History of DMV

Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles dates back to 1894, when the first motor vehicle law was passed even though there were no vehicles in the state. Ten years later, the state's first law requiring drivers to be licensed and cars to be registered was established. Registration cost $2 and after the first year, 372 cars legally filed with the Secretary of State. This "rush" of cars forced the state to begin issuing enamel license plates one year later.

On April 17, 1927, Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles was officially established as a separate government department. In that same year the state issued a Financial Responsibility Act, which is considered to be the first car insurance law in the country.

In 1949, the DMV moved into the new state
office building on State Street in Montpelier, where it still operates from today. The extra space was needed, for just one year later the state for the first time topped the 100,000-car registration mark.

With the influx of new drivers, the DMV in 1963 created a Learner's Permit Program for 15-year-olds at a cost of $1 per student.

Amazingly, it was not until 1990 that legislation was passed to establish specific commercial driver license requirements.

In January 2003, the Internet was used for the first time in processing registration renewals.

Read the full history of the Vermont DMV.

Vermont's DMV is divided into three divisions:

• Operations: Handles all commerical vehicle operations, as well as driver improvement programs, and manages the DMV's branch offices.

• Enforcement and Safety: Known as the long arm of the DMV, it enforces commercial vehicle regulations and vehicle inspections, and handles all criminal investigations.

• Support Services:This branch is involved in vehicle legislation and supplying staff instructors for the DMV's various programs.

Together these three divisions monitor almost 780,000 registered vehicles, 561,000 licensed drivers, and more than 23,000 suspended drivers.