An act relating to miscellaneous amendments to laws relating to motor vehicles
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
16 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 8 costs, 3 mixed.
Smugglers' Notch drivers face steep fines
Beginning July 1, 2026, violating the vehicle-operation ban at Smugglers' Notch carries a $10,000 civil penalty, up from $1,000. The penalty rises from $2,000 to $20,000 when a violation substantially blocks traffic on Vermont Route 108. A second or later conviction within three years doubles the applicable penalty. The penalty rules cover personal and work-related driving and also identify employers of drivers acting within their jobs. The transportation agency must update approach signs to explain the restrictions and penalties.
Simpler damaged-car transfers and replacement titles
Beginning July 1, 2026, ownership documents transferring a damaged vehicle to its insurer do not need notarization. After paying damages, insurers can use electronic signatures with secure authentication meeting at least NIST level 2 standards. Documents can be printed, and insurers must cover claims against the Department arising from titles issued using compliant documents. Replacement titles for lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed, or unreadable originals go to the first lienholder, or the owner without one. They are mailed or can be handed to the recipient at a Department location.
Small kei vehicles gain road protections
Beginning July 1, 2026, local governments and Vermont's Traffic Committee cannot bar qualifying kei vehicles from comparable roads and uses. A qualifying vehicle has four wheels and an engine no larger than 660 cubic centimeters. Maximum dimensions are 130 inches long, 78 inches high, and 60 inches wide. Kei vehicles registered as pleasure cars receive the same treatment as other pleasure cars. Kei trucks designed, used, or maintained mainly to carry property receive comparable farm-truck treatment when registered as farm trucks.
Vehicle inspections focus on immediate dangers
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Department must revise the inspection manual to limit failures to immediate safety risks identified by the Commissioner. The manual must also warn owners about future safety risks and provide clearer visual guidance. The Department must review tires, steering, suspension, brake rotors, lighting, electrical parts, windshields, windows, wipers, and vehicle bodies. It must consider changing or removing inspection items, including other components selected by the Commissioner. Proposed inspection rule amendments must be filed by August 1, 2026.
Emergency workers gain heavy-vehicle driving exemption
Beginning July 1, 2026, state and municipal employees can drive commercial vehicles weighing at least 26,001 pounds without a commercial license during qualifying emergencies. The Governor must declare an emergency involving significant risks to public health, safety, infrastructure, or property and expressly allow this driving. Employees must perform official emergency-government work and hold a valid regular driver's license from Vermont or another state. The exemption lasts only while the emergency or condition continues.
Boaters get cold-weather life jacket information
The Department of Public Safety must develop and launch a life jacket education campaign by September 30, 2026. Working with federal and state partners, it must explain the seasonal flotation-device requirements for November 1 through May 1. The campaign must include online and written information.
Boat owners must place stickers precisely
Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont-registered motorboats must display validation stickers in specified locations. On the port side, place the sticker within six inches before the registration number. On the starboard side, place it within six inches after the number.
Drivers cannot alter or obscure plates
Beginning July 1, 2026, you cannot color, tint, or otherwise change a plate's letters, numbers, or background. The plate must keep its appearance as issued. You also cannot cover or obscure its letters or numbers with material or substances, unless another law allows it.
Failed vehicle payments trigger license suspensions
Beginning July 1, 2026, dishonored-payment rules cover electronic transfers and credit or debit charges, as well as checks. The Department of Motor Vehicles sends a nonpayment notice. If you do not promptly pay, the Commissioner must suspend your license or registration until full settlement. Settlement includes required taxes, interest, fees, and penalties. The Department can require cash or certified checks from people with suspended credentials or repeated dishonored payments.
Motorcycles need noise-reducing exhaust equipment
Beginning July 1, 2026, motorcycles used on highways need a muffler or another mechanical device designed to reduce noise. Missing internal baffles, cutouts, bypasses, noncompliant mufflers, and straight pipes without noise reduction violate the law and cause inspection failure. Mechanics must presume federal compliance when a muffler's position prevents a reasonable check for its compliance label. The equipment rules do not apply during races, contests, or demonstrations at authorized public exhibitions held under state and local laws.
