The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 23 : Motor Vehicles

Chapter 009 : Operator's Licenses

Subchapter 001 : GENERAL PROVISIONS

• § 616. Extension of license for members of U.S. Armed Forces and immediate family members

  (a) Definition. As used in this section, “immediate family member” means a child; stepchild; foster child; spouse; domestic partner, as defined in 17 V.S.A. § 2414; civil union partner; parent; or parent of a spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner.

  (b) Members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

  (1) A resident of Vermont who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and who at the time of his or her induction or enlistment into the U.S. Armed Forces, or who during his or her term of service with the U.S. Armed Forces, was the holder of a valid Vermont license to operate motor vehicles issued by the Commissioner shall, notwithstanding the expiration of the license, be entitled to operate a motor vehicle with that expired license during his or her term of service and until 30 days after receiving a discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces, but not to exceed four years from the date of expiration of his or her license.

  (2) A resident of Vermont who is a member of the Reserve Component of the U.S. Armed Forces and who at the time he or she is called to active duty was the holder of a valid Vermont license to operate motor vehicles issued by the Commissioner shall, notwithstanding the expiration of such license, be entitled to operate a motor vehicle with that expired license during his or her term of active duty and until 30 days after being released from active duty, but not to exceed four years from the date of expiration of his or her license.

  (c) Immediate family members of members of the U.S. Armed Forces.

  (1) A resident of Vermont who is absent from the State because his or her immediate family member is serving with the U.S. Armed Forces and who had a valid Vermont license to operate motor vehicles issued by the Commissioner at the time of the immediate family member’s induction or enlistment into the U.S. Armed Forces shall, notwithstanding the expiration of the license, be entitled to operate a motor vehicle with that expired license during the immediate family member’s term of service and until 30 days after his or her immediate family member is discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces, but not to exceed four years from the date of expiration of his or her license.

  (2) A resident of Vermont who is absent from the State because his or her immediate family member is a member of the Reserve Component of the U.S. Armed Forces who had a valid Vermont license to operate motor vehicles issued by the Commissioner at the time of the immediate family member’s call to active duty shall, notwithstanding the expiration of such license, be entitled to operate a motor vehicle with that expired license during his or her immediate family member’s term of active duty and until 30 days after his or her immediate family is released from active duty, but not to exceed four years from the date of expiration of his or her license.

  (d) Proof required. Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces or immediate family member of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces operating a motor vehicle with an expired license pursuant to subsection (b) or (c) shall, while operating a motor vehicle, carry the last license issued to him or her and conclusive evidence that he or she is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces or the immediate family member of a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and, if the member of the U.S. Armed Forces is discharged or released from active duty, a copy of the applicable DD-214 or similar document of discharge or release from active duty.

  (e) Effect of revocation, suspension, or refusal. Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit an individual against whom a revocation or suspension of license has been issued or is in force, or an individual who has been refused a license by the Commissioner, to operate a motor vehicle. (Amended 2019, No. 149 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. July 13, 2020.)