two years. If you have had a recall, suspension or revocation, contact the DMV, as you may have to serve an extra waiting period.
• Foreign exchange students need the Foreign Exchange Parental Authorization form (VL-036) signed by a parent or legal guardian. A host parent cannot sign it.
• A resident of another state enrolled in a Vermont driver education course can also get a Vermont permit, with a letter from the school confirming enrollment.

How does the online permit test work?

1. Log in to mydmv.vermont.gov and start the learner permit knowledge exam. It is no longer offered in DMV offices.
2. Answer 20 questions. Each has four choices and only one is correct.
3. Score 16 or more to pass.
4. Complete the permit application and pay the fees. The DMV says the process “requires customers to actively apply” after passing.
5. Keep your receipt. It works as a temporary learner’s permit for 90 days from its date, and you must carry it when you drive.

The manual itself may not be used during the test. If your child has an Individualized Education Program (IEP), the DMV allows a parent to read the test aloud, but not to give the correct answers.

If you passed but heard nothing back, the DMV asks you to email [email protected] or call 802.828.2000 to check your status.

What is on the Vermont permit test?

Questions come from the Vermont Driver’s License Manual (VN-007), mainly Chapter 7, “Driving Safely and Studying for Your Permit”. Study these sections:

Manual section	Facts worth memorizing
Speed limits	50 mph on Vermont roads unless posted; 65 mph on the Interstate unless posted
Signals	Signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes (about 3 to 5 seconds)
Following distance	At least four seconds; more in bad weather, poor visibility or at higher speed
Roundabouts	Traffic flows counterclockwise; yield to traffic already in the roundabout; no lane changes inside
Move over law	On the Interstate, change lanes away from stopped emergency or repair vehicles; if you can’t, slow to 20 mph below the limit
School buses	Never pass a stopped bus with red lights flashing, from any direction; conviction means 5 points
Alcohol	.08 BAC is “under the influence”; under 21, .02 or more is a civil violation with license suspension
Phones	No portable electronic device use while driving, even when stopped in traffic
Road signs and markings	Shapes, colors, lane lines; a yellow line on your right on a divided highway means you are going the wrong way

For sign shapes and colors used across the US, see US road signs by shape and color.

How to study for the Vermont permit test

• Read the whole manual, not just Chapter 7. The DMV warns that your permit will not be issued unless all other requirements are met, even if you pass.
• Use DriveVermont, the DMV’s free web tutorial. It has videos, quizzes and a practice exam the DMV says looks very similar to the real test.
• Audio and translated versions of the manual are on dmv.vermont.gov if reading is hard for you.

How much does a Vermont learner’s permit cost?

Item	Fee (as of November 2026)
Knowledge test (learner’s permit)	$39.00
Learner’s permit (valid 2 years)	$24.00
Total first time	$63.00
Retake after a fail	$39.00 test fee again
Replacement permit	$24.00

Check the DMV fee page before paying, as fees can change.

Driving with your Vermont permit

You may drive anywhere, anytime in Vermont if one of these people is riding in the front seat beside you:

• a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian
• a licensed or certified unimpaired driver education instructor
• a licensed and unimpaired person aged 25 or older

The 25-plus rule applies even if you are 18 or older. Before driving in another state, ask that state whether a Vermont permit is valid there (see driving with a learner’s permit in another state). Under 18, you must hold the permit for at least one year before a junior license. The next steps are in Vermont junior driver’s license rules and Vermont driver’s ed and the 40-hour certification.

Common questions

Is the Vermont permit test online?

Yes. It is taken online at mydmv.vermont.gov and is no longer given in DMV offices.

How many questions can I miss on the Vermont permit test?

Four. You need at least 16 of 20 correct.

How soon can I retake the test if I fail?

After at least one day. You can take it as many times as you need, paying the $39 test fee each time.

Can I drive as soon as I pass?

Only after you complete the permit application and pay. Your receipt then acts as a temporary permit for 90 days, and you must have a qualified supervisor with you.

Can a parent help with the test?

