Listed below are the subjects of our most frequently asked questions. We hope that this page will help you find answers to your questions. We will be adding information as necessary.
- How do I get a copy of my driving record?
- Can I drive in Vermont if I have a learner's permit from another state?
- How do I report an unsafe situation that is happening now on the highway?
- How do I get a copy of a Vermont State Police report or photographs?
- How do I get a copy of my motor vehicle accident report?
- How do I report a motor vehicle accident? Accident Report Form (This link will take you away from the VSP site and to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles web site.)
- How do I get an Explosive License?
- Department of Motor Vehicles Mobil Office
- Drivers under 21 with an alcohol concentration of .02 or more
- Fishing and Hunting Regulations
- Graduated Junior Operator Licenses & Learner's Permits
- Gun Laws - Vermont
- Road Conditions
- Traffic Tickets - Vermont
- Truck Network - State of Vermont
- How soon after I've moved to Vermont do I have to change my out-of-state driver license and registration to a Vermont License / registration?
- Verification of Vehicle Serial Number
- Vermont Department of Corrections - Information on Vermont's prison system.
- Vermont Point System
- Reporting Roadside Emergencies
Call 511 (the VTrans hotline) to get information about road conditions in Vermont, or on line, visit 511vt.com - Vermont Road Travel Information Service - Check this site for a complete listing of Vermont routes and their condition as reported by the Agency of Transportation road crews and the Vermont State Police. Updated daily.
Can I drive in Vermont if I have a learner's permit from another state?
No
The Department of Motor Vehicles has satellite offices that they staff on a recurring basis in St. Albans, Middlebury, Dummerston, Hartford and St. Johnsbury. These offices provide common license and registration services only. Locations, schedules and services provided by these offices can be found at: http://www.dmv.state.vt.us/ABOUTUS/OFFICES/OFFICES.htm
How do I obtain a copy of a motor vehicle accident report?
Copies of motor vehicle accident reports may be obtained from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. You must request a copy of the accident report by filling out DMV Form Number TA-VG-116 (DPPA Record Request Form). DMV offers this form on their web site - the site address is:
This page lists all the available forms used by the Department of Motor Vehicles. If you scroll down about halfway on the page you will see TA-VG-116 - DPPA Record Request Form listed. Click on that link which will upon up a PDF (Adobe Acrobat) form. This form serves many purposes but you will notice that there is a checkbox for a certified copy of an individual accident report.
If you don't have a copy of Adobe Acrobat - there is a free download available at the following site:
How soon after I've moved to Vermont do I have to change my out-of-state driver license and registration to a Vermont License / registration?
License - You must obtain a Vermont Operator’s License if you reside in Vermont and intend to make the state your principal place of domicile either permanently or for an indefinite number of years. This excludes persons who live in the state for a particular purpose involving a defined period of time, including students, migrant workers employed in seasonal occupations and persons employed under a contract with a fixed term.
Vermont will issue a driver's license to a person who holds a valid out-of-state license. Vermont cannot issue a license to a person who is suspended in another state. A vision test is also required.
Registration - You must register a vehicle in Vermont upon establishing residency in Vermont within 60 days of moving into the state.
A vehicle may be registered in Vermont by completing a registration application. Complete instructions are included with the form which is available on the Department of Motor Vehicles forms page. You will need form TA-VD-119. The Department of Motor Vehicles will also require a VIN Verification be done on the vehicle. A Vermont Inspection is due on a vehicle no later then 15 days of its initial registration. All vehicles operated in Vermont are required to have minimum liability insurance coverage.
Verification of Vehicle Serial Number
The Vermont State Police can perform VIN Verification in accordance with Department of Motor Vehicle requirements. Most local police departments will also offer this service. You will need to have completed sections 1 thru 5 of the Vermont Registration Application available from the Department of Motor Vehicles web site. You will need form TA-VD-119.
Vehicles that have current out-of-state, or Vermont Temporary registrations can be brought to your local State Police office during normal business hours. If your vehicle is not registered, contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to make arrangements for a temporary registration.
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles requires VIN Verifications on the following:
- Used Vehicles - 15 years old or newer, that have not previously been titled in Vermont
- Vehicles with Salvage Documentation from Vermont or any other state
- Vehicles being titled under Bond
- Vehicles from foreign countries, including Canada
- Motorcycles over 500cc being titled in Vermont for the first time.
