Vermont · Handbook chapter 2 · 3 min read

Vermont's graduated licensing rules: who may supervise a permit driver, the one-year permit, 40 practice hours, Junior Driver's License passenger limits, work and hire rules, and recalls.

Why this chapter matters

Every Vermont driver aged 15 to 18 moves through the graduated license steps. The test often asks who may supervise you, how long you hold the permit and what a junior licensee may and may not do.

Driving on a learner's permit

You may drive anywhere in Vermont, at any time, if one of these people rides beside you:

• a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian,
• a licensed or certified, unimpaired driver education instructor, or
• a licensed and unimpaired person at least 25 years old.

The web page adds that the 25-or-older rule applies even if the permit holder is 18 or older. Before driving in another state with a Vermont permit, check that state's rules.

Getting a Junior Driver's License

A Junior Driver's License is for drivers aged 16 or 17. You need:

• a learner's permit held for at least one year,
• six months with no permit recall, suspension or revocation,
• a state-approved driver education course: 30 hours of classroom study, 6 hours behind the wheel and 6 hours of observation,
• 40 hours of practice driving, at least 10 hours at night, certified by a parent or guardian. These hours are in addition to the 6 hours of driver education driving.

Nighttime means from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. You can log hours on form VN-219 or the RoadReady app.

Junior license restrictions

At every stage you may never carry more passengers than there are safety belts.

• For one year after getting the junior license, or until you turn 18, you may not drive as part of a job, such as delivering pizza.
• You may never carry passengers for hire.
• You may not use a portable electronic device while driving.

Recalls

A permit or junior license is a provisional license and can be recalled:

• Carrying passengers for hire: 90 days
• Driving for an employer: 90 days
• Points (a single 3-point speeding ticket or 6 points in total): 90 days
• Texting: 30 days, plus fines of at least $100 and at least two points
• Recommendation from a Diversion or Reparative Board: 30 days

You have a right to a hearing, and no reinstatement fee is due when a recall ends. A parent or guardian can also suspend a teen's provisional license by writing to the Commissioner. To move to a full license you must be 18 with no recall, suspension or revocation in the previous six months.