Vermont Road Signs Cheat Sheet.
The night-before summary, built like the exam.
Download the PDFThe 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.Vermont Driver's License Manual (VN-007) — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (Vermont DMV) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 2.Learner's Permit | Department of Motor Vehicles - Vermont DMV — Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (Vermont DMV) (accessed Aug 9, 2026)
- 3.Driver's License Fees | Department of Motor Vehicles - Vermont DMV — Vermont 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.
- Vermont Driver's License Manual (VN-007)Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (Vermont DMV)dmv.vermont.gov
- Learner's Permit | Department of Motor Vehicles - Vermont DMVVermont Department of Motor Vehicles (Vermont DMV)dmv.vermont.gov
- Driver's License Fees | Department of Motor Vehicles - Vermont DMVVermont Department of Motor Vehicles (Vermont DMV)dmv.vermont.gov
Last verified against the official exam content outline: