According to Vermont Statutes, Title 23, Chapter 9, Vermont residents must possess a valid Vermont-issued driver's license to operate motor vehicles on public roads legally. This license serves as proof of identity and certification that the holder has met the state's requirements for safe driving.
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) oversees license issuance, driving test administration, and traffic law enforcement. Vermont residents and visitors must understand the state-specific regulations for obtaining and maintaining a driver's license, which can differ from those in other states.
What Are the Types of Driver's Licenses in Vermont?
The Vermont DMV issues various driver's licenses, including provisional, commercial, and non-commercial licenses and motorcycle endorsements. Specific types of driver's licenses may be used for both driving and identification purposes.
Provisional Licenses
In Vermont, provisional licenses are issued to individuals between the ages of 15 and 17. They allow young drivers to gain driving experience under certain restrictions before obtaining a full, unrestricted license.
Learner's Permit
A Learner's Permit is a provisional license issued to individuals seeking to learn to drive in Vermont. It is available to residents of Vermont or other states enrolled in a Vermont driver education & training course.
Junior Driver's License
A Junior Driver's License is granted to individuals aged 16 or 17 who pass the necessary examination. Applicants in this age group must have their application signed by a parent or legal guardian consenting to their testing.
Non-commercial Driver's Licenses
In Vermont, a non-commercial driver's license permits individuals to operate private vehicles, such as cars, vans, and small trucks, for personal and recreational use. The types of non-commercial driver's licenses include:
Class D
A Class D license allows the operation of private vehicles weighing less than 26,000 pounds and, if applicable, towing a vehicle or unit weighing less than 10,000 pounds. This license type covers most personal cars but does not permit commercial use.
Driver's Privilege Card (DPC)
A DPC allows the operation of private vehicles similar to a Class D license but is issued to residents who cannot prove legal presence or U.S. citizenship. It offers driving privileges to Vermont residents regardless of immigration status but has limited use for federal identification purposes.
REAL ID
A REAL ID-compliant driver's license serves as identification and proof of driving privileges. Starting May 7, 2025, individuals will need a REAL ID-compliant license for identification when traveling by air, including domestic flights. It can also be used to access federal facilities.
Enhanced Driver's License (EDL)
An EDL meets REAL ID standards for domestic travel identification and allows U.S. citizens to re-enter the country by land or sea from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda but cannot be used for international air travel.
Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs)
Since April 1, 1992, drivers must have a CDL to operate certain Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs). It is necessary for those driving in interstate, intrastate, or foreign commerce in vehicles meeting specific CMV classifications.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets standards for state testing and licensing CDL holders. Drivers must pass knowledge and driving skills tests specific to the type of vehicle they intend to operate. A CDL may be restricted if the skills test is taken in a vehicle lacking essential equipment for certain CMVs.
Class A
A Class A CDL permits the operation of vehicle combinations exceeding 26,000 pounds Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR), with a towed vehicle of at least 10,001 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). This highest-level CDL allows holders to drive vehicles in all commercial classifications.
Class B
A Class B CDL permits the operation of single vehicles or combinations with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or greater with a towed vehicle not exceeding 10,000 pounds GVWR.
Class C
A Class C CDL permits the operation of vehicles not classified under A or B categories, including those designed to carry 16 or more persons (including the driver) or transport placarded hazardous materials.
Motorcycle Endorsement
Vermont residents operating motorcycles on public roads must have a valid Vermont Driver's or Junior Driver's license with a Motorcycle Endorsement.
How To Obtain a Driver's License in Vermont?
Obtaining a driver's license in Vermont involves several key steps, such as the following:
Secure a Learner's Permit
To apply for a Learner's Permit, applicants must be 15 years or older. Those aged 15 to 17 must have maintained a clean driving record for the past two years without recalls, suspensions, or revocations. Minors must include signed permission from a parent or legal guardian with their application unless emancipated.
The application for a Learner's Permit is completed online. The License/Permit Application Form (VL-021), along with proof of identity and residency, is required in this process. The written test can also be taken online, but the vision test can only be taken at a Vermont DMV office. The required fees are payable by U.S. credit/debit card or check.
The Vermont Driver's License Manual and its interactive version, DriveVermont, provide essential information for test preparation. If applicants do not pass the test, they can retry the next day by paying a re-testing fee, with no limit on the number of attempts allowed.
Upon passing the test and paying the additional fee, the Learner's Permit, valid for two years, will be issued to the applicant.
