In Vermont you can get a learner permit at age 15. Rules and fees change, so as of 2026 treat this guide as a starting point and confirm everything with the official agency, the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (dmv.vermont.gov).
Age and the road to a license
The minimum permit age is 15. Vermont's junior operator license is for drivers 16 and 17, and the state requires you to pass a driver exam and an approved driver education course. DMVZone does not list a question count or passing score, so use the DMV's current information for the test itself.
Driver education and practice hours
- The state-approved course has 30 hours of classroom study, 6 hours of behind-the-wheel training and 6 hours of observation.
- You also need at least 40 hours of practice behind the wheel, and at least 10 of them at night.
- Vermont defines night driving as the period from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.
- You must hold the learner permit for at least one year before a junior license.
That year is longer than in many states, so time is on your side. Use it to practice in rain, fog, snow and on hilly rural roads, not just on easy afternoons.
Who can ride with a permit holder
During practice, you must be accompanied in the front passenger seat by your licensed parent or guardian, a licensed or certified driver education instructor, or another licensed person who is at least 25 years old. Vermont's 25-year line is higher than many states use, so a friend who is 21 or 22 does not count.
Vermont also wants a clean record: no learner permit suspension, revocation or recall for six consecutive months before you are licensed. One reckless stretch with the permit can delay everything.
Junior operator license rules
Once you earn the junior license, passenger rules phase in over time.
- For the first three months, you may drive alone or with an approved supervisor only.
- In months four to six, immediate family members may ride with you.
- After six months, passenger limits end, apart from the number of seat belts in the vehicle.
A parent, guardian or person in loco parentis must also give written consent for a junior license.
How to prepare and what to bring
- Read the official Vermont driver's manual a chapter at a time.
- Make a short list of every number, such as hours, ages and distances.
- Take practice tests and review each miss before moving on.
- Keep a driving log that shows day and night hours.
The DMV lists the documents you need for each step, including parent or guardian permission for minors and proof of Social Security number or a letter from the Social Security Administration. For the road test, you need valid insurance and registration for the vehicle. Check the DMV site for the current list before you go.
DMVZone practice questions are for study only. They are not the real test questions, but they help you practice the topics the test covers.