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Vermont trucking rules

Fees, CDL costs, weight and size limits, chain laws and new bills for truckers and trucking companies in Vermont. Updated 2026-10-22.

Must-know rules · Weight, oversize & chains · Fees · Bills

Must-know rules

Vermont's truck-specific rules are mostly about permits and enforcement. All trucks must enter open weigh stations whatever their weight. Heavy trucks over 26,000 lb can be ordered to chain up on posted state highways. I could not confirm truck speed limits, a state weight-distance tax, or hazmat tunnel rules from official pages, so I left them out.

Researched by our AI agent from the linked sources on 2026-10-21. Always confirm with the source.

• Must knowWeigh stations / inspections

  Regardless of weight, all trucks must enter Vermont weigh stations and inspection areas when they are open. Drivewyze PreClear is authorized, and enrolled carriers may bypass some sites at rates set by Vermont CVE inspectors.

  Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program - Vermont DMV
• Must knowWinter chain requirement

  Officials can require chains on specified state highways in winter weather for vehicles with a GVWR or GCWR over 26,000 lb. A solo single-drive-axle truck needs chains on one tire on each side of the drive axle. A tandem-drive truck needs chains on two tires on each side of the primary drive axle, or on one tire on each side of each drive axle if both axles are powered.

  23 V.S.A. § 1006c. Chain requirements for vehicles with weight ratings of more than 26,000 pounds

Weight limits, oversize permits and chain laws

Our agent is still researching Vermont's weight, size and chain rules. Check back soon.

Fees and DOT requirements

Vermont charges the same state fee for Class A and Class B CDLs ($72 for 2 years or $108 for 4 years). Truck registration is weight-based, but I could not find the official dollar amounts for 26,001 lb or 80,000 lb, so those are null. I found no state operating-authority requirement for ordinary for-hire freight carriers. Vermont does set an intrastate driver minimum age of 18, which is lower than the federal 21.

Class B CDL

$108 for 4 years (about $27 a year)
Vermont also offers a 2-year CDL for $72. Exam fees: knowledge test $39, road test $39, road-test scheduling deposit $29, endorsement test $17 each. Replacement CDL $18. The motorcycle endorsement raises the fee to $80 (2-year) or $124 (4-year). An Enhanced CDL adds $36. The listed CDL fee is the sa Source

Class A CDL

$108 for 4 years (about $27 a year)
Same schedule as Class B: 2-year CDL $72, 4-year CDL $108. Knowledge test $39, road test $39, scheduling deposit $29, endorsement tests $17 each. The DMV page does not list a separate Class A fee. The page is dated about 195 days before 2026-10-22, so confirm before paying. Source

How registration is figured

Weight-based. 23 V.S.A. § 367 bases the annual fee on the weight of the truck including body and cab plus the heaviest load to be carried. For a truck with a trailer, it uses the tractor, the trailer (trailers under 6,000 lb excluded) and the heaviest load combined. Rates are per 1,000 lb of weight
I could not retrieve the official DMV truck fee table (the 'Truck Registration Fees' page that the main fee page points to). The statute excerpt I saw was truncated, so I am not giving a number. Do not rely on third-party sites, which show different figures. To qualify for the 80,000 lb registration, a combination must have at least 5 axles and meet axle-spacing minimums (DMV form VD-119i instruct Source

Intrastate operating authority

Not required for intrastate carriers.
The DMV's motor carrier guide says that to operate for hire within Vermont there are no vehicle requirements other than proper Vermont or IRP registration (plus an IFTA license if base-registered elsewhere). It does not mention a state operating-authority permit for freight (https://dmv.vermont.gov/sites/dmv/files/documents/VN-166-Motor_Carrier_Safety_Regs.pdf). That guide appears old, so treat th Source

State DOT requirements

• Must knowIntrastate CMV definition, CDL and medical card

  For intrastate operations, a commercial motor vehicle is a vehicle or combination with a GVWR or GVW of 26,001 lb or more (the guide's text is cut off after 'or'). Drivers must pass DMV knowledge and road tests. The DMV guide says intrastate carriers subject to the FMCSRs must carry a medical examiner certificate. CDL holders self-certify (NI, NA, EI, EA), and intrastate-only drivers who are not excepted choose 'NA' and must still have a DOT medical card.

  CDL Medical Certification - Vermont DMV

See all 9 DOT requirements with full access

Fees change; confirm with the linked state source. Compare all states.

New Vermont trucking bills

No new trucking bills found here recently. The agent checks every morning.