Practice Driving
With the obtained Learner's Permit, the holder is now authorized to drive a motor vehicle under the supervision of an individual who meets one of the following criteria:
- A parent or legal guardian with a driver's license
- A licensed driver of at least 25 years old
- A licensed driver education instructor
Learners can also practice through enrollment in driving schools in Vermont. Per the Vermont DMV, all learners should complete at least 40 hours of practice driving (supervised), including at least 10 hours of nighttime driving (after sunset), before taking their road test.
After obtaining the required hours of practice driving and holding the Learner's Permit for a year as mandated by the Graduated License Law, learners aged 18 years or older can take the road test.
Take the Road Test
Taking the Driver's License Road Test requires an online appointment or call at 888-970-0357. Form VL-021 and the following identity documents are also required to be presented to the Vermont DMV:
- Identity of Date and Birth
- Social Security Information
- Vermont Residency and Current Address
- Lawful Status in the U.S. (Applicable for REAL ID & EDL only)
On the test day, the applicant must be accompanied by an individual aged 25 years or older with a valid driver's license. Applicants found to have driven illegally to the exam office will not be allowed to proceed with the test that day.
Additionally, the applicant must provide a properly maintained vehicle with a valid inspection sticker, automobile insurance, and registration. The vehicle's emergency or parking brakes must effectively hold it stationary in neutral on any incline, whether facing uphill or downhill.
The operator is responsible for ensuring the vehicle is in safe operating condition. The examiner may reject a vehicle for the road test if its mechanical condition is unsatisfactory or its interior condition is unacceptable. Applicants will be notified if their vehicle is deemed unsuitable for any reason.
After successfully passing the test and paying the fee for the chosen validity duration (two or four years), the Vermont DMV will issue a temporary driver's license valid for 45 days. The official driver's license card will be mailed within 7-10 business days.
For more information, check the "Prepare for a Road Test" page on the Vermont DMV website.
How To Renew or Replace a Driver's License in Vermont?
Driver's licenses issued in Vermont are valid for two or four years. To maintain driving privileges, holders must periodically renew their licenses through the Vermont DMV. Individuals must apply for a replacement if a license is lost, stolen, damaged, or the information needs to be changed.
Renewal of Vermont Driver's License
Vermont driver's license holders can apply for renewal six months before their license expires to avoid late fees, license suspension, and potential traffic tickets. License holders typically receive a renewal notification approximately 30 days before their license expires.
Non-CDLs can be renewed online, by mail, or in person, while CDLs must be renewed in person.
Suppose an applicant's existing photo on file is valid for the renewal period (two or four years), considering that license photos are valid for up to nine years. In that case, renewal can be done through the License/ID Renewal or Replacement portal. The applicant must enter their personal information, license number, and Social Security Number (SSN) and pay the renewal fee.
Having a valid photo also allows renewing by mail by submitting the renewal notice or completed Form VL-021 to:
Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles,
120 State Street, Montpelier,
VT 05603-0001
Renewal can also be done in person at the Vermont DMV offices. However, office hours, available services, and accepted payment methods vary by location. The following documents are required for renewal:
- Renewal notice or completed Form VL-021
- Current license or another form of identification
- Payment
Upon successful renewal, a temporary license will be issued immediately, while the permanent license card will be mailed to the individual's address within ten business days.
Replacement of Vermont Driver's License
In the event of loss, theft, or destruction of an original Vermont Driver's License, holders may have it replaced by applying online and paying the replacement fee.
Replacement can also be done in person or by mail by submitting Form VL-021 or the Non-Driver ID Application Form (Form VL-017) and paying the replacement fee to the Vermont DMV offices.Depending on the DMV's discretion, supporting documents may also be required.
If replacement is made due to changes to the name or address of the license holder, the Vermont DMV must be notified within 30 days of the change, as required by 23 VSA Section 205. Applicants must submit the following in person:
- Documentation of new name in the form of an original or certified copy of marriage license/certificate, civil union certificate, or court order
- Completed Name/Address Change Form (Form VL-040)
Before a license can be issued under the new name, individuals must update their Social Security Online Verification (SSOLV) records.
Upon successful replacement, a temporary license will be issued immediately, while the permanent license card will be mailed to the individual's address within ten business days.
What Happens if a Driver's License Is Suspended in Vermont?
If a driver's license is suspended in Vermont, the individual's driving privileges are temporarily revoked, prohibiting them from legally operating a motor vehicle.
Committing traffic violations incur penalties such as fines, points on the driver's record, and potential license suspension or revocation. These encompass speeding, reckless driving, improper lane changing, tailgating, and violating traffic control laws linked to accidents that result in fatalities.
