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Registration, License Plates

Display of Number Plates 23 V.S.A. § 511

A motor vehicle operated on any highway shall have displayed in a conspicuous place either one or two number plates as the Commissioner may require. Such number plates shall be furnished by the Commissioner and shall show the number assigned to such vehicle by the Commissioner. If only one number plate is furnished, the same shall be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle. If two are furnished, one shall be securely attached to the rear and one to the front of the vehicle. The number plates shall be kept entirely unobscured, and the numerals and letters thereon shall be plainly legible at all times. They shall be kept horizontal, shall be so fastened as not to swing, excepting, however, there may be installed on a motor truck or truck tractor a device that would, upon contact with a substantial object, permit the rear number plate to swing toward the front of the vehicle, provided such device automatically returns the number plate to its original rigid position after contact is released, and the ground clearance of the lower edges thereof shall be established by the Commissioner

A person shall not operate a motor vehicle unless a number plate or number plates are displayed as provided in this section.

Vermont Strong Graphic
Vermont Strong Plates Now Available

Download the PDF form to your computer and then open it with Adobe Reader

Related Forms & Information
Title ID# Description
Building Bright Futures Plate
VD-102
To convert a new registrations or your current plates over to a Building Bright Futures plate.
Certificate of Veteran Status
VG-168
To apply for a Veterans plate and/or to have a Veterans designator added onto a VT license.
Conservation Plate
VD-154
To obtain deer, loon, or trout conservation plate. Use for new registration or converting an existing license plate.
Gold Star Family Plate
VD-157
To request a Gold Star Family plate
Low Number Plate
VD-166
To convert new registrations or current plates over to a low number plate.
Replacement Plate Application
VD-016
To apply for replacement plates when original plates have been lost, stolen, faded, or damaged.
Safety/Service Organization Plates
VD-128
To convert new registrations or current plates over to a Safety/Service Organization plate
Vanity Plate Application
VD-017
For new registrations and to convert current plates over to a vanity/specialized plate

FAQs.

How can I Request Sample Plates?

Go to mydmv.vermont.gov and click the ‘Request Sample Plates’ hyperlink on the Vehicle Inquiry panel. You should review the information in the Getting Started section and will need to acknowledge that you are not a robot before continuing to the next section.  

Enter the Requester’s name. Use the ‘Add a Plate’ hyperlink to add the sample plates you would like to purchase. Select the plate type and enter the number of plates you want to order. Click ‘Next’.  

Enter the mailing address. Click the ‘Verify Address’ button and confirm the verified address. Click ‘Next’ to continue.  

Confirm the number of plates and transaction fees. Click ‘Next’.

Review the name, mailing address, and amount due for the order. Click ‘Submit’.

Review the items in the cart and click ‘Checkout.’

Then, follow the prompts to complete the payment.  

Click Confirm to submit the payment, after which the sample plate order has been completed.  

How can I check personalized plate availability?

Go to mydmv.vermont.gov and click the ‘Check Personalized Plate Availability’ link under the Vehicle Inquiry section. Enter the Vehicle Type and Plate Type of the plate you would like to check, followed by the text to check in the Plate ID field. Check the checkbox to verify that you are not a robot, then click the ‘Check Availability’ button to run the search.

The check’s results will be displayed in the space beneath the plate image on the right-hand side of the screen.

I no longer need my plates, what do I do with them?

You are not required to return plates to DMV. If you want to return plates, please mail them to us. If you are selling your car, do NOT leave your plates on the car.

I just received plates, where is the sticker?

Date validation stickers are no longer required.

Act 41 was signed into law on June 1, 2023. It eliminated the annual (or biennial) validation sticker that previously appeared on license plates.

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Plates