What you need to bring to the Vermont DMV
Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles requires specific documents before you can get a driver's license. The exact list depends on whether you are getting your first license, renewing an existing one, or replacing a lost or damaged card.
For a first-time license, bring proof of identity (a birth certificate, passport, or consular report of birth), proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of Vermont residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). You will also need to pass a written knowledge test and a driving skills test.
For renewal, you can often renew by mail or online if your license is not expired and you have no medical restrictions. If you renew in person, bring your current license and proof of residency if your address has changed. Vermont licenses are valid for eight years.
Key Takeaways
- Vermont requires proof of identity, Social Security number, and residency before issuing a driver's license, and documents must be originals or certified copies.
- First-time applicants must pass both a written test and a road test; renewal applicants can often renew by mail or online without testing.
- Vermont driver's licenses are valid for eight years, and renewal notices are mailed about 60 days before expiration.
- The Vermont DMV has offices in Montpelier, Rutland, and St. Johnsbury, and you can check wait times and book an appointment on the state website.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew until the suspension or revocation is lifted by the court or DMV.
Steps to get your first Vermont driver's license
Start by gathering your documents. You need an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, passport, or consular report of birth. You also need proof of your Social Security number — your actual Social Security card works, but so does a W-2, tax return, or Social Security Administration letter. Finally, bring proof that you live in Vermont: a utility bill, lease agreement, bank statement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days.
Visit a Vermont DMV office in person. The state operates three full-service locations: Montpelier (the capital), Rutland, and St. Johnsbury. You can check current wait times and book an appointment on the Vermont DMV website. Appointments are not required but reduce your wait time significantly.
At the office, you will take a written knowledge test covering Vermont traffic laws and road signs. The test has 20 questions, and you must answer at least 16 correctly to pass. You can study using the Vermont Driver's Manual, which is free on the DMV website.
After passing the written test, you schedule a road test. The DMV will assign you a test date, usually within two to four weeks. During the road test, an examiner watches you drive and evaluates your ability to control the vehicle, follow traffic laws, and respond to road conditions. Once you pass, you receive your license on the spot or by mail within a few days.
Renewing your Vermont driver's license
Vermont sends renewal notices about 60 days before your license expires. If you have not received one, check the expiration date on your current license and contact the DMV directly.
If your license is not expired and you have no medical restrictions or suspensions, you can renew by mail. Fill out the renewal form (available on the DMV website), include a new photo (4x6 inches, color, taken within the last six months), and mail both to the address on the form along with the renewal fee. Processing takes about two weeks.
You can also renew online if you meet the same conditions: your license is not expired, you have no medical restrictions, and you have no active suspensions. The online renewal process takes about 10 minutes, and your new license arrives by mail within a week.
If your license is expired, you have medical restrictions, or you have changed your address, you must renew in person at a DMV office. Bring your current license and proof of your new address if it has changed. You will not need to retake the written or road test unless the DMV requests it.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license
If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can replace it by mail or in person. By mail, fill out the replacement form on the DMV website, include a new photo, and mail it with the replacement fee. Your new license arrives within two weeks.
For faster replacement, visit a DMV office in person. Bring proof of identity (your passport or another government-issued ID) and proof of residency. You will have your new license the same day or within a few days by mail, depending on the office's current volume.
If your license was stolen, you may want to report the theft to local police. This creates a record in case someone tries to use your license fraudulently. Bring the police report number to the DMV if you have one.
Fees and payment methods
Vermont charges different fees depending on what you are doing. A new eight-year license costs a set amount; renewal costs less. Replacement of a lost or damaged license costs the same as renewal. The DMV accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at offices. For mail-in renewal or replacement, you can pay by check or money order.
If you are renewing online, you must pay by debit or credit card. The DMV does not accept payment plans or fee waivers for standard license services.
Medical restrictions and license suspensions
Vermont may restrict or suspend your license if you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive safely, if you have been convicted of a traffic offense, or if you have failed to pay traffic fines or child support. A suspension means you cannot drive at all until it is lifted. A restriction means you can drive only under certain conditions — for example, only during daylight hours or only with corrective lenses.
If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it until the suspension is lifted. The court or the DMV will notify you of the reason and how to resolve it. If you believe a suspension is incorrect, you can request a hearing with the DMV.
If you have medical restrictions, the DMV may require a letter from your doctor confirming that you are safe to drive. This is common for conditions like vision problems, seizure disorders, or sleep apnea. You will need to provide this letter when you renew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Vermont license if it has been expired for more than a year?
No. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must explore for a new license as if you were a first-time applicant. This means taking the written test and road test again. You can avoid this by renewing before your license expires or within one year of expiration.
What if I moved to Vermont from another state and already have a driver's license?
You can exchange your out-of-state license for a Vermont license without retaking the written or road test. Bring your current out-of-state license, proof of Vermont residency, and proof of Social Security number to a DMV office. You will receive a new Vermont license on the spot or by mail within a few days.
How long does it take to get a Vermont driver's license?
If you are getting your first license, the process takes four to eight weeks from your first visit to the DMV. The written test can be taken the same day you visit, but the road test is usually scheduled two to four weeks later. Renewal by mail or online takes one to two weeks. In-person renewal takes one day if you are renewing without restrictions.
Can I take the written test online?
No. Vermont requires you to take the written test in person at a DMV office. You cannot take it online or by mail. However, you can study the test material on the DMV website before you visit.
What happens if I fail the road test?
You can retake the road test. There is no waiting period between attempts, but you must pay the test fee each time. Most people pass on their second or third attempt. The DMV office can schedule your next test date when you fail.