Apply for a License (Under 18) in Vermont

Teen Driver's License in Vermont

If you're a teenager applying for a new driver's license, you'll need to meet the graduated driver license (GDL) requirements of the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

The GDL program will not only help you develop and practice valuable driving skills and knowledge, but it will also help you pass your DMV driving test and get behind the wheel with your first driver's license.

On this page you'll find information about the Vermont GDL program and the next steps towards your unrestricted driver's license.

Vermont REAL ID Licenses

The Vermont DMV issues federally-compliant REAL ID driver’s licenses in addition to standard driver’s licenses. Beginning October 2021, the REAL ID will allow you to continue using your license for domestic travel and entry into federal and military buildings—a standard ID will no longer suffice for these activities. After that date, without a REAL ID license, you will need another form of federal identification (like a passport or birth certificate).

You can choose to receive a REAL ID upon application—details are outlined below. For more, visit the state's guide to REAL IDs.

New to Vermont?

If you've recently moved to Vermont, you will need to transfer your out-of-state driver's license within 60 days or before your driver's license expires (whichever comes first).

Visit your local VT DMV office and:

  • Surrender your out-of-state driver's license.
  • Pass the vision, written, and road tests, if your driver's license has been expired for more than 3 years or you don't have it with you.
  • Prove your VT residency.
  • Provide proof of identification, date of birth, social security number and residency from the acceptable documents list.
  • Show your car insurance card.

Vermont GDL Program

If you are younger than 18 years old, you'll need to complete the following phases of the Vermont GDL program:

  • Driver's education.
  • Learner's permit.
  • Junior driver's license.
  • Senior driver's license.

Age Requirements

The minimum age requirements to begin each phase of the VT GDL program are as follows:

  • Learner's permit: 15 years old.
  • Junior driver's license (provisional license): 16 years old.
  • Unrestricted, senior driver's license: 18 years old.

Vermont Learner's Permit

To begin the steps towards your first driver's license, you must first enroll in Driver's Ed and apply for a learner's permit.

For more information about the driver's education requirements in Vermont, please see our Driver's Ed page.

To apply for your learner's permit, you must visit your local Vermont DMV office and:

  • Be at least 15 years old.
  • Be enrolled in a Driver's Ed course.
  • Provide proof of your identity, birth date, legal presence, Social Security number and residency. (Please refer to the Vermont DMV website for a complete list of acceptable documents.)
  • Pass the DMV written test. (Call Central Scheduling at (802) 828-2000 to schedule a learner's permit knowledge test at one of the state's testing locations.)
  • Complete an Application for License/Permit (Form VL-021).
    • If you are under 18 years old, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application granting you permission to take the test.
  • Pay the $39 written test fee, the $23 road test, and the $24 learner's permit fee.

To help you prepare for the written exam, the DMV offers an interactive tutorial, which is pretty cool. However, if you want to ensure passing the exam on your first attempt, we suggest using an online practice test from our approved partner. You'll find more information below.

Learner's Permit Restrictions & Next Steps

With your learner's permit, you'll be able to drive only while supervised by:

  • A licensed adult who is at least 25 years old.
  • Your parent or guardian.
  • Your certified Driver's Ed instructor.

Before moving on to your Junior Operator's license, you'll need to:

  • Complete your Vermont Driver's Ed course.
  • Complete an additional 40 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night.
  • Hold your learner's permit for at least 1 year.
  • Have had a clean driving record for the past 6 months.

Junior Driver's License

You'll be able to move on to the next step of the Vermont GDL program and obtain your provisional license after you:

  • Turn 16 years old.
  • Have held your learner's permit for at least 1 year.
  • Complete Driver's Education:
  • 30 hours of classroom instruction.
  • 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training.
  • 6 hours of observation.
  • Complete an additional 40 hours of supervised driving practice with 10 hours completed at night.
  • Have had a clean driving record for at least 6 months before applying.

Once you meet all of the conditions above, you can call Central Scheduling at (802) 828-2000 to schedule a driving test at one of the Vermont DMV testing locations.

To obtain your junior operator license, you'll need to visit the Vermont DMV office on your road test day and:

  • Complete an Application for License/Permit (Form VL-021) with your parent/legal guardian's signature.
  • Submit your Driver's Ed completion certificate.
  • Submit your Driving Practice Log Sheet (Form VN-210).
  • Provide proof of your identity, birth date, legal presence, Social Security number and residency. (Please refer to the Vermont DMV website for a complete list of acceptable documents.)
  • Take and pass the DMV road test. (You'll need to provide a vehicle with valid insurance and registration.)
  • Pay the $23 road test fee and the $39 provisional license fee.

Junior Driver's License Restrictions & Next Steps

While holding your provisional driver's license, you are subject to the following restrictions:

  • You can't be employed to drive (no delivering pizzas or being a courier) until you have held the license for 1 year or have turned 18 years old.
  • You cannot carry any passengers for the first 3 months, unless you are accompanied by a licensed adult who is at least 25 years old.
  • You can have your family members as passengers only during the second 3 months.

After 6 months, there are no passenger restrictions.

You are eligible for an unrestricted driver's license once you are at least 18 years old.

Unrestricted Senior Driver's License

You'll be eligible for your unrestricted, senior driver's license after you are at least 18 years old and have had a clean driving record for the past 6 months.

To obtain your unrestricted driver's license, you'll need to visit your local Vermont DMV office and:

To keep track of the major steps along the way, visit our new license checklist.

Forms

VL-021
Application for License/Permit
Apply for your Vermont driver's license, permit, or ID card. If applicant is a minor, the parent or legal guardian MUST sign the form.
VN-210
Driving Practice Log Sheet
Use this form to log your driving hours before applying for a driver's license. MUST be signed by your parent or guardian.
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