An act relating to miscellaneous changes to laws related to motor vehicles
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
26 provisions identified: 14 benefits, 7 costs, 5 mixed.
Commercial drivers lose traffic deferral options
Courts, prosecutors, and law enforcement cannot defer sentence or judgment for covered state or local traffic charges. This applies to commercial license or learner's permit holders, even when not driving a commercial vehicle. It also applies to anyone operating a commercial motor vehicle when the violation occurred. Parking, vehicle-weight, and vehicle-defect violations are excluded.
Early credential renewals cost less
You pay less to renew an operator's license, privilege card, or nondriver ID with at least one year left. The reduction is proportional to the remaining years, rounded down to whole years. You must still meet the renewal application and document requirements.
Former foster youth get free credentials
Applicants under 23 qualify if they were in Vermont Children and Families care and custody after turning 14. Their first nondriver ID and learner's permit fees are waived, including permit duplicates and renewals. Motorcycle permit applications and renewals are also free, avoiding the usual $24 charge. The $11 motorcycle examination fee is waived too.
Nondriver cards show organ donation choices
The Commissioner must provide a form for making an anatomical gift, such as organ donation. If you sign that form, your Vermont nondriver ID card must show an indicator of your choice.
Owners get easier registration refund proof
The Commissioner can cancel registration for a vehicle totally destroyed by fire, or wholly unusable and dismantled. Owners can seek a refund for the unused registration term by returning the certificate or plates. They can instead provide other proof of cancellation that the Commissioner accepts. The state keeps a minimum of $5.
Riders get free online replacement permits
You can generate a replacement motorcycle learner's permit through your electronic account at no charge. This free option applies to replacements generated through that account.
Truck registration weight thresholds rise
Registration fee weight thresholds rise by 100 pounds for covered tractors, truck-tractors, and motor trucks. This includes the minimum-fee threshold, per-1,000-pound rate bands, and extra-fee thresholds. The rates and extra-fee amounts remain unchanged. Any savings depend on the vehicle's registration weight.
Veterans can mark licenses and IDs
Qualifying veterans can request a “veteran” mark on a Vermont enhanced license or nondriver ID. Applicants must provide a DD-214 or other Commissioner-approved proof. Vermont's Office of Veterans' Affairs must confirm their status. Qualifying status includes an honorable or under-honorable-conditions discharge, or a qualifying service-related disability.
Volunteer disability placards lose special labels
Disability placards issued through nonprofit volunteer-driver programs no longer need a “volunteer driver” label. These programs transport people with an ambulatory disability or who are blind. Nonprofits must still ensure proper use, track drivers receiving placards, and recover them when drivers stop providing the service.
Wider vehicles can qualify as ATVs
The maximum width for an all-terrain vehicle rises from 64 inches to 72 inches. Vehicles within the new width limit can qualify only if they meet the definition's other requirements.
Young drivers can skip repeat exams
The Commissioner can waive the examination for an applicant's first Vermont junior operator's license. Applicants must hold a qualifying out-of-state junior license or have held one within the past three years. That jurisdiction must require an examination similar to Vermont's. The waiver is not automatic.
Motorcycle instructors need less riding experience
Motorcycle rider training instructors need at least two years of licensed riding experience during the last four years. The previous experience requirement was four years.
Vehicle taxpayers gain clear appeal procedures
The Commissioner must establish appeals for vehicle purchase and use tax liability and related compliance requirements. The process must offer a way to resolve disputes before a final administrative decision. The Commissioner must also provide taxpayer education materials about appeals and dispute resolution.
Commercial learner permits must show photos
Vermont commercial learner's permits must include a photograph of the holder. The photo becomes part of the permit's identifying information.
Residents get clearer credential cost information
Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles must implement a public education campaign by November 15, 2025. It must explain operator's licenses, privilege cards, nondriver IDs, gender-marker self-attestation, and reduced fees for eligible people. The campaign itself does not change eligibility or fees.
Drivers pay upfront for road tests
Beginning on or before July 1, 2026, applicants pay $29 before scheduling a Vermont road test. If you attend, that payment counts toward your license examination fee. If you miss the test, you lose the payment unless you give at least 48 hours' notice. The Commissioner can also excuse the missed test for good cause.
Extreme speeding earns drivers eight points
Drivers convicted under Vermont's excessive-speed law receive eight points for going more than 30 mph over the limit. This applies to the relevant state speed-zone or local speed limit.
Impaired drivers face stricter suspension triggers
For impaired-driving violations, an evidentiary alcohol test at—not just above—the applicable limit triggers the civil suspension process. This standard also governs related court findings and the rebuttable presumption for tests taken within two hours of driving. For second or later violations, notices must state that suspension starts on the 11th day after receipt. Driving while suspended is a crime unless the driver has an ignition-interlock restricted license or certificate.
