Where the Burlington DMV Office Is Located

The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles office in Burlington is at 120 Cherry Street, Burlington, VT 05401. This is the main DMV location serving Chittenden County and the surrounding area. The office handles driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, title transfers, and most other DMV services you would need in person.

The building is downtown Burlington, near the waterfront. Street parking is available but can be tight during business hours. There is also a municipal parking garage a short walk away if street parking is full. The office is accessible by local bus routes if you prefer not to drive.

Hours and How to Plan Your Visit

The Burlington DMV is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on weekends and state holidays. There is no Saturday service at this location. The office does not take appointments, so you arrive and wait your turn at the service window.

Wait times vary by day and time of day. Early mornings on weekdays tend to be less crowded than afternoons. If you have a straightforward transaction like renewing a registration, you may be served within 15 to 30 minutes. More complex work like a title transfer or first-time license can take longer. Bring something to read or work on while you wait.

You can call the office at (802) 828-2000 with questions about what documents you need or whether a particular service is available that day. The staff can tell you what to bring but cannot hold your place in line or reserve a time slot.

Key Takeaways

  • The Burlington DMV is at 120 Cherry Street downtown and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with no weekend or appointment service.
  • You will need to bring your current license or ID, proof of residency, and any documents related to the specific transaction you are doing — such as a title for a transfer or a bill of sale for a new registration.
  • Wait times range from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the time of day and how busy the office is, so arriving early in the morning usually means a shorter wait.
  • Call (802) 828-2000 before you go if you are unsure whether you have the right documents or whether the office can handle your specific transaction.
  • You can handle many routine transactions online through the Vermont DMV website instead of visiting in person, including license renewal and vehicle registration renewal.

Documents to Bring for Common Transactions

What you need depends on what you are doing. For a driver's license renewal, bring your current license and proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, or recent tax return all work. If you are renewing a vehicle registration, bring your current registration card and proof of insurance. For a title transfer, bring the signed title from the seller, a bill of sale, and proof of insurance.

If you are getting a license for the first time or after it has expired for more than a few years, bring your birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security number (a Social Security card or tax return), and two proofs of your current address. The rules are stricter for first-time licenses because Vermont has to verify your identity against federal records.

Bring the original documents, not copies. The staff will make copies if they need them. If a document is in a language other than English, bring the original and an official translation.

What You Can Do Online Instead

Vermont's DMV website at dmv.vermont.gov lets you renew your driver's license and vehicle registration online if you meet certain conditions. You can renew a license online if it is not expired and you have not had any address changes since it was issued. You can renew a registration online if the vehicle has passed inspection and you have current insurance.

Online renewal is faster and costs the same as doing it in person. You pay by credit or debit card, and your new license or registration is mailed to you within a week or two. This is the easiest route if your situation is straightforward and you do not need to change your address or make other updates at the same time.

If you need to change your address, get a duplicate license, or handle anything more complex, you will need to visit the office in person or mail documents to the DMV's central office in Montpelier.

Scams and Safety Information

Do not pay anyone to help you with DMV services unless they are a licensed attorney or a bonded document preparation service. Scammers sometimes pose as DMV agents online or by phone and ask for payment to "speed up" your license or registration. The DMV does not work that way. There is no fee to explore, and no one can may provide faster service.

If someone calls you claiming to be from the DMV and asks for payment or personal information, hang up and call the DMV directly at (802) 828-2000 to report it. The real DMV will never call you asking for money or your Social Security number.

Be careful with your documents when you carry them to the office. Do not leave your wallet, phone, or bag unattended in the waiting area. The office is safe, but like any public place, it is wise to keep your belongings with you.

If You Cannot Visit in Person

If you live out of state or cannot travel to Burlington, you can mail documents to the Vermont DMV's central office in Montpelier. The mailing address is Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, 120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603. Include a cover letter explaining what you need, your contact information, and a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want documents returned to you.

Mail service is slower than in-person service. Processing typically takes two to four weeks after the DMV receives your documents. Call (802) 828-2000 to ask whether your specific transaction can be handled by mail, because some services require an in-person visit or a notarized signature.

You can also use the online services mentioned above for license and registration renewal if you meet the requirements, which avoids the need to visit or mail anything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment to visit the Burlington DMV?

No. The Burlington office does not take appointments. You arrive during business hours and wait your turn. Early mornings on weekdays typically have shorter waits than afternoons.

Can I renew my license or registration by mail?

You can mail documents for some transactions, but online renewal is faster for license and registration renewals. Mail processing takes two to four weeks. Call (802) 828-2000 to ask whether your specific transaction can be handled by mail.

What if I lost my Social Security card and cannot find it before my visit?

Bring a tax return, W-2, or other official document showing your Social Security number instead. The DMV accepts several forms of proof. Call ahead at (802) 828-2000 to confirm what documents the staff will accept for your situation.

Is there a DMV office closer to me than Burlington?

Vermont has DMV offices in several towns. Check the Vermont DMV website at dmv.vermont.gov for a full list of locations and their hours. Some smaller offices have limited hours or handle only certain services, so verify before you travel.

What should I do if I cannot find a document I need?

Call the Burlington office at (802) 828-2000 and explain what you are trying to do. The staff can tell you what alternatives the DMV will accept. For example, if you do not have a utility bill for proof of address, a lease, bank statement, or insurance bill may work instead.