A parent of a student with an IEP may read the questions aloud but may not give answers.

Can I use a permit from another state in Vermont?

The DMV’s answer is yes. Vermont’s supervision rules still apply while you drive here.

Back to the full guide: learning to drive in Vermont. Compare other states in US permit tests by state.

Sources

• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Vermont Driver’s Manual” (VN-007) (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Learner’s Permit” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver’s License Fees” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Once I have taken the permit test and paid the fee, do I need to wait for the actual permit to come in the mail?” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver’s License Manual” (dmv.vermont.gov)

Photo: Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Learning to drive in Vermont follows three stages: a learner’s permit from 15, a junior driver’s license at 16 or 17 after holding the permit for a year, and a full license at 18. The permit test is online only, and driver education plus 40 hours of supervised practice are required before a junior license. This guide walks through every chapter of the Vermont Driver’s License Manual and links to a detailed guide for each step.

Key facts (Vermont DMV, as of November 2026)

• Handbook: Vermont Driver’s Manual (VN-007), listed by the DMV as November 18, 2024. Audio, translated and interactive (DriveVermont) versions exist.
• Permit: from age 15. Online test, 20 questions, 16 correct to pass. $63 ($39 test plus $24 permit).
• Junior license: age 16 or 17 after holding the permit at least one year. Road test $23 plus $39 license.
• Under 18: driver education (30 hours classroom, 6 behind the wheel, 6 observation) plus 40 practice hours, 10 at night.
• Full license: at 18, with no recalls, suspensions or revocations in the previous six months.
• All DMV office visits are by appointment.

The Vermont path to a license, step by step

Stage	Age	Main rules	Detailed guide
Learner’s permit	15+	Drive only with a licensed, unimpaired parent or guardian, driver ed instructor, or person 25+ beside you	Vermont permit test
Driver ed and 40 hours	While on permit	30/6/6 course; 40 more hours with 10 at night, certified by a parent	Driver’s ed and 40 hours
Road test	16+ after 1 year on permit	Hill start, side-street turnaround, parallel parking	Vermont road test
Junior license	16 to 17	Passenger limits for 6 months; no driving for work for 1 year	Junior license rules
Driver’s license	18+	Clean six months; points system applies	Points system

Chapter 1: General information

• DMV offices: Bennington, Dummerston, Montpelier (main office), Newport, Saint Albans, Saint Johnsbury, South Burlington, Springfield, Rutland and White River Junction.
• Book at mydmv.vermont.gov or 888.970.0357. General line: 802.828.2000. Hearing impaired: dial 711.
• Road tests can be cancelled for poor road conditions. Offices close on state holidays, including Town Meeting Day and Bennington Battle Day.

Chapter 2: How to lose your license

Under-21 alcohol offenses go to the Teen Alcohol Safety Program. Failing to contact it within 15 days can mean a $300 penalty and a 90-day suspension. Lying on an application carries a fine of up to $1,000, up to two years in prison, or both, plus a 90-day suspension. Every application is checked against the national Problem Driver Pointer System, so a suspension elsewhere blocks a Vermont license. Full detail: Vermont points system and how to lose your license.

Chapter 3: Proof of identity in Vermont

Bring original documents (or copies certified by the issuer) from each category:

1. Identity and date of birth: for example, a valid passport, certified birth record, Permanent Resident Card or Certificate of Naturalization.
2. Social Security: your card or an SSA ineligibility letter; a W-2, SSA-1099 or pay stub showing your SSN can substitute.
3. Vermont residency: two pieces of mail at your street address, or two documents such as a utility bill or lease. Minors use a Vermont Residency Certification plus one parent document and proof of relationship.
4. Lawful status: only for Real ID and the Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), and it must have at least 30 days remaining.

Photocopies and faxes are refused. Height, weight, eye color and gender on the card are self-designated, so no document is needed for them. You can also register as an organ donor when you apply. Vermont also issues a Driver Privilege Card, a license or permit that is not Real ID compliant and needs no proof of legal presence. More on Real ID: Real ID and your first US driver’s license.

