I'm a new resident in Vermont: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Vermont. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Vermont

Each rule comes from the Vermont driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Within 60 days of establishing residency

  What the manual says

  • When you need a Vermont license

    A person who moves to Vermont with a valid license from another jurisdiction must obtain a Vermont license within 60 days of establishing residency. If your out-of-state license expires before the end of that 60-day period, you must obtain the Vermont license before it expires, whichever comes first. You must also register your vehicle in Vermont within the same kind of time limit: no longer than 60 days after moving, or before the out-of-state registration expires if that comes first.

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• Tests when you transfer a license

  Eye exam if license valid or expired under 3 years; expired over 3 years: vision, written, road tests.

  What the manual says

  • What to bring and do

    When a new resident applies with a valid out-of-state license, or one that expired less than three years ago, an eye examination is required. Bring that license from your home state and your documents to establish identity. When your Vermont license is issued, the out-of-state license must be surrendered. If your home-state license is not valid, have someone who has a valid license drive you to the DMV.

  • If your license has expired for a long time

    If your license, whether from another state or a prior Vermont license, has been expired for more than three years, you must retest before a Vermont license can be issued. The manual says that means the vision, written and road tests.

  Source: [4] [1] [3]

• Liability insurance

  Liability insurance required; minimums: $25,000 one person, $50,000 two or more, $10,000 property.

  What the manual says

  • The minimum coverage is $25,000 for the death or injury of one person.
  • The minimum coverage is $50,000 for the death or injury of 2 or more persons.
  • The minimum coverage is $10,000 for property damage.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 67

• Change of address

  Notify the DMV within 30 days of any address change

  What the manual says

  • Changing your address or name

    You are required by law to notify the DMV within 30 days of any change to your address or name. You can update your address online at myDMV, in person with form VL-021 (by appointment), or by mail with form VL-021 and fees. Changing your address with the U.S. Postal Service does not update your DMV records, and license records and vehicle registration records are not connected, so each must be updated separately. A name change must be done in person, with certified documentation and form VL-021. Before a license or ID can be issued in a new name, Social Security Administration records must be updated. A marriage certificate must be a certified copy; a church or chapel certificate is not acceptable.

  Source: [5] [6]

• How long the license lasts

  First license: valid for four birthdays, with some exceptions

  What the manual says

  • How long your first license lasts

    Your first Vermont license is valid for four birthdays (some exceptions apply). The DMV page gives an example: if your birthday is June 1 and you get your first license on May 15, it is valid for three years and 16 days.

  Source: [1]

Road rules

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Months 1-3: alone unless with licensed parent, guardian, instructor or person 25+; after 6 months: no more passengers than belts.

  What the manual says

  • Junior Driver’s License: passengers

    The passenger limits depend on how long you have held the license:

    • During the first three months, you are restricted to driving alone, unless a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian, a licensed or certified unimpaired driver education instructor, or a licensed and unimpaired person 25 years of age or older is with you.
    • After the first three months, you may begin carrying some family members; the DMV pages describe which ones differently, so check the Junior Driver’s License page in the links below.
    • After six months, there is no restriction on the number of passengers, but you may not carry more passengers than there are safety belts.

  • Junior Driver’s License: passengers

    The passenger limits depend on how long you have held the license:

    • During the first three months, you are restricted to driving alone, unless a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian, a licensed or certified unimpaired driver education instructor, or a licensed and unimpaired person 25 years of age or older is with you.
    • After the first three months, you may begin carrying some family members; the DMV pages describe which ones differently, so check the Junior Driver’s License page in the links below.
    • After six months, there is no restriction on the number of passengers, but you may not carry more passengers than there are safety belts.

  Source: [4] [7]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  Under 21: driving at .02 alcohol concentration or more can bring a civil traffic violation and license suspension.

  What the manual says

  • People under 21 who drive with an alcohol concentration of .02 or more can receive a civil traffic violation.
  • The Driver's License of a person under 21 who receives this violation will be suspended.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 52

• Refusing a chemical test

  Refusing the alcohol or drug test means losing your license for at least six months

  What the manual says

  • By getting a license you agree to say yes when asked to take a test for alcohol or other drugs in your body.
  • A driver who refuses the test loses their Driver's License for at least six months.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 53

• Seat belts

  All occupants must be restrained with a safety belt or approved child restraint system

  What the manual says

  • The law requires every occupant to be restrained with a safety belt or a federally approved child passenger restraining system.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 62

• Child safety seats

  Under 2: rear-facing harnessed seat. Under 8 not in harnessed seat: booster. Under 18 otherwise: seat belt.

  What the manual says

  • A child under two must ride in a federally approved rear-facing car seat with a harness.
  • A child under eight who is not in a harnessed car seat must be in a booster seat.
  • A child under 18 who is not in a harnessed seat or booster must wear a seat belt.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 62, 63

• Phone use while driving

  Illegal: reading or sending messages while driving; using a portable electronic device while operating on a public highway, even stationary.

