In the state of Vermont, your license plate is more than just a registration requirement—it is a cultural statement. From the iconic white-on-green design to the resilient “Vermont Strong” commemorative plates, the Green Mountain State offers some of the most unique personalization options in the country. Whether you are looking to support local wildlife through a Conservation plate or express your personality with a custom message, navigating the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires an understanding of specific rules, fees, and the state’s unique legal landscape.
Step-by-Step Process to Get a Vermont Vanity Plate
The process for obtaining a vanity plate in Vermont is straightforward but requires attention to detail to avoid delays.
- Digital Availability Check: Before filling out any paperwork, visit the MyDMV website and use the “Check Personalized Plate Availability” tool. This real-time database will tell you if your desired combination is already taken.
- Complete the right form for your plate. Vermont uses three, and sending the wrong one gets your application returned:
- VD-017 — standard vanity plates
- VD-154 — Conservation plates (Loon or Deer)
- VD-102 — Building Bright Futures plates
- All three ask for up to three plate choices in order of preference. If the vehicle is already registered in Vermont, the special plate fee is all you owe. If it isn’t registered yet, submit VD-119 alongside your plate application and pay both sets of fees together — you don’t have to register first and apply later.
- Calculate and Submit Fees: Ensure your check or money order includes both the vanity fee and any applicable specialty plate fees. Mail the completed form to:
Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05603-0001
- Wait for Manufacturing: Allow up to 30 days from the date your combination is approved — not from the day you post the form, since review comes first. Conservation and Building Bright Futures plates take longer; allow up to six weeks. The DMV can issue a temporary plate to cover the gap. Because plates arrive by post and DMV mail is marked “Do Not Forward,” check your address is current before applying.
Vermont Vanity Plate Fees Explained
Securing a vanity plate in Vermont involves an annual fee that is paid in addition to your standard vehicle registration. While a standard pleasure car registration costs approximately $76 per year, adding a personalized touch increases this investment.
| Plate Type | Annual Fee (In Addition to Registration) | Primary Purpose |
| Standard Vanity Plate | $58.00 | Personalized text on a standard green background. |
| Conservation Plate | $32.00 | Supports the Fish & Wildlife Department (Loon or Deer). |
| Building Bright Futures | $29.00 | Funds early childhood education programs. |
| Safety/Service Org | $21.00 (One-time) | Recognition for Firefighters, EMS, and Veterans. |
| Replacement Plate | $15.00 (Single) / $29.00 (Set) | Fee for lost or damaged plates. |
Veterans, note: service-recognition plates appear in the table above, but Vermont’s veteran and disabled veteran plates cannot be personalised or converted to vanity plates. The disabled veteran plate also runs through the Office of Veterans Affairs before it reaches the DMV, so it isn’t a VD-017 application at all.
Pro Tip: Unlike many states that charge a one-time fee for personalization, Vermont’s vanity fee is an annual recurring cost. If you choose a specialty background and vanity text, you may be responsible for both sets of fees.
Unique Vermont Plate Rules You Should Know
Vermont is strictly a two-plate state, requiring both front and rear identification. However, Act 71 created a rare legal exception that has become a hallmark of Vermont roads. Residents are permitted to display a “Vermont Strong” commemorative plate on the front of their vehicle, even if it covers the official registration plate.
Originally issued following Tropical Storm Irene in 2011 and re-issued after the devastating 2023 floods, these plates are a symbol of state solidarity. They are the only non-official plates legally allowed to be displayed on the front of a vehicle in Vermont, provided the official rear plate remains clearly visible.
Character Rules for Vermont Personalized Plates
Vermont is known for its commitment to free speech, but the DMV maintains strict technical and content guidelines under 23 V.S.A. § 511.
1. Formatting rules that reject applications. These are the ones people trip over:
- The letter “O” counts as a zero. Vermont doesn’t distinguish them, so “LOVED” is read as “L0VED.”
- No more than two numbers may be combined with letters.
- No dots, dashes, or symbols. Use asterisks (*) to mark where you want spaces — if you leave them out, your text is centred on the plate.
- Plates cannot begin with “Z.”
- Single-letter plates are allowed, but not I, J, O, or Z.
2. Character limits by plate type:
| Plate Type | Maximum Characters |
|---|---|
| Standard passenger | 7 |
| Motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, small trailer | 6 |
| Disabled | 5 |
| Antique and Exhibit | 4 |
Conservation plates are limited by the Loon or Deer graphic, so plan for 5 or 6.
3. Content and the ACLU Ruling:
The Commissioner will refuse combinations that objectively, in any language:
- Are vulgar, scatological, or obscene, or are racial or ethnic epithets
- Connote breast, genitalia, pubic area or buttocks, or relate to sexual or eliminatory functions
- Refer to any intoxicant or drug, or to its use, sale, distribution, or users
- Refer to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability status
- Suggest a government or governmental agency
- Suggest a privilege not given by law in Vermont
- Form a slang term, abbreviation, phonetic spelling, or mirror image of any of the above
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can transfer your vanity plate to a new vehicle by submitting a transfer application and paying a nominal transfer fee (typically $25). The vanity status remains with the owner, not the vehicle.
Technically, no. It is a commemorative plate. While you cannot choose the text on a Vermont Strong plate, you can display it on the front of your car as a legal alternative to a standard front plate.
If your choice is rejected due to content rules or availability, the DMV will notify you by mail. You will have the opportunity to select a different combination or receive a refund of the vanity fee.
Conclusion
Personalizing your vehicle in Vermont is a rewarding way to support state initiatives and express your identity. By understanding the annual fee structure, respecting the technical limits of your chosen plate type, and utilizing the legal flexibility of the “Vermont Strong” front plate, you can ensure your vehicle stands out on the winding roads of the Green Mountain State. Whether you are a local or a newcomer, the key to a successful application is starting with a digital availability check and following the structured VD-017 submission process.
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