Roadwise States Vermont Driving lessons Crashes: what to do Vermont driving lesson · Impaired & Distracted Driving
Crashes: what to do A 3-minute lesson from the Vermont course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Impaired & Distracted Driving
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 59, 60 Most crashes come from poor decisions by drivers. If you're in one, people are often confused and upset, so review the steps now. The law requires you to stop and help, and some crashes must be reported to the DMV in writing.
Poor decisions that cause most crashes: Driving too fast for road conditions Not paying attention Following too closely Driving over the center line Not yielding the right-of-way Driving after drinking or using drugs Passing when it's unsafe Not checking mirrors and blind spots Handbook p. 59 ↗ Know the rule
A driver involved in a crash must by law stop and give any assistance that is reasonably necessary.
Handbook p. 59 ↗ At the crash scene: 1. If possible, move the vehicles out of the travel lanes onto the shoulder 2. If someone is injured, call 911; leave them where they are and keep them warm and calm 3. Show your license, registration and insurance to police; show your license to anyone injured or with damage 4. Hit an unattended parked vehicle? Leave your name, address and phone number in or on it Handbook p. 59 ↗ 72 hours Deadline for a written report to the DMV if anyone is injured or damage is over $3,000
Handbook p. 59 ↗ $3,000 Damage amount above which you must file a written DMV crash report
Handbook p. 59 ↗ Know the rule
Police respond to 911 calls, view the scene and gather the facts. They do not take sides.
Handbook p. 59 ↗ Know the rule
Crash report forms are available at any Vermont police department, from the DMV in Montpelier (802.828.2000), online, or at a DMV office.
Handbook p. 59 ↗ Note carefully after a crash: Exactly where it happened: street names, nearest house number, town, route and nearest crossroad Landmarks such as a numbered pole, bridge end or railroad crossing, or the nearest mile marker The time, the damage and the injuries The other driver's name, address, license and registration numbers Names and addresses of the other vehicle's occupants and of all witnesses Handbook p. 60 ↗ Know the rule
If you crash with another vehicle, the other driver has the right to see your license, registration and insurance information.
Handbook p. 60 ↗ Know the rule
If a Vermont driver has a crash in another state, it must be reported in the state where it happened.
Handbook p. 60 ↗ Put it into practice
You back into a parked car in a lot, leaving a $1,200 dent, and can't find the owner. Leave a note with your name, address and phone number on the car. No one is hurt and damage is under $3,000, so no written DMV report is required.
A useful reminder Written DMV report = anyone injured OR damage over $3,000, within 72 hours.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
If someone is injured in a crash, what should you do first? Call 911 and leave the injured person where they are Move them to a more comfortable spot Drive them to the hospital yourself Help them walk to your car to keep warm Answer: Call 911 and leave the injured person where they are
Call 911 and leave the injured person where they are; moving them wrong could cause more harm.
Handbook p. 59 ↗ When must you file a written crash report with the DMV? Within 24 hours, for any crash at all Within 72 hours, if there's an injury or damage over $3,000 Within 7 days, only for injury crashes Never; officers always file that report Answer: Within 72 hours, if there's an injury or damage over $3,000
A written report to the DMV is required within 72 hours if there's an injury or damage over $3,000.
Handbook p. 59 ↗ You hit a parked, unattended vehicle and can't find its owner. What must you do? Leave your license plate number on the vehicle Wait at the scene for a full 24 hours Leave your name, address, and phone number on the vehicle Only report it if the damage exceeds $500 Answer: Leave your name, address, and phone number on the vehicle
If you hit a parked vehicle and can't find the owner, you must leave your contact information on it.
Handbook p. 59 ↗ If a Vermont driver has a crash in another state, it must be reported in the state where the crash happened. True False Answer: True
The handbook notes that a Vermont driver's out-of-state crash must be reported in the state where it happened.
Handbook p. 60 ↗ A crash caused $2,500 in damage with no injuries. Is a written DMV report required within 72 hours? Yes, all crashes require a 72-hour report Yes, but only if police weren't called No, since it's under the $3,000 threshold and no one was injured No reports are ever required under $5,000 Answer: No, since it's under the $3,000 threshold and no one was injured
The 72-hour written report is required only for injuries or damage over $3,000.
Handbook p. 59 ↗ Who should you show your license to after a crash, besides the responding officer? Anyone hurt or with damaged property Only your own insurance company No one besides the police officer Only a witness who asks first Answer: Anyone hurt or with damaged property
You must show your license to anyone injured or whose property was damaged in the crash, not just police.
Handbook p. 59 ↗ Previous lesson Distracted driving & cell phones Next lesson Vehicle inspection & equipment More in Impaired & Distracted Driving About the source Roadwise’s Vermont course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 59, 60. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Vermont’s DMV. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.