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?
- Log in to mydmv.vermont.gov and start the learner permit knowledge exam. It is no longer offered in DMV offices.
- Answer 20 questions. Each has four choices and only one is correct.
- Score 16 or more to pass.
- Complete the permit application and pay the fees. The DMV says the process “requires customers to actively apply” after passing.
- 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)