Eligibility for Vermont License Plates
License plates are issued by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. Residents must register every vehicle they own or lease for more than 30 days (23 V.S.A. § 301). New residents have 60 days from establishing residency or until their out-of-state registration expires, whichever comes first.
- Residency: Vermont defines a resident as anyone who lives in the state and intends to remain permanently or indefinitely. Part-time residents, students at Vermont institutions, and contract workers may also register by providing a property tax bill, lease agreement, utility bill, or employment certification (Form VN-106). A P.O. Box is not considered a residential address.
- Vehicle: Passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, motorhomes, and motorized bicycles with a title are eligible. Vehicles with a salvage notation require a VIN inspection before DMV processes the application.
- Applicants must have a Vermont driver’s license or non-driver ID and two documents proving a Vermont street address. The DMV residency page lists acceptable documents: utility bills, W-2 forms, state tax forms, and signed lease agreements, among others.
- License Plate Categories: Standard issue, vanity (personalized), Conservation, Building Bright Futures, safety/service organizations (EMS, firefighters, National Ski Patrol, amateur radio), and a full range of military and veteran plates (Purple Heart, Disabled Veteran, POW, Bronze Star, Gold Star Family, and In Theater plates). All veteran plates require a certified Vermont veteran status certificate (Form VG-168).
How to Get a License Plate in Vermont?
Vermont dealers handle registration and titling for vehicles they sell. Private sales and out-of-state transfers rely on the owner.
- Complete the Application for Registration, Tax, and Title (Form VD-119). Include the assigned title or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin, a bill of sale with odometer disclosure (Form VT-005), and proof of Vermont liability insurance.
- Vermont charges a 6% purchase and use tax at titling, calculated based on the purchase price or the J.D. Power clean trade-in value, whichever is higher (32 V.S.A. Chapter 219). Credit is applied for sales tax already paid in another state.
- Submit the package to any DMV office or mail it to Vermont DMV, 120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603-0001. Mail transactions require payment by check or money order.
- Most passenger vehicles are issued two plates; one affixed to the front, one to the rear (23 V.S.A. § 511). Motorcycles receive one rear plate. The vehicle must then pass a safety and emissions inspection at a licensed Vermont inspection station within 15 days of registration.
Renewals occur on an annual or biennial basis. DMV sends renewal notices before expiration, and owners may renew up to 60 days in advance.
How Much Does a License Plate Cost in Vermont?
The basic registration fee is straightforward; the electric vehicle infrastructure surcharge is where the total amount increases for EV owners.
- Passenger cars and light trucks up to 6,100 pounds cost $91 per year or $167 for two years. These figures include a $2 Clean Air Fund contribution, already factored in.
- Motorcycles cost $58 annually. Motorized bicycles cost $36; trailers range from $33 to $63 depending on the weight class.
- Electric vehicles add an $89 annual infrastructure fee, bringing the total to $178 for one year. Plug-in hybrids add $44.50, totaling $135.50 for one year. The EV infrastructure fee schedule breaks down each tier.
- Title transfers cost $42 for cars, trucks, trailers, and motorcycles. Each recorded lien adds $14. The $8 new vehicle warranty fee applies only at first registration (23 V.S.A. § 476).
- Vanity plates have a $58 annual surcharge in addition to the base. Conservation plates add $32; Building Bright Futures, $29. Safety and service organization plates cost a one-time $21, the lowest surcharge in the specialty lineup.
Vermont imposes no additional county-level fees and has no statutory late renewal penalty.
Can I Get a License Plate Online in Vermont?
Online service covers renewals and checking vanity plate availability. Initial registrations and title transfers cannot be completed through the portal. Fees described in the cost section above apply equally, whether paid online or at the counter.
- The myDMV portal handles renewals for most vehicle types: cars, trucks, trailers, motorcycles, snowmobiles, boats, and ATVs. Choose a one or two-year term, pay with Visa, Mastercard, or Discover, and receive a temporary registration valid for ten days while the permanent document is mailed.
- Initial registrations require an in-person visit to a DMV office (Bennington, Dummerston, Newport, Rutland, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury, South Burlington, Springfield, or White River Junction) or mailing to Montpelier. Participating town clerks also process selected transactions.
- Mail renewals are sent to DMV, PO Box 1308, Williston, VT 05495-1308 with a signed renewal notice and check or money order. Expect the permanent registration in about ten business days.
If myDMV can process your renewal, use it; office visits are intended for titles, new plates, and anything the portal won’t accept.