Chapter 4: Permits, junior licenses and driver’s licenses

• Permit: 15 or older, parent signature under 18, clean record for the previous two years. You may drive anywhere, anytime in Vermont with a qualified supervisor.
• Tests: a vision screening (20/40 standard, or referral to an eye doctor), the online knowledge test, then the road test.
• Junior license: 16 or 17, one year on the permit, driver ed logged by your instructor, 40 certified hours, parent consent, insured and inspected car.
• Driver’s license: 18 or older. It covers any noncommercial vehicle except a school bus or motorcycle.
• New residents: get a Vermont license within 60 days of moving (30 days for a CDL). With a valid out-of-state license, or one expired 3 years or less, you take an eye exam. Otherwise you take vision, written and road tests. See moving to a new state.
• Motorcycles: at 16 or older with a license, by test. The Vermont Rider Education Program’s Basic Rider Course exempts you from the state written and skills exams.

Chapter 5: Vermont’s Graduated Driver’s License program

Junior drivers carry no passengers for the first three months unless a qualified adult is in the front seat. In months 4 to 6 they may carry immediate family. After that, the only limit is one passenger per safety belt. There is no driving for work for one year, and no passengers for hire. Violations bring 30- or 90-day recalls. Full rules: Vermont junior driver’s license rules. Compare states: US graduated driver licensing compared.

Chapter 6: Vermont license fees, renewals and replacements

Item	Fee (DMV fee page, July 2026)
Knowledge test plus learner’s permit	$63 ($39 + $24)
Road test plus 2-year junior license	$62 ($23 + $39)
Road test plus 4-year license (18+)	$85 ($23 + $62)
Renewal: 2-year / 4-year license	$39 / $62
Replacement license or permit	$24
Enhanced Driver’s License	$36 extra
Reinstatement after suspension	$96

• A renewal form is mailed about a month before your license or permit expires; renew by mail, online or in person. A license photo is valid for 8 years.
• A Vermont license expired more than 14 days is not valid for driving. After more than 3 years expired, you must test again.
• Report a change of name or address within 30 days. Address changes can be made online; name changes need an office visit.
• You can renew and replace a license online at mydmv.vermont.gov.

Chapter 7: Driving safely in Vermont (the permit test chapter)

This is the chapter the permit test draws on most. Rules that catch learners:

• Speed: 50 mph maximum on Vermont roads and 65 mph on the Interstate, unless posted. Always drive at a speed safe for conditions.
• Signals: at least 100 feet before a turn or lane change. If your signals or brake lights fail, use hand signals and get them fixed at once.
• Turns: for a left turn, move to within one foot of the center line and keep your wheels straight until you turn. For a right turn, stay about three feet from the road edge and don’t swing left first. Turn into the nearest lane, yield to pedestrians and bicyclists, and never change lanes during a turn or turn from a lane marked for straight ahead.
• Following distance: at least four seconds, and more in bad weather, at night, behind a motorcycle and behind farm vehicles.
• Driving slowly: if traffic backs up behind you, the law requires you to pull over when it is safe and let it pass.
• Right of way: yield to anyone already in the intersection. At a four-way stop the first to arrive goes first; if two arrive together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Turning left, yield to all oncoming vehicles and bicyclists. Coming out of a driveway, alley, parking lot or the top of a T, yield to all traffic on the road.
• Parking: park with the flow of traffic and within 12 inches of the curb or road edge. In the country, get all four wheels off the road, and never stop where you can’t be seen for 150 feet. No parking within 6 feet of a hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, 30 feet of a stop sign, traffic light or flashing signal, or 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing; within 20 feet of a fire station driveway (75 feet across the street when signed); in a bike lane; on a bridge, sidewalk or crosswalk; or beside a parked car. On a hill, turn your wheels and set the parking brake.
• Roundabouts: yield to traffic in the circle, never change lanes inside, and signal your exit (see how to drive a roundabout).
• Move over: pull right and stop for approaching emergency vehicles. Change lanes away from stopped ones on the Interstate, or slow to 20 mph below the limit. Yield to working highway maintenance vehicles such as snowplows. Treat stopped tow and repair trucks with amber lights the same way. In a roundabout, pull over for an emergency vehicle only after you have exited (see move over laws).
• Traffic lights: a dark signal means stop as if there were stop signs in all directions. Right on a circular red is usually allowed after a full stop unless a sign forbids it; never turn right on a red arrow, or when a lit NO TURN ON RED sign is showing.
• School buses: never pass one stopped with red lights flashing, from any direction, even in a school yard. Flashing yellow lights mean get ready to stop. You need not stop on a divided highway when the bus is on the other side, or where a concrete barrier separates you (see school bus stopping laws).
• Railroad crossings: stop at least 15 feet from the nearest rail when lights flash, gates are down, a flagger signals, a train is in sight or sounding, or there is a STOP sign. Never go around a closed gate, and never pass another vehicle at a crossing. Report a danger at a crossing to the number on the emergency sign, quoting the crossing number.
• Passing: pass on the left with at least four feet of clearance, and don’t pull back in until you can see the whole vehicle or bicyclist in your inside mirror. You may pass on the right on a multilane road, or on a narrower road when the vehicle ahead is turning left and there is room. Never leave the pavement to pass. Don’t pass on hills, on curves, at railroads or intersections, or where a “changed path ahead” sign shows. When someone passes you, slow a little and keep right.
• Pedestrians: never pass a vehicle stopped for a pedestrian, even on a two-lane road. Yield even when a pedestrian crosses carelessly, don’t block crosswalks, and stop for anyone with a white cane or guide dog. Watch school zones, where lower limits apply “when flashing” or “when children are present”. Don’t pick up hitchhikers on the Interstate or its ramps.
• Bicyclists: they may use every road except limited-access highways like the Interstate, may ride two abreast, and may take the lane when it is safer. Leave at least four feet when passing, wait if the road is too narrow, and don’t honk without good cause. Check for bikes before turning and before opening a door.
• Horses, farm vehicles and other road users: a rider or animal-drawn vehicle has the same rights as a driver. Slow down or stop, never honk or rev, leave at least four seconds behind them, and use the full lane to pass. Slow-moving vehicles carry an orange and red triangle; pass them only when it is safe, and yield to wide farm equipment on narrow roads. Watch for skateboards, scooters and electric wheelchairs too.
• Work zones: the rules apply 24 hours a day, fines for speeding are doubled, and flaggers must be obeyed. Merge early and keep four seconds back.
• Headlights: required from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, and whenever you can’t see people or vehicles 500 feet ahead. Use low beams in fog, rain, snow, streetlit areas and when meeting or following others. Daytime running lights are not headlights, and parking lights are only for parking.
• Interstates: yield to traffic already on the road when you merge, keep right except to pass, and never stop in a travel lane. In an emergency, use the breakdown lane, raise the hood and stay in the car. If you miss your exit, go on to the next one; never back up or use the emergency crossovers. Don’t use cruise control in rain, fog, snow or ice.
• Low shoulders and floods: if your wheels drop off the pavement, ease off without braking and steer back slowly. Never drive into water over the road or around a road closed barrier, abandon a car that stalls in floodwater, and keep away from downed wires.
• Police stops: pull right, keep your seat belt on, stay in the car, and show license, registration and insurance when asked.
• Winter and wildlife: snow tires on all four wheels, clear all ice and snow, watch for black ice on bridges and ramps. Moose and deer are most likely on roads in the late evening, at night and early morning, and they often travel in pairs. If you are stranded in a blizzard, stay with the car, keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and run the engine about 10 minutes an hour with a downwind window open a crack. Keep at least half a tank of fuel in winter.
• Alcohol and drugs: .08 BAC is impaired; under 21 the limit is .02. Refusing a test means at least six months without a license, and Vermont can suspend you through a civil process before any criminal conviction. Only time sobers you up: allow at least an hour per drink (see zero tolerance laws).
• Phones: no portable electronic device use while driving, even when stopped. Fines start at $100 (see hands-free and texting laws).
• Crashes: if anyone is hurt or damage is over $3,000, file a written report with the DMV within 72 hours. Stop and give reasonable help, call 911 for injuries, and show your license to anyone hurt or whose property was damaged. If you hit a parked car and can’t find the owner, leave your name, address and phone number on it. A crash in another state is reported in that state (see what to do after a car crash).
• Seat belts and car seats: everyone must be belted or in an approved child seat. Under 2 rides in a rear-facing harnessed seat, never in front of an active airbag. From 2 to under 5, a rear- or forward-facing harnessed seat. Under 8 and out of a harnessed seat, a booster. Under 13 rides in back if practical, and anyone under 18 not in a child seat or booster wears a belt (see seat belt and car seat laws).

