The Vermont permit test has 20 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 16 correctly to pass, which is 80%. The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) gives it as an online test on mydmv.vermont.gov, so most new drivers take it from home rather than at a DMV office.
Vermont permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Agency | Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.vermont.gov) |
| Minimum age | 15 |
| Questions | 20, each with four answer choices |
| Pass mark | 16 correct (80%) |
| Where | Online through myDMV (mydmv.vermont.gov) |
| Online test | Yes. For Vermont residents, and out-of-state students enrolled in a Vermont driver education course |
| Fees | $39 for each knowledge test attempt, plus $24 for the 2-year learner permit |
| Retakes | Wait at least one day. No limit on attempts, but you pay each time |
| Languages | Not listed by the DMV. The manual is also available in audio. For language help, call 802-828-2000 |
How many questions are on the Vermont permit test?
The Vermont permit test has 20 questions. The Vermont Driver's Manual says you must answer at least 16 correctly, so you can miss 4. With only 20 questions, each one is worth 5 points, so a few careless mistakes add up quickly. Read every answer choice before you pick.
What's on the test
Questions come from the Vermont Driver's Manual (VN-007). Expect road signs, rules of the road, safe driving and the rules for new drivers.
- Road signs and signals: shape, color and meaning.
- Following distance: the manual recommends at least four seconds behind the vehicle ahead, more in bad weather.
- Parking: do not park within 6 feet of a fire hydrant. Many states use 15 feet, so this one trips people up.
- Who can supervise a permit holder: a licensed parent or guardian, a licensed driver education instructor, or a licensed person 25 or older in the front seat.
- Practice before a junior license: 40 hours, with at least 10 at night, on top of driver education.
Vermont's hydrant distance is 6 feet and its supervisor age is 25. Both are different from many neighboring states, so label your notes "Vermont" if you study more than one manual.
Vermont's permit exam is online
Vermont is one of the few states where the permit test itself is online. You sign in to myDMV, take the test, and pay. After you pass and pay the permit fee, the DMV issues your permit, and your receipt works as a temporary learner's permit for 90 days. Keep it with you whenever you drive.
How to study for the Vermont permit test
- Read the Vermont Driver's Manual in short sessions, or listen to the audio version.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Make a one-page list of Vermont numbers: 6 feet, 4 seconds, age 25, 40 and 10 hours.
- Take Vermont permit practice tests and explain each wrong answer out loud.
- Take the real test only when you are scoring 90% or more, since each try costs $39.
What to bring and how to book
You do not book a time slot for the online test, but you need your application in order first. The Vermont DMV lists:
- A completed License/Permit Application (Form VL-021). If you are under 18, a parent or guardian must sign it before you take the test.
- An original or certified copy of your birth certificate, or a valid passport.
- Two pieces of mail showing your name and physical Vermont address.
- Your Social Security number, if you have one.
- Out-of-state students in a Vermont driver education course: a school enrollment letter.
- Payment: $39 for the test (pass or fail) and $24 for the permit.
If you passed the test but heard nothing back, the DMV asks you to email DMV.eServices@vermont.gov and allow up to 48 business hours. For in-person help, offices are open Monday to Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Can you take the Vermont permit test online?
Yes, with conditions. You must be at least 15 and a Vermont resident, or an out-of-state student enrolled in a Vermont driver education course. Applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian's signature on the application, and the DMV says they must have a clean driving record for the previous two years. You pay $39 each time you take the test.
What happens if you fail the Vermont permit test?
You can take it again, but you must wait at least one day. The DMV says you may test as many times as you need until you pass. The catch is the cost: you pay the $39 test fee each time, so use the wait to study the topics you missed.
Vermont permit test FAQ
How many questions is the Vermont permit test?
20 questions. You need at least 16 correct, which is 80%.
How much does the Vermont permit test cost?
$39 for each test attempt, plus $24 for the learner permit once you pass.
Can you take the Vermont permit test online?
Yes. The test is online through myDMV for Vermont residents age 15 and up. Minors need a parent or guardian's signature on the application.
How long do you have to wait to retake the Vermont permit test?
At least one day. There is no limit on attempts, but each one costs $39.
