Act 165 - An act relating to miscellaneous changes to laws related to the Department of Motor Vehicles, motor vehicles, and vessels.: This year’s Miscellaneous Bill (Act 165) contained several motor vehicle laws that are pertinent to law enforcement. The following information highlights the sections of the Act we feel would be of most interest to law enforcement officers. You can view these Acts in their entirety on the legislative home page of the state website: https://legislature.vermont.gov/
Unless otherwise noted, the following sections become effective on July 1, 2024.
Sec. 4-14 [23 VSA § 4] Changes the definition of “all-surface vehicle” to allow vehicles having 8 (previously 6) tires be classified as an all-surface vehicle.
Sec. 14-16 [23 VSA § 1125, 1222] Creates language that will make tinted windows fail inspection rather than an advisory at time of inspection. Language requires the administrative rules process in updating the inspection manual. Language also includes public outreach so that it is understood what constitutes improper tinting. Effective Date: July 1, 2026
Sec. 18-23 [23 VSA § 1251, 1252, 1254, 1255(b), 4(1), 1050a(b)] Removes the requirement for government agencies and municipalities to file for a permit to have emergency warning lamps on a vehicle.
Sec. 24-25 [23 VSA § 1258] Clarifies language involving who and what type of child restraint system needs to be used. In addition, it establishes a public outreach for use of child restraint systems.
Sec. 31-32 [23 VSA § 3306, 3307(a)] Changes the language relating to fire extinguishers on motorboats to align with federal regulations. It defines exemptions and when motorboats of a certain age must change fire extinguishers to comply.
Sec. 33 [23 VSA § 4122] Removes the masking of and/or diversion of moving violations for the holder of a CDL or a CLP. No individual may enter a diversion program to avoid a conviction for any moving violation from appearing on the Commercial Driver’s License Information System.
Sec. 35 [23 VSA § 466] Requires dealers who sell a used vehicle to disclose the date of last official inspection. The disclosure must be delivered in writing and contain information as to the date of last inspection, the expiration of that inspection, rights of the buyer in terms of having the car inspected, and a statement regarding the potential difference of the condition of the vehicle being sold from its last inspection. Effective date: July 1, 2025
Sec. 43-47 [23 VSA § 4(67), 1033, 1055] Removes the “recommendation” of a distance a vehicle must give when passing a pedestrian or other vulnerable user on a road of four feet and makes it a requirement. It also establishes a report on the Idaho stop by which a bicycle would have a different obligation at traffic signals than a vehicle. It also creates a second report on vulnerable road users.
Sec. 48-50 [23 VSA § 304] Establishes a special plate for electric vehicles for the purposes of identification by emergency responders. Effective Date: July 1, 2026 (existing) July 1, 2028
Date signed by Governor: June 6, 2024
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your area DMV Inspector or the Enforcement & Safety Office at (802) 828-2067 during normal business hours.
Inspector Region Map - VN-120-DMV_Inspector_Regions.pdf (vermont.gov)