The road test section of Chapter 7 is covered in the Vermont road test guide.

Chapter 8: Vermont point system

10 points within two years means suspension. Example values are speeding 2 to 8, passing a stopped school bus 5, and failing to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk 4. Teens are recalled at 6 points or after a single 3-point speeding ticket. See the Vermont points system.

Chapter 9: Owning a car in Vermont

• New residents register vehicles within 60 days. Carry proof of registration in the car.
• Vehicles are inspected once a year, and within 15 days of registration unless they already carry a valid Vermont sticker. Tires need at least 2/32 inch of tread.
• Minimum liability insurance: $25,000 for one person’s injury or death, $50,000 for two or more people, and $10,000 for property damage. No insurance when stopped means a fine and 2 points (see car insurance for new drivers).
• Purchase and Use Tax is 6% of the price or fair market value, whichever is greater.
• When selling, give a bill of sale, sign over the title and remove your plates.
• Insured but can’t show the card when stopped? You have 15 days to prove you were covered. Drive uninsured and then crash, drive impaired, or commit certain other offenses, and your license is taken until you get insurance; you must then prove cover for 3 years.
• Equipment the law cares about: nothing hanging from the rearview mirror or sun visors, a working horn and rearview mirror, a rear plate lit so it can be read from 50 feet, clear windows and working defrosters, and no tampering with the catalytic converter. Leaving a running car unattended in public is illegal.
• Tell the DMV within 30 days if you change your name, your address or your vehicle’s color.
• The manual’s fuel-saving tips: 55 to 60 mph instead of 65 on the Interstate, smooth starts and stops, short warm-ups, correct tire pressure, less weight and air conditioning, windows closed above 50 mph, and combined trips or carpools.

Chapter 10: Commercial driver’s license (CDL)

A CDL is needed for vehicles rated over 26,000 pounds, vehicles carrying 16 or more people including the driver, or placarded hazardous materials. The classes are A, B and C, plus a CDL instructional permit. Separate CDL manuals are available at DMV offices.

Chapter 11: Drivers with disabilities

If you have a condition that may cause loss of consciousness, such as epilepsy or insulin-treated diabetes, or have lost a limb or use a wheelchair, call the Driver Improvement Section (802.828.2000) before booking. You will get a medical evaluation form for your doctor. Disabled parking placards are free. With a disabled plate or placard you may park for up to 10 days, without a fee, in spaces where others have a time limit, and gas stations showing the disability access symbol must pump your fuel for you at the self-service price. Ask for help with reading or building access when you book, and the DMV will accommodate you.

Chapter 12: For parents and guardians

The DMV asks parents to give more than the required 40 practice hours and to set family rules on belts, speed, phones, night driving after 9 p.m. and teen passengers. Parents can also suspend a teen’s provisional license by writing to the Commissioner. See driver’s ed and the 40-hour certification.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to drive in Vermont?

15 for a learner’s permit (with supervision), 16 for a junior license after a year on the permit, and 18 for a full license.

Is the Vermont permit test online?

Yes, only online at mydmv.vermont.gov. You need 16 of 20 correct.

Is driver’s ed required in Vermont?

