Vermont

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Vermont. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

Vermont
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Universal helmet law enacted 1968.

Vermont
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

Choice of 2 or 4 years

Vermont
Provisions for Mature Drivers

None

Vermont
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

Vermont
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for recreational and medical use

Vermont
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

Vermont
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65

Vermont
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65

Vermont
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

55

Vermont
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

55

Vermont
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

50

Vermont
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

50

Vermont
Increased penalty for high BAC

None

Vermont
Administrative license suspension on first offense

90 days

Vermont
Limited driving privileges during suspension

None

Vermont
Ignition Interlocks

Highly incentivized for all convictions

Vermont
Open container laws

yes

Vermont
Repeat Offender Laws

No

Vermont
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8-17 yrs

Vermont
Child Restraint Required

Younger than 2 in a rear-facing child restraint. 
Ages 2 through 4 (until 5) in a rear- or forward-facing child restraint. Children must remain in a federally approved forward-facing child restraint with harnesses until the child reaches the weight or height limit as set by the manufacturer.
Ages 5 through 7 (until 8) in a child restraint or booster

Vermont
Full Privilege Minimum Age

16 years, 6 months

Vermont
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

15

Vermont
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

12

Vermont
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

40 (10)

Vermont
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Vermont
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

No restriction

Vermont
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 3 months: no passengers Second 3 months: no passengers except family (secondary enforcement

Vermont
Type of Law

Secondary; Primary for occupants under 18

Vermont
Who is Covered?

18 and over

Vermont
In What Seat?

All

Vermont
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

Vermont
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

No

Vermont
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers under 18. Primary law.

Vermont
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Vermont
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

Vermont
Speed Cameras: State Law

None

Vermont
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

Vermont
Red Light Cameras: State Law

None

Coordinated Campaign Aims to Crack Down on Speeders in Mass., N.H., and Maine

A regional task force organized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with local law enforcement to stop speeding in its tracks. Officials from the NHTSA, law enforcement representatives, and highway safety officials from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Connecticut announced the initiative during a joint news conference on Thursday in Seabrook, New Hampshire. The police aren’t looking to hassle drivers, but Kinsman said it doesn’t take long to find people speeding and driving aggressively at excessive speeds.

Child Passenger Safety Laws: Vermont

Child Restraint Required
Younger than 2 in a rear-facing child restraint. 
Ages 2 through 4 (until 5) in a rear- or forward-facing child restraint. Children must remain in a federally approved forward-facing child restraint with harnesses until the child reaches the weight or height limit as set by the manufacturer.
Ages 5 through 7 (until 8) in a child restraint or booster

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