What a Vermont license plate is and where to get one
A Vermont license plate is the metal tag the state issues to identify your vehicle for road use. It displays your vehicle's registration number, which connects your car to your name, address, and insurance information in the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles database. You receive a plate when you register a vehicle in Vermont, and you keep the same number for as long as you own that vehicle in the state.
You obtain a plate by registering your vehicle through the Vermont DMV. This happens either in person at a DMV office, by mail using Form MV-20 (process for Registration), or through an authorized agent — usually a town clerk's office. The plate itself arrives by mail after your registration is processed, typically within two to three weeks.
Vermont plates come in several types depending on your vehicle and situation. Standard passenger plates are white with green lettering and the state name. Specialty plates — such as those for disabled persons, veterans, or environmental causes — have different designs but work the same way legally.
Key Takeaways
- Vermont issues one plate per vehicle registration, and you keep the same number as long as you own the vehicle in the state.
- You register through the DMV in person, by mail with Form MV-20, or through a town clerk's office, and the plate arrives by mail within two to three weeks.
- Specialty plates for veterans, disabled drivers, and other categories are available but cost more than standard plates and require separate requests.
- You must renew your registration every two years, and your plate remains valid as long as your registration is current.
- If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you request a replacement through the DMV and pay a replacement fee.
Standard Vermont plates versus specialty plates
A standard Vermont plate is white with green lettering and costs less than a specialty option. It displays your registration number and the state name. Every vehicle in Vermont gets a standard plate unless you request something different.
Vermont offers specialty plates for specific groups and causes. These include plates for disabled persons, veterans, Purple Heart recipients, former prisoners of war, and environmental or organizational causes. Each specialty plate has its own design and costs more than a standard plate — the exact amount varies by type. You request a specialty plate when you first register or during renewal by checking the appropriate box on your registration form or telling the DMV agent which plate you want.
Specialty plates do not change how your registration works or what you pay for registration itself — they are an add-on cost. If you later want to switch from a specialty plate back to standard, or change from one specialty to another, you can do so at renewal or by visiting the DMV.
How plate numbers are assigned and what they mean
Vermont assigns your plate number when you register. The number itself does not encode information about where you live or when you registered — it is straightforward a unique identifier linked to your vehicle in the DMV system. You cannot request a specific number or vanity plate through the standard registration process.
Once assigned, your plate number stays with that vehicle as long as you own it in Vermont. If you sell the vehicle, the new owner gets a new registration and a new plate number. If you move out of state, you must register your vehicle in your new state and get a new plate.
The plate number is what law enforcement, toll systems, and parking enforcement use to look up your registration and vehicle information. It is also what appears on your registration card and insurance documents.
Renewing your plate and keeping registration current
Your Vermont registration and plate are valid for two years from the date of issue. You renew by the expiration date shown on your registration card. The DMV sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before expiration, but you are responsible for renewing on time even if you do not receive a notice.
To renew, you can mail in Form MV-20 with the required documents, visit a DMV office in person, or go through a town clerk's office. You do not receive a new plate during a standard two-year renewal — you keep the same plate number and registration number. Your registration card is updated with the new expiration date.
If your registration lapses, your plate is no longer valid for road use. Driving with an expired registration can result in a traffic citation. If you realize your registration has expired, you can renew it at any time, though you may face a late fee depending on how long it has been expired.
Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged plate
If your plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, you request a replacement through the Vermont DMV. You can do this in person at a DMV office or by mail. You will need to provide your vehicle information and registration details, and you will pay a replacement fee — the amount varies but is typically less than the cost of initial registration.
If your plate was stolen, some DMV offices ask you to file a police report first, though this requirement varies by location. Contact your local DMV office to confirm what documentation they need before you visit or mail in your request.
A replacement plate arrives by mail within two to three weeks. Until it arrives, you should not drive the vehicle on public roads if the plate is missing or unreadable. If the plate is damaged but still readable, you can continue using it until the replacement arrives.
Transferring a plate when you sell or trade your vehicle
When you sell or trade your vehicle, the plate does not transfer to the new owner. The buyer must register the vehicle in their name and receive a new plate number. You keep your old plate only if you are registering a different vehicle — in that case, you can request to use the same plate number on your new vehicle, though this is not automatic.
If you want to keep your plate number when buying a new vehicle, tell the DMV or town clerk during the new registration process. They will transfer the number to your new vehicle's registration. This is different from a vanity plate — it is straightforward keeping the same registration number you already had.
If you do not request a transfer, your old plate number is retired and may eventually be reissued to someone else. You do not need to return the physical plate to the DMV, but you should remove it from the vehicle before selling or trading it.
What happens if your plate is unreadable or damaged
A plate must be clearly readable for law enforcement and automated systems to identify your vehicle. If your plate is faded, bent, missing characters, or otherwise hard to read, you should request a replacement. Driving with an unreadable plate can result in a citation, even if the damage was not your fault.
Weather, road salt, and accidents are common causes of plate damage in Vermont. If your plate becomes unreadable, contact the DMV or a town clerk's office and request a replacement. The process is the same as for a lost or stolen plate, and you will pay the replacement fee.
Do not attempt to repair or repaint a plate yourself. Plates must meet state standards for reflectivity and readability, and a homemade repair will not meet those standards. A replacement plate is the correct solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my Vermont plate number if I move out of state?
No. If you move to another state, you must register your vehicle there and receive a new plate from that state. Vermont plates are only valid in Vermont. You cannot keep a Vermont plate on a vehicle registered in another state.
Do I need a new plate every time I renew my registration?
No. During a standard two-year renewal, you keep the same plate and plate number. You only receive a new plate if the old one is lost, stolen, damaged, or if you request a different type of specialty plate.
What if I want a vanity plate with letters I choose?
Vermont does not offer vanity plates through the standard registration process. Your plate number is assigned by the DMV. Some specialty plates have different designs, but you cannot request a specific combination of letters or numbers.
How long does it take to get a plate after I register my vehicle?
Plates typically arrive by mail within two to three weeks of registration. During that time, you should carry your registration card as proof of registration. Some DMV offices provide temporary registration documents if you need to drive before the plate arrives.
What do I do if my plate was stolen?
Report the theft to your local police department, then contact the Vermont DMV or a town clerk's office to request a replacement plate. Some offices require a copy of the police report. You will pay a replacement fee, and the new plate will arrive by mail within two to three weeks.