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updateUpdated 2026-10-08

Vermont License Plate Lookup

Get the full NHTSA vehicle report for any Vermont plate — make, model, year, recalls, and crash safety ratings — free with no signup. Vehicle data only.

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VERMONTABC123

650K

Registered Vehicles

Vermont (FHWA)

Since 1905

Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles

ABC123

Vermont DMV License Plate Quick Facts

Agency	Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
Issuance year	1905
Current format	ABC123 — Six characters on the iconic Vermont green plate: three letters followed by three digits in the classic gold-on-green colorway, in continuous use since 1948. Vermont is a two-plate state.
Plates required	Two (front and rear)
Replacement fee	$14
Registration validity	1 year
Registered vehicles	650K (approx.)
DMV contact	1-802-828-2000 · dmv.vermont.gov

How do I look up a Vermont license plate?

Need a Vermont DMV license plate lookup-style vehicle report? Use the VT license plate lookup tool above — same NHTSA data, no DMV trip required.

1
Enter the Vermont license plate number in the search field above. Spaces and dashes are optional.
2
Confirm VT is selected in the state dropdown — plate numbers can repeat across states, so the state is required for accurate matching.
3
Press Search Plate. You'll see make, model, year, trim, engine, open recalls, and NHTSA crash safety ratings in seconds.

Run a VT plate lookuparrow_forward

What does a Vermont license plate lookup reveal?

Every vermont license plate lookup on this page returns NHTSA vehicle data instantly. Driver and registered-owner personal information is protected under the DPPA's 1994 federal restrictions and is not part of any free vehicle report.

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DPPA notice — vehicle data only

This Vermont license plate lookup returns vehicle information only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database. We do not return the registered owner's name, address, phone number, email, driving record, or any other personal information about the driver. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not lawfully accessible through any free public lookup.

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Registered owner name, address, contact details, and driving records are protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and are not returned by this site or any other free public lookup. This tool provides vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, safety ratings, and EPA fuel economy — sourced from NHTSA and EPA public databases.

What does a Vermont license plate format look like?

Six characters on the iconic Vermont green plate: three letters followed by three digits in the classic gold-on-green colorway, in continuous use since 1948. Vermont is a two-plate state. The Vermont license plate number lookup tool above accepts spaces, dashes, and historical Vermont plate formats.

VERMONTABC123

Vermont license plate number lookup: format history

Era	Format	Example
1905–1947	Sequential numeric (Vermont was one of the earliest plate-issuing states)	12345
1948–1978	Sequential numeric (introduction of the iconic gold-on-green colorway)	12-345
1979–1989	3 letters + 3 digits ('Green Mountain State' gold on green)	ABC 123
1990–present	3 letters + 3 digits (refreshed gold-on-green — kept continuously since 1948)	ABC123
Specialty (conservation, university, military)	Up to 7 characters with cause backgrounds	ABC 1234
Bicentennial (1991 commemorative)	3 letters + 3 digits	ABC 123

Vermont license plate laws you should know

Below are the four laws that most often trip up Vermont drivers. Rules are enforced at the stop, the inspection station, and at registration renewal.

Two plates required

Vermont requires two plates — front and rear — on every passenger vehicle under 23 V.S.A. § 511. Failure to display either plate can result in fines.

Front plate rule

No exemption exists for vehicles lacking a front mounting bracket. Owners must install a bracket or face a citation under § 511.

Registration stickers & display

Vermont issues a registration sticker affixed to the upper-right corner of the rear plate showing the month and year of expiration. Registration is renewed annually.

Inspection / smog check

Vermont requires an annual combined safety + emissions inspection ($55–$75) for all registered passenger vehicles 16 years old and newer. The inspection sticker is displayed on the windshield. Older vehicles get safety-only inspection.

Types of Vermont license plates

Vermont issues dozens of plate designs. These are the main categories you'll encounter on the road or see at the DMV counter.

Standard Vermont (Green Mountain State)

Default plate with the iconic gold-on-green colorway, unchanged since 1948 — one of the longest-running unchanged plate designs in the US. Two plates required.

