Vermont Statutes Title 23 Sec. 617
Terms Used In Vermont Statutes Title 23 Sec. 617
- Commissioner: shall mean in this title only the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. See
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Motor vehicle: includes all vehicles propelled or drawn by power other than muscular power, except farm tractors, vehicles running only upon stationary rails or tracks, motorized highway building equipment, road making appliances, snowmobiles, tracked vehicles, motor-assisted bicycles, electric bicycles, or electric personal assistive mobility devices. See
- Motorcycle: means any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, and includes autocycles but excludes motor-driven cycles, motor-assisted bicycles, electric bicycles, golf carts, track driven vehicles, tractors, and electric personal assistive mobility devices. See
- Nonresident: shall include any person who does not come under the definition of a resident. See
- Person: includes any natural person, corporation, association, co-partnership, company, firm, or other aggregation of individuals. See
- Resident: as used in this title only, means any person living in the State who intends to make the State his or her principal place of domicile either permanently or for an indefinite number of years. See
§ 617. Learner’s permit
(a) Any Vermont resident 15 years of age or over, but under 18 years of age, who has no convictions under section 601, 674, 676, 1091, 1094, 1128, 1133, or 1201 of this title, suspensions under section 1205 of this title, or civil traffic violations under section 1216 of this title in the previous two years, or any Vermont resident 18 years of age or over, may apply to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for a learner’s permit in the form prescribed by the Commissioner. A nonresident may be issued a learner’s permit if the permit is required for purposes of participation in a driver education and training course. After the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the driver’s license examination other than the driving test, the Commissioner may issue to the applicant a learner’s permit that entitles the applicant, subject to section 615 of this title, to operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways for a period of two years from the date of issuance. Any learner’s permit may be renewed. This section shall not affect section 602 of this title.
[Subsection (b) effective until January 1, 2024; see also subsection (b) effective January 1, 2024 set out below.]
(b)(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any licensed person may apply to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for a learner’s permit for the operation of a motorcycle in the form prescribed by the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall offer both a motorcycle learner’s permit that authorizes the operation of three-wheeled motorcycles only and a motorcycle learner’s permit that authorizes the operation of any motorcycle. The Commissioner shall require payment of a fee of $20.00 at the time application is made.
(2) After the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the applicable motorcycle endorsement examination, other than a skill test, the Commissioner may issue to the applicant a learner’s permit that entitles the applicant, subject to subsection 615(a) of this title, to operate a three-wheeled motorcycle only, or to operate any motorcycle, upon the public highways for a period of 120 days from the date of issuance. The fee for the examination shall be $9.00.
(3) A motorcycle learner’s permit may be renewed only twice upon payment of a $20.00 fee. If, during the original permit period and two renewals the permittee has not successfully passed the applicable skill test or motorcycle rider training course, he or she may not obtain another motorcycle learner’s permit for a period of 12 months from the expiration of the permit unless:
(A) he or she has successfully completed the applicable motorcycle rider training course; or
(B) the learner’s permit and renewals thereof authorized the operation of any motorcycle and the permittee is seeking a learner’s permit for the operation of three-wheeled motorcycles only.
(4) This section shall not affect section 602 of this title.
[Subsection (b) effective January 1, 2024; see also subsection (b) effective until January 1, 2024 set out above.]
(b)(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any licensed person may apply to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for a learner’s permit for the operation of a motorcycle in the form prescribed by the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall offer both a motorcycle learner’s permit that authorizes the operation of three-wheeled motorcycles only and a motorcycle learner’s permit that authorizes the operation of any motorcycle. The Commissioner shall require payment of a fee of $24.00 at the time application is made.
(2) After the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the applicable motorcycle endorsement examination, other than a skill test, the Commissioner may issue to the applicant a learner’s permit that entitles the applicant, subject to subsection 615(a) of this title, to operate a three-wheeled motorcycle only, or to operate any motorcycle, upon the public highways for a period of 120 days from the date of issuance. The fee for the examination shall be $11.00.
