VERMONT FIELD FILE

Every section, top to bottom.

About this guide — education built from the Vermont Statutes Annotated as the General Assembly publishes them, not a law degree in a webpage. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Vermont attorney or a legal aid office. Current as of October 2026.

24 sections · see all 26

Traffic stops

A driver asked by an enforcement officer who reasonably suspects a violation of the motor vehicle title gives a name and address and the owner's name and address.
The driver produces the operator's license and the registration certificate, or other suitable identification without a license.
A person driving promptly and carefully stops when signaled by an officer wearing identifying insignia.
Refusing the name and address can bring a fine of not more than $1,250, and not producing the documents a civil penalty of not more than $250.

23 V.S.A. § 1012

A licensee keeps the license in immediate possession while driving, but is not convicted for lacking it on sending or showing the issuing agency, within seven business days after the stop, a license that was valid or had expired within 14 days before.

23 V.S.A. § 611

Insurance on a phone. Proof of financial responsibility may be shown on a portable electronic device, and showing it that way is not by itself consent for an officer to look at anything else on the device. A driver cited without proof is not convicted on producing, within seven business days, proof that was in effect at the time.

23 V.S.A. § 800

Sources for this section (3)

23 V.S.A. § 1012 — Obedience to enforcement officers
23 V.S.A. § 611 — Possession of license certificate
23 V.S.A. § 800 — Maintenance of financial responsibility

Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Vermont attorney.

3 sections · see all 4

Being stopped

4 sections

Marijuana and drugs

2 sections · see all 3

Impaired driving

48 sections · see all 50

Court and money

10 sections

Your home

10 sections

Carrying a firearm

9 sections · see all 30

Charges and penalties

14 sections · see all 16

How you carry yourself

Walk it through

The same law taken one decision at a time. Each opens on its own page.

This guide covers common situations in real Vermont encounters. Not the whole body of law, not a replacement for a lawyer.

VERMONT FIELD FILE

Traffic stops

Traffic Stops23 V.S.A. § 1012 — on reasonable suspicion of a motor vehicle violation, a driver gives name and address and shows the license and registration▾

Your Phone Behind the Wheel23 V.S.A. § 1095b — no handheld use while driving on a public highway, even stopped at a light▾

After a Crash23 V.S.A. § 1128 — stop, help, and give name, residence and license number, and report within 72 hours if someone is hurt or damage reaches $3,000▾

Negligent and Grossly Negligent Operation23 V.S.A. § 1091 — ordinary negligence on a public highway is a crime, up to one year and $1,000▾

Speed Limits23 V.S.A. § 1081 — reasonable and prudent, never over 50 unless posted otherwise, and 30 over at 60 or more is a crime▾

Pulling Over for a Siren23 V.S.A. § 1050 — pull right and stop for an approaching emergency vehicle, and move over for a stopped one▾

Passing a School Bus23 V.S.A. § 1075 — stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing, from either direction▾

Crossing the Road23 V.S.A. § 1051 — a driver yields to a pedestrian in a crosswalk where signals are not working▾

Passing Bicycles and Walkers23 V.S.A. § 1033 — at least four feet of clearance to pass a vulnerable user▾

Signals and Turns23 V.S.A. § 1064 — a turn signal for at least the last 100 feet, and no turn unless it is safe▾

Seat Belts23 V.S.A. § 1259 — every adult belted, enforced only after a stop for something else▾

The Car Seat Rules23 V.S.A. § 1258 — rear facing under two, a harness under five, a booster under eight▾

The Motorcycle Helmet23 V.S.A. § 1256 — every rider and passenger wears a helmet meeting federal standards▾

Window Tint23 V.S.A. § 1125 — nothing on the windshield or the front side windows beyond the small spaces the section allows▾

Driving While Suspended23 V.S.A. § 676 — most suspensions make driving a civil violation, but a DUI suspension makes it a crime▾

The Insurance Requirement23 V.S.A. § 800 — at least $25,000, $50,000 and $10,000 of liability coverage while driving▾

Taking a Car Without Permission23 V.S.A. § 1094 — up to two years when the driver knew, and up to five years when aggravated▾

Lending Your Car23 V.S.A. § 1130 — handing the keys to someone known to be impaired, up to six months and $1,000▾

The Learner's Permit23 V.S.A. § 615 — a permit holder 15 or older drives with a qualified, sober adult beside them▾

Lanes and Following Distance23 V.S.A. § 1039 — no following more closely than is reasonable and prudent▾

Stop and Yield Signs23 V.S.A. § 1048 — stop at the line, then yield to traffic close enough to be an immediate hazard▾

Railroad Crossings23 V.S.A. § 1071 — stop within 50 feet of the nearest rail, but not nearer than 15 feet▾

Idling and Parking on the Highway23 V.S.A. § 1110 — no more than five minutes of idling in any 60 minute period▾

Riding an ATV23 V.S.A. § 3506 — no riding along a public highway unless it is opened to ATVs and posted▾

Being stopped

Resisting Arrest and Eluding23 V.S.A. § 1133 — failing to stop for a signal is up to a year, and resisting a lawful arrest the same▾

When Police Are Called to a House13 V.S.A. § 1048 — firearms may be removed at a domestic assault arrest, and arraignment comes the next business day▾

Being Arrested13 V.S.A. § 7554 — release on personal recognizance unless that will not reasonably mitigate the risk of flight▾

Marijuana and drugs

Open Containers and Cannabis in the Car23 V.S.A. § 1134 — no open alcohol or cannabis in the passenger area, and the driver may not consume either▾