Personalized / Vanity

Up to 7 characters on the standard or specialty backgrounds. $58 initial + $25/year through Vermont DMV.

Disabled / Disabled Veteran

ISA wheelchair symbol; qualifies for accessible parking statewide. DV plates carry waived fees for qualifying veterans.

Military specialty

Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Gold Star Family, and branch-specific plates.

Special interest

Conservation, U of Vermont Catamounts, Green Mountain National Forest, Building Bright Futures, and dozens of cause plates.

Antique / Vintage

For vehicles 25+ years old used primarily for exhibitions, parades, and club events. Restricted to occasional use.

How much does a Vermont license plate cost?

Typical Vermont DMV fees for plates, registration, and related services. Always confirm current amounts on the official DMV site before paying.

Annual registration (passenger)	$76
Replacement plate (per pair)	$14
Personalized plate (initial)	$58
Personalized plate (annual)	$25
Title fee	$35
Purchase & Use Tax (on title transfer)	6% of vehicle purchase price, $2,075 maximum

Source: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles — https://dmv.vermont.gov

What if my Vermont plate is lost, stolen, or damaged?

Follow these steps to replace a Vermont license plate. Do not keep driving with a missing plate — it is a citable offense in most states.

1
File a police report immediately if the plates were stolen.
2
Visit any Vermont DMV office (Montpelier, Burlington, Rutland, etc.) or use the online portal at dmv.vermont.gov.
3
Complete the Application for Replacement Plates (Form VG-130) with vehicle information.
4
Pay the $14 replacement fee.
5
Surrender any remaining plate from the pair before substitute plates are issued.

Vermont DMV contact & privacy

Official agency

Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles

call1-802-828-2000

languagedmv.vermont.gov

DPPA privacy notice

Personal information tied to a Vermont license plate — driver name, address, date of birth, phone number, email, and driving record — is protected by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by this site. This page and the lookup tool provide vehicle-level data only: make, model, year, trim, recalls, and safety ratings from NHTSA's public database.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions about Vermont license plate lookups, DMV rules, and plate replacement.

How do I run a Vermont license plate lookup?expand_more

Enter any Vermont plate in the search field above and press Check Plate. You'll get the vehicle's make, model, year, trim, open NHTSA recalls, and crash ratings — free, no signup required. Vehicle data only; personal driver information is not returned.

Does Vermont require a front license plate?expand_more

Yes. 23 V.S.A. § 511 requires passenger vehicles to display two plates — one on the front and one on the rear. There is no exemption for vehicles sold without a front bracket.

How much does a replacement Vermont plate cost?expand_more

The replacement fee is $14 for a new plate pair. Replacements are processed at any Vermont DMV office using Form VG-130.

What is the current Vermont license plate format?expand_more

The standard Vermont passenger plate uses a 6-character format: three letters followed by three digits (e.g., ABC123) on the iconic gold-on-green Green Mountain State design — kept continuously since 1948, one of the longest-running unchanged plate designs in the US.

Does a Vermont license plate lookup show driver or owner information?expand_more

No. This lookup returns vehicle-level data only — make, model, year, recalls, and safety ratings. Personal driver and owner information is protected under the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2721) and is not returned by free public lookups.

Does Vermont require an inspection?expand_more

Yes. Vermont requires an annual combined safety + emissions inspection ($55–$75) for all registered passenger vehicles 16 years old and newer. Older vehicles get a safety-only inspection.

How do I get a personalized Vermont plate?expand_more

Personalized plates are ordered through Vermont DMV at dmv.vermont.gov for $58 initial fee and $25 annual renewal. Up to 7 characters are allowed.

Why has the Vermont green plate stayed unchanged so long?expand_more

Vermont introduced the gold-on-green colorway in 1948 and has kept it as the standard plate ever since — making it the longest-running unchanged base design in the US. The state has resisted multiple proposals to update it over the decades because the green-and-gold plate has become a beloved symbol of Vermont's identity.

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