(3) A motorcycle learner’s permit may be renewed only twice upon payment of a $24.00 fee. If, during the original permit period and two renewals the permittee has not successfully passed the applicable skill test or motorcycle rider training course, the permittee may not obtain another motorcycle learner’s permit for a period of 12 months from the expiration of the permit unless:
(A) he or she has successfully completed the applicable motorcycle rider training course; or
(B) the learner’s permit and renewals thereof authorized the operation of any motorcycle and the permittee is seeking a learner’s permit for the operation of three-wheeled motorcycles only.
(4) This section shall not affect section 602 of this title.
(c) No learner’s permit may be issued to any person under 18 years of age unless the parent or guardian of, or a person standing in loco parentis to, the applicant files his or her written consent to the issuance with the Commissioner.
[Subsection (d) effective until January 1, 2024; see also subsection (d) effective January 1, 2024 set out below.]
(d) An applicant shall pay $20.00 to the Commissioner for each learner’s permit or a duplicate or renewal thereof.
[Subsection (d) effective January 1, 2024; see also subsection (d) effective until January 1, 2024 set out above.]
(d) An applicant shall pay $24.00 to the Commissioner for each learner’s permit or a duplicate or renewal thereof.
(e)(1) A learner’s permit, which is not a learner’s permit for the operation of a motorcycle, shall contain a photograph or imaged likeness of the individual if the permit is obtained in person. The photographic learner’s permit shall be available at locations designated by the Commissioner.
(2) An individual issued a permit under this subsection may renew his or her permit by mail or online, but a permit holder who chooses to have a photograph or imaged likeness under this subsection must renew in person so that an updated imaged likeness of the individual is obtained not less often than once every nine years.
(f)(1) The Commissioner may authorize motorcycle rider training instructors to administer a motorcycle endorsement examination for three-wheeled motorcycles only or for any motorcycle, or a motorcycle skill test for three-wheeled motorcycles only or for any motorcycle, or any of these. Upon successful completion of the applicable examination or test, the instructor shall issue to the applicant either a temporary motorcycle learner’s permit or notice of motorcycle endorsement, as appropriate. The instructor shall immediately forward to the Commissioner the application and fee together with such additional information as the Commissioner may require.
(2) The Commissioner shall maintain a list of approved in-state and out-of-state motorcycle rider training courses, successful completion of which the Commissioner shall deem to satisfy the skill test requirement. This list shall include courses that provide training on three-wheeled motorcycles. (Added 1963, No. 107; amended 1965, No. 177; 1981, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. March 2, 1982; 1983, No. 8; 1983, No. 42, § 2; 1989, No. 51, § 38; 1989, No. 268 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. June 21, 1990; 1995, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1997, No. 9, § 1, eff. July 1, 1996; 1997, No. 9, § 1, eff. July 1, 1996; 1997, No. 9, § 2, eff. May 6, 1997; 1999, No. 140 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2001, No. 75 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2001, No. 102 (Adj. Sess.), § 23, eff. May 15, 2002; 2003, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; 2005, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 35; 2005, No. 188 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2009, No. 50, § 47; 2015, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 36; 2017, No. 206 (Adj. Sess.), § 18; 2019, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 43, eff. June 1, 2020; 2023, No. 78, § G.129, eff. January 1, 2024.)
§ 617. Learner’s permit [Effective January 1, 2024]
(a) Any Vermont resident 15 years of age or over, but under 18 years of age, who has no convictions under section 601, 674, 676, 1091, 1094, 1128, 1133, or 1201 of this title, suspensions under section 1205 of this title, or civil traffic violations under section 1216 of this title in the previous two years, or any Vermont resident 18 years of age or over, may apply to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for a learner’s permit in the form prescribed by the Commissioner. A nonresident may be issued a learner’s permit if the permit is required for purposes of participation in a driver education and training course. After the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the driver’s license examination other than the driving test, the Commissioner may issue to the applicant a learner’s permit that entitles the applicant, subject to section 615 of this title, to operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways for a period of two years from the date of issuance. Any learner’s permit may be renewed. This section shall not affect section 602 of this title.
(b)(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, any licensed person may apply to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles for a learner’s permit for the operation of a motorcycle in the form prescribed by the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall offer both a motorcycle learner’s permit that authorizes the operation of three-wheeled motorcycles only and a motorcycle learner’s permit that authorizes the operation of any motorcycle. The Commissioner shall require payment of a fee of $24.00 at the time application is made.
(2) After the applicant has successfully passed all parts of the applicable motorcycle endorsement examination, other than a skill test, the Commissioner may issue to the applicant a learner’s permit that entitles the applicant, subject to subsection 615(a) of this title, to operate a three-wheeled motorcycle only, or to operate any motorcycle, upon the public highways for a period of 120 days from the date of issuance. The fee for the examination shall be $11.00.
(3) A motorcycle learner’s permit may be renewed only twice upon payment of a $24.00 fee. If, during the original permit period and two renewals the permittee has not successfully passed the applicable skill test or motorcycle rider training course, the permittee may not obtain another motorcycle learner’s permit for a period of 12 months from the expiration of the permit unless:
(A) he or she has successfully completed the applicable motorcycle rider training course; or
(B) the learner’s permit and renewals thereof authorized the operation of any motorcycle and the permittee is seeking a learner’s permit for the operation of three-wheeled motorcycles only.
(4) This section shall not affect section 602 of this title.
(c) No learner’s permit may be issued to any person under 18 years of age unless the parent or guardian of, or a person standing in loco parentis to, the applicant files his or her written consent to the issuance with the Commissioner.
(d) An applicant shall pay $24.00 to the Commissioner for each learner’s permit or a duplicate or renewal thereof.
(e)(1) A learner’s permit, which is not a learner’s permit for the operation of a motorcycle, shall contain a photograph or imaged likeness of the individual if the permit is obtained in person. The photographic learner’s permit shall be available at locations designated by the Commissioner.
(2) An individual issued a permit under this subsection may renew his or her permit by mail or online, but a permit holder who chooses to have a photograph or imaged likeness under this subsection must renew in person so that an updated imaged likeness of the individual is obtained not less often than once every nine years.
(f)(1) The Commissioner may authorize motorcycle rider training instructors to administer a motorcycle endorsement examination for three-wheeled motorcycles only or for any motorcycle, or a motorcycle skill test for three-wheeled motorcycles only or for any motorcycle, or any of these. Upon successful completion of the applicable examination or test, the instructor shall issue to the applicant either a temporary motorcycle learner’s permit or notice of motorcycle endorsement, as appropriate. The instructor shall immediately forward to the Commissioner the application and fee together with such additional information as the Commissioner may require.
(2) The Commissioner shall maintain a list of approved in-state and out-of-state motorcycle rider training courses, successful completion of which the Commissioner shall deem to satisfy the skill test requirement. This list shall include courses that provide training on three-wheeled motorcycles. (Added 1963, No. 107; amended 1965, No. 177; 1981, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. March 2, 1982; 1983, No. 8; 1983, No. 42, § 2; 1989, No. 51, § 38; 1989, No. 268 (Adj. Sess.), § 3, eff. June 21, 1990; 1995, No. 120 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 1997, No. 9, § 1, eff. July 1, 1996; 1997, No. 9, § 1, eff. July 1, 1996; 1997, No. 9, § 2, eff. May 6, 1997; 1999, No. 140 (Adj. Sess.), § 6; 2001, No. 75 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; 2001, No. 102 (Adj. Sess.), § 23, eff. May 15, 2002; 2003, No. 154 (Adj. Sess.), § 10; 2005, No. 175 (Adj. Sess.), § 35; 2005, No. 188 (Adj. Sess.), § 4; 2009, No. 50, § 47; 2015, No. 159 (Adj. Sess.), § 36; 2017, No. 206 (Adj. Sess.), § 18; 2019, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 43, eff. June 1, 2020; 2023, No. 78, § G.129, eff. January 1, 2024.)