Vermont License Plate Lookup

Vermont License Plate

Vermont license plates are number plates used as a means of identification for all vehicles in the state. A license plate is proof of vehicle registration in a state. They are issued by the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Likewise, the DMV in Vermont is responsible for vehicle registration and issuing a paper registration card in the state. According to the Vermont Vehicle Code, all vehicles, including trailers, semi-trailers, cars, trucks, boats, snowmobiles, motorcycles, motor-driven cycles (mopeds and scooters), and all-terrain vehicles must be registered before they are used on Vermont's highways or roads.

The Vermont DMV issues these types of license plates to vehicle owners in the state:

• Standard License Plates: This is the type of license plate you get when you first register your vehicle.
• Low Number License Plates: If you are looking for a license plate that is unique or you want to acquire an old license plate belonging to your family member (low specific family license plate) you can apply at the DMV to obtain this type of license plate.
• Specialty License Plates: You can apply to change your current plates to specialty plates in order to reflect your interests or resonate your hobbies.
• Conservation Plates: Conservation plates feature designs related to animals and nature, such as the brook trout, deer, and the loon. This license plate creates public awareness to support and protect wildlife.
• Sample License Plates: Sample plates come in sample formats consisting of all 0s. You can apply for this kind of license plate if you have an agricultural, American Legion truck, autos, antique, or antique motorcycle license plate.

You will obtain two license plates from the Department of Motor Vehicles when you register your vehicle in Vermont. One license plate will be fastened to the front of your car and the other at the rear. But if you have a motorcycle, tractor, truck, semitrailer, or trailer, you will be issued one license plate. The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues license plates either in pairs or alone, and the letters and numbers on a plate must be visible and clear for easy vehicle identification. The state's license plate displays "Vermont" at the top center of the license plate embossed in white color and the slogan "The Green Mountain State" written at the bottom of the plate.

Since November 2023, Vermont has not required its residents to get date validation stickers on their license plates; this was signed into law on June 1, 2023. This law eliminated the annual or biennial validation stickers that were attached on license plates.

Vermont License Plate Design and Formats

Vermont license plates are rectangular in shape and consist of alpha-numeric characters. The license plate is made up of six characters; three letters followed by three numbers. A Vermont license plate has a dark green background. It has a screened white rectangular box around serials and a white sugar maple at the top left corner of the plate.

A specialty license plate usually carries a slogan at the bottom of the plate. Vermont issues specialty plates to both passenger and commercial vehicles. You can combine letters, numbers, and spaces for your specialized plates. However, you should use no more than 2 numbers in combination with letters. The letter "O" will be a number (zero), dots, dashes, or other special characters or symbols cannot be used. In addition, a single letter plate is acceptable, but the letter must not be an "I", "J", or "O". You can also use a maximum of 7 characters except for antique and exhibit plates, which have a limit of 4 characters. Disability license plates are limited to a maximum of 5 characters. Motorcycle and small trailer specialty license plates are required to have a maximum of 6 characters.

Standard License Plates for automobiles, commercial vehicles, and motorcycles:

Special License Plates:

Vermont Vanity License Plate

Vanity license plates are customized plates owned by residents who want to showcase their affiliations to groups, signify their hobbies, and interests. If you want to personalize your license plate or add a unique touch to suit your taste, you can apply for a customized license plate in Vermont.

The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicle issues these types of vanity license plates:

• Personalized License Plates: These are custom made plates that express your personality and taste. They are usually rules about ordering one and they are of standard sizes
• Organizational License Plates: These types are given to residents who show membership of certain registered organizations. They feature designs related to these organizations. You can make use of specific messages or combination of letters and numbers when you request for organizational plates

You can personalize both standard and specialty license plates in Vermont. To personalize a standard plate you need to complete a special plate application VD-017 form by visiting the Vermont personalized plate website, submit your application by mail and pay the annual registration fee and an additional annual fee to the DMV in Vermont. The application fee and process for specialty plates vary depending on the license plate type.

Personalized plates cost $58 annually, in addition to Vermont's vehicle registration fees and any specialty plate fees. To apply you should visit the Vermont DMV website, click on your desired plate, fill an application form, and pay the required fee. This fee usually varies depending on the specialty plate type. Specialty license plates like Building Bright Futures and Conservation license plates cost $29 and $32 annually respectively. When you order a vanity license plate in Vermont, it takes up to 30 days before it is delivered to you. Be aware that you cannot use profane or vulgar languages, references to drugs, statements that express prejudice, and words that resemble the name of government agencies when ordering vanity license plates.

