Vermont graduated driver licence stages

By the end of this topic you can

• You can name the three stages of Vermont's GDL program and the ages for each.
• You can explain who may supervise a permit holder.
• You can list what you must complete before getting a Junior Driver's License.
• You can describe the passenger and work limits on a Junior Driver's License.
• You can explain what a provisional license recall is.

What you need to know and understand

• You must be at least 15 to take the Learner's Permit test.
• A permit holder may drive anywhere, at any time, in Vermont, but only with a qualifying supervisor beside them.
• You must hold the permit for at least one year before getting a Junior Driver's License.
• Before the Junior license you need driver education plus 40 hours of practice, at least 10 of them at night.
• The Junior Driver's License is for 16- and 17-year-olds who pass the road test.
• A full Driver's License needs you to be 18 with no recalls, suspensions or revocations in the previous six months.
• The GDL rules in the Vermont manual do not include a nighttime curfew.

Stage 1: the Learner's Permit

From age 15 you can take the online permit test. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application, and you need a clean driving record for the previous two years.

With the permit you may drive only when one of these people rides beside you: a licensed, unimpaired parent or guardian; a licensed or certified, unimpaired driver education instructor; or any licensed, unimpaired person aged 25 or older.

Stage 2: the Junior Driver's License

To move up you need to have held your permit for a year, finished a state-approved driver education course, logged 40 hours of supervised practice (10 at night), and had no permit recalls, suspensions or revocations for six months. Then you pass the road test.

• First three months: drive alone, or carry passengers only when a qualifying supervisor is in the front seat.
• Months four to six: you may also carry immediate family members (siblings and parents).
• After six months: no passenger limit, but never more passengers than seat belts.
• No driving as part of a job for one year after the license is issued, or until 18 if sooner.
• No carrying passengers for hire.
• No use of any portable electronic device while driving.

Stage 3: the full Driver's License

At 18 you can move to a full Driver's License, as long as you have had no recalls, suspensions or revocations in the previous six months. If you were reinstated after a recall, the six months count from the reinstatement date.

Our Vermont learning-to-drive guide covers the journey in more detail.

How recalls work

A recall is a temporary loss of your permit or Junior license: 90 days for passengers for hire, work driving, or a single 3-point speeding ticket or 6 points in total; 30 days for texting or a Diversion Board recommendation. You can ask for a hearing, and no reinstatement fee is due when a recall ends.

Common mistakes

• Thinking any licensed friend can supervise. Unless it is your parent, guardian or instructor, the supervisor must be 25 or older.
• Counting the driver education behind-the-wheel hours toward the 40 practice hours. The 40 hours are in addition to them.
• Giving friends a ride in your first three months with a Junior license. Passengers are allowed only with a qualifying supervisor aboard.
• Taking a delivery job right after passing. Work driving is banned for a year, or until 18.

Test yourself: Vermont graduated driver licence stages

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Learning to Drive in Vermont
• Vermont Permit Practice Test
• Vermont Permit Test Online