Vermont safe driving practice questions
5 questions below test Vermont’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The Vermont permit knowledge test has 20 questions in total and needs 16 correct (80%) to pass.
Vermont law
5 questions on Vermont’s own safe driving rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. During the first three months of a Vermont Junior Driver’s License, the driver is generally restricted to:
- ANo driving after noon
- BUnlimited teen passengers
- Driving alone (passengers only if a qualifying licensed parent/guardian, instructor, or licensed unimpaired adult 25+ is in the front seat)
- DDriving only with siblings
Answer: Driving alone (passengers only if a qualifying licensed parent/guardian, instructor, or licensed unimpaired adult 25+ is in the front seat). The Vermont License Manual states that during the first three months under a Junior Driver’s License, the individual is restricted to driving alone; passengers are permitted only if a licensed unimpaired parent or guardian, driver education instructor, or licensed unimpaired individual 25 or older is riding in the front seat.
Source: Vermont License Manual — Junior Driver’s License Restrictions
2. During the second three months of a Vermont Junior Driver’s License, the driver may begin transporting:
- Family members
- BPaying passengers for hire
- CUnlimited unrelated teens only
- DAny passengers under 21
Answer: Family members. The Vermont License Manual states that during the second three months of operation under a Junior Driver’s License, the individual may begin transporting family members.
Source: Vermont License Manual — Junior Driver’s License Restrictions
3. Vermont law on portable electronic devices while driving states that a person shall not:
- AListen to the radio
- BUse climate controls
- CUse GPS with voice only
- Use any portable electronic device, including reading or manually composing/sending electronic communications
Answer: Use any portable electronic device, including reading or manually composing/sending electronic communications. The Vermont License Manual states a person shall not use any portable electronic device while operating a motor vehicle, including reading and the manual composing or sending of electronic communications (text messages, instant messages, and emails).
Source: Vermont License Manual — Junior Driver’s License / Cell Phones and other Electronic Devices
4. Vermont law requires which vehicle occupants to be restrained with a safety belt or federally approved child passenger restraining system?
- ADrivers under 18 only
- BInterstate travel only
- CFront-seat occupants only
- All occupants of a motor vehicle
Answer: All occupants of a motor vehicle. The Vermont License Manual states the law requires all occupants of a motor vehicle to be restrained with a safety belt, or a federally approved child passenger restraining system.
Source: Vermont License Manual — Safety Belts
5. At a minimum, Vermont state law requires keeping infants rear-facing until:
- AAge 6 months only
- Age 1 and at least 20 pounds
- CAge 4 only
- DAny age if in the back seat
Answer: Age 1 and at least 20 pounds. The Vermont License Manual states that at a minimum, state law requires keeping infants rear-facing until age 1 and at least 20 pounds.
Source: Vermont License Manual — Protect Your Child – It’s the Law!
Applies everywhere
Safe driving rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the Vermont items above for 15 questions in total.
1. Maintaining a space cushion around your vehicle mainly gives you:
- AFreedom from signalling
- BBetter fuel economy
- Time and room to react to a hazard
- DA higher legal speed limit
Answer: Time and room to react to a hazard. Open space on all sides means a sudden hazard can be met with a steering or braking option instead of a collision.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — space cushion
2. How often should you check your mirrors in normal driving?
- AAbout once a minute
- BOnly when slowing down
- Every 5 to 8 seconds
- DOnly before changing lanes
Answer: Every 5 to 8 seconds. Frequent mirror checks keep you aware of vehicles approaching or sitting in your blind areas before a situation develops.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Safe driving — visual search
3. Under ideal driving conditions, what is the recommended minimum following distance?
- A10 seconds
- B1 second
- 3 seconds
- D5 seconds
Answer: 3 seconds. The 3-second rule provides a baseline buffer for reaction and stopping distance under normal, dry weather conditions.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
More Vermont topics
Other Vermont rules with their own questions
Safe driving elsewhere
Safe driving rules in other states
Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current Vermont rules
Statutes and handbooks change. Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for Vermont safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit Vermont Department of Motor VehiclesCommon questions
About Vermont safe driving rules and this practice set.