- New vehicles with factory issued AAMVA standard manufacturer certificates of origin
- Used vehicles with valid Vermont titles
- Used vehicles with out of state titles as long as they were sold directly to the applicant(s) by licensed Vermont or licensed out of state dealers.
We get many requests regarding gun laws in Vermont. For information on this subject we refer you to the Vermont Attorney General's Office for a relatively comprehensive list of the laws pertaining to guns in Vermont.
Please be aware that Vermont does not at this time require or issue gun permits. Some Vermont towns and cities do have local ordinances, so if you are planning on visiting, it would be wise to contact the local police chief to find information pertaining to local information.
We also get requests for information regarding people being detained in Vermont's Correctional system. The Vermont State Police do not administer the correctional system in Vermont. Our Links Page provides many other valuable links to departments and agencies in Vermont, including the Department of Corrections.
Fishing and Hunting Regulations
The Vermont State Police provide primary dispatch coverage for all State Game Wardens. As a result, we receive many questions about Fish and Game Laws. Most of these answers can be found by consulting their website at http://www.anr.state.vt.us/fw/fwhome/index.htm
Most traffic violations in Vermont are civil violations and traffic tickets are adjudicated by the Vermont Traffic Bureau. Civil traffic violations do not become part of a person's criminal record.
The reverse side of the ticket provides you with instructions for either contesting or paying for the violation. If you have lost your copy of a ticket, contact the state police office that issued the ticket. Fines are set, and periodically reviewed by, a panel of judges.
Questions about payment options or other concerns with the handling of the ticket can be directed to the -
Vermont Traffic Bureauor by phone at 802-295-8869.
P.O. Box 607
White River Junction 05001
The Vermont State Police do not provide legal advice. If you have specific questions about the law violation or other legal matters you may want to consult an attorney.
Drivers under 21 with an alcohol concentration of .02 or more
A provision of Vermont's DUI law deals with people who are under the age of 21 who are operating a motor vehicle with any measurable amount of alcohol in their system. The law makes it a civil traffic violation for someone younger then 21 to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content over .02%.
A Vermont Civil Violation 'Ticket' is issued to operators in violation of this section. There are no fines or points assessed with this violation. The following penalties are imposed:
First Offense:
Second or Subsequent Offenses:
Violations of this provision of Vermont law do not exclude criminal prosecution for driving under the influence. If you have questions about a specific case, please contact the State's Attorney's Office.
Graduated Junior Operator Licenses & Learner's Permits
The State of Vermont issues Junior Operator Licenses to people who are 16 and 17 years of age. Learner's Permits can be issued to anyone over 15 years of age, providing they do not have any major motor vehicle or licensing violations in the preceding two years. An Operator's License is issued to people 18 years of age and older.
The holder of a Learner's Permit may operate a motor vehicle as long as a validly licensed Parent, Guardian, Driving instructor or other adult over 25 is riding beside them.
Junior Operator Licenses may be issued to 16 or 17 year olds, after they have:
During the first three months a person holds a Junior Operator's license they can only drive alone or with a licensed parent or guardian, driving instructor or adult over the age of 25. For the second three months a Junior Operator may additionally transport family members.
A Junior Operator cannot drive in the course of their employment for a period of one year from the issuance of their license. A Junior Operator cannot carry passengers for hire.
A Learner's Permit or Junior Operator's license may be recalled by the Department of Motor Vehicles. A recall may effect the issuance of an Operator's license, even after a person turns 18.
Learner's Permits and Junior Operator's licenses can be recalled for the following reasons:
Vermont uses a point system to keep track of and increase accountability of repeat violators of Vermont traffic law. Moving traffic violations are assigned a specific number of points, based on the severity of the offense. Accumulated points remain part of a person's driving record for a period of two years. License suspensions can result from an excessive number of points, within a two-year period.
10 points = 10 day suspension
15 points = 30 day suspension
20 points = 90 day suspension
Each additional 5 points = additional 30 day suspension
Dial 911 to report a roadside emergency in Vermont.
© Department of Public Safety 1999-2001 - This page updated October 14, 2009.