Key points
Minimum liability insurance is $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for two or more and $10,000 for property.
Source: Handbook p. 67
“The amount of coverage MUST be at least $25,000 for death or injury of one person; $50,000 for death or injury of 2 or more persons; $10,000 for property damage.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 67If you are insured but cannot show the card when stopped, you have 15 days to show it.
Source: Handbook p. 67
“If you have insurance on your vehicle and a police officer stops you, and you cannot show the card to the officer, you have 15 days to do so.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 67Driving uninsured and then having a crash or other listed events means losing your license until you prove insurance for 3 years.
Source: Handbook p. 68
“If you are driving without insurance and any of the following happen, your license will be taken away by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles until you get insurance. You will have to prove to the Commissioner that you have insurance for a full 3 years.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 68At 10 points you get a letter that your license will be suspended.
Source: Handbook p. 64
“When a driver receives a total of 10 points, a letter will be sent notifying the driver that their privilege to drive is to be suspended.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 64Failing to stop for a stop sign or red light is 2 points; failing to obey a police officer is 4.
Source: Handbook p. 64
“Failure to stop for a stop sign or red light, 2 points. 5. Failure to obey a police officer, 4 points.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 64Failing to stop for a school bus with red lights flashing is 5 points.
Source: Handbook p. 64
“Failure to stop for a school bus that has stopped with the red warning lights flashing, 5 points.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 64No points are assessed for parking or defective equipment violations.
Source: Handbook p. 64
“Points are not assessed for parking or defective equipment violations.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 64No one may use a portable electronic device while driving, even when stopped in traffic.
Source: Handbook p. 55
“It is against the law for drivers to use a portable electronic device while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway in Vermont, including while the vehicle is stationary”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 55A first device violation costs $100.00 to $200.00; a later one $250.00 to $500.00.
Source: Handbook p. 55
“A person who violates this law shall be subject to a fine of not less than $100.00 and not more than $200.00 for a first violation, and of not less than $250.00 and not more than $500.00 for a second or subsequent violation.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 55
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 / $50,000 / $10,000 | minimum liability insurance | Handbook p. 67 |
| 15 days | to show proof of insurance you had but did not carry | Handbook p. 67 |
| 3 years | proof of insurance required after losing your license uninsured | Handbook p. 68 |
| 10 points | total that brings a suspension notice | Handbook p. 64 |
| 2 points / 4 points | stop sign or red light; failing to obey a police officer | Handbook p. 64 |
| 5 points | failing to stop for a school bus with red lights | Handbook p. 64 |
| $100.00 to $200.00 / $250.00 to $500.00 | device fines, first and later violations | Handbook p. 55 |
3 questions from the Vermont practice test
1. What minimum liability coverage must a Vermont driver carry?
- $25,000 for one person, $50,000 for two or more, and $10,000 for property damage
- $15,000, $30,000, and $5,000
- $50,000, $100,000, and $25,000
- $10,000 for all claims combined
Show answer
$25,000 for one person, $50,000 for two or more, and $10,000 for property damage. The amount of coverage must be at least $25,000 for death or injury of one person, $50,000 for death or injury of two or more persons, and $10,000 for property damage. You must carry a card from your insurer in the vehicle showing the coverage. If you drive without insurance and are in a crash or stopped, the Commissioner takes your license until you get insurance.
2. What happens when a Vermont driver reaches a total of 10 points?
- Nothing until 15 points
- A letter is sent saying the driving privilege is to be suspended
- The license is revoked for life
- The driver must retake only the vision test
Show answer
A letter is sent saying the driving privilege is to be suspended. When a driver reaches 10 points, Vermont sends a letter notifying the driver that the privilege to drive is to be suspended. The driver may request a hearing to verify the convictions and points. The number of points received within 2 years determines the length of the suspension; more points mean a longer suspension. There is no 15 point threshold and no lifetime revocation for points.
3. How many points does Vermont assess for failing to stop for a stop sign or red light?
- 8 points
- 4 points
- 5 points
- 2 points
Show answer
2 points. Vermont assesses 2 points for failure to stop for a stop sign or red light, the same as driving without a license. Four points is for failing to obey a police officer or to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk, and five points is for failing to yield to an emergency vehicle or failing to stop for a school bus. Eight points is the top of the speeding range.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with laws and paperwork questions from the free Vermont practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Vermont Driver's Manual, Chapter 8: Point System. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.