CDL Requirements in Vermont (2026): Steps, Cost & Testing

Source review dated October 12, 2026 against Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

Vermont issues CDLs through the DMV. You hold a regular Vermont license, complete federal ELDT with an FMCSA-approved provider, pass the General Knowledge test for a Commercial Learner's Permit ($18), hold it 14 days, then pass a three-part skills test in a vehicle you supply — administered by a DMV examiner by appointment. Vermont uniquely offers 2-year ($72) and 4-year ($108) CDL terms.

This guide combines federal rules with dated state research. Read the review notes before paying fees or booking a test.

Vermont's fee structure has two quirks. First, you choose your license term: a CDL costs $72 for 2 years or $108 for 4 years. Second, testing fees stack — a $39 knowledge test, a $29 scheduling deposit, a $39 road test, and $17 per endorsement test — so a first-time Class A runs roughly $186–$215 in state fees before ELDT tuition (estimated at about $4,000–$7,500).

A couple of Vermont-specific rules stand out: hazmat holders must re-take the hazmat knowledge test at every CDL renewal, and fail the skills test three times and you wait 6 months to retry. Veterans with recent qualifying experience can apply for a Military Test Waiver (Form VL-054).

Eligibility and documents in Vermont

• Age: at least 18 for intrastate driving; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazmat.
• All driver licenses and learner permits issued by any state
• Birth certificate
• Proof of Vermont residency
• Proof of lawful status (if applicable)
• Social Security number
• Proof of liability insurance and valid registration for the test vehicle (which must have a valid inspection sticker)
• For school bus applicants: the School Bus Endorsement Application with the recorded knowledge-test score

How to get your CDL: step by step

1. 1

   Check eligibility, documents, and medical qualification

   Choose the CDL class and endorsements for your vehicle. Hold the required regular license and bring Vermont identity, residency, and Social Security documents. Self-certify your operating category and complete a DOT physical before the permit if that category requires medical certification.

2. 2

   Pass the knowledge tests and obtain your CLP

   Take general knowledge and the vehicle/endorsement tests that apply. ELDT theory may be taken earlier, but federal rules do not require it before the CLP. A first-time hazmat applicant must complete hazmat theory before the hazmat knowledge test; hazmat is not issued on a CLP.

3. 3

   Complete required training and practice during the permit hold

   Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test. Use a qualified supervising driver for public-road practice. First-time Class A/B, B-to-A upgrades, and first-time P/S endorsements require applicable theory and behind-the-wheel ELDT from registered providers. The appropriate CLP is needed for public-road training. State training requirements may add to the federal baseline.

4. 4

   Pass the skills test in the right vehicle

   Confirm ELDT completion is recorded, arrange the test and a representative vehicle, then complete vehicle inspection, basic control, and road driving. The vehicle and transmission you test in can restrict your license.

5. 5

   Complete issuance and maintain your qualifications

   Pay the applicable Vermont issuance fees and confirm the correct class, endorsements, restrictions, and expiration. Keep your medical status current when required and follow the agency’s renewal instructions.

Medical certification in Vermont

Self-certify to the DMV your type of driving (interstate or intrastate) and whether you are subject to or exempt from the 49 CFR part 391 medical-exam requirements, using Form VL-033. A physical is required every 2 years by a National Registry-certified examiner. Under National Registry II (effective June 23, 2025), certified examiners transmit CMV exam results electronically, so CDL/CLP holders no longer hand-carry the paper card; updated certificates may also be submitted online via the DMV contact form.

If your card lapses: A new self-certification (and updated medical documentation if needed) is required whenever you apply, renew, upgrade, or replace a CDL, or whenever your medical or interstate/intrastate status changes. A lapsed certificate leads to a downgrade of the CDL.

Every CDL holder must self-certify one operating category. The categories offered here:

• NI — Non-excepted Interstate (medical card required)
• EI — Excepted Interstate
• NA — Non-excepted Intrastate
• EA — Excepted Intrastate

New to the DOT physical? See our DOT physical guide and CDL medical card explainer.