To check for the availability of the specialty license plate of your choice, you should visit the Vermont DMV website, click the "check personalized plate availability" link under the vehicle inquiry section. Then, enter the vehicle and plate type you would like to check, followed by the plate ID field. Tick the checkbox to verify that you are not a robot, then click the "check availability" button to run the search. The results will be displayed in the space beneath the plate image on the right-hand side of the screen.

Most Popular Special License Plate in Vermont

These are the most popular themes you can find for special license plates in Vermont:

• Military and Veteran License Plates
• Amateur Radio Operator License Plates
• Emergency Medical Services License Plates
• National Ski Patrol License Plates
• Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont License Plates
• Vermont State Firefighters Association License Plates
• Building Bright Futures License Plates
• Conservation License Plates
• American Legion License Plates
• Freemasons License Plates
• Lions Club International License Plates
• Rotary International License Plates

Be aware that license plates for professional roles and membership organizations require proof of eligibility, like valid membership cards and letters verifying your employment.

Vermont License Plate Lookup

License plate lookup entails providing a vehicle's license plate number and the name of a state to gather information about a vehicle. You will find out a number of vehicle-specific information when you run a license plate search. Such information includes the model and vehicle manufacture date. Some of the common reasons people conduct license plate searches are:

• To locate stolen, wanted or suspected vehicles
• To find out the history of vehicle maintenance
• To obtain information about a driver's criminal history
• To make an enquiry on vehicle repossession history

Be aware that you can only find basic information when you run a license plate search. This is because certain information on a vehicle record or history is restricted to law enforcement agents, the DMV, and qualified government officials. You can visit the DMV in Vermont in person to run a license plate search or order a search by mail or online for a fee.

Secure third-party websites where you can run license plate lookups, such as Recordsfinder, provide details like vehicle identification numbers, mileages, and other technical information of vehicles.

Vermont Reverse License Plate Search

Reverse license plate search and license plate search are synonymous terms that can be used interchangeably to mean the same thing. They are both used to find information about vehicles and/or vehicle owners. Legitimate websites where you can perform reverse license plate searches, such as Recordsfinder, can provide vehicle details for Vermont license plates. Note that these sites will not return driver-identifying results for license plate lookups.

What Do I Need to Get a License Plate in Vermont?

Vehicles in Vermont can either be registered annually or every two years and you can apply online, in person, by phone, or mail. Once you register your vehicle, you will obtain a license plate within a stipulated time. However, you must register your vehicle within 60 days if you just moved into the state. Vehicle registration process varies by vehicle type, whether you purchased it from a local or private dealer or overseas. However, if you bought a vehicle from a dealer, the dealer will be in charge of registering your vehicle. Find registration fees here for all types of vehicles in Vermont.

If you are registering a vehicle in Vermont, you must:

• Register the vehicle with the DMV
• Provide proof of ownership
• Provide proof of auto insurance coverage
• Pay tax on your vehicle

Take these steps to obtain a Vermont license plate:

• Submit a completed registration or title application VD-119 Form
• Submit a Bill of sale or odometer disclosure statement VT-005 Form
• Submit a proof of ownership, out-of-state vehicle registration and title, auto insurance (if vehicle was purchased outside Vermont, gifted or purchased from a private party), manufacturer's certificate of origin (MCO for new vehicles, and a signed-over title (for used vehicles, gifted or private purchase vehicle), import documents (foreign vehicles)
• If you purchased a vehicle from a private dealer, you must include a NADA value printout if registering your vehicle by mail
• Pay a purchase and use tax (this is 6% of the purchase price or of the vehicle's average trade-in value (average trade-in value is higher)
• Pay applicable fees

Be aware that you may also need to have a VIN verification performed on your vehicle if you bought a used vehicle and are issued an out-of-state title. When you visit any DMV office in person, they will accept cash, personal checks, travelers checks, money orders, credit and debit cards (Visa and MasterCard) from you. On the other hand, Vermont mobile DMV offices do not accept cash for payments. You can check for details on how to get a disability license plate and placards here.

In Vermont, if a vehicle was gifted to you by an immediate family member or you are a veteran or represent a charity or religious organization, you are exempt from paying vehicle tax at registration. You will be asked to fill and submit a Certification of Tax Exemption VT-014 Form. However, if you are a veteran or military personnel, to claim your tax exemption when registering a vehicle, you are expected to submit a statement from the Veterans Administration (VA) certifying your veteran status.

