Getting a Vermont Driver's License

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

A Vermont Operator's License (Class D) is the standard non-commercial credential issued by the Vermont DMV. The process is straightforward by U.S. standards — Vermont keeps its driver-licensing rules clear, its document list short, and its fees low compared with most New England states.

Eligibility

The minimum age for a full Vermont Operator's License is 18, or 17 for teens who held a Junior Operator's License for at least 6 months without a moving violation or license action. Adult applicants 18 and older bypass the Junior Operator stage but still need to pass a Learner Permit period (minimum 1 year for under-18 applicants, shorter for adults), the knowledge test, the vision test, and the on-road exam.

Documents required

Vermont issues both standard Operator's Licenses and federally compliant REAL ID credentials. For a REAL ID, bring:

One identity document — certified U.S. birth certificate (with raised seal), valid U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card, or Certificate of Naturalization.
One Social Security number document — SSA card, W-2, SSA-1099, or recent pay stub showing full SSN.
Two proofs of Vermont residency from two different sources, dated within the last 60 days — utility bill, bank statement, lease, mortgage statement, voter registration, or property tax bill.
A completed VL-005 Application for License or Non-Driver ID (do not sign it before your appointment).

If you want an Enhanced Driver License (EDL) for cross-border travel into Canada, you'll need additional proof of U.S. citizenship at the counter. Permanent residents and other non-citizens are not eligible for the EDL but can hold a standard Operator's License or REAL ID.

Fees

Vermont fees as of the 2026 schedule:

$32 — 2-year Operator's License.
$51 — 4-year Operator's License.
$30 additional — Enhanced Driver License surcharge on top of the standard license fee.
$22 — Learner Permit (good for 2 years).
$9 — first knowledge-test attempt; $9 for each retake after the first.

The same application fee covers the application, knowledge test, vision test, and one road test. Failed road tests can be re-taken, with a re-test fee, after a brief waiting period.

Knowledge test

Vermont's knowledge test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from the current Vermont Driver's Manual. You may miss no more than four (i.e., score at least 16/20 — 80%) to pass. Topics emphasized in Vermont: hands-free phone law, "move over" requirements for emergency vehicles, school-bus passing rules, four-way stop right-of-way, snow-tire and chain rules, and the BAC table tied to Vermont DUI laws. The test is offered on a workstation at branch offices in English and a small number of foreign languages.

Road test

Vermont requires an on-road exam for nearly every first-time license applicant. The exam runs 15 to 20 minutes and covers:

Pre-drive vehicle check (signals, brakes, tires, mirrors, lights, registration paperwork).
Lane changes with proper mirror use, signaling, and head-check.
Right and left turns from the correct lane to the correct lane.
Parallel parking and three-point turns on residential streets.
Stopping smoothly at controlled intersections, including 4-way stops.
Speed control on rural two-lane roads — common in most Vermont test routes.

You'll need a registered, insured vehicle in safe operating condition for the road test, plus a licensed driver to ride with you to the office. The most common reasons applicants fail in Vermont: rolling stops at stop signs, failure to make complete head checks during lane changes, and incorrect three-point turn execution.

Choosing the 2-year or 4-year cycle

Unlike almost every other state, Vermont lets you pick your license term. At the counter you'll be asked whether you want a 2-year or 4-year license. The 4-year is roughly 80% of the per-year cost of the 2-year, so most drivers choose it. The 2-year option makes sense for drivers expecting to move within 24 months, drivers who want their photo refreshed sooner, or drivers concerned about a medical condition the DMV may want to re-evaluate.

License delivery

You'll receive a printed temporary license at the branch that's valid for 30 days. The permanent card is mailed in 1-3 weeks. If you don't receive the card within 30 days, contact the Vermont DMV's Document Services line and they can resend or look up the mailing status. After you have the card, your renewal cycle begins on the date printed on the credential.