Exempt Title
A Vermont resident may apply at any time to the Commissioner to obtain an “exempt vehicle
title” for a vehicle that is more than 25 years old.
Issuance of Exempt Vehicle Title upon Request
DMV will issue an exempt vehicle title if the following criteria are met:
• The applicant pays the applicable fee
• The applicant is the owner of the vehicle
• The applicant is a Vermont resident
• The vehicle is not subject to any liens or encumbrances
Prior to issuing an exempt vehicle title all of the following are required:
1. Registration, Tax & Title Form (form #VD-119). The applicant must furnish one of the
following proofs of ownership, in order of preference:
o A previous Vermont or out-of-state title indicating the applicant’s ownership.
o An original or a certified copy of a previous Vermont or out-of-state registration
indicating the applicant’s ownership.
o Sufficient evidence of ownership as determined by the Commissioner, including
bills of sale or original receipts for major components of homebuilt vehicles, or
o A notarized affidavit certifying that the applicant is the owner of the vehicle and
is unable to produce the proofs listed above despite reasonable efforts to do so.
2. Exempt Title Affidavit (form #VT-025) completed, signed, and notarized.
3. Verification of VIN/HIN (form #VT-010).
4. Assignment of a new VIN, if the vehicle does not have one (form #VT-003).
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is the identifying code for a specific automobile. A VIN
is composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters) that act as a unique identifier for the
vehicle. A VIN displays the car's unique features, specifications, and manufacturer. Prior to
1981, VINs varied in length from 11 to 17 characters.
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a 12 or 14 character serial number that uniquely
identifies a motorboat or vessel.
VIN verification is not required if a title will not be issued. See title requirements for vehicles or
off-road vehicles for more detail on title requirements.
When Verification is Required
1. All used vehicles with out of state titles being registered/titled in the applicant’s name
for the first time are required to procure a VIN verification from the personnel listed
below unless purchased directly from a licensed dealer.
2. Vehicles with Salvage Documentation from any state, including Vermont, are required
to procure a VIN verification from the Vermont personnel listed below.
3. Vehicles being titled under bond are required to procure a VIN verification from the
Vermont personnel listed below.
4. Vehicles with registrations from any foreign country, including Canada are required to
procure a VIN verification from the Vermont personnel listed below.
5. Vehicles over 25 years old, for which a Vermont resident is seeking an "exempt title" are
required to procure a VIN verification from the Vermont personnel listed below.
6. Motorcycles which are not titleable but are 500 cc’s or more and have not been
previously registered/titled to the applicant or have not been previously registered in
Vermont are required to procure a VIN verification from the personnel listed below.
Artisan's Liens
Any person/company who repairs a motor vehicle at the request of the owner holds a lien for
their reasonable charges and may retain possession of the vehicle until charges are paid. This is
known as an artisan’s lien.
Obtaining Legal Ownership
In order for the repair person/company to apply for an artisan’s lien they must maintain
possession of the vehicle. If the vehicle is no longer in their possession, they do not qualify for
an artisan’s lien.
When a repairer is owed money for repairs made to a motor vehicle and the bill remains unpaid
for three (3) months, and the repairer retains possession of the vehicle, the following procedure
needs to be followed in order to obtain legal ownership of the vehicle by means of an artisan’s
lien:
The repairer shall notify the vehicle’s owner by certified mail, return receipt requested of
his/her intent to sell the vehicle at public auction if the bill is not paid. Notice must be sent to
the vehicles owner at least 10-days prior to public auction.
The repairer shall make a written request for a title search to the Department of Motor Vehicles
if the vehicle is less than fifteen (15) years old to determine whether there is a lien on the
vehicle. The request should be submitted on the DMV Record Request form (VG-116).
The repairer shall notify the lien-holder of his/her intent to sell the vehicle at public auction by
certified mail, return receipt requested. This notice must be sent at least 10 days prior to the
public auction. A lien release is not required, only proof of notification of the impending sale.