Yes, for license applicants under 18.

Is there a curfew for teen drivers in Vermont?

The DMV’s published GDL rules contain no curfew. They limit passengers and work driving instead.

I am 18 or older. Do I still need a permit first?

New drivers start with a learner’s permit at any age. Supervisors must still be 25 or older (or a parent, guardian or instructor), and you bring one to the road test.

Can I practice in another state on a Vermont permit?

Ask that state first. The DMV says you must check whether a Vermont permit is legal there (see driving with a learner’s permit in another state).

For how Vermont fits into the US system, see learning to drive in the USA.

Sources

• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Vermont Driver’s Manual” (VN-007), Chapters 1 to 12 (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver’s License Manual” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Learner’s Permit” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Junior Driver’s License” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated License Laws” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver’s License Fees” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “License Suspensions & Related Programs” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver Education” (dmv.vermont.gov)

Photo: Sawyer Sutton, Pexels

The Vermont learner’s permit test is online at mydmv.vermont.gov: 20 multiple-choice questions, four choices each, and you need at least 16 right (80%). This page gives you 30 original practice questions drawn from the topics in the Vermont Driver’s License Manual, so you can practice beyond the length of the real test. They are unofficial and are not the DMV’s questions.

Vermont permit test: the numbers

Item	Vermont DMV rule (as of November 2026)
Questions	20, four choices each
Pass mark	16 correct (80%)
Where	Online only, at mydmv.vermont.gov
Fail	Wait at least one day; pay the $39 test fee again
Study source	Vermont Driver’s License Manual, mainly Chapter 7

The manual cannot be used during the test. Passing does not issue the permit by itself; you still apply and pay. Full details: Vermont learner’s permit test online.

Signs, signals and pavement markings (questions 1 to 8)

1. What does an eight-sided red sign mean?

• A. Do not enter
• B. Yield
• C. Stop completely
• D. Railroad crossing

Answer: C. Only STOP signs have eight sides. Manual topic: road signs.

2. A yellow diamond-shaped sign is a:

• A. Regulatory sign
• B. Warning sign
• C. Guide sign
• D. Service sign

Answer: B. Yellow diamonds warn of hazards and changes in the road ahead. Manual topic: road signs.

3. A white X-shaped sign at a crossing means:

• A. A closed road
• B. An intersection
• C. A railroad crossing; look and listen for trains
• D. A pedestrian crossing

Answer: C. The crossbuck marks the railroad crossing itself. Manual topic: railroad crossings.

4. On a divided highway, the yellow line is on your right. This means:

• A. You are on the shoulder
• B. You are in the passing lane
• C. You are driving the wrong way
• D. You are in the correct lane

Answer: C. On a divided highway the yellow line should be on your left. If it is on your right, you are going the wrong way. Manual topic: pavement markings.

5. A solid white line between two lanes going the same way means:

• A. Change lanes freely
• B. Lane changes are discouraged; stay in your lane
• C. The lane is a bike lane
• D. Passing is required

Answer: B. Solid white lines mark lanes where you should not change lanes. Broken white lines allow changes when safe. Manual topic: pavement markings.

6. A steady red arrow means:

• A. The lane is ending
• B. Turn in the direction of the arrow after stopping
• C. Do not go in the direction of the arrow until it changes
• D. Proceed with caution

Answer: C. A red arrow stops movement in that direction. Manual topic: traffic signals.

7. Orange diamond signs mean:

• A. A work zone: slow down and watch for workers and flaggers
• B. A hospital
• C. A school zone
• D. A scenic route

Answer: A. Orange marks construction and maintenance areas. Follow flaggers’ directions. Manual topic: work zones.

8. A flashing red light at an intersection means:

• A. The signal is broken; drive through
• B. Slow down
• C. Yield only to pedestrians
• D. Stop, then go when it is safe

Answer: D. Treat a flashing red light as a STOP sign. Manual topic: traffic signals.

