Is a Vermont Resident Permit Valid in Florida?

Why

• Vermont does not issue carry permits at all (vermont issues no carry permits to anyone, resident or non-resident — there is no permit system at all. vermont residents who need a permit recognized elsewhere must obtain a non-resident permit from another state that issues them) — there is no Vermont permit to recognize.

s. 790.015 (as amended by ch. 2023-18) recognizes a valid concealed carry license from ANY state provided it was 'issued to the nonresident in his or her state of residence' and the holder is 21+ (18+ if servicemember or honorably discharged veteran) - no reciprocal agreement required, but non-resident permits (license state != residence state) do not qualify; such holders may still carry permitless if eligible. A holder who establishes Florida residency keeps recognition for 90 days only. FDACS still publishes a legacy mutual-agreement list, but the statute controls.

Carry rules in Florida

Whatever your permit status, Florida law governs how you carry inside the state. The rules below matter most on a short trip.

• No proactive duty. Licensees must carry the license plus valid ID and display both upon demand by a law enforcement officer (s. 790.06(1)); permitless carriers must carry and display valid ID on demand (s. 790.013) - violation is a $25 civil penalty.
• Florida sets no state magazine-capacity limit for handguns.
• Florida allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.
• A person eligible under s. 790.01 (or licensed) may carry a loaded concealed handgun on their person in a vehicle; independently, anyone 18+ in lawful possession may keep a handgun in a private conveyance if it is securely encased or not readily accessible for immediate use (s. 790.25(4)).

Off-limits places in Florida

Florida bans carry in 6 kinds of places. The first on the list:

• Police, sheriff or highway patrol stations
• Detention facilities, prisons and jails

See all 6 places you can't carry in Florida →

Vermont vs Florida: what changes at the state line

Crossing from Vermont into Florida changes 3 rules: permitless carry (Yes → Yes (21+)); magazine limit (15 rounds → None); out-of-state permits honored (All states → All (resident permits only)).

Going the other way, a Florida resident permit in Vermont: recognized — and permitless carry applies.

Driving on from Florida

How a Vermont resident permit fares in the states bordering Florida:

• Alabama — No such permit issued
• Georgia — No such permit issued

Check a whole route with the Trip Checker →

Frequently asked questions

Does Florida honor a Vermont non-resident permit?

Vermont does not issue non-resident carry permits (vermont issues no carry permits to anyone, resident or non-resident — there is no permit system at all. Vermont residents who need a permit recognized elsewhere must obtain a non-resident permit from another state that issues them), so the question does not arise.

Can a Florida resident permit holder carry in Vermont?

Recognized — and permitless carry applies. Reciprocity is decided by the destination state, so the answer in this direction depends on Vermont's law, not Florida's.

Does Vermont issue carry permits at all?

No — to anyone. Vermont has no carry-permit system; carry there is permitless. Vermont residents who want reciprocity coverage elsewhere obtain a non-resident permit from a state that issues one.