What a CDL costs in Vermont

These are separate transaction types, not charges that every applicant pays. Renewal, replacement, endorsement, and retest fees are alternatives or extras. Amounts are from the dated research; check current official fees before paying.

Vermont's testing fees stack up more than most states: a $39 knowledge test, a $29 scheduling deposit, a $39 road test, and $17 per endorsement test, on top of the license fee ($72 for 2 years or $108 for 4 years). For hazmat, the TSA Security Threat Assessment/fingerprint fee is a federal charge paid to TSA's contractor (not on the Vermont fee schedule — confirm with TSA). ELDT tuition is the largest cost.

See the full national breakdown on our CDL cost guide.

Skills testing in Vermont

Testing access: State testing; confirm exceptions. Official testing instructions.

Vermont administers CDL skills tests through the state; approved public third-party testing is limited or unavailable. Vermont does not publish official wait times. If you appear and pass, the $29 deposit applies to your license fee; a no-show forfeits it unless you cancel at least 48 hours ahead. If you fail three times you must wait 6 months to retake the test.

Your test vehicle: You must provide a vehicle representing the license class, with operable safety belts (school buses exempt), an empty cargo area or tank, and a passing inspection at the time of the test. Testing without air brakes results in an air-brake restriction on your license.

Endorsements available in Vermont

Vermont offers the standard federal endorsements. Adding one usually means an extra knowledge test (and a skills test for passenger and school bus). Tap an endorsement for the full federal process and cost:

• HHazmat — Vermont is NOT a TSA self-managed state. Hazmat runs through the federal TSA Security Threat Assessment via TSA Universal Enrollment Services (universalenroll.dhs.gov / 855-347-8371); you must start the assessment online or by phone at least 2 weeks before your fingerprint appointment, and TSA sends the result directly to the Vermont DMV. Notably, Vermont requires you to re-take the hazmat knowledge test at each CDL renewal, and hazmat is prohibited on a CLP.
• NTanker — Tank; on a CLP a tank-endorsement holder may operate only empty or purged tanks.
• XHazmat + Tank — Combined tank + hazmat; subject to the same federal TSA Security Threat Assessment as H (standard federal endorsement; Vermont's pages don't call it out by letter — confirm with the DMV).
• PPassenger — Passenger; on a CLP the holder may not carry passengers except examiners, trainees, or an accompanying CDL holder. ELDT required for first-timers.
• SSchool Bus — School bus (Type II); requires attending a Vermont school-bus clinic plus knowledge, vision, and skills tests and a medical form. A school-bus endorsement cannot be added to an out-of-state CDL. ELDT required for first-timers.
• TDoubles/Triples — Doubles/triples (standard federal endorsement; Vermont's pages don't call it out by letter individually).

CDL disqualifications

Disqualifying offenses are set by federal law (49 CFR 383.51) and apply in every state. Some also apply in a personal vehicle; vehicle-specific conditions matter. Vermont applies the federal 49 CFR 383.51 disqualification framework, codified at 23 V.S.A. sections 4103 and 4116 — covering major traffic violations, DUI, and out-of-service orders. No unusual Vermont-only disqualification beyond the federal scheme was found on the DMV pages reviewed; confirm any nuance against the Vermont CDL Manual (VN-111).

The offenses that trigger a disqualification, the length of each, and the federal exceptions are listed once in our CDL disqualifications guide instead of repeating the table here. Check the review notes for any Vermont-specific additions we could not confirm.

Military skills-test waiver

Check the temporary July 30–October 29, 2026 federal eligibility extension and ask the state whether it participates.

Vermont offers a Military Test Waiver (Form VL-054). At the Commissioner's discretion, the knowledge and skills tests — and the passenger, tank, and hazmat endorsement tests — may be waived for a currently licensed applicant with recent (within the last 12 months) military CMV experience, substituting driving record and experience. You must have operated a representative CMV for the 2 years before discharge, hold no more than one non-military license, and have a clean record with no disqualifying offenses under 23 V.S.A. 4116(a).

Vermont CDL FAQ