The repairer may sell the vehicle at public auction in the town where the repairers business is
located. Notice of the time, place and purpose of the sale shall be posted in two or more public
places in such town at least 10 days prior to the sale.
At least 10 days prior to the sale, a notice in writing of the time, place, and amount due shall be
given to the owner, either personally or by mail, or by leaving this information at his or her
residence, if a resident of this state. Otherwise such notice shall be given by publication in a
newspaper published in the town or county where the repairers business is located, if there is
one, and if not, in a newspaper published in an adjoining county
The vehicle may then be sold at public auction. The repairer should furnish the buyer with a Bill
of Sale, an odometer statement, and a notarized affidavit that he/she has complied with the
provisions of the above statute along with copies of all notices sent to the owner, lien holder
and any newspaper notices. The buyer must submit these documents to the Department of
Motor Vehicles with their vehicle registration application.
Registering a Vehicle under an Artisan’s Lien
Requirements:
1. A signed AND notarized affidavit from the individual/company which did the repairs,
stating the following:
A. Year, make and VIN of the vehicle that the labor was provided for.
B. Name and address of vehicle’s owner who authorized the repairs and/or parts.
C. Charges incurred for the repairs.
D. Date repairs were completed.
E. Statement that charges for the repairs have remained unpaid for three months
or more since the repairs were completed and there has been no attempt to
satisfy the debt made by the owner.
F. Statement as to the date and location where official notification of the public
auction for sale of this vehicle was posted.
G. Statement that the motor vehicle was sold at public auction. The date of sale,
purchaser’s name and the sale price must be provided.
Note: The affidavit must be signed by the party which did the repairs or authorized
representative of the company.
2. A copy of the official notice posted and sent to the previous owner stating the date,
location and time of the vehicle auction. The notice shall include the year, make and VIN
of the vehicle and reason for the sale.
3. Copies of all notices sent to the owner, lien holder and any newspaper notices
4. A bill of sale from the individual/company which did the repairs to the purchaser at the
auction. The bill of sale must include:
A. Year, make and VIN of the vehicle
B. The name of the purchaser, with reference made that the sale was made by bid
at the stated auction.
C. Purchase price of the vehicle
D. Signature of the seller
5. Bills of sale maintaining the chain of ownership from the purchaser at the auction on
through to the party now registering the vehicle.
6. A properly completed registration, tax and title application.
7. Approval must be given by a DMV Operations Chief on any vehicle registered/titled
under an artisan’s lien.
VIN Placement, Assignment, and Location
1. When any part of the VIN on the registration certificate does not correspond exactly
with the VIN attached to the vehicle, the customer should be referred to the DMV to
have the incorrect certificate corrected.
2. 2. If the vehicle has no VIN or the VIN has been defaced, destroyed, or detached, the
owner must apply to the DMV for an assigned Vermont VIN. (See instructions for
attachment of assigned VIN tags below.) No official inspection sticker is to be attached
to the vehicle that has no VIN until the assigned VIN has been presented or attached in
the manner prescribed. If the VIN appears to have been tampered with, the customer
should be directed to file a complaint with his/her local police department. 23 V.S.A. §
1704, 1701. Note: The VIN referred to in this section is the public VIN (PVIN) located on
the vehicle dashboard.
3. Assigned VINs ( 23 V.S.A. § 1702):
a. Assigned Number Tags: Must be obtained directly from the DMV.
b. Attachment: Must be made by an inspector or mechanic employed by an official
inspection station. A specific location has been approved for each type of
vehicle, as follows:
Rebuilt, Reconstructed, or Homemade Vehicles (Cars and Trucks):
1. The VIN plate will be attached to the left front door pillar post high enough that it may
be easily read when opening the door.
2. The assigned VIN tag must be located where it can be easily read from the operator's
side of the vehicle. The type and rigidity of the material should be considered. All tags
should be on an outside surface that is smooth and clean. The tag should be right side
up, if possible, and away from any place where it will experience any kind of wear.