A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Vermont to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Vermont CDL fees start at $75 for a 4-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the Vermont CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA security threat assessment and fingerprinting required. Valid 5 years. Required for fuel oil deliveries — home heating oil delivery is significant in Vermont's cold climate.
Required for bulk liquid or gas transport. Relevant for home heating oil, propane, and milk tank truck operators — all important in Vermont's rural dairy economy.
Required for vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver. Green Mountain Transit and charter operators serving ski resorts.
Requires P endorsement. Background check required. Vermont's rural school districts cover large geographic areas with challenging mountain terrain.
Class A CDL required. Double trailers on I-89 and I-91 for through-traffic between Montreal, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts.
Combination of H and N endorsements. TSA background check applies. Common for home heating oil and propane tanker operators serving Vermont's rural communities.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants, and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Training must be completed through an FMCSA-registered provider listed in the Training Provider Registry (TPR) at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov. ELDT providers may be limited in rural Vermont — plan for travel to a provider in a neighboring state if needed.
Find a registered ELDT provider in Vermont →Interstate CDL holders must hold a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) issued by an FMCSA-certified medical examiner, valid up to 24 months. Self-certify your operating category and submit the MEC copy to the Vermont DMV. Intrastate CDL holders may use Vermont state physical standards.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at a Vermont DMV office with proof of identity, Social Security Number, and Vermont residency. Pass the required knowledge tests, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then schedule and pass the skills test. The CDL fee is $75. Vermont is rural — if no ELDT provider is nearby, you may need to travel to a provider in a neighboring state. Visit dmv.vermont.gov for current requirements.
Vermont CDLs are valid for 4 years — a shorter renewal cycle than most states. Renewal costs $75. Your DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate must be renewed separately — typically every 24 months for most interstate drivers.
Vermont's spring weight restrictions typically run from late February through late May — one of the longest restriction seasons in the US. Many state routes and secondary roads are posted with severely reduced weight limits during this period to protect Vermont's older road infrastructure. Restrictions vary by route and are updated by VTrans as conditions change. Always check the VTrans website before routing heavy loads on Vermont state routes during spring.
Tank (N) and Hazmat (H) endorsements are highly relevant in Vermont. Milk tanker operations — critical for the dairy industry — require N endorsement. Home heating oil delivery (a necessity in Vermont's cold winters) requires N endorsement and typically H endorsement since fuel oil is a HazMat. The X (Hazmat + Tank) combination is very common for Vermont CDL holders in agricultural and fuel delivery roles.
Yes. Vermont's ski resorts (Stowe, Killington, Sugarbush, Mount Snow, and others) generate CDL employment for bulk fuel delivery, equipment transport, food service supply chains, and passenger shuttle operations. The P (Passenger) endorsement is relevant for resort shuttle operations. Resort supply chain activity peaks November through April, creating seasonal CDL employment opportunities.
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Vermont CDL fee is $75 for original and renewal with a 4-year renewal cycle — shorter than most states. Knowledge tests are administered by the Vermont DMV at no additional charge. Skills test fees vary by provider. Verify current fee amounts at dmv.vermont.gov before scheduling.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Vermont VT Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026