Right of way, turns and roundabouts (questions 9 to 14)

9. Which way does traffic move in a Vermont roundabout?

• A. Either way
• B. Counterclockwise
• C. Whichever is shorter
• D. Clockwise

Answer: B. Traffic flows counterclockwise. Yield to traffic already in the roundabout. Manual topic: roundabouts.

10. Inside a multi-lane roundabout, may you change lanes?

• A. Yes, at any time
• B. Only if you signal
• C. Only to exit early
• D. No. Do not change lanes inside the roundabout

Answer: D. Choose your lane before entering and stay in it. Manual topic: roundabouts.

11. How far ahead must you signal before turning or changing lanes in Vermont?

• A. Only as you begin to turn
• B. At least 50 feet
• C. At least 100 feet
• D. At least 25 feet

Answer: C. Signal at least 100 feet ahead, about 3 to 5 seconds. Manual topic: signaling.

12. Two drivers arrive at an all-way stop at the same time. Who yields?

• A. The driver going straight
• B. The driver on the left
• C. Neither
• D. The driver on the right

Answer: B. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Manual topic: right of way.

13. You are turning left at a green light. An oncoming car is approaching. You must:

• A. Honk
• B. Yield until it has passed or it is safe
• C. Turn before it arrives
• D. Stop and wait for a red light

Answer: B. Left-turning traffic yields to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Manual topic: turns.

14. A pedestrian is crossing at a corner with no painted crosswalk. You should:

• A. Yield to the pedestrian
• B. Honk
• C. Drive through if they are not in your lane
• D. Speed up

Answer: A. Yield to pedestrians crossing at intersections, marked or not. Manual topic: pedestrians.

Speed, space and following distance (questions 15 to 18)

15. Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit on Vermont roads?

• A. 55 mph
• B. 45 mph
• C. 35 mph
• D. 50 mph

Answer: D. The manual says 50 mph on Vermont roads unless posted. Manual topic: speed limits.

16. Unless posted otherwise, what is the speed limit on the Interstate in Vermont?

• A. 65 mph
• B. 70 mph
• C. 60 mph
• D. 55 mph

Answer: A. The Interstate limit is 65 mph unless signs show otherwise. Manual topic: speed limits.

17. What is the minimum following distance the Vermont manual recommends?

• A. Four seconds
• B. Two seconds
• C. Ten seconds
• D. One second

Answer: A. At least four seconds, with more in bad weather, poor visibility or at higher speeds. Manual topic: following distance.

18. You are driving on a snow-covered back road. You should:

• A. Follow closely to use the tracks ahead
• B. Slow down and leave more space
• C. Use cruise control
• D. Drive at the 50 mph default limit

Answer: B. Speed limits are for good conditions. Snow and ice need lower speeds and more following distance. Manual topic: winter driving.

Sharing the road: buses and emergency vehicles (questions 19 to 21)

19. A school bus stops with red lights flashing. From which direction must you stop?

• A. From any direction
• B. Only from behind
• C. Only from the front
• D. Only on two-lane roads

Answer: A. The Vermont manual says never to pass a stopped school bus with red lights flashing, from any direction. Manual topic: school buses.

20. How many points does a conviction for passing a stopped school bus carry in Vermont?

• A. 5
• B. 3
• C. 10
• D. 2

Answer: A. The manual lists 5 points for passing a stopped school bus. Manual topic: points.

21. On the Interstate, you approach a stopped tow truck with flashing lights on the shoulder. You must:

• A. Flash your high beams
• B. Keep your speed and lane
• C. Change lanes away from it, or if you cannot, slow to 20 mph below the limit
• D. Stop behind it

Answer: C. Vermont’s move over law covers emergency and repair vehicles. Move over, or slow down if a lane change is not possible. Manual topic: move over law.

Alcohol, drugs and distractions (questions 22 to 25)

22. At what BAC is an adult driver considered under the influence in Vermont?

• A. 0.10
• B. 0.02
• C. 0.05
• D. 0.08

Answer: D. The manual sets .08 as under the influence for adult drivers. Manual topic: alcohol.

