Junior license passenger rules and recalls

Key points

1. For the first three months, passengers are allowed only with a licensed, unimpaired parent, instructor or person 25 or older in the front seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “Passengers are permitted only if there is a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian, or a licensed or certified unimpaired driver education instructor or a licensed and unimpaired individual 25 years of age or older riding in the front seat.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 15

2. In the second 3 months you may begin transporting immediate family: siblings and parents only.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “During the second three (3) months of operation under a Junior Driver’s License, the individual may begin transporting immediate family members; siblings and parents only.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

3. After 6 months there is no passenger limit, but never more passengers than safety belts.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “After holding a Junior Driver’s License for six (6) months, there is no restriction on the number of passengers they can transport in the vehicle. However, the driver is not allowed to transport more passengers than there are safety belts.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

4. A junior driver may not drive for work for 1 year after the license is issued.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “the individual may not operate a vehicle in the course of their employment for one (1) year following the issuance of the Junior Driver’s License.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 20

5. A junior driver may not carry passengers for hire.

   Source: Handbook p. 15

   “While holding a Junior Driver’s License, an individual may not carry passengers for hire.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 15

6. Driving for work or carrying passengers for hire brings a 90 day recall.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Driving For Employer/Employment, Junior Operator Violation (DFE) = 90-day recall”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

7. A single 3 point speeding violation or 6 total points brings a 90 day recall.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Junior Operator Points Accumulation Recall (JRP) = 90 day recall (for a single 3 pt. Speeding violation or a 6 pt. Total)”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

8. Texting as a junior operator means a 30 day recall, fines of at least $100 and at least 2 points.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Junior Operator texting (JRT) = 30 day recall (includes fines of at least $100 and at least two points on your driving record)”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

9. To get a regular license you must be 18 with no recalls or suspensions in the previous 6 months.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “An individual who holds a Vermont Junior Driver’s License must be eighteen (18) years of age and must not have any recalls, suspensions, or revocations during the previous six (6) month period”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 21

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Vermont practice test

1. 1. During the first three months under a Vermont junior driver's license, what is the passenger rule?

   1. The driver may carry any number of friends
   2. The driver must drive alone unless a qualified adult is in the front seat
   3. The driver may carry immediate family members only
   4. The driver may carry passengers for hire
   Show answer

   The driver must drive alone unless a qualified adult is in the front seat. For the first three months, a junior license holder is restricted to driving alone. Passengers become permitted when a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian, a qualified driver education instructor, or a licensed and unimpaired person at least 25 rides in the front seat. The family-only option belongs to the second three-month period. Carrying passengers for hire is prohibited while holding a junior license. The cue is the timeline: first three months means alone, subject to the qualified-supervisor exception.

2. 2. During the second three months of a Vermont junior license, which passengers may the driver begin transporting?

   1. Only a licensed adult supervisor
   2. Any passenger with a valid seat belt
   3. Immediate family members, specifically siblings and parents
   4. Passengers for hire if the trip is short
   Show answer

   Immediate family members, specifically siblings and parents. The second three-month stage expands the junior license privilege to immediate family members, and the manual specifies siblings and parents. It does not open the vehicle to any passenger, and it does not make passengers for hire permissible. A licensed adult supervisor is the exception relevant to the earlier alone-driving stage, not the definition of this stage. Keep the sequence in mind: first three months alone, second three months siblings and parents, then the six-month milestone.

3. 3. A Vermont junior license holder is caught driving for an employer in the first year. What recall follows?

   1. 90 days
   2. 60 days
   3. 30 days
   4. 180 days
   Show answer

   90 days. Driving For Employer/Employment is a junior operator violation carrying a 90-day recall. Carrying passengers for hire is also a 90-day recall. Thirty days is the recall for texting or for a diversion or reparative board recommendation. Sixty and 180 days are not Vermont recall periods. The junior holder may request a hearing when a recall is issued, and while the recall is in effect the driver cannot qualify for a junior or full license.

Source: the Vermont Driver's Manual, Chapter 5: Graduated Driver's License Program. 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.