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CHEAT SHEET · VERMONT ROAD SIGNS

Vermont Road Signs Cheat Sheet.
The night-before summary, built like the exam.

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Weighted to the current exam outline·15-minute scanVerified against the official content outline
By Vincent Ruan, EA, CFP®Published August 9, 2026
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The numbers to remember

  • 20 questions on the knowledge test.
  • 16 correct (80%) needed to pass.
  • $39.00 test fee, charged again on every retake.
  • 15 is the minimum age to test.
  • 1-day wait to retest after a failed knowledge test; 7-day wait after a failed road test.
  • 20/40 vision standard, or you're referred to an eye doctor.
  • 40 hours of supervised driving expected before testing.
  • Driver ed: 30 classroom + 6 behind-the-wheel + 6 observation hours.
  • $24.00 two-year learner's permit fee; permit held 1 year before the road test.
  • $23.00 road test fee.
  • The temporary permit receipt is valid for 90 days from the date issued.

Sign shapes at a glance

  • Octagon (8 sides) = stop, no exceptions.
  • Downward triangle = yield.
  • Diamond = warning ahead.
  • Pentagon = school zone.
  • Round = railroad crossing.
  • Red = stop/prohibited, yellow = warning, orange = construction, white = regulatory, green = guide/permitted, blue = services, brown = recreation.

Right-of-way in one breath

  • First to stop at a 4-way, goes first; tie goes to the driver on the right.
  • Left turns yield to oncoming through traffic.
  • Pedestrians in crosswalks beat turning vehicles.
  • Emergency vehicles with lights/siren beat everyone — pull right and stop.
  • Already-in-roundabout beats vehicles entering it.
  • Vehicles already inside an uncontrolled intersection or approaching from your right generally have priority.

Top traps

  • Stop signs mean stop, scan, yield right-of-way, then go — not just stop.
  • Posted speed limits are a maximum in ideal conditions, not a target in rain, snow, or fog — slow down further.
  • Advisory speed plaques under warning signs are recommended, not legally mandatory.
  • Retesting the knowledge test always costs the fee again — there's no free retake, so treat practice tests as your real do-overs.
  • Read every choice before answering; distractors are designed to look almost right.
  • Any impairment (alcohol, drugs, fatigue) affects reaction time before it feels obvious — never gamble on it.
  • Seat belts are required and remain the single most effective protection in a crash.
  • Vision must clear the 20/40 standard on test day, so bring corrective lenses if you normally wear them.

Frequently asked questions

What should I memorize the night before the Vermont knowledge test?

Focus on sign shapes and colors (octagon means stop, triangle means yield), right-of-way basics, and the numbers: 20 questions, 16 correct to pass. A quick pass through the cheat sheet the morning of the test is usually more effective than re-reading the whole manual.

How long is the actual Vermont knowledge test?

It's short by design: just 20 multiple-choice questions taken online, each with four answer choices. Most people finish well within the allotted time once they know the sign shapes and right-of-way rules cold.

What score do I need to pass?

You need at least 16 of the 20 questions correct, which works out to 80%. Missing more than 4 questions means a fail and another $39.00 fee to try again.

Is this cheat sheet free and can I print it?

Yes — the cheat sheet is free to read and formatted so it prints cleanly on a single page, making it easy to skim in the DMV waiting room or the morning of your test.

If I fail the knowledge test, how soon can I try again?

Vermont requires at least a one-day wait before retesting, and you'll need to pay the $39.00 fee again — there's no free retake, so it pays to be genuinely ready before your first attempt.

Do I need to know exact statutes, or just sign meanings and rules?

The knowledge test focuses on practical recognition and judgment — what a sign shape means, who has the right-of-way, and how to react to weather or hazards — not memorized statute numbers.

Sources

  1. 1.Vermont Driver's License Manual (VN-007)Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (Vermont DMV) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
  2. 2.Learner's Permit | Department of Motor Vehicles - Vermont DMVVermont Department of Motor Vehicles (Vermont DMV) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
  3. 3.Driver's License Fees | Department of Motor Vehicles - Vermont DMVVermont Department of Motor Vehicles (Vermont DMV) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)

Official sources

Every exam fact on this page traces to a primary document published by the body that administers the exam.

Last verified against the official exam content outline: