Vermont driver's license
Get your first license in Vermont after moving to the US.
The short answer
You get a first Vermont driver's license after you pass the road test and pay the fees.1 A license that runs four years costs $62.00 and a license that runs two years costs $39.00.2, 3 The examination itself costs $23.00.4 If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait at least one day before taking it again.5 Call 802-828-2000 for language help with in-person DMV services.6
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Vermont and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
| What you pay | Amount |
|---|---|
| An operator's license or privilege card, valid four years2 | $62.00 |
| An operator's license or privilege card, valid two years3 | $39.00 |
| The driving test you take to get the license4 | $23.00 |
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
Foreign nationals with temporary lawful status receive a driver license or ID card marked limited term, which has a validity term tied to their authorized duration of stay.7
If your license from another state has expired
A new Vermont resident whose out-of-state license is valid, or expired for less than 3 years, needs to pass an eye examination to transfer it. The out-of-state card is surrendered when the Vermont license is issued.8
If a Vermont license or permit has been expired for more than 3 years, testing is required to obtain a new credential, and a license expired more than 14 days is not valid to drive.9
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validPassports and Permanent Resident Cards must be valid and unexpired; certified birth certificates, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and Certificates of Naturalization or Citizenship do not expire.10
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
The DMV is not allowed to use biometric identifiers to identify applicants for licenses or permits.11
The Social Security number is collected by the Department of Motor Vehicles to administer motor vehicle, tax, and child support laws, and to identify individuals affected by those laws.12
Federal law (42 U.S.C. §§ 405(c)(2)(C) and 666(a)(13)) makes giving your Social Security number mandatory. The number is used to administer motor vehicle, tax, and child support laws, and the DMV verifies it electronically with the Social Security Administration.13
Tests you take
Eye test
The Commissioner can also require an oral eye examination at their discretion.14
The examiner checks your vision with a vision-screening device; the standard is 20/40. If you do not pass, you are referred, at your own expense, to a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist, and that eye doctor's evaluation determines any restrictions on your driving privilege. Vermont publishes no form and no pre-visit route for sending in an outside report instead.15
Drive test
Your license is issued after you pass the road test and pay the fees.1
There is no road test if you bring a valid license from your home state, or one that has been expired less than three years.16
Tries you get on the written test
If you fail, you must wait at least one day before retaking the test.5
A failed test means waiting at least one day before taking another one.17
Practice questions for the written test
The state publishes the Driver's Manual and practice tests, and also makes the manual available in audio format.18
Using an interpreter
Applicants can call 802-828-2000 to request language assistance or support with in-person DMV services.6
The DMV must translate licensing forms, applications, and tests into the primary languages of individuals assisted by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Vermont over the prior 10 years.19
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
While you drive on a learner's permit, one of these people must ride in the front seat: a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian, a licensed or certified unimpaired driver education instructor, or a licensed and unimpaired person 25 years of age or older.20
A learner permit holder may drive in Vermont when accompanied in the front seat by a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian, certified driver education instructor, or licensed and unimpaired adult age 25 or older.21
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
An applicant who arrives at the testing office through illegal operation of a vehicle will not be tested on that day.22
The car and its insurance
Proof of valid automobile insurance must state the carrier name, coverage effective and expiration dates, insured name, and vehicle description including the vehicle identification number (VIN).23
If the examiner decides the interior of the vehicle is not acceptable for testing, the vehicle cannot be used for the road test.24
The vehicle you furnish for the road test must be properly equipped, in good mechanical condition, properly registered and inspected in any state, and covered by insurance.25
A rental vehicle cannot be used for the road test without a letter from the rental company giving express permission.26
No animals are allowed in the vehicle during a road test.27
Where to go
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“Your license will be issued after you pass the road test and pay the fees.”
dmv.vermont.gov/…/VN-007-Drivers_Manual.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 2
“motor vehicles or for issuing an operator’s privilege card shall be $62.00.”
legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/009/00608Checked July 26, 2026
- 3
“an operator’s privilege card shall be $39.00, and the two-year fee for licensing a”
legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/009/00608Checked July 26, 2026
- 4
“an examination pursuant to section 632 of this title shall be $23.00.”
legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/009/00634Checked July 26, 2026
- 5
“If you fail a knowledge test you must wait at least one day before retaking the test.”
dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/new/learners-permitChecked July 26, 2026
- 6
“For language assistance, reasonable accommodation, or support with in‑person DMV services, please call 802‑828‑2000.”
dmv.vermont.gov/driver-educationChecked August 5, 2026
- 7
“A Driver's License or ID card marked “limited term” merely signifies that it is issued to a person who is a foreign national with temporary lawful status in the United States and has a shorter term than a regular Driver's License or ID card.”
dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/new/learners-permitChecked July 26, 2026
- 8
“When a new Vermont Resident applies for a Vermont Driver's License and possesses a valid out-of-state license or an out-of-state license that has expired for less than three (3) years, an eye examination will be required. Bring your valid (or expired, less than three years old) license from your home state.”
dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/newChecked August 14, 2026
- 9
“If your Vermont driver's license is expired more than three (3) years, you must be tested again to obtain a new license.”
dmv.vermont.gov/…/VN-007-Drivers_Manual.pdfChecked August 11, 2026
- 10
“Valid, unexpired passport, or birth certificate.”
dmv.vermont.gov/…/VL-021%20-%20License%20Application%20-%2007.09.25%20-%20Fillable_0.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 11
“The Department of Motor Vehicles shall not implement any procedures or processes for”
legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/009/00634Checked July 26, 2026
- 12
“will be used by the Department of Motor Vehicles in the administration of motor vehicle, tax and child support laws, to identify individuals affected by such laws.”
dmv.vermont.gov/…/VL-021%20-%20License%20Application%20-%2007.09.25%20-%20Fillable_0.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 13
“The disclosure of your social security or federal identification number is mandatory, is solicited by the authority granted by 42 U.S.C. § §405(c)(2)(C) and/or 666(a)(13)”
dmv.vermont.gov/…/VL-021%20-%20License%20Application%20-%2007.09.25%20-%20Fillable_0.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 14
“(3) at the discretion of the Commissioner, such other examination or demonstration as the Commissioner may prescribe, including an oral eye examination.”
legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/009/00632Checked July 26, 2026
- 15
“Using a vision-screening device, the examiner will test how well you see.”
dmv.vermont.gov/…/VN-007-Drivers_Manual.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 16
“Bring your valid (or expired less than three years) license from your home state.”
dmv.vermont.gov/registrations/new/moving-to-vermontChecked July 28, 2026
- 17
“If you fail the test, you must wait at least one day before taking another one.”
dmv.vermont.gov/…/VN-007-Drivers_Manual.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 18
“Study materials: Driver’s Manual + practice tests.”
dmv.vermont.gov/licensesChecked July 26, 2026
- 19
“Any written forms, applications, or tests used by the Department of Motor Vehicles for operator licensing shall be translated into primary languages of nations from which individuals assisted by the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants Vermont in the prior 10 years hail”
legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/section/23/009/00631Checked July 26, 2026
- 20
“With a valid Learner’s Permit, you may drive anywhere, anytime in Vermont if there is a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian, a licensed or certified unimpaired driver education instructor, or a licensed and unimpaired individual 25 years of age or older riding in the front seat.”
dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/new/learners-permitChecked July 26, 2026
- 21
“With a valid Learner’s Permit, you may drive anywhere, anytime in Vermont if there is a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian, or a licensed or certified unimpaired driver education instructor or a licensed and unimpaired individual 25 years of age or older riding in the front seat.”
dmv.vermont.gov/…/VN-007-Drivers_Manual.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 22
“If it is determined that an applicant arrived at the exam office by way of the illegal operation of a vehicle, the applicant will not be tested on that day.”
dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/new/prepare-for-a-road-testChecked July 28, 2026
- 23
“Proof of valid automobile insurance as required by Vermont law. The proof must state the name of the insurance carrier, effective and expiration dates of coverage, the name of insured, and the description of the vehicle including the vehicle identification number.”
dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/new/prepare-for-a-road-testChecked July 26, 2026
- 24
“If it is the determination by the Examiner that the interior condition of the vehicle is not acceptable for testing purposes, the applicant will be informed that the vehicle in its present condition cannot be used for the road test.”
dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/new/prepare-for-a-road-testChecked July 26, 2026
- 25
“You will not be permitted to take the driving test unless the motor vehicle you furnish is properly equipped, in good mechanical condition, and properly registered and inspected.”
dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/new/prepare-for-a-road-testChecked July 26, 2026
- 26
“Use of a rental vehicle without a letter from the rental company giving expressed permission to use the vehicle for the road test.”
dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/new/prepare-for-a-road-testChecked July 26, 2026
- 27
“No animals are allowed in the vehicle during a road test.”
dmv.vermont.gov/…/VN-007-Drivers_Manual.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 28
“An examiner may not always be present due to road testing.”
dmv.vermont.gov/…/VN-007-Drivers_Manual.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 29
“If you need to schedule an appointment, please visit mydmv.vermont.gov or call 888-970-0357.”
dmv.vermont.gov/locationsChecked July 26, 2026
- 30
“Additional Office Locations”
dmv.vermont.gov/locationsChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Vermont?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.