Free Vermont DMV Practice Test 2026
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The Vermont knowledge test is the first milestone on the road to a driver license. It is administered by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and confirms that you understand road signs, traffic signals, right-of-way rules, and the safe-driving habits every new driver needs before getting behind the wheel.
This free Vermont practice test mirrors the structure of the real exam: 20 multiple-choice questions, with 16 correct answers (80 percent) required to pass. You can retake it as many times as you like, read an instant explanation after every question, and walk into the DMV office knowing exactly what to expect.
Passing score
80% to pass
16
of 20 correct
You can miss up to 4 questions and still pass.
DMV
Agency
20
Questions
16 (80%)
To pass
15
Permit age
Key takeaways
- The Vermont written test has 20 questions and you need 16 correct (80%) to pass.
- Questions are drawn from the official Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles handbook and cover road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving.
- You can apply for a permit at 15.
- Practice in two modes: learn with instant explanations, then simulate the real exam under a timer.
Sample Vermont permit test questions
Here are a few real questions from our Vermont bank, with the correct answer and a plain-language explanation. The full test has many more.
- Traffic LawsEasy
1. In most states, you must turn on your headlights:
- Only on highways
- From sunset to sunrise and when visibility is reduced
- Only during heavy rain
- Only when other cars do
Why: Headlights are required from dusk to dawn and whenever conditions limit visibility, such as rain or fog.
- Parking RulesHard
2. When parking uphill next to a curb, you should turn your front wheels:
- Toward the curb
- Straight ahead
- Away from the curb so the car rolls into it if it moves
- It does not matter
Why: Uphill with a curb, turn wheels away from the curb so the tire catches the curb if the car rolls back.
- Speed LimitsMedium
3. When no speed-limit sign is posted, a driver should:
- Drive as fast as traffic allows
- Assume 65 mph everywhere
- Drive at exactly 25 mph
- Drive at a speed that is safe and reasonable for conditions
Why: Even without a sign, you must drive at a safe and reasonable speed for the conditions and area.
- Pavement MarkingsMedium
4. At an intersection with a painted crosswalk and a stop line, a driver who must stop should halt:
- Behind the stop line, before the crosswalk
- On top of the crosswalk
- Past the crosswalk
- In the middle of the intersection
Why: Stop behind the white stop line and clear of the crosswalk so pedestrians have room to cross safely.
What’s on the Vermont test
Our Vermont question bank is balanced across the categories the DMV tests. These are the topics to study:
How the Vermont written test works
The Vermont permit knowledge test contains 20 questions drawn from the official driver manual. To pass, you need to answer at least 16 of them correctly, which works out to a 80 percent score. The questions are multiple choice, and each one has a single best answer.
Most questions focus on the meaning of signs and signals, who has the right-of-way in common situations, and how to react safely to hazards. There are no trick questions, but the wording can be precise, so read each option carefully before choosing. If you do not pass on your first attempt, you can study and try again after the waiting period set by your local office.
What to study
Focus your study time on the topics that appear most often and that new drivers most commonly get wrong. The categories below cover the bulk of the Vermont exam.
- Road signs by shape and color: stop, yield, no-passing, speed-limit, pedestrian, railroad, and school-zone signs.
- Traffic signals including steady and flashing red, steady and flashing yellow, and green and red arrows.
- Right-of-way rules at four-way stops, uncontrolled intersections, roundabouts, and crosswalks.
- Pavement markings such as solid and broken yellow lines, white lane lines, crosswalks, and stop lines.
- Safe-driving fundamentals like following distance, adjusting for weather, and reacting to emergency vehicles.
Practice Mode vs Exam Mode
Practice Mode shows you the correct answer and a short explanation right after each question, so you learn as you go. Use it early on to build understanding and to find the topics you keep missing. Exam Mode hides the answers until the end and presents the questions the way the real test does, which is the best way to check whether you are ready. A good plan is to use Practice Mode until you are scoring comfortably, then switch to Exam Mode to confirm you can pass under test-like conditions.
Vermont road conditions to know
Vermont is known for hilly terrain, winding rural roads, and long, snowy winters. Many roads are narrow and tree-lined, and weather can change quickly. Review safe driving on snow and ice, reducing speed below the posted limit when conditions require it, and watching for wildlife such as deer and moose, especially at dawn and dusk. Some rural routes are unpaved, so study how to handle gravel and reduced traction.
Road signs show up on every test
Learn to read signs by shape and color and you bank easy points. Here are a few you should know cold:
What to study for the Vermont written test
- Road signs by shape and color, including stop, yield, no-passing, speed-limit, pedestrian, railroad, and school-zone signs.
- Traffic signals: steady and flashing red, steady and flashing yellow, and green and red turn arrows.
- Right-of-way at four-way stops, uncontrolled intersections, roundabouts, and pedestrian crosswalks.
- Pavement markings such as solid versus broken yellow lines, white lane lines, crosswalks, and stop lines.
- Safe-driving basics: three-second following distance, adjusting for weather, and yielding to emergency vehicles.
Vermont test day checklist
- Bring the identity and residency documents your local DMV office requires.
- Arrive early, well rested, and with time to spare before the office closes.
- Take a final timed practice run in Exam Mode the day before.
- Read every question and all four options fully before selecting an answer.
How Vermont compares
| Requirement | Vermont | Typical US state |
|---|---|---|
| Questions on the test | 20 | 20–50 |
| Correct answers to pass | 16 | Varies |
| Passing score | 80% | 70–85% |
| Earliest permit age | 15 | 15–16 |
What happens if you do not pass the Vermont test?
Missing the cutoff is not the end of the road. The Vermont written test requires 16 correct answers out of 20 (80%), so you can miss up to 4 questions and still pass. If you score below that line, you are allowed to retake the exam. Most states ask you to wait a short period before trying again, often the same day, the next day, or after a few days, and a small retest fee may apply. The exact waiting period and any fee are set by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, so confirm the current policy with them before you return.
The smartest move after a near miss is to study the specific topics that tripped you up rather than starting over from scratch. Our results page shows which categories pulled your score down, so you can focus your next session on road signs, right-of-way, or whichever area needs work. Take the free Vermont practice test a few more times until you are scoring comfortably above 80%, then schedule your retake with confidence.
Official Vermont DMV resources
Always confirm the current rules with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Keep preparing
Vermont permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Vermont knowledge test?
The test has 20 multiple-choice questions, and you must answer at least 16 correctly to reach the 80 percent passing score.
What is the passing score in Vermont?
You need 80 percent, which is 16 of 20 questions answered correctly.
How old do I have to be to take the test?
You can generally apply for a learner permit at age 15 in Vermont. Confirm the current age and documents with the DMV before you go.
What should I bring to the DMV office?
Bring proof of identity, proof of residency, and any other documents your local office lists. Requirements can change, so check the DMV website first.
Can I retake the test if I fail?
Yes. If you do not pass, you can study and try again after the waiting period set by your local office.
Are these practice questions the same as the real exam?
No. These are original study questions based on general US road rules and the official handbook. They prepare you for the format and topics, not the exact wording of the state questions.
Sources
We summarize public information from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles in our own words. Confirm details with the official source: