How licensing works in Vermont
Vermont teens start with a learner's permit, then get a junior driver's license at 16 or 17. Junior drivers have passenger and phone limits while they build experience.
| Stage | Minimum age | Main rules |
|---|---|---|
| Learner's permit | 15 | Practice with supervision. Hold for at least one year |
| Junior driver's license | 16 (ages 16–17) | Driver education plus 40 practice hours (10 at night). Passenger limits for six months. No portable electronic devices |
| Full license | 18 | Adult rules apply |
Driver education
Driver education includes 30 hours of classroom study, 6 hours behind the wheel and 6 hours of observation. Your instructor logs your completion in the Driver Education Certification Service before your driving test.
Practice hours
You need 40 hours of practice, with at least 10 at night. These hours are in addition to the 6 behind-the-wheel hours in driver education. Nighttime means from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. A parent or guardian certifies your hours.
The Vermont knowledge test
To get a learner's permit, you pass a knowledge test on Vermont traffic laws, safe driving and road signs. The Vermont Driver's Manual (VN-007) explains what you need. It is available as a PDF and in audio format.
If your permit expires
- Expired no more than three years ago: renew it before your road test.
- Expired more than three years ago: you must pass the written exam again.
What to bring to the road test
- A valid, renewed learner's permit
- Proof of driver education, logged in the certification service
- A parent or guardian's signature on the application
- Your Social Security number, or a letter showing you are not eligible for one
- Identity documents
- A clean, legal vehicle with a valid inspection sticker and a working parking brake
- An insurance card showing the carrier, dates, insured name and VIN, and the registration certificate
Rules specific to Vermont
Junior license passenger rules
| Time on the junior license | Passengers allowed |
|---|---|
| First 3 months | None, unless a licensed, unimpaired parent or guardian, a certified driving instructor, or a licensed person 25+ is in the front seat |
| Months 4–6 | Family members |
| After 6 months | No set limit |
At every stage, you may never carry more passengers than there are seat belts.
Phones and devices
Junior drivers may not use portable electronic devices while driving. That means phones, tablets and laptops, including reading or sending texts, instant messages and emails. Drivers under 18 may not use any cell phone, and all drivers are banned from hand-held use and texting.
Work and passengers for hire
Junior drivers may not drive for a job for their first year and may never carry passengers for hire.
Rural roads
Much of Vermont's driving is on narrow, winding rural roads, often with snow and ice in winter. Use your practice hours to drive in these conditions with an experienced adult.
Winding road Deer crossing
Making the most of your practice
Your supervised hours are where you really learn to drive. Plan them instead of leaving them to chance, and ask your supervisor to give you calm, clear feedback after each trip.
- Start in an empty parking lot to learn steering, braking, turning and backing.
- Move on to quiet streets, then busier roads, multi-lane roads and highways.
- Practice at night and in rain, so your first night drive alone is not your first night drive ever.
- Work on the skills a road test checks: full stops, lane changes, turns, parking and backing.
- Say out loud what you see: signs, hazards, and what other road users might do next.
In Vermont, you need 40 hours, including 10 at night, on top of driver education. Write down each drive right after it ends, with the date, the time and the conditions, so your log is complete when you apply.
On test day
- Check the official website the day before for documents, hours and any appointment rules.
- Bring every document on the official list, in the form the office asks for.
- Get a good night's sleep and arrive early, so you are not rushed.
- Read each question twice. Watch for words like always, never, only and except.
- If you are not sure, rule out the answers you know are wrong, then choose the safest one.
Test tips
- Learn the key numbers: 15, 16, one year, 40 hours, 10 at night, 30 classroom hours, 6 behind the wheel, 3 months, 6 months, 25.
- Know the three passenger stages for junior drivers.
- Study road signs by shape and color.
- Listen to the audio manual if reading is hard for you.
Next: the general rules of the road
This guide covers Vermont's own rules. The knowledge test also covers right-of-way, turns, passing, parking and road signs. Study those in our national US driving study guide, then take the full practice tests.