Electronic temporary registration provision is repealed
Beginning July 1, 2026, the law repeals the statutory provision for electronically issuing temporary plates and temporary registrations. The supplied text does not identify replacement procedures or establish which issuance methods remain available.
Commercial drivers face texting limits
Beginning July 1, 2026, commercial vehicle operators cannot text while driving on Vermont public highways or other places open to traffic. Hands-free use, including activating or turning off hands-free equipment, remains allowed. The law also permits qualifying manufacturer-installed or securely mounted navigation systems and messages to law enforcement or emergency services. The ban does not apply when a vehicle is safely and legally stopped off the public highway.
Airport tax records allow limited sharing
Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont's tax commissioner can share airport-related tax returns or return information with the transportation agency. Records must concern tax revenue generated on Vermont airport premises. Sharing must be necessary to demonstrate compliance with federal airport grant rules on airport revenue. The Commissioner sets conditions, and applicable Internal Revenue Service confidentiality requirements still apply. This provision does not itself change tax bills or benefits.
Nondriver IDs come with renewal rules
Beginning July 1, 2026, Vermont residents without a driver's license can apply for a nondriver photo ID. Minors need parental consent. Applicants with a valid Vermont license must surrender it and receive a reduced ID fee. You cannot hold both credentials at once. Cardholders must renew in person for an updated photo at least every nine years; other renewals can use mail.
Specialty cars get limited-use registration
Beginning July 1, 2026, limited-use specialty registration costs $26 yearly, with no more than 12 additional certificates issued each year. Vehicles must come from manufacturers making at most 325 vehicles yearly for U.S. sale, or individuals building them without resale. Vehicles must be kept solely for occasional transportation and public-interest uses, including exhibitions, club events, and parades. They cannot have another registration or serve daily highway travel; occasional passenger or property trips are limited to one day weekly. Annual safety and visual emissions inspections remain required, but onboard diagnostic systems inspections are not.
Commercial drivers pay set license fees
Beginning July 1, 2026, commercial driver's licenses cost $108 for four years or $72 for two years. A one-year nondomiciled commercial driver's license costs $40. Total fees can be reduced when an applicant surrenders a valid Vermont Class D license.
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 16, 2026
5/29/2026SenateSigned by Governor on June 16, 2026
5/29/2026SenateDelivered to Governor on June 10, 2026
5/29/2026SenateAs passed by Senate and House
5/26/2026SenateHouse message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment
5/26/2026HouseRules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/26/2026HouseSenate proposal of amendment to House proposal of amendment concurred in
5/26/2026HouseRules suspended and taken up for immediate consideration as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/26/2026HouseNotice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment to House Proposal of Amendment
5/26/2026HouseSenate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment thereto
5/22/2026SenateRules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth
5/22/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment concurred in with further proposal of amendment as moved by Senator(s) Westman
5/22/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment; text
5/22/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment
5/22/2026SenateHouse proposal of amendment
5/21/2026SenateEntered on Notice Calendar
5/21/2026SenateHouse message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
5/21/2026HouseRules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney
5/20/2026HouseRead third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment
5/20/2026HouseRep. Noyes of Wolcott asked and was granted leave to withdraw amendment
5/20/2026HouseRep. Noyes of Wolcott moved to amend the House proposal of amendment
5/20/2026HouseRep. Tomlinson of Winooski moved to amend the House proposal of amendment, which was agreed to
5/20/2026HouseRep. Burke of Brattleboro moved to amend the House proposal of amendment, which was agreed to
5/20/2026HouseAction Calendar: Third Reading
5/20/2026HouseThird Reading ordered
5/19/2026House
Bill Text
As Enacted (ACT 153)Opens in a new window
6/19/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers
6/4/2026
As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)
6/4/2026
House Proposal of Amendment
5/21/2026
House Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)
5/21/2026
As Passed by the Senate
3/26/2026
As Passed by the Senate (Unofficial)
3/26/2026
As Introduced
1/29/2026
Related Bills
S.328, An act relating to housing and common interest communities
S.325, An act relating to regional planning and Act 250 Tier jurisdiction
S.313, An act relating to transforming Vermont’s career technical education system
S.323, An act relating to miscellaneous agricultural subjects
S.327, An act relating to economic development
S.278, An act relating to cannabis