VermontS.1232025-2026 SessionSenateWALLET

An act relating to miscellaneous changes to laws related to motor vehicles

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

18 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 3 costs, 8 mixed.

ATV rules updated and widened

Starting July 1, 2025, the maximum ATV width is 72 inches. The law also clarifies that ATVs on public roads are motor vehicles only for certain listed offenses. Electric mobility devices, motor‑assisted bicycles, and e‑bikes are not ATVs.

Bigger fines for odometer fraud

The law bans selling vehicles with tampered odometers and misrepresenting mileage. Fines are up to $1,000 for a first offense and up to $2,500 for later offenses.

New bike rules and safety education

Starting July 1, 2025, bicyclists must obey bicycle-control signals. Starting July 1, 2026, cyclists must ride as far right as is safe and use due care when passing, with safety exceptions. By April 1, 2026, the DMV and Public Safety will publish clear, picture-based materials on bicycle laws and safe passing.

Refund when your car is totaled

If your vehicle is totally destroyed or unfit and you cancel the registration and return the plates or other proof, you get a refund for the unused part of the registration fee. The refund equals the fee paid times the days left in your term, and the State keeps at least $5.

Lower license fees for disabled and DCF youth

If you get SSI or SSDI or have a qualifying disability, license fees are lower: $20 to get or renew every four years, and $10 to replace or change your name. A motorcycle endorsement costs $4 per year, but youth under 23 who were in Vermont DCF custody after age 14 do not pay it and get a free license. The state charges $29 to apply for an ID card, but it is free for an initial nondriver ID if you surrendered a license for a health-related suspension or if you are under 23 and were in DCF care after age 14.

Veterans: no fees on VA vehicles

Honorably discharged Vermont veterans do not pay registration fees, including emissions and EV infrastructure fees, for a vehicle they got with VA financial help or a VA lifetime replacement vehicle. The application must include an approved VA Form 214502.

No EV fee for government and volunteers

The EV infrastructure fee is not charged to state, county, or municipal vehicles used for government work. It also does not apply to volunteer fire, ambulance, or rescue vehicles used only for emergency work. Volunteer vehicles must be clearly marked on both sides.

Higher registration fees for heavier trucks

Truck registration fees now use a per‑1,000‑pound rate and round up to the nearest dollar. The minimum fee for trucks up to 6,099 pounds matches the car fee. Heavier trucks pay added flat surcharges: $42.53 for 10,100–26,099 pounds, $85.03 for 26,100–40,099 pounds, $297.68 for 40,100–60,099 pounds, and $467.80 for 60,100 pounds and over.

Fuel tax refunds: 12-month deadline

To get a fuel tax account refund, you must send a written request by mail. You cannot collect a refund if you ask more than 12 months after the credit was posted to your account.

Harsher speeding points, no CDL deferrals

Starting July 1, 2025, driving more than 30 mph over the limit adds eight points to your record; a judge or hearing officer may waive points in the interests of justice. Courts and prosecutors cannot defer sentences for people with a commercial driver’s license or permit, or who were driving a commercial vehicle, except for parking, weight, or vehicle defect cases.

Electric cars treated as pleasure cars

Plug‑in electric, battery electric, and plug‑in hybrid cars are now classified as “pleasure cars.” Agencies apply the same rules and fees that already apply to other pleasure cars.

More ID options and veteran labels

People who do not meet REAL ID rules can get operator privilege cards if they show reliable proof of Vermont residence and identity; the card says “privilege card” and “non‑Real ID” and is not valid for federal ID. Enhanced licenses must meet passport-level identity proof and offer a veteran label when veterans provide a DD‑214 or other allowed proof that is confirmed. Nondriver IDs must include a photo or image; if your card requires a photo, you must renew in person often enough to update the image at least once every nine years. The DMV provides an organ-donor form and puts a donor mark on your nondriver ID if you sign it. Agencies cannot add new personal data to enhanced IDs without approval by the Legislature or the rules committee, and commercial learner permits must show your birth date, sex, height, and a photo.

New road-test fee and permit limits

By July 1, 2026, you must pay $29 to schedule a road test. If you show up, it counts toward the exam fee; if you miss without 48 hours’ notice or good cause, you lose it. Motorcycle learner permits last 120 days and can be renewed only twice; then you must wait 12 months unless you finish approved rider training or meet listed exceptions. Applying for or renewing a motorcycle permit costs $24, plus an $11 exam fee; under-23 applicants who were in Vermont DCF custody after age 14 do not pay these. You may bring your own interpreter to the oral exam or road test.