23. A Vermont driver aged 19 is found driving with a BAC of .02. What happens?

• A. A fine only if there was a crash
• B. A warning only
• C. It is a civil violation with a license suspension and an alcohol education program
• D. Nothing, because it is under .08

Answer: C. Under 21, .02 or more is a civil violation. The license is suspended and the driver must complete an alcohol program at their own cost. Manual topic: alcohol.

24. When may you use a handheld phone while driving in Vermont?

• A. On rural roads
• B. Not while driving, including when stopped in traffic
• C. At a red light
• D. When stopped in traffic

Answer: B. Vermont bans portable electronic device use while driving, even when stopped in traffic. Pull over and park first. Manual topic: distracted driving.

25. Which is the only thing that sobers you up?

• A. Fresh air
• B. Time
• C. Food
• D. Coffee

Answer: B. Your body needs time to remove alcohol. Nothing speeds it up. Manual topic: alcohol.

Vermont permit and junior license rules (questions 26 to 30)

26. Who can supervise you on a Vermont learner’s permit?

• A. A licensed, unimpaired parent or guardian, a driver education instructor, or a licensed, unimpaired person 25 or older
• B. A sibling with a junior license
• C. Any adult passenger
• D. Any licensed driver 18 or older

Answer: A. The supervisor must sit in the front seat beside you. The 25-plus rule applies at any age. Topic: learner’s permit.

27. Under 18, how long must you hold a learner’s permit before a junior license?

• A. One year
• B. Six months
• C. Three months
• D. Two years

Answer: A. Under 18, hold the permit for at least one year with no recalls, suspensions or revocations in the last six months. Topic: junior license.

28. How many hours of supervised practice must be certified for a Vermont junior license?

• A. 60, with 15 at night
• B. 50, with 10 at night
• C. 20, with 5 at night
• D. 40, with 10 at night

Answer: D. You need 40 hours of supervised practice, at least 10 at night, in addition to driver education. Topic: driver education.

29. In the first three months of a junior license, who may ride with you?

• A. Only friends under 18
• B. Two friends
• C. Anyone
• D. No passengers unless a qualified adult (parent or guardian, instructor or licensed person 25+) is in the front seat

Answer: D. In months 4 to 6, immediate family members are allowed. After 6 months there is no passenger limit beyond one per seat belt. Topic: junior license.

30. A Vermont teen gets a junior license and is offered a pizza delivery job. When can they drive for work?

• A. Right away
• B. Never on a junior license
• C. After three months
• D. After holding the junior license for one year, or at 18 if sooner

Answer: D. Junior license holders may not drive as part of a job for the first year or until 18. Topic: junior license.

Check your score

Correct out of 30	Equivalent on the 20-question test	Verdict
27 to 30	18 to 20	Ready
24 to 26	16 to 17	At the pass line. Fix the misses.
Under 24	15 or fewer	Not yet. Reread Chapter 7 of the manual.

The DMV’s free DriveVermont tutorial has a practice exam the DMV says is very similar to the real one. Use it too. After you pass, the next steps are in Vermont driver’s ed and the 40-hour certification and Vermont junior driver’s license rules.

Common questions

Are these the real Vermont DMV test questions?

No. They are original, unofficial practice questions based on the Vermont Driver’s License Manual.

How many questions can I miss on the Vermont permit test?

Four. You need at least 16 of 20.

Can I take the Vermont permit test at a DMV office?

No. It is taken online at mydmv.vermont.gov and is no longer offered in DMV offices.

Can a parent read the questions to me?

Only if you have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). The parent may read the test aloud but may not give answers.

How soon can I retake it?

After at least one day. There is no limit on attempts, but you pay the test fee each time.

Where are tests for other states?

See US permit practice tests by state. The whole Vermont route is in learning to drive in Vermont.

Sources

• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Vermont Driver’s License Manual” (VN-007) (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Learner’s Permit” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Junior Driver’s License” (dmv.vermont.gov)
• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, “Driver’s License Fees” (dmv.vermont.gov)