Lists of “dumb laws” falsely claim Vermont bans profanity from vehicles, often tied to outdated or fabricated ordinances about “cursing near highways.” No such statute exists in the Vermont Statutes Annotated, and courts protect profane speech under the First Amendment.​
Free Speech Protections
A 2018 case affirmed Vermonters’ rights to curse at police during traffic stops, as gestures like the middle finger or words like “fuck you” constitute protected expression. General disorderly conduct laws (13 V.S.A. § 1031) require intent to provoke violence, not mere swearing while driving alone.​
Local Variations
Certain towns restrict noisemakers like horns after 9 PM, but none target verbal profanity from cars. Drivers face charges only if cursing escalates to threats against others, per criminal threatening statutes.
SOURCES
[1](https://prosecutors.vermont.gov/news/new-dui-law-aims-to-enhance-road-safety/)
[2](https://www.thefire.org/news/lawsuit-vermont-man-sues-after-being-arrested-flipping-police)
[3](https://www.facebook.com/groups/220365061802020/posts/726321047873083/)
[4](https://vtdigger.org/2022/02/17/senate-advances-criminal-threatening-bill-in-response-to-ugly-and-profane-threats-to-state-employees/)
[5](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wb0pQYvuV8k)