Disability parking: free access and tougher fines

People who are blind or have an ambulatory disability get plates or placards without a fee. One set of plates is free for a vehicle registered to the person or to a parent or guardian of someone with a permanent disability. A temporary placard is available for up to six months with a signed form from a doctor, physician assistant, or advanced practice nurse. Nonprofits that run volunteer drivers for people with disabilities can get special placards, but must keep records and prevent misuse. Parking in a disability space without eligibility costs at least $200, and using someone else’s placard costs at least $400; towing charges may also apply.

New rules for driving and rider instructors

The law tightens who can be a driving instructor. You must be at least 21, have five years as a licensed driver, pass exams, be physically able, and pay the required fees. You cannot have a felony conviction or jail time for a felony in the last 10 years, certain traffic convictions in the last 3 years, or a registrable sex offense. Commercial motor-vehicle instructors must also hold a commercial driver’s license with needed endorsements and experience for their role. At the same time, motorcycle rider-training instructors now need 2 years of licensed riding in the last 5 years, down from 4.

Stricter car tax checks and new help

The DMV can set your vehicle’s taxable price if the reported amount looks wrong, no tax form is filed, or there are signs of fraud, and you must pay within 15 days after notice. If you overpaid purchase/use tax, you must ask for a refund within one year of payment. Starting July 1, 2025, the Commissioner must offer an appeal process with early dispute resolution and provide clear materials on how to appeal. The DMV must report by January 31, 2026 on how taxable cost is set and on inspection impacts, and provide ways for the public to share affordability concerns. Guard and U.S. Armed Forces members on deployment get a day‑for‑day extension, plus 60 days after return, on the normal three‑month reporting window for tax calculations.

Repeals parts of a 2024 law

Sections 14–16 of the 2024 Act No. 165 are repealed as of July 1, 2025. The effect depends on what those deleted sections did.

Town trails: status and upkeep clarified

Starting April 1, 2026, a “trail” is a public right‑of‑way that is not a highway. Towns may maintain trails but do not have to, and trails are not counted as highways for state aid. The law does not allow taking land by condemnation just for recreation. The selectboard oversees related spending and appointments unless voters choose otherwise.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

My Taxes My Health My Budget My Money My Freedom

Or tell us something more specific

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

Senate Message: Signed by Governor June 12, 2025
6/13/2025House
Signed by Governor on June 12, 2025
6/13/2025Senate
Delivered to Governor on June 6, 2025
6/6/2025Senate
Notice Calendar: Report of Committee of Conference
5/30/2025House
Senate Message: Report of Committee of Conference adopted
5/30/2025House
Rules suspended & ordered delivered to Governor forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/30/2025Senate
As passed by Senate and House
5/30/2025Senate
Committee of Conference report adopted
5/30/2025Senate
Committee of Conference report submitted by Senator Brennan for Committee, text
5/30/2025Senate
Rules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/30/2025Senate
House message: House adopted Conference Committee report
5/30/2025Senate
Rules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/30/2025House
Committee of Conference report adopted (Senate bill)
5/30/2025House
Rules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/30/2025House
House message: House appointed Conference Committee members
5/28/2025Senate
Speaker appointed Reps. Walker of Swanton, Pouech of Hinesburg, and White of Waitsfield as members of the Committee of Conference on the part of the House
5/28/2025House
Senate Message: House proposal of amendment not concurred in and Committee of Conference appointed
5/28/2025House
Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/28/2025Senate
Committee of Conference appointed: Senators Brennan, White, and Harrison
5/28/2025Senate
House proposal of amendment not concurred in; Committee of Conference requested, on motion of Senator Westman
5/28/2025Senate
House proposal of amendment; text
5/28/2025Senate
Rules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/28/2025Senate
House proposal of amendment
5/28/2025Senate
Entered on Notice Calendar
5/28/2025Senate
House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
5/27/2025Senate

Bill Text

As Enacted (ACT 66)
6/19/2025
PDF
As Passed by Both Chambers
6/3/2025
PDF
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/3/2025
PDF
House Proposal of Amendment
5/27/2025
PDF
House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/27/2025
PDF
As Passed by the Senate
3/31/2025
PDF
As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)
3/31/2025
PDF
As Introduced
3/14/2025
PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in