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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)