Bear in mind that registration fees differ based on vehicle type and renewal intervals you choose before registering your vehicle. Passenger vehicles cost $91 for 1 year and $167 for 2 years, electric-powered vehicles cost $89 for 1 year and $163 for 2 years, motorcycles cost $58 for 1 year and $116 for 2 years, while motor-driven cycles (mopeds) cost $36 for 1 year and $72 for 2 years. Also, you are required to renew your vehicle registration and this can be done online, in person, or by mail.

At registration, if you have a truck weighing 55,000 lbs. or more (including agricultural vehicles), you are required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to pay a Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT). Applications must be accompanied by proof of payment (receipt IRS 2290, schedule 1 or a copy or HVUT IRS Form 2290 with your payment attached) and processed in the Montpelier office.

You can contact your local DMV office or call 1-802-828-2000 to direct your inquiries concerning obtaining license plates.

Differences Between a Passenger License Plate and Commercial License Plate in Vermont

Passenger license plates are issued to vehicle owners who use their vehicles for conveying people from one place to another but not for a hire, fee, and commission. Commercial license plates are obtained by vehicle owners who use their vehicles for transporting people and properties from place to place for financial gains. Another difference is passenger vehicles have lesser carrying capacity compared to commercial vehicles (for carrying heavy materials or equipment).

Below are some differences between passenger license plates and commercial license plates in Vermont:

Although, commercial and passenger license plates have no notable differences in Vermont, there are few differences between them.

How to Renew a License Plate in Vermont

You can renew your vehicle license plate in Vermont online, by mail, or in person. You will be sent a renewal notice from the DMV in Vermont before your next renewal date. After your renewal, you will receive a temporary license plate that will be valid for 10 days until your permanent license plate is mailed to you. A temporary registration will allow you to get your vehicle inspected before getting a new registration. You will be sent your new vehicle registration within 4-6 business days.

Online registration is usually simple and fast. If you are applying for an online renewal, you can renew 60 days earlier before your vehicle registration expires. To renew online, you will need your license plate number and the last 4 characters of your Vehicle Identification Number. You can also make payments with your credit cards.

When renewing by mail, you will need the following:

• A signed registration renewal notice
• Check or money order for payment (fees are indicated on renewal notice)

If you are using the renewal notice mailed to you, you can send a mail to the address below:

Be aware that if you are using this address for any other transactions it will delay your processing.

If you are renewing in person, be aware that work hours and payment methods will differ based on the location of the DMV office. You can check for DMV locations nearest to you here. If you renew in person, you will need your signed registration notice and pay the applicable fees as spelt on your renewal notice. In addition, participating town clerk offices can renew certain vehicle registrations provided a preprinted renewal form was mailed to you by the DMV in Vermont. A processing fee is paid directly to town clerks for every renewal and this fee is separate from the renewal fee. Checks and money orders are acceptable forms of payment here except cash.

If you lost your renewal notice or did not receive any, you should renew your license plate by mail or in person. You are expected to fill and submit a Registration/Tax/Title Application VD-119 form and pay the applicable fee.

You can also renew your specialty license plates. You will usually find your renewal fee on your application form. Several specialty plates come with renewal fees that are charged in addition to your standard registration renewal fees. Learn more about renewing your registration on registration renewal in Vermont.

How To Transfer a License Plate in Vermont?

You can transfer your license plate or vehicle registration from one of your vehicles to another in Vermont. License plates in Vermont are typically tied to vehicles and not transferable when owners sell their vehicles. You will need to surrender the license plates to the DMV if you are not transferring it to another vehicle you own. A registered vehicle owner can transfer their license plates from one vehicle to another with these steps:

• Visit the DMV website
• Fill and submit a Vermont Motor Vehicle Registration, Tax, and Title Application VD-119form
• Fill in the license plate number you want to transfer
• Complete section 7 of the VD-119 form or include your current Vermont registration and fill the "Transfer Section" on the form
• Pay applicable fees ($25 transfer fee)

A car/motorcycle/truck/trailer transfer fee will cost $30.00, All terrain vehicle (ATV) transfer fee costs $12.00. Motorboat transfer fee (to same or smaller class) is $6.00 and motorboat transfer fee (to a larger class vehicle costs $6.00 in addition to the difference in the registration fee. Snowmobile transfer fee will cost $3.00.

For specialty license plates when you sell your car, you must keep your specialty license plates as you should not give your plates to the buyer. If you wish, you may transfer your specialty plates to another vehicle that you own or have purchased. Otherwise, you must surrender them to the Vermont's DMV.

You can surrender your license plates by mailing the address below:

For more information or additional details on how to go about transferring your license plates you can visit the DMV website or contact them at 888-970-03571 2.

Vermont License Plate Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)