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How to Get Your Vermont Motorcycle License

The actual step-by-step process, from application to full license — not just what's on the exam. Confirm anything time-sensitive (fees, forms) with Vermont DMV directly.

  1. Hold a valid Vermont driver's license first

    Unlike a state where the motorcycle credential stands entirely on its own, Vermont requires an applicant to already hold a valid Vermont driver's license before applying for a motorcycle learner's permit, at a minimum age of 16.

  2. Pass the knowledge test, or complete VMAP instead

    Pass the 25-question motorcycle knowledge test (80%, 20 correct) at a DMV office, or complete an approved Vermont Motorcycle Awareness Program (VMAP) course as a direct substitute for the written exam.

  3. Get a parent or guardian signature if 16 or 17

    An applicant who is 16 or 17 and holds a Junior Driver's License needs a parent or legal guardian to sign the Motorcycle Learner Permit Application.

  4. Pass the skills test

    Schedule and pass a skills test — required regardless of which path (written exam or VMAP) was used to satisfy the knowledge requirement.

  5. Receive your endorsement

    Once you pass, the motorcycle endorsement is added to your existing driver's license.

Notes

  • Vermont has a universal helmet law with no adult exemption — every operator and passenger must wear a DOT-compliant helmet at any age. The only real exception is for occupants of a fully enclosed autocycle.
  • Vermont's licensing agency is the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
  • Winding, hilly rural roads with frequent blind curves are common statewide, a genuine road hazard worth planning for. Exact fees and current procedures change over time — confirm the current process with the official Vermont DMV website before you ride.

Last reviewed: 2026-07-24