Learner's Permit and Junior Driver's License

Key points

1. You must be at least 15 to take the Learner's Permit test.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “You must be at least 15 years old to take the test.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 12

2. Applicants under 18 need a clean driving record for the previous 2 years.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “To apply for a Learner’s Permit, an individual under the age of 18 must have maintained a ‘clean’ driving record in the previous two (2) years.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 12

3. With a permit you may drive anywhere and anytime in Vermont with a licensed, unimpaired parent, instructor or person 25 or older in the front seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “With a valid Learner’s Permit, you may drive anywhere, anytime in Vermont 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. 13

4. You must hold the Learner's Permit at least 1 year before a Junior Driver's License.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “An individual must possess a Learner’s Permit for at least one (1) year prior to obtaining a Junior Driver’s License.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

5. You need a clean record, with no permit recalls or suspensions, for 6 months before the junior license.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “An individual must have maintained a ‘clean’ driving record without any Learner’s Permit recalls, suspensions, or revocations for a six (6) month period prior to obtaining a Junior Driver’s License.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

6. Driver education means 30 hours of classroom, 6 hours behind the wheel and 6 hours of observation.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “all 16- and 17-year old’s must have passed a state approved driver education and training course consisting of 30 hours of classroom study, 6 hours behind the wheel training and 6 hours of observation.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

7. You also need 40 hours of driving practice, at least 10 at night, on top of driver education.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “In addition to the hours indicated above, you must complete 40 hours of driving practice, with at least 10 hours being nighttime driving.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

8. Nighttime driving means from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Nighttime driving is considered driving during the period of 30 minutes after sunset, to 30 minutes before sunrise.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

9. A permit expired more than 3 years means taking the written exam again before the road test.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “If it has been expired more than 3 years a written exam would be required before the road test can be given.”
   Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Vermont practice test

1. 1. What is the minimum age to take Vermont's learner's permit test?

   1. 15 years old
   2. 14 years old
   3. 16 years old
   4. 18 years old
   Show answer

   15 years old. A Vermont resident must be at least 15 years old to take the learner's permit test. The manual also recognizes a path for an out-of-state resident enrolled in a Vermont driver education course, but that exception does not lower the stated testing age. Choosing 16 confuses this test requirement with later licensing stages. Before scheduling, a prospective applicant should also check the parent or guardian permission rule for applicants who are 15, 16, or 17.

2. 2. How long must a Vermont teen hold a Learner's Permit before getting a Junior Driver's License?

   1. At least one year
   2. Six months
   3. 90 days
   4. Two years
   Show answer

   At least one year. Vermont requires an individual to possess a Learner's Permit for at least one year before obtaining a Junior Driver's License. Six months is a different Vermont figure: the clean record period without permit recalls, suspensions, or revocations right before the junior license. Two years is the clean driving record needed before applying for the permit itself, and 90 days is the length of several junior recalls. The Junior Driver's License is issued at 16 or 17 after passing the required examination.

3. 3. Before receiving a Vermont junior driver's license, how many classroom hours must an approved driver education course include?

   1. 40 hours
   2. 10 hours
   3. 20 hours
   4. 30 hours
   Show answer

   30 hours. Applicants who are 16 or 17 must complete an approved driver education course with 30 hours of classroom study, plus six hours behind the wheel and six hours of observation. The 40-hour figure belongs to additional driving practice, not classroom instruction. A study plan should keep those requirements separate because course hours do not replace the required practice log. The cue is the category attached to the number: classroom study is 30 hours, while practice behind the wheel is a different requirement.

Source: the Vermont Driver's Manual, Chapter 4: General License Information. 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.