Failure to stop at the scene of an accident to check for injuries or assess damages, attempting to evade police following a routine traffic stop, or any other violation can result in license suspension. Failure to pay child support for three or more months can also mandate the court suspend any driver's license issued in Vermont.
Other specific examples of violations and penalties are as follows:
Collection of Violation Points
If drivers accumulate ten or more points on their driving record for traffic violations listed in 23 VSA Section 2502 within two years, the DMV will suspend their driving privileges.
Conviction of a DUI
A DUI conviction leads to an immediate 90-day license suspension. If someone is injured or killed, the license will be suspended for an entire year. A second DUI offense results in an 18-month suspension and a third offense results in a lifetime suspension or revocation.
For individuals under 21, driving with a blood-alcohol content (BAC) of .02% or higher or refusing a breath or blood test as mandated by 23 VSA Section 1202results in a six-month license suspension for the first offense. A second offense leads to a suspension until the individual reaches the age of 21.
Driving Without Vehicle Insurance
If an individual is found operating a vehicle without insurance during a routine traffic stop in Vermont, they may incur a fine of up to $500. Failure to provide proof of insurance within seven days of the initial traffic stop will result in the suspension of their license.
Negligent Operation
In Vermont, "negligent operation" is synonymous with reckless driving. This offense results in a 10-point addition to the driver's record and penalties such as a 30-day license suspension for the first offense, 90 days for the second offense, and a six-month suspension for subsequent offenses.
Reinstatement of Driving Privileges
Reinstatement requirements vary depending on the offense committed. Individuals are advised to contact the Vermont DMV at 888-970-0357 for specific information tailored to their situation.
Typical requirements include the following:
- Submit evidence of insurance coverage (SR-22)
- Retake and pass the knowledge and driving skills tests
- Fulfill any court-mandated requirements
- Pay a reinstatement fee of $98 online, by mail, or at the Vermont DMV Montpelier Office
- Secure medical clearance
- Complete court-ordered alcohol courses
Individuals can regain their driver's licenses and pay off fees and fines through Vermont's Civil Driving with License Suspended (DLS) Program.
Those with unpaid fines from a Vermont Civil Violation Complaint (Traffic Ticket) can settle their penalties through VT Courts Online's Court Pay System. They may also restore their driving privileges at any point by paying a separate reinstatement fee from the Civil Violation Complaint.
Driving privileges will only be reinstated upon fulfilling all reinstatement criteria and receiving official written notification from the Vermont DMV.
Can Someone Drive in Vermont With a Foreign License?
Vermont recognizes the driving privileges of non-residents who comply with their home country's vehicle registration and licensing laws, as specified in 23 VSA Section 208.
Additionally, under 23 VSA Section 601, foreign visitors from designated countries or territories can legally drive in Vermont using their home country's license for up to one year from arrival.
To qualify, drivers must be at least 18 years old, lawfully present in the United States, and operating a vehicle covered by their license. Furthermore, a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) must also be obtained to provide an English license translation.
Can a Foreigner Get a Driver's License in Vermont?
While temporary visitors can use their foreign license for a limited period, long-term residents are encouraged to obtain a Vermont driver's license to comply with state driving laws and regulations.
Individuals must first establish residency to obtain a driver's license in Vermont as foreigners who have resided in the state for over a year. It can be done by providing proof such as a lease or utility bill and valid identification like a passport, visa, Form I-94, or other immigration documents confirming their legal presence in the United States.
Individuals must obtain a driver's license within 60 days of residency in Vermont. Applicants must submit their Social Security Number (SSN) or a letter of ineligibility if they are not eligible for an SSN.
While most foreign applicants typically need to pass written knowledge and driving skills tests, exemptions, such as for Taiwanese motorists under a reciprocal agreementwith Vermont, may apply.
The process begins with obtaining a learner's permit by passing a written knowledge and vision test. With the permit, they can practice driving under specific conditions and, if under 18, complete a driver education program.
Next, applicants schedule and pass a road test to demonstrate their ability to operate a vehicle safely. Upon passing all required tests and paying applicable fees, the Vermont DMV issues a temporary 45-day driver's license, with the official card arriving by mail within 7-10 business days.
Table of Contents
- What Are the Types of Driver's Licenses in Vermont?
- How To Obtain a Driver's License in Vermont?
- How To Renew or Replace a Driver's License in Vermont?
- What Happens if a Driver's License Is Suspended in Vermont?
- Can Someone Drive in Vermont With a Foreign License?
- Can a Foreigner Get a Driver's License in Vermont?