Official fees
Vermont renewal fee chart
Renewal (1 year, car/truck)
$91.00
identical to a first-time fee - no penalty
Renewal (2 years, car/truck)
$167.00
Renewal (1 year, motorcycle)
$58.00
BEV infrastructure fee
$89.00/yr
on top of base fee
PHEV infrastructure fee
$44.50/yr
on top of base fee
Civil fine - expired ≤14 days, if driven
up to $5.00
Civil fine - expired 15+ days, if driven
≈$70.00
Figures verified July 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Vermont DMV - counties can add small local fees.
Step by step
How to renew Vermont registration
- 1
Wait for your renewal notice (mailed roughly 6 weeks ahead) or gather your plate number.
- 2
Confirm you have a current inspection sticker, or plan to get one before the plate is renewed if it's due.
- 3
Renew online at the Vermont DMV site, by mail, in person, or at a participating town clerk.
- 4
Choose a 1-year or 2-year term and pay the base fee plus any EV infrastructure fee.
- 5
Your new sticker or plate arrives immediately in person, or by mail for online/mail renewals.
- Late renewal fee
- $0 - none
- Renew up to
- 3 years past expiration
- Renew as early as
- 60 days before expiry
- Driving expired ≤14 days
- up to $5 fine
- Driving expired 15+ days
- ≈$70 fine
Overview
What Vermont does penalize is driving on that expired registration. It's a civil traffic violation the moment the sticker lapses - no grace period - carrying a fine of up to $5 if you're cited within 14 days, jumping to roughly $70 (per the Judicial Bureau's waiver schedule) after that. The lesson: renewing late costs nothing extra, but getting caught driving on it does.
Same state, other costs
More Vermont vehicle costs
Common questions
Vermont renewal cost FAQ
- Does Vermont charge a late fee if I renew my registration late?
- No. Renewing costs the same $91/$167 whether you're on time or years late - Vermont has no administrative late-renewal surcharge, and you can renew up to three years after expiration.
- So is it fine to just let my registration lapse and renew whenever?
- Renewing itself is free of penalty, but you can't legally drive on an expired registration even one day past the date - there's no grace period. Get caught, and it's a civil fine: up to $5 within 14 days of expiration, roughly $70 after that.
- How early can I renew before my registration expires?
- Up to 60 days before the expiration date. Renewal notices typically arrive about six weeks ahead, giving most drivers a comfortable window.
- Can I switch from a 1-year to a 2-year registration at renewal?
- Yes - the term is your choice each time you renew, regardless of what you picked previously. The 2-year option averages a few dollars cheaper per year.
- What if my registration lapsed for over three years?
- Past the three-year mark, a straightforward renewal may no longer apply and the DMV can require you to register the vehicle as new, including a fresh title and tax review - check with the DMV directly if you're that far past expiration.
Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.
