Driving of motor vehicles - Vermont

Federal regulations

Vermont has adopted Part 392 of the Federal Regulations.

Applicability

Part 392 applies to vehicles operating intrastate with a gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight rating of 26,001 or more pounds, or transporting hazardous materials requiring placarding.

Engine idling

Effective May 1, 2014, the primary propulsion engine of a motor vehicle may not idle for more than 5 minutes in any 60-minute period while the vehicle is stationary.

Exceptions — A passenger bus may idle when necessary to maintain passenger comfort while non-driver passengers are on board.

A motor vehicle of a model year prior to 2018 with an occupied sleeper-berth compartment may idle for purposes of air-conditioning or heating during a rest or sleep period.

There are also exceptions for:

• traffic conditions;
• operation of windshield defrosters, and equipment as needed to address specific safety concerns;
• operation of work-related mechanical, hydraulic, or electrical operations other than propulsion, such as mixing or processing cargo or straight truck refrigeration;
• emergency, public safety, or military vehicles to conduct official operations;
• maintenance, service, repair, or diagnostic purposes or as part of a state or federal inspection; and
• an armored vehicle while a person remains inside the vehicle to guard the contents or while the vehicle is being loaded or unloaded.

Speed limit

The speed limit is 65 mph on rural interstates, 55 mph on selected urban interstates, and 50 mph on all other highways.