Vermont CDL Practice Test 2025

Vermont's covered bridges are a significant routing challenge for CDL drivers. Over 100 active covered wooden bridges are in use throughout the state, frequently on rural town roads that are sometimes the most direct routing option. Many covered bridges have posted weight limits of 3–5 tons — far below the weight of even a lightly loaded CDL vehicle. CDL drivers must research their planned route before every trip in rural Vermont, identify every covered bridge on the route, check each bridge's posted weight limit, and plan alternate routes for any bridge that cannot accommodate the vehicle's weight. Vermont State Police and town constables enforce covered bridge weight limits.

Lincoln Gap Road (VT-116 over the summit) is completely closed to all trucks — CDL drivers cannot use this road. The Appalachian Gap (VT-17) is steep (grades exceeding 18%) and has weight and dimensional restrictions for heavy vehicles. Brandon Gap (VT-73) has significant grades. Smugglers' Notch on VT-108 north of Stowe is a famous restriction — it closes to all vehicles over 10 feet wide during winter and has clearances of approximately 10 feet at the notch, prohibiting many CDL vehicles year-round. CDL drivers in the Green Mountains area must pre-plan routes to avoid all of these restricted roads.

Vermont's primary CDL freight corridors are: I-89 (running from the New Hampshire border at White River Junction through Montpelier to Burlington, then northwest to the Canadian border), and I-91 (running north-south along the Connecticut River valley from Brattleboro through Bellows Falls and White River Junction to the Canadian border near Derby Line). US-2 and US-4 serve as supplementary routes across Vermont's width. Vermont's Interstates do not have the high-clearance issues of mountain gap roads, but winter conditions require careful speed management.

Smugglers' Notch is a narrow mountain pass on VT-108 between Stowe and Jeffersonville in northern Vermont. The notch has rock clearances of approximately 10 feet in the narrowest section and is closed to vehicles over 10 feet wide. The road also has steep grades and tight curves. During winter, VT-108 through Smugglers' Notch is closed to all vehicles. CDL vehicles — which are typically 8'6" wide at minimum for the cab, wider for many trailers — are generally prohibited from using Smugglers' Notch. CDL drivers serving the Stowe or Jeffersonville areas must use alternate routes via US-2 or other lower-gradient highways.

Vermont's economy and geography make several endorsements especially relevant. The Combination (Class A) CDL covers I-89 and I-91 freight operations. The Tank (N) endorsement is needed for fuel delivery to Vermont's many rural communities not served by pipelines. The Passenger (P) endorsement is important for Vermont's ski resort shuttle operations — Vermont has major ski resorts (Stowe, Killington, Sugarbush, Mad River Glen) that require substantial passenger transport capacity. The HazMat (H) endorsement covers chemical and agricultural product transport. School Bus (S) endorsements are needed for Vermont's rural school districts with significant bus transportation needs.

A Class A CDL allows you to operate any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the towed unit exceeds 10,000 lbs — this includes tractor-trailers and double/triple trailer rigs. A Class B CDL covers single vehicles with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a unit not exceeding 10,000 lbs — this includes straight trucks and large buses. A Class C CDL is required for vehicles designed to carry 16 or more passengers (including the driver) or for vehicles transporting hazardous materials that require placarding, when those vehicles do not qualify for Class A or B.

CDL fees vary by state and by the class and endorsements you obtain. Most states charge separate fees for the CDL knowledge test ($10–$30 per attempt), the CDL skills test ($50–$150), and the CDL license itself ($50–$100). Additional fees apply for each endorsement (HazMat, Tanker, Passenger, etc.). The HazMat endorsement also requires a TSA security threat assessment fee of approximately $86. Check your Vermont DMV website for current fee schedules.

Federal regulations (49 CFR 383.133) require that CDL applicants be able to read and speak the English language sufficiently to understand highway traffic signs and signals and to respond to official inquiries. Many states offer CDL knowledge tests in Spanish and other languages for non-commercial knowledge questions, but the actual CDL test must be taken in a language that allows the driver to meet the English proficiency requirement. Check with the Vermont DMV for available language options.

In most states, a CDL is valid for 4–8 years (commonly 4–5 years). To renew your Vermont CDL, you typically need to visit a DMV office, pass a vision test, pay the renewal fee, and update your medical certification (DOT physical). If you hold a HazMat endorsement, your TSA background check must also be current. CDLs cannot generally be renewed online due to federal requirements for in-person verification of medical certification.

If you fail the CDL General Knowledge test in Vermont, you are typically required to wait a specified period (commonly 1–7 days) before retaking it. Most states allow 2–3 attempts before requiring additional waiting periods or study requirements. There is usually a retest fee for each attempt. Focus on the areas you missed — most states provide a score sheet showing which topic areas you need to review.