Teen Driver Insurance in Vermont

Tojocu Editorial Team | Last verified: April 2026

Vermont operates a comprehensive graduated driver licensing program designed to help teen drivers develop skills progressively in a safer environment. The program directly addresses risks by placing common-sense limits on new drivers, allowing them to build skills in a safer, more controlled environment before granting full freedom. The program consists of distinct stages, each with its own set of rules. A Junior Driver's License is issued to persons 16 or 17 years old who pass the required examination. An individual must be 18 years of age to obtain a Driver's License, and must have not had any recalls, suspensions or revocations during the previous six-month period.

Licensing Timeline

A teen must be at least 15 years old to apply for a learner's permit. An individual must possess a Learner's Permit for at least one year prior to obtaining a Junior Driver's License, and must be 16 years old. Before getting a junior license, all 16 and 17-year-olds must have passed a state-approved driver education course consisting of 30 hours of classroom study and 6 hours behind-the-wheel training. Parents must certify that teens have completed 40 hours of supervised driving time, including 10 nighttime hours.

GDL Restrictions

During the first three months of operation under a Junior Driver's License, the individual is restricted to driving alone or with a supervising adult. Passengers are permitted only if there is a licensed and unimpaired parent or guardian, a licensed driver education instructor, or a licensed individual 25 years of age or older riding in the front seat. If one of those individuals is in the vehicle, there is no restriction on the number of passengers. During the second three months, teens may begin transporting immediate family members, and after holding a Junior Driver's License for six months there are no passenger restrictions. While holding a Junior Driver's License, teens may not operate a vehicle for employment purposes for one year or until age 18, whichever comes first. Using a cell phone while driving results in a 30-day license recall and fines of $100-$200 for first offense.

Permit holding period: At least 1 year. Nighttime restriction: No specific nighttime restrictions for Junior Driver's License. Passenger restriction: First 3 months: driving alone or with supervising adult only; months 4-6: may transport immediate family members. Cell phone restriction: Cell phone use while driving results in 30-day license recall and fines. Supervisor requirement: Learner permit requires licensed and unimpaired parent/guardian, certified driver education instructor, or licensed individual 25+ years old in front seat. Passenger exceptions include: licensed parent or guardian, licensed driver education instructor, licensed individual 25+ years old, immediate family members after 3 months.

Insurance Requirements

Vermont requires drivers to carry 25/50/10 in liability coverage: $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 per accident, and $10,000 property damage. Vermont also mandates uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage at $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $10,000 property damage. Vermont uses a traditional tort (at-fault) system where the driver found at fault is responsible for damages, and injured parties file claims against the at-fault driver's liability insurance. The UM minimum being twice the liability minimum is intentional, as Vermont lawmakers recognized that a driver with only 25/50 liability provides inadequate protection to victims.

Minimum liability limits: $25,000 bodily injury per person / $50,000 per accident / $10,000 property damage. Insurance system: at-fault. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is required. Required UM/UIM coverage: $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident for bodily injury, $10,000 property damage.

Insurance Considerations for Teen Drivers

Teen drivers in Vermont typically face significantly higher insurance premiums due to their inexperience and higher statistical risk of accidents. The state's unique requirement for higher uninsured motorist coverage than liability minimums provides additional protection for young drivers who may encounter uninsured motorists. Given Vermont's rural roads and wildlife collision risks, comprehensive coverage becomes particularly valuable for teens driving in areas with high deer and moose populations.

Practice Paths to Licensure

Option 1: State-approved driver education course with 30 hours classroom instruction and 6 hours behind-the-wheel training, plus 40 hours supervised practice (10 hours nighttime). 40 supervised hours required; 10 night hours required; driver education required; road test required.

Fees

Permit fee: $30. License fee: $32. Permit test fee $50; road test fee $19.