Quick Answer
Yes — any Vermont resident can get a Driver's Privilege Card under Act 74 of 2013 without proving legal status. To get one:
- Pass the knowledge test for a learner's permit ($39) if you have never held a U.S. license.
- Bring a valid passport or consular ID plus 2 proofs of your Vermont address.
- Pass the road test ($23), then pay $39 for a 2-year card or $62 for a 4-year card.
The card is not REAL ID, so it can't be used to board domestic flights.
Can You Get a Driver's License in Vermont Without an SSN?
Yes. Vermont issues a Driver's Privilege Card to any state resident regardless of immigration status, under Act 74 of 2013 (bill S.38, signed June 4, 2013). The DMV does not require proof of lawful presence or U.S. citizenship. The card is a Vermont license for driving, but it is not REAL ID compliant.
Lawmakers passed S.38 largely so the state's migrant farmworkers could drive legally to work. Vermont now offers three credential types — the Enhanced Driver's License, the REAL ID license, and the Driver's Privilege Card — and only the privilege card is open to residents without lawful status. Details are on the Vermont DMV's Driver's Privilege Card page and in the legislative record for S.38.
Is a Vermont Driver's Privilege Card a REAL ID?
No. The Vermont Driver's Privilege Card is a non-REAL ID credential, and its heading reads "Driver's Privilege Card" rather than "Driver's License." Federal agencies, including TSA airport checkpoints, will not accept it for boarding domestic flights or entering secure federal facilities. It also cannot be used as a document for crossing the U.S. land border.
- For air travel, carry your valid foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID. See our guide to flying with an ITIN.
- The DMV's license comparison chart (VL-011) shows the differences between all three Vermont credentials.
Which IDs and Address Proofs Does Vermont Accept?
Vermont requires 1 identity document and 2 proofs of Vermont residency. For identity, the DMV accepts a valid, unexpired passport or a valid consular ID from Mexico, Guatemala, or another country with comparable security standards. Both residency documents must show your name and a Vermont street address, and P.O. boxes are not accepted.
- 1Identity — valid, unexpired passport, or a consular ID from Mexico, Guatemala, or a country the DMV commissioner approves. If your name differs from your passport, bring a linking document such as a marriage certificate.
- 2Residency — 2 documents with your name and Vermont street address: a utility bill listing the service address, signed lease, renters or homeowners insurance, W-2 or 1099, Vermont tax form IN-111, school enrollment record, or medical bill. A piece of mail counts for only one.
- 3Social Security information — Vermont's checklist lists this for every license type. If you have never had an SSN, call the DMV at 802-828-2000 before your visit to confirm what to bring.
How Much Does a Vermont Driver's Privilege Card Cost?
A Vermont Driver's Privilege Card costs $39 for a 2-year term or $62 for a 4-year term, the same as a non-REAL ID license. New drivers also pay $39 for the learner's permit knowledge test and $23 for the road test, so a first-time driver's 4-year card costs about $124 in total.
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Learner's permit (knowledge test) | $39 |
| Road test | $23 |
| Driver's Privilege Card — 2 years | $39 |
| Driver's Privilege Card — 4 years | $62 |
| With motorcycle endorsement — 2 / 4 years | $47 / $78 |
| Replacement card | $24 |
Fees come from the Vermont DMV fee schedule; confirm the current amounts before you go.
How Do I Apply Step by Step?
Applying for a Vermont Driver's Privilege Card takes 4 steps at a Vermont DMV office: gather 1 identity document and 2 address proofs, pass the knowledge test for a learner's permit, pass the road test, and choose a 2-year or 4-year card. DMV offices are open weekdays from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Step 1: Collect your passport or consular ID and 2 residency documents, and fill out the license/permit application.
- Step 2: Take the knowledge test for a learner's permit ($39) if you have never held a U.S. license.
- Step 3: Practice with your permit, then pass the road test ($23).
- Step 4: Pay for a 2-year ($39) or 4-year ($62) Driver's Privilege Card.
What Can You Do With a Vermont Driver's Privilege Card?
A Vermont Driver's Privilege Card lets you drive legally anywhere in Vermont, just like a non-REAL ID Vermont license. Because it is not REAL ID, it cannot be used at TSA airport checkpoints, at secure federal facilities, or as a border-crossing document. It also does not prove immigration status or work authorization.
- Drive legally anywhere in Vermont and buy auto insurance — see car insurance without an SSN
- Show it as a photo ID where a federal REAL ID is not required
You cannot use it to:
- Board a domestic flight or enter a secure federal building
- Cross the U.S. border by land or sea
- Prove immigration status or eligibility to work
Out of state, Wyoming treats any license or privilege card issued to an undocumented immigrant as invalid, Florida and Tennessee restrict some of them, and Georgia bars drivers without lawful status. See which states restrict these licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose the 2-year or 4-year Vermont card?
Both carry the same driving privileges. The 4-year card costs $62, about $15.50 per year, while the 2-year card costs $39, about $19.50 per year. The longer term costs less per year and means fewer DMV visits.
Can I use a P.O. box as my Vermont address?
No. Both residency documents must show your name and a Vermont street address, including the city or town. A piece of mail can count as only one of your 2 documents.
Which consular IDs does Vermont accept?
Vermont accepts a valid consular identification document issued by Mexico or Guatemala, or by another government the DMV commissioner finds has comparable security standards. A valid, unexpired passport also works.
Can I fly with a Vermont Driver's Privilege Card?
No. The card is not REAL ID compliant, so TSA does not accept it at airport checkpoints. Use your foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID to fly.
How do I contact the Vermont DMV?
Call 802-828-2000. DMV offices are open Monday through Friday from 7:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and open at 8:45 a.m. on the third Wednesday of each month.
Which Nearby States Also Issue Licenses Without an SSN?
Vermont is one of 19 states, plus Washington, D.C., that issue driver's licenses or privilege cards without proof of lawful status. In New England, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island do as well, while New Hampshire and Maine do not. Rules differ: Rhode Island, for example, also requires a state income tax return.
Compare every state's law, documents, and limits in the full driver's license guide →