Learn the Vermont requirements for obtaining your learner's permit and driver's license.
Driver Education Requirements (Under 18 Years Old)
Each student must take a 30-hour driver education class. By state law, students are NOT allowed to miss class instruction except for good cause as determined by the instructor (may include a death in the family or an injury), and there must be written documentation to support this. No more than four hours of classroom instruction may be missed, or they will be removed from the class, and no refund will be given. The class time cannot be made up, but the student will have to make up any quiz or test missed and will be given an assignment equivalent to the material missed in class. If more than four hours or two classes are missed, the student cannot continue the course and will be documented as "incomplete" on our state paperwork. They will have six months to complete driver ed or will have to take the entire class over.
Driver Education Requirements (Under 18 Years Old)
A Driver's License is issued to eligible individuals 18 years of age or older who pass the required examination. This license allows a person to drive any non-commercial vehicle except a school bus or motorcycle. Additional examination(s) is/are required to drive a school bus or motorcycle.
Upon establishing residency in this state, you must obtain a Vermont Driver's License. This must be done no longer than 60 days after moving to Vermont, or if your out-of-state license expires before the end of this 60-day period, you must obtain a Vermont Driver License before it expires (whichever occurs first).
In order to apply for a Vermont driver's license, you will need proof that you are a Vermont resident or a visiting citizen of a foreign country with an authorized duration of stay and at least 30 days remaining.
Exceptions
A person may not be issued a new license or renew an existing license when:
- A person whose privilege to operate a motor vehicle in any state has been suspended, revoked, or refused cannot be issued a license until such suspension, revocation, or refusal has been terminated and the person has been officially notified in writing of reinstatement.
- A license cannot be issued to a person when the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles has evidence that such a person either cannot or will not operate a motor vehicle without endangering the other highway users.
- A person is not a Vermont Resident.
Vermont Behind-the-Wheel Requirements
- Minimum of 6 hours of in-car driving lessons
- Minimum of 6 hours of in-car observation
All students must complete their State's required Supervised Driving Log. The log can be found in the Parents Supervised Driving Program located on the right and printed out to use, or learners may choose the digital ReadReady app to track their hours. Both States require 40 hours of practice, at least 10 of which must be at night.
Students must have a Vermont Learner's Permit to legally practice driving if accompanied by a licensed driver in the front passenger seat who is at least 25 years of age.
Vermont Junior Driver's License Requirments
- Be 16 years of age.
- Complete an approved driver education class and a 40-hour driving log.
- Receive no moving traffic violations.
- Have had your Learner Permit for one year.
- Pass a driving skills test with a third-party or Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles examiner.