Privilege cards clearly show federal limits
Vermont privilege cards must display “non-Real ID.” They must also state that they are not valid for federal identification or official purposes. This includes junior operator's and learner's privilege cards.
Commercial driving instructors face qualification rules
Commercial driving instructors must meet state requirements on disqualification, examinations, physical ability, and fees. Both classroom and behind-the-wheel instructors need a commercial license of the same or higher class, with required endorsements. They need at least two years of qualifying commercial driving experience or two years of behind-the-wheel teaching experience. Additional applicable state requirements also apply.
Vehicle buyers face firm tax deadlines
Vehicle buyers must pay an assessed tax within 15 days after notice is sent or provided. The Commissioner can give verbal notice at a motor vehicle office or send notice immediately by mail. You must request a motor vehicle tax refund within one year after paying the tax. A later request misses the refund deadline.
Enhanced licenses require proof, limit data
New enhanced-license applicants must provide photo identity, birth date and place, Social Security number, and main residence documents. They must prove U.S. citizenship, meet U.S. passport issuance requirements, and have their documents verified before processing. The Commissioner cannot demand identity information beyond current Homeland Security requirements without approval from the Legislature or its administrative rules committee.
Bicyclists gain options and signal duties
Bicyclists must follow motor-vehicle traffic controls, but can cross or turn toward a walk signal while yielding to vehicles and pedestrians. Beginning July 1, 2025, bicycle-specific signals take priority when present. Their green, yellow, and red signals govern movements, with signs, lane restrictions, conflicting traffic, and right-of-way rules still applying. Permitted turns on red remain subject to turn bans and yielding. Motor Vehicles and Public Safety officials must consult road-user, municipal, and law-enforcement groups and create illustrated rule materials by April 1, 2026, including safe passing guidance.
Credential staff face checks with safeguards
The Commissioner can check job applicants' criminal, traffic, and financial records; applicants receive notice and can withdraw. Staff producing credentials or able to affect identity information must undergo name- and fingerprint-based criminal checks after notice. Federal law can require further security clearances. During formal employee discipline investigations, the Commissioner can authorize relevant criminal or traffic checks. Employees must receive information used for discipline at a pretermination or contractual grievance hearing; without discipline, it must be destroyed.
Vehicle taxes use updated price guides
Vermont replaces the NADA guide with J.D. Power Values or a comparable publication for valuing certain vehicles. Purchase or use tax values use clean trade-in prices for the same make, type, model, and year. The Commissioner can develop a valuation process for vehicles without a listed clean trade-in value. The change can raise or lower a vehicle's tax value.
Towns oversee roads without trail duties
Beginning April 1, 2026, qualifying legal trails are public rights-of-way, not highways; new trails must serve nearby property access or recreation. Towns can maintain trails alone or together, but have no maintenance responsibility, including for culverts and bridges. The town legislative body oversees highway operations and spending and decides Class 2 and Class 3 designations. Class 2 decisions require transportation agency approval; Class 3 decisions require consultation with an agency representative.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
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
6/13/2025SenateSigned by Governor on June 12, 2025
6/13/2025SenateDelivered to Governor on June 6, 2025
6/6/2025SenateNotice Calendar: Report of Committee of Conference
5/30/2025HouseSenate Message: Report of Committee of Conference adopted
5/30/2025SenateRules suspended & ordered delivered to Governor forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/30/2025SenateAs passed by Senate and House
5/30/2025SenateCommittee of Conference report adopted
5/30/2025SenateCommittee of Conference report submitted by Senator Brennan for Committee, text
5/30/2025SenateRules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/30/2025SenateHouse message: House adopted Conference Committee report
5/30/2025HouseRules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/30/2025HouseCommittee of Conference report adopted (Senate bill)
5/30/2025HouseRules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/30/2025HouseHouse message: House appointed Conference Committee members
5/28/2025HouseSpeaker 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
5/28/2025HouseSenate Message: House proposal of amendment not concurred in and Committee of Conference appointed
5/28/2025SenateRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/28/2025SenateCommittee of Conference appointed: Senators Brennan, White, and Harrison
5/28/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment not concurred in; Committee of Conference requested, on motion of Senator Westman
5/28/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment; text
5/28/2025SenateRules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/28/2025SenateHouse proposal of amendment
5/28/2025SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/28/2025SenateHouse message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
5/27/2025House
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 66)Opens in a new window
6/19/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers
6/3/2025
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/3/2025
House Proposal of Amendment
5/27/2025
House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/27/2025
As Passed by the Senate
3/31/2025
As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)
3/31/2025
As Introduced
3/14/2025
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