Vermont CDL Requirements: DMV Classes, Fees, and the Burlington / I-89 Freight Context

Vermont CDL Requirements: DMV Classes, Fees, and the Burlington / I-89 Freight Context

Vermont issues CDLs through the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (VT DMV). Vermont has a granular fee structure with separate components for each step: knowledge exam, endorsement exams, road skills test, scheduling deposit, and CLP. CDL validity is 2 years ($72) or 4 years ($108) — applicant choice. Vermont is a small Northeast state on I-89 (White River Junction to Canada) and I-91 (Connecticut to Quebec), with significant agricultural (dairy, maple) and forest-products freight.

For the federal framework, see HOS, ELDT, Clearinghouse, DOT Physical, and DAC Report.

Last verified: 2026-04-19 against Vermont DMV CDL pages and 49 CFR Parts 383 and 380.¹²

Key Takeaways

• Issuing agency: Vermont DMV — dmv.vermont.gov¹
• CDL classes offered: A, B, and C
• Core fees: $39 written general knowledge test; $17 per endorsement exam; $39 road skills testing; $29 scheduling deposit; $18 CLP; $72 2-year CDL OR $108 4-year CDL²
• Renewal cycle: 2 years ($72) or 4 years ($108) — applicant choice¹
• Age rule: 18 for intrastate; 21 for interstate¹
• CLP holding period: at least 14 days before skills test (federal)³
• ELDT required for first-time Class A/B, HazMat, or class upgrade⁴

Vermont CDL classes

Vermont follows federal class definitions under 49 CFR Part 383:³¹

Age, residency, and eligibility

• Minimum age: 18 for VT intrastate; 21 for interstate (federal 49 CFR 391.11).¹
• Vermont residency: required.¹
• Lawful presence: U.S. citizenship or documented lawful presence.
• Medical certification: Federal MEC (MCSA-5876) per self-certification category.⁵

Self-certification categories

Federal self-certification required under 49 CFR 383.71:⁶

• Non-excepted interstate (NI)
• Excepted interstate (EI)
• Non-excepted intrastate (NA)
• Excepted intrastate (EA)

Endorsements available in Vermont

Vermont DMV issues the standard federal endorsement set:¹

• H — Hazardous materials (requires TSA background check)
• N — Tank vehicles
• P — Passenger
• S — School bus (requires P endorsement)
• T — Doubles / triples (Class A only)
• X — Combined H + N (hazmat-tanker)

Current VT DMV fees

All fees below are from Vermont DMV CDL Fees page, verified on 2026-04-19:²

Vermont's granular per-step fee structure is unusual — most states bundle these.²

Verify the current Vermont DMV fee at dmv.vermont.gov/licenses/types-of-licenses-ids/commercial-drivers-license-cdl/fees on the day of your application.² Our editorial policy re-verifies these figures at least every 180 days.

How to get a Vermont CDL: step by step

Step 1 — Hold a valid Vermont driver license

Required before starting the CDL process.¹

Step 2 — Pass the DOT physical

Find a Certified Medical Examiner (CME) on the FMCSA National Registry.⁵ See DOT Physical guide.

Step 3 — Take the written General Knowledge test

$39 fee.² Plus any endorsement exams at $17 each.

Step 4 — Apply for the Commercial Learner Permit

$18 CLP fee.²

Step 5 — Receive your CLP

VT CLP is valid for 180 days under federal standard.³

Step 6 — Complete FMCSA ELDT

At an FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) provider.⁴ See ELDT guide.

Step 7 — Wait the 14-day minimum CLP holding period

Federal rule: at least 14 days.³

Step 8 — Schedule and take the road skills test

$39 road skills test + $29 scheduling deposit = $68 skills-related fees.² Three-part skills test:¹

• Pre-trip vehicle inspection
• Basic vehicle control
• On-road driving

Step 9 — Receive your CDL

$72 for 2-year or $108 for 4-year validity.²

Hazmat endorsement — three gates

Adding H (or X) in Vermont requires:

1. FMCSA ELDT hazmat theory at a TPR provider⁴
2. TSA Hazmat Endorsement Threat Assessment⁷
3. Vermont hazmat knowledge test at VT DMV ($17)²
4. VT DMV endorsement fee — verify current²

Vermont freight landscape (state context)

Four realities shape CDL demand in Vermont:

1. I-89 / I-91 corridors. I-89 connects Vermont to New Hampshire and Canada; I-91 runs Connecticut to Quebec.

2. Dairy and agricultural hauling. Vermont has significant dairy industry; reefer and livestock seasonal demand.

3. Maple syrup / specialty food. Specialty reefer demand for Vermont's maple, cheese, and food products.

4. Canadian cross-border. Northern Vermont borders Quebec; commercial cross-border traffic requires FAST card and passport.

The practical read: VT CDL-A drivers find work across I-89 regional, I-91 N-S corridor, dairy specialty, forest products, and Canadian cross-border. Smaller state size means tight CDL workforce.

Vermont-specific details worth knowing

• Granular per-step fee structure.²
• 2-year vs 4-year applicant choice for CDL validity.¹
• $29 scheduling deposit for skills test — non-refundable if you don't show.²
• Dairy / maple specialty freight.
• Canadian cross-border requires FAST card + passport.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why does Vermont break fees into so many components? A: Vermont's granular fee structure exposes the real cost of each step. $39 + $18 + $39 + $29 + $72 = $197 for a 2-year CDL base path.²

Q: Do I need a regular Vermont license before a CDL? A: Yes.¹

Q: How long is the VT CLP valid? A: 180 days under federal standard.³

Q: Can I test in Spanish? A: No. CDL knowledge tests are English-only per federal rule (49 CFR 383.133(c)).¹

Q: How much is a Vermont CDL all-in? A: Base VT DMV fees for a 2-year CDL: $39 + $18 + $39 + $29 + $72 = ~$197.² 4-year CDL adds $36 to CDL itself. Plus any endorsement exam fees at $17 each. Add ELDT tuition ($3,500–$8,500 at typical VT / NE CDL schools — verify locally), DOT physical ($80–$150), TSA Hazmat (separate federal fee) if applying for H.

Q: Why would I choose 4-year vs 2-year? A: 4-year ($108) is more expensive upfront but saves a renewal vs two 2-year renewals ($72 × 2 = $144). Pick based on your planning horizon.²

Q: Does VT participate in the Military Skills Test Waiver? A: Yes.⁸ Qualified military drivers may waive the skills-test portion.

Q: My MEC expired — will my VT CDL downgrade? A: Yes. VT DMV will downgrade your CDL to non-commercial if medical certification lapses. Restore with a new MEC.⁵

Q: Can I transfer an out-of-state CDL to Vermont? A: Yes. Visit a VT DMV office with your out-of-state CDL, proof of Vermont residency, identity documents, and medical self-certification.¹

Q: Dairy hauling specifics in Vermont? A: Class A CDL with N (tanker) endorsement for bulk milk. Reefer for cheese. No VT-specific dairy endorsement.¹

Q: Cross-border to Quebec? A: Passport + FAST card for efficient commercial crossing. Canadian DOT rules apply on the Canadian side.⁷

Q: Owner-op vs company driving in Vermont? A: Use Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator. Northern NE winter driving impacts fuel and equipment costs.

Q: What about winter chain laws? A: Vermont does not impose seasonal chain requirements but CMV operators must comply with safety rules during adverse conditions. Monitor VTrans 511 advisories.

Sources verified on 2026-04-19

This guide is educational and not legal advice. Fees and rules change; verify current figures at dmv.vermont.gov before applying. Report errors to [email protected]; corrections are logged publicly per our editorial policy.