Vermont Road Signs Cheat Sheet.

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.