Governor signs bill increasing fines for stuck trucks in Smuggler’s Notch to $20,000

Vermont lawmakers passed a bill that will increase the fine for stuck trucks in Smuggler’s Notch by ten times.

On June 16, 2026, Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed S.326 into law, with an effective date of July 1, 2026.

The new law attempts to stop truckers from venturing onto Vermont Route 108, better known as Smuggler’s Notch, in the town of Cambridge, Vermont, by dramatically increasing the civil penalty for violations.

Under the new law, the penalty for the employer of a truck driver caught using Smuggler’s Notch will increase from $1,000 to $10,000.

If the truck becomes stuck and causes significant disruptions to traffic, the fine increases from the current $2,000 amount to $20,000 under the new law.

A second and subsequent violation within a three-year period will result in the new penalty being doubled.

Vermont transportation officials are also required to install updated signage leading to Smugger’s Notch to warn truckers of the new higher penalties.

Trucks are not permitted on Smuggler’s Notch due to the roadway’s narrow lanes and tight turns, but several trucks become stuck there each year, often requiring assistance from a tow truck.

The problem of stuck trucks on the Notch has prompted transportation officials to install a chicane system to try to keep trucks away. Lawmakers also considered $2,000 fines for GPS providers for failing to warn truckers about the truck travel restrictions, though this bill did not pass.