Vermont Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your Vermont learner's permit — age, fees, documents for the written test, supervised-hours rules, and what the road test itself checks — summarized from the official DMV pages and linked to the source.
VermontDMVVermont DMV — License/Permit Application and Fee ScheduleChecked 2026-08-12Official source
VermontDMVVermont DMV — Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
VermontDMVVermont DMV — Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Last verified 2026-07-18 · Source: Vermont DMV — Learner's Permit ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
The Vermont licensing timeline
Each stage below carries what DMV itself publishes, the people it applies to, the page it came from, and the date we last checked it. Where The state agency publishes no figure, the card says so instead of guessing one.
1Eligibility
Vermont's driver manual says you can apply for a learner's permit at age 15
2Documents
DMV lists these for the knowledge-test visit:
- Learner's permit application signed by a parent or legal guardian (applicants age 15-17, unless an emancipated minor)
- Foreign Exchange Parental Authorization Form (VL-036), for non-resident foreign exchange students enrolled in a Vermont driver-education course
VermontDMVVermont DMV — Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
3Required education
Required driver educationWe have not verified a driver-education requirement on The state agency's own pagesVermontDMVVermont DMV — Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
4Application
Permit fee$24VermontDMVVermont DMV — License/Permit Application and Fee ScheduleChecked 2026-08-12Official source
Learner's permit fee only; Vermont separately charges $39 for the knowledge exam.
What the permit itself takes, once you pass:
- Complete/submit the learner permit application if not already filed, and pay the required permit fees — passing the online knowledge exam does not automatically issue the permit
5Knowledge test
Wait before a retakeThe state agency does not publish a verified retake waitVermontDMVVT official knowledge-test sourceChecked 2026-08-01Official source
Vermont's official driver manual states the test has 20 questions and requires 16 correct answers. No official time limit was substantiated.
6Permit restrictions
Permit validityThe state agency does not publish a verified validity periodVermontDMVVermont DMV — Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Restrictions Vermont puts on a new driver:
- Passenger rule: During the first year of the provisional license, no more than one passenger under 25 is allowed except immediate family members
- Curfew: During the provisional-license phase, no driving is allowed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Permit supervision: Learner's-permit holders must be accompanied at all times by the supervising licensed driver required by the permit restrictions
VermontDMVVermont DMV — Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
7Supervised driving
Supervised driving for applicants under 1840 hours (10 at night)VermontDMVVermont DMV — Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
The Vermont driver manual says the learner's permit requires 40 supervised hours, including 10 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
8Road test
Minimum permit hold12 monthsVermontDMVVermont DMV — Learner's PermitChecked 2026-07-18Official source
Vermont DMV: the learner's permit must be held one year before the road test under the Graduated License Law
9Full licence
Vermont issues the provisional license at ages 16-18; the full license follows at age 18
How to get your permit in Vermont
- Apply for the Vermont learner's permit at age 15
- Drive only while accompanied by the supervising licensed driver required by the permit restrictions
- Hold the permit for the full required period and complete 40 supervised practice hours, including 10 at night
- Move into the provisional-license phase at age 16+ and follow the first-year passenger and late-night restrictions
- Qualify for the full Vermont license at age 18
What is different about Vermont
Rules that are set by Vermont rather than nationally, and where they depart from what most states do. Compared against DMV Prep's verified rules for all 51 jurisdictions — unverified figures are left out of both sides of every comparison.
- Minimum permit hold: 12 months here. The most common minimum permit hold is 6 months (33 of 46 states we have verified).
- Supervised-driving requirement: 40 hours here. The most common supervised-driving requirement is 50 hours (29 of 49 states we have verified).
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Vermont?
You can get a learner's permit in Vermont at 15. Vermont's driver manual says you can apply for a learner's permit at age 15.
How much does a Vermont permit cost?
The Vermont permit fee is $24. Learner's permit fee only; Vermont separately charges $39 for the knowledge exam..
How long do you have to hold your permit in Vermont?
Vermont DMV: the learner's permit must be held one year before the road test under the Graduated License Law.
How many practice driving hours does Vermont require?
Vermont requires 40 hours of supervised practice driving for applicants under 18, including 10 at night. That is a graduated-licensing rule — an applicant who is already 18 follows a different path, so check the official source below rather than assuming this figure is yours to meet.
Where can I practice for the Vermont permit test?
Right here — take a free Vermont practice test, review every answer, and build readiness in your browser. The free DMV Prep app adds offline study and native reminders.