Calling for Help in an Overdose18 V.S.A. § 4254 — no citation, arrest or prosecution under the drug chapter for seeking help in good faith▾

Property Seized in a Drug Case18 V.S.A. § 4243 — forfeiture needs a conviction or an agreement, and notice to owners within 60 days▾

Growing Cannabis at Home18 V.S.A. § 4230e — two mature and four immature plants for each dwelling unit, screened from public view▾

Impaired driving

The DUI Stop and the License23 V.S.A. § 1205 — a refusal or a result over the limit starts a civil suspension, and a hearing request is due within seven days▾

DUI Penalties23 V.S.A. § 1210 — up to two years and $750 for a first offense, with mandatory hours on a second within 20 years▾

Court and money

A Small Claim12 V.S.A. § 5531 — claims up to $10,000 in a simple, informal procedure▾

How Long to Sue12 V.S.A. § 511 — six years for most civil actions, three for assault, libel and injuries▾

The Last Paycheck21 V.S.A. § 342 — within 72 hours of a firing, and on the last regular payday after a quit▾

Getting Paid21 V.S.A. § 342 — wages every week, or biweekly or semimonthly after notice▾

A Wage Claim21 V.S.A. § 342a — a complaint to the Department of Labor within two years of the date the wages were due▾

Minimum Wage and Overtime21 V.S.A. § 384 — a minimum wage that rises each January 1, and time and a half over 40 hours▾

Earned Sick Time21 V.S.A. § 482 — at least one hour of sick time for every 52 hours worked▾

Discrimination at Work21 V.S.A. § 495 — harassment or discrimination for race, sex, age, disability, crime victim status and more▾

Hurt at Work21 V.S.A. § 656 — notice to the employer as soon as practicable, and a claim within six months▾

The Job After an Injury21 V.S.A. § 710 — no firing or refusing to hire for asserting a workers' compensation claim▾

Unemployment After a Job Ends21 V.S.A. § 1348 — 30 days to appeal a determination, and a hearing within 30 days after that▾

Getting Divorced15 V.S.A. § 551 — six consecutive months apart with no reasonable chance of reconciling is one of the grounds▾

Dividing Property in a Divorce15 V.S.A. § 751 — all property, however and whenever acquired, is divided equitably▾

Spousal Maintenance15 V.S.A. § 752 — rehabilitative or long term maintenance when a spouse cannot meet reasonable needs▾

Parental Rights After a Split15 V.S.A. § 665 — shared or divided by agreement, otherwise awarded primarily to one parent on the child's best interests▾

Records for Both Parents15 V.S.A. § 670 — a parent without parental rights is not denied the child's records for that reason alone▾

Changing a Custody Order15 V.S.A. § 668 — a real, substantial and unanticipated change of circumstances▾

Child Support15 V.S.A. § 654 — a guideline amount presumed to be the parents' total support obligation▾

A Relief From Abuse Order15 V.S.A. § 1104 — an emergency order without notice on a finding of immediate danger of further abuse▾

Changing a Name15 V.S.A. § 811 — a signed, acknowledged instrument before the probate judge where the person lives▾

Turning Eighteen1 V.S.A. § 173 — a person is of age at 18, and until then a minor▾

Signing a Will14 V.S.A. § 5 — in writing, signed before two or more credible witnesses who sign in each other's presence▾

Changing or Revoking a Will14 V.S.A. § 11 — a later will, or burning, tearing or cancelling with intent to revoke▾

Dying Without a Will14 V.S.A. § 311 — the spouse takes everything unless the decedent has descendants from outside the marriage▾

A Small Estate14 V.S.A. § 1901 — personal property worth $45,000 or less opens with a short list of filings▾

A Power of Attorney14 V.S.A. § 4005 — signed by the principal, and presumed genuine when acknowledged before a notary▾

Getting Public Records1 V.S.A. § 318 — a record produced promptly, which means within three business days, or a written denial▾

Open Meetings1 V.S.A. § 312 — every meeting of a public body is open, and no action binds unless taken there▾

Who May Register to Vote17 V.S.A. § 2121 — a citizen and resident who has taken the voter's oath and is 18 on election day▾

Unfair and Deceptive Practices9 V.S.A. § 2461 — a consumer can recover damages, attorney's fees, and up to three times the consideration▾

A Sale at Your Door9 V.S.A. § 2454 — three business days to cancel a home solicitation sale▾

Contracts That Renew Themselves9 V.S.A. § 2454a — a year-long consumer contract renews only on an opt in and a reminder 30 to 60 days ahead▾

The Lemon Law9 V.S.A. § 4173 — after reasonable repair attempts or 30 days out of service, a written election to proceed▾

What Creditors Cannot Take12 V.S.A. § 2740 — a vehicle up to $2,500, tools of the trade up to $5,000, a wedding ring, and household goods▾

A Minor Consenting to Treatment18 V.S.A. § 4226 — a minor 12 or older can consent to care for drug dependency, alcoholism or venereal disease▾

Family and Medical Leave21 V.S.A. § 472 — up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave in any 12 month period▾

Short Term Family Leave21 V.S.A. § 472a — up to four hours in 30 days, and 24 hours in a year, for a family member's school or health needs▾

Court Leave for Crime Victims21 V.S.A. § 472c — unpaid leave to attend a criminal case or a protection order hearing▾

Nursing at Work21 V.S.A. § 305 — reasonable time and a private space, not a bathroom stall, for three years after a birth▾

Drug Tests at Work21 V.S.A. § 513 — no random or company wide drug tests unless federal law requires them▾

Teens at Work21 V.S.A. § 437 — under 16, no more than eight hours a day or 40 hours a week▾