Vermont Learner Permit

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

A Vermont Learner Permit is the first credential a new driver holds and the gateway to the state's Junior Operator program. Vermont is one of a handful of states that ties the Learner Permit to concurrent driver education — you cannot hold the permit without enrolling in or completing an approved driver-ed course.

Eligibility

To apply for a Vermont Learner Permit you must be at least 15 years old and be enrolled in (or have completed) a Vermont-approved driver-education course. Applicants under 18 need parental or guardian consent on the application. The permit is valid for two years, which gives most teens enough time to complete the 40-hour supervised driving requirement and progress to the Junior Operator's License.

Documents required

Bring the following to a Vermont DMV branch:

Certified U.S. birth certificate or valid U.S. passport (proof of identity).
Social Security card, W-2, or other document showing the full SSN.
Two proofs of Vermont residency (utility bill, school enrollment letter, parent's bank statement listing the teen, etc.).
Completed VL-005 Application for License or Non-Driver ID, with the parent/guardian section signed if the applicant is under 18.
Proof of driver-education enrollment from a Vermont-approved school.

Knowledge test

The Vermont knowledge test for the Learner Permit is 20 multiple-choice questions with a passing score of 16/20. The test draws from the current Vermont Driver's Manual and emphasizes right-of-way at four-way stops, school-bus passing, hands-free phone use, "move over" rules for emergency vehicles, and the BAC table. Most teens pass on the first attempt after a couple of read-throughs of the manual; if you fail, you can return and re-test for $9.

Vision test

You'll take a vision test at the counter. The Vermont DMV requires 20/40 in at least one eye, with or without corrective lenses, with a horizontal field of view of at least 110 degrees. If you fail, the DMV will refer you to an optometrist for a vision report; many teens get cleared the same week.

Permit restrictions

While driving on a Vermont Learner Permit, you must:

Be supervised by a licensed driver age 25 or older seated in the front passenger seat at all times.
Carry the permit when driving and present it on request.
Have no passengers in the vehicle other than the supervising driver, immediate family members, and the driver-ed instructor.
Not use a cell phone or any portable electronic device while driving (Vermont's hands-free law applies to permit holders without exception).
Maintain a 0.00% BAC under Vermont's zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21.

The 40-hour supervised driving rule

Before progressing to the Junior Operator's License, the teen must log 40 hours of supervised driving with a parent, guardian, or driving instructor. At least 10 of those hours must be at night. The hours are recorded on a Vermont DMV log sheet and signed by the supervising adult. The log is submitted at the branch when the teen applies for the Junior Operator's License.

Driver education

Vermont requires teens to complete an approved driver-education course before being issued a Junior Operator's License. The course typically includes 30 hours of classroom instruction, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction, and 6 hours of in-car observation. Schools issue a certificate of completion that's submitted with the Junior Operator application. Driver-ed courses run through high schools, commercial driving schools, and a small number of online providers approved by the Vermont Agency of Education.

How long the permit lasts

The permit is valid for two years from the date of issue. Teens who turn 16 must hold the permit for at least 12 months before applying for a Junior Operator's License — even if they completed the 40 hours and driver-ed earlier. Adult permit holders 18+ have a shorter minimum holding period before they can take the road test for a full Operator's License. See Vermont driver's license for the adult path.

Common reasons permits get denied

Most denials at the counter come from: (1) missing or expired residency proof, (2) the teen signed the application before the parent did (or vice versa), (3) the SSN document doesn't match the name on the birth certificate, or (4) the applicant didn't bring proof of driver-ed enrollment. Bring originals, not copies, of every document. The DMV will photocopy and return the originals.