Ace Your VT Permit Test: 15 Practice Questions You'll See in 2025
The first official step to getting behind the wheel in Vermont is passing the DMV Knowledge Test. This 20-question, multiple-choice exam is designed to ensure you have a solid understanding of the state's traffic laws and safety rules before you start practicing. To pass, you must answer at least 16 questions correctly, which is an 80% score.
All questions are taken directly from the Vermont Driver's Manual. To help you study and build your confidence, we’ve put together a list of 15 practice questions that cover the types of topics you are guaranteed to see on the real test.
Permit Test Practice Questions
1. A driver with a Junior Driver's License is not allowed to carry any passengers for how long? a) The first month. b) The first three months. c) The first six months. d) The first year.
Answer: b) The first three months. Explanation: This is a key part of Vermont's Graduated Driver License (GDL) law. For the first three months of holding a Junior License, you cannot drive with any passengers unless it is your parent/guardian, driving instructor, or the licensed adult over 25 who supervised your practice.
2. A flashing yellow light at an intersection means you must: a) Stop completely and wait for a green light. b) Stop completely, then proceed when it is safe. c) Slow down and proceed with caution. d) The light is about to turn red.
Answer: c) Slow down and proceed with caution. Explanation: A flashing yellow light is a warning. It means you should slow down, be aware of your surroundings, and proceed through the intersection with caution, yielding to pedestrians and other traffic.
3. In Vermont, when must you use your headlights? a) Only from sunset to sunrise. b) From 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. c) When you cannot see clearly for 500 feet. d) Both B and C are correct.
Answer: d) Both B and C are correct. Explanation: Vermont law requires your headlights to be on from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, and at any other time when visibility is less than 500 feet.
4. When parking your vehicle facing downhill on a street with a curb, you should turn your front wheels: a) Straight ahead. b) Towards the curb. c) Away from the curb. d) It doesn't matter.
Answer: b) Towards the curb. Explanation: Turning your wheels toward the curb (to the right) ensures that if your vehicle's brakes were to fail, it would roll into the curb and stop, preventing it from rolling into traffic.
5. This road sign (a pentagon shape, typically yellow-green) indicates: a) You are entering a state park. b) You are near a school or school crossing. c) A yield sign is ahead. d) A playground is nearby.
Answer: b) You are near a school or school crossing. Explanation: The five-sided pentagon shape is used exclusively for school advance and school crossing warning signs. When you see this sign, slow down and be extremely alert for children.
6. To be eligible to take the road test for a Junior Driver's License, a teen must have held their learner's permit for at least: a) 3 months. b) 6 months. c) 9 months. d) 1 year.
Answer: d) 1 year. Explanation: A teen driver must hold their learner's permit for a minimum of one year and have a clean driving record for the last six months before they can apply for a Junior License.
7. In Vermont, a person under 21 is considered to be Driving Under the Influence (DUI) if they have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of: a) 0.08% or more. b) 0.05% or more. c) 0.02% or more. d) Any detectable amount.
Answer: c) 0.02% or more. Explanation: Vermont has a "Zero Tolerance" policy for minors. It is illegal for anyone under 21 to operate a motor vehicle with a BAC of 0.02% or higher. For drivers 21 and over, the limit is 0.08%.
8. A solid yellow line on your side of the road means: a) You may pass if the way is clear. b) You are in a passing zone. c) You may not pass. d) The road is ending.
Answer: c) You may not pass. Explanation: A solid yellow line on your side of the center line marks a no-passing zone. You must stay in your lane until the line becomes dashed or the zone ends.
9. Accumulating how many points on your driving record in a two-year period will result in a license suspension? a) 6 points b) 8 points c) 10 points d) 12 points
Answer: c) 10 points. Explanation: For adult drivers, reaching a total of 10 or more points within a two-year period will trigger a license suspension from the DMV.
10. What is the minimum age to apply for a learner's permit in Vermont? a) 14 b) 15 c) 15 and a half d) 16
Answer: b) 15. Explanation: A person must be at least 15 years old to apply for a Learner's Permit in Vermont.
11. This road sign (a diamond shape) is used for what purpose? a) To state a law or regulation. b) To warn of existing or potential hazards. c) To provide guidance and information. d) To indicate motorist services.
Answer: b) To warn of existing or potential hazards. Explanation: Diamond-shaped signs are used as warning signs. They alert drivers to things like sharp curves, intersections, slippery roads, or other conditions that require special attention.
12. To get a Junior Driver's License, a teen driver must have a parent certify the completion of how many hours of supervised practice? a) 30 hours, with 5 at night. b) 40 hours, with 10 at night. c) 50 hours, with 10 at night. d) 60 hours, with 15 at night.
Answer: b) 40 hours, with 10 at night. Explanation: The GDL program requires 40 hours of certified behind-the-wheel practice, including 10 hours of nighttime driving, before a teen can take the road test for their Junior License.
13. When you see or hear an emergency vehicle approaching with its lights and siren on, you must: a) Continue at the same speed. b) Stop immediately in your lane. c) Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop. d) Speed up to get out of the way.
Answer: c) Pull over to the right edge of the road and stop. Explanation: You must yield the right-of-way by pulling as far to the right as is safe and coming to a complete stop until the emergency vehicle has passed.
14. What does a flashing red light at a railroad crossing mean? a) You must stop, then proceed when it is safe. b) A train is approaching; you must stop and wait. c) You may cross with caution. d) The signals are broken.
Answer: b) A train is approaching; you must stop and wait. Explanation: Unlike a flashing red light at an intersection, flashing red lights at a railroad crossing indicate a train is coming. You must stop and remain stopped until the lights stop flashing and it is safe to cross.
15. What is the "three-to-four-second rule" used for? a) The time you have to report an accident. b) Determining a safe following distance. c) The time you should signal before a turn. d) Judging the speed of an oncoming car.
Answer: b) Determining a safe following distance. Explanation: To maintain a safe distance, watch the vehicle ahead of you pass a fixed object (like a sign). It should take you at least three to four full seconds to reach that same object. Increase this time in bad weather.
How to Study: The absolute best way to prepare is to thoroughly read the Vermont Driver's Manual. Use these practice questions to test your knowledge on the key concepts. Good luck!