  What the manual says

  • The law covers operating a motor vehicle on a public highway in Vermont, and it applies even while the vehicle is stationary.
  • The manual states it is against the law for drivers to read or send messages while driving.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 55

• School buses

  Stop when red lights flash; exception: divided highway with the bus traveling the opposite direction

  What the manual says

  • Once the red warning lights are on, you must stop.
  • The manual names the divided highway with the bus going the other way as an exception.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 40

• Move Over law

  On an interstate: slow down, change lanes when safe, otherwise go 20 mph below the limit.

  What the manual says

  • The law says to slow down, proceed with caution, and move away from the stopped vehicle by changing lanes as soon as it is safe.
  • If you cannot change lanes, you must slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit to go by the stopped vehicles.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 51

• Headlights

  From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and when snow, rain or fog limit visibility

  What the manual says

  • Headlights must be on from half an hour after sunset until half an hour before sunrise.
  • Reduced visibility from snow, rain, or fog requires you to turn your headlights on.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 49

• Right turn on red

  Usually allowed after a full stop, scanning and yielding; not where signs forbid it, nor on a red arrow.

  What the manual says

  • A right turn on red is allowed only after you have stopped completely, scanned the intersection and yielded to pedestrians and other vehicles.
  • Some intersections have signs or symbols that indicate you cannot turn right on red.
  • The manual states not to turn right on a red arrow.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 31, 38

• Speed limits

  Maximum 50 mph on Vermont roads or as posted; 65 mph on the Interstate or as posted

  What the manual says

  • The manual gives 50 miles per hour, or the posted limit, as the maximum on Vermont roads.
  • The manual gives 65 miles per hour, or the posted limit, as the maximum on an Interstate in Vermont.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 28

• Left lane and keeping right

  Multilane roads: keep right unless passing or turning; interstates: right lane unless passing or a sign says otherwise.

  What the manual says

  • The basic multilane rule is to stay to the right except when passing or turning.
  • The manual says to drive in the right lane unless you are passing or a sign says otherwise.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 27, 51

• Points and suspension

  At 10 points you get a suspension letter; length depends on points received within 2 years.

  What the manual says

  • At a total of 10 points the driver is sent a letter that the privilege to drive is to be suspended.
  • The points received within 2 years set the length of the suspension: the more points, the longer the suspension.

  Source: Vermont Driver's Manual (2025 edition (VN-007 07/2024)), page 64

Official steps for moving to Vermont

• When you need a Vermont license

  A person who moves to Vermont with a valid license from another jurisdiction must obtain a Vermont license within 60 days of establishing residency. If your out-of-state license expires before the end of that 60-day period, you must obtain the Vermont license before it expires, whichever comes first. You must also register your vehicle in Vermont within the same kind of time limit: no longer than 60 days after moving, or before the out-of-state registration expires if that comes first.

  Source: [1] [2] [3]

• What to bring and do

  When a new resident applies with a valid out-of-state license, or one that expired less than three years ago, an eye examination is required. Bring that license from your home state and your documents to establish identity. When your Vermont license is issued, the out-of-state license must be surrendered. If your home-state license is not valid, have someone who has a valid license drive you to the DMV.

  Source: [4] [1] [3]

• If your license has expired for a long time

  If your license, whether from another state or a prior Vermont license, has been expired for more than three years, you must retest before a Vermont license can be issued. The manual says that means the vision, written and road tests.

  Source: [4] [1]

• If you are under 18

  Applicants under 18 remain subject to Vermont’s graduated license provisions unless they have held their out-of-state Junior Driver’s License for at least six months. Proof of driver education is needed.

  Source: [4] [7]

• Visitors and foreign licenses

  Vermont permits a student or visitor to operate a motor vehicle in Vermont for up to one year with his or her foreign license. This applies if you are 18 or older, are lawfully present in the United States and have been in the United States for not more than one year. A foreign license that is not in English must be accompanied by an International Driver Permit (IDP). An IDP is not considered a valid license by itself. Vermont does not recognize as valid any document purporting to be an "International Driver License" unless it is issued by the government agency that issues licenses in the driver’s country of residence. People who bring a foreign license or foreign identity documents may need to provide additional documentation. The Foreign licenses page in the links below explains how foreign licenses are evaluated.

  Source: [8] [9]

Sources

1. Driver’s License, New (dmv.vermont.gov) — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
2. Vermont Driver’s License Overview (dmv.vermont.gov) — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
3. Moving to Vermont (dmv.vermont.gov) — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
4. Vermont Driver’s Manual (VN-007 07/2024), 2025 edition (dmv.vermont.gov) — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
5. Driver’s License, Address Change (dmv.vermont.gov) — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
6. Driver’s License, Name Change (dmv.vermont.gov) — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
7. Junior Driver’s License (dmv.vermont.gov) — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
8. Identity Documents (dmv.vermont.gov) — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
9. Driver’s License Issued by Foreign Jurisdictions (dmv.vermont.gov) — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles