Didn’t pass? You’re far from alone.

Failed the Vermont Permit Test? What to Do Next (2026)

Across 36 states, only about 62% of knowledge tests were passed in 2020–2023 (USA Today analysis). Here is what Vermont says about retaking it, the earliest date you can go back, and a quick way to find what to study first.

Vermont’s official retake rules

From official Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles sources, checked September 22, 2026. Tap a numbered chip to read the exact wording. Where a box says “not published”, the sources we checked don’t say, and we won’t guess.

Waiting period
Wait at least one day before retaking the test. Official source 1dmv.vermont.gov“If you fail a knowledge test you must wait at least one day before retaking the test. ... Yes. You will pay the test fee each time you take the test.”Open the official page ↗Checked September 22, 2026
Attempts before you reapply
Not published
Cost to retest
You pay the $39 test fee each time you take the test. Official source 1dmv.vermont.gov“If you fail a knowledge test you must wait at least one day before retaking the test. ... Yes. You will pay the test fee each time you take the test.”Open the official page ↗Checked September 22, 2026Official source 2dmv.vermont.gov“Knowledge Test (Learner’s Permit): $39.00”Open the official page ↗Checked September 22, 2026
Under 18 vs adults
No separate rule published
Online vs in office
The test is taken online at mydmv.vermont.gov, not in the office. Official source 3dmv.vermont.gov“The learner permit test is no longer taken in our office. It is an online test available on our website, mydmv.vermont.gov.”Open the official page ↗Checked September 22, 2026

These are the knowledge (written) test rules. Rules change; confirm with Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles when you book.

When can you retake it?

Enter the day you failed. We work out the earliest retake date from Vermont’s official waiting period and show exactly how we counted.

 

While you wait: a free study checklist

  • Find what you missed with the 12-question check, so you study the right topics.
  • Retry every question you’ve missed so far in mistake review.
  • Take one weak-spot test a day. It picks questions from the topics you miss most (one a day is free).
  • Drill the Vermont numbers: distances, speeds, fines and limits.
  • Practice your weakest topic in the topic drills until you get it right twice in a row.
  • Two or three days before, take the full exam simulator. Try to pass it on two different days.
  • Book the retest with DMV for a day you’ve studied for, and check what to bring.

Find what you missed

Studying everything again is slow. Studying the topics you actually miss is fast.

Reading your answers…

Why people fail the permit test

Retaking alone doesn’t fix it

California’s DMV studied its own results and found that fail rates “tend to either remain about the same or increase over multiple attempts.”Official source 4qr.dmv.ca.gov“The fail rates for all test types tend to either remain about the same or increase over multiple attempts.”Open the official page ↗Going back with the same preparation tends to give the same result. What changes it is studying what you got wrong.

The most-missed items are specific numbers

When California’s DMV analyzed its hardest test questions, it found that “many are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization.”Official source 5dmv.ca.gov“many are numerical and have correct answers that must be learned by rote memorization”Open the official page ↗Following distances, speed limits, blood-alcohol limits, parking distances and fines all look alike under pressure. The Vermont numbers page lists them with their sources.

Practice that felt easier than the real thing

If you took the same practice test until you scored 100%, you may have learned the answers rather than the rules. Mix in questions you haven’t seen: the exam simulator draws a new paper every time, built to Vermont’s format.

Nerves and pace

Read every option before you choose, even when the first one looks right, and flag a hard question to come back to if your test allows it. Rehearsing the full test at home a few times makes the real one feel familiar.

Failed the Vermont road test?

Wait at least one week (seven days) before retesting. After three failed road tests, wait at least one month. You pay the $23 road test fee each time; there is no limit on the number of attempts. Official source 3dmv.vermont.gov“If you fail the road test for any reason, you must wait at least one week before taking another test. If you fail a road test three times, a minimum waiting period of one month is required.”“Road Test Exam and Junior Driver’s License = $62.00 (road test $23.00 + license $39.00)”Open the official page ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 6dmv.vermont.gov“If you fail a road test, you must wait at least seven days before retaking the test.”Open the official page ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 7dmv.vermont.gov“Will I have to pay if I fail and have to take another test? Yes. You will pay the test fee each time you take the test.”Open the official page ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 8dmv.vermont.gov“How many times can I take the test? You may take the test as many times as you wish until you pass.”Open the official page ↗Checked October 4, 2026

The Vermont road-test guideAutomatic failures to avoid

Retake questions

How long do you have to wait to retake the Vermont permit test?

Wait at least one day before retaking the test.

How much does it cost to retake the Vermont permit test?

You pay the $39 test fee each time you take the test.

Can you retake the Vermont permit test online?

The test is taken online at mydmv.vermont.gov, not in the office.

What happens if you fail the Vermont road test?

Wait at least one week (seven days) before retesting. After three failed road tests, wait at least one month. You pay the $23 road test fee each time; there is no limit on the number of attempts.

Sources

  1. dmv.vermont.gov: learners permit · retake rules
  2. dmv.vermont.gov: fees · retake rules
  3. dmv.vermont.gov: VN 007 Drivers Manual (PDF) · retake rules
  4. California DMV research report RSS-06-221 (2006)
  5. California DMV, Evaluation of the Class C driver license written knowledge tests (RSS-98-173, 1998)
  6. dmv.vermont.gov: how long do i have to wait to re test if i fail · road test
  7. dmv.vermont.gov: will i have to pay if i fail and have to take another test · road test
  8. dmv.vermont.gov: how many times can i take the test · road test
  9. USA Today analysis of 36 states, 2020–2023, as reported by Autobody News

This page summarizes official sources for study. It is not legal advice, and only Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles decides when you can test. Retake rules in every state