Vermont Road Test 2026: Vermont DMV Scoring and How to Pass

Vermont's DMV road test costs $35, requires 80% to pass — one of the highest thresholds in New England — and lasts approximately 20-30 minutes. Vermont's rural character, seasonal road conditions, and small population create a unique testing environment.

Key Takeaways

• Vermont DMV requires 80% to pass — among the highest thresholds nationally
• Road test costs $35 per attempt
• Vermont is mostly rural — most tests occur on two-lane state roads
• First-attempt pass rate: approximately 49% statewide
• Vermont has strict pedestrian and bicycle yielding laws that are scored

Vermont DMV Road Test Scoring

The Vermont DMV uses a 100-point scale with 80 as the pass threshold.

Scored areas:

• Vehicle control
• Speed compliance
• Signal use (100-foot minimum lead)
• Lane positioning
• Intersection navigation
• Observation and scanning
• Pedestrian and bicycle yielding (heavily weighted)

Automatic fail conditions:

• Striking any vehicle, object, or person
• Running traffic controls
• Requiring examiner intervention

Vermont Road Test Maneuvers and Routes

Standard Vermont DMV maneuvers:

• Parallel parking
• Three-point turn
• Backing
• Left and right turns
• Lane changes

Burlington area: Vermont's only truly urban environment — still modest by national standards. School zones, pedestrian crossings, Lake Champlain waterfront area.

Rural Vermont: Two-lane state roads with hills, blind curves, seasonal frost heave road damage, covered bridge awareness.

Vermont has strict bicycle and pedestrian laws. Passing a cyclist requires at least 3 feet of clearance. Failing to yield to a pedestrian is an automatic fail.

Practice Vermont traffic rules on Wheelingo to prepare.

Vermont Road Test Pass Rate

Based on driving school data:

• Vermont statewide first-attempt pass rate: approximately 49%
• Burlington area: approximately 45% first attempt
• Rural Vermont: approximately 52% first attempt

Vermont's 80% threshold directly reduces the pass rate — applicants who would pass in a 70% state may fail in Vermont.

Top Vermont Road Test Fails

1. Pedestrian yielding failures — Vermont law requires stopping well before crosswalks when pedestrians are present
2. Rolling stops — Consistent most-common error
3. Parallel parking outside tolerance
4. Bicycle lane violations — 3-foot clearance required when passing cyclists
5. Rural road speed management — Appropriate speed for winding two-lane roads

Vermont GDL Requirements

• Hold a Learner's Permit for 12 months (if under 18)
• Complete 40 hours of supervised driving (10 hours at night)
• Complete a driver education course (required for under 18)

Frequently Asked Questions

What score do you need to pass the Vermont road test? You need 80% or higher to pass the Vermont DMV road test — tied with Virginia and Delaware as one of the highest thresholds nationally.

How much does the Vermont road test cost? The Vermont DMV road test costs $35 per attempt.

Why does Vermont require 80% to pass? Vermont's 80% threshold is designed to produce highly competent drivers for its rural road environment, where a single error can have serious consequences on narrow two-lane roads.

How many supervised hours does Vermont require? Vermont requires 40 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night, for drivers under 18.

What are Vermont's pedestrian laws during the road test? Vermont requires drivers to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. You must stop before the crosswalk (not at or in it) and wait until the pedestrian has completely cleared the lane.

How long must you hold a Vermont permit? Vermont requires holding a learner's permit for 12 months before the road test.