Reinstating a Suspended Vermont License
A suspended Vermont license is one of the most disruptive things that can happen to a driver in a small, rural state where transit options are thin. Vermont suspensions run on multiple parallel tracks — civil suspensions tied to DUI, criminal suspensions ordered by a judge, point-based suspensions issued by the DMV, and administrative suspensions for unpaid tickets, child support, or insurance lapses.
Common reasons Vermont licenses are suspended
- DUI civil suspension — 90 days for a first 0.08% offense, 1 year for chemical-test refusal, 18 months for a second offense within 10 years.
- Point accumulation — 20+ points within 24 months under the Vermont point system.
- Driving without insurance — mandatory suspension and SR-22 filing requirement.
- Failure to appear or pay traffic tickets — suspension stays until the ticket is resolved with the Judicial Bureau.
- Reckless driving or excessive speeding — conviction-based suspensions ordered by the criminal court.
- Child-support arrearage — license held until the obligation is brought current.
- Medical or vision-related — the Medical Review Board can suspend pending updated documentation.
The civil suspension after a DUI
A Vermont DUI arrest triggers a parallel civil suspension from the DMV that runs alongside any criminal proceeding. The civil suspension takes effect 11 days after notice unless the driver requests a Civil Suspension Hearing in writing within 7 days of the notice. The hearing is narrow: did the officer have lawful cause, was the BAC at or above 0.08%, and did the driver lawfully take the test. Winning the civil hearing prevents the administrative suspension; losing it (or skipping it) starts the 90-day clock for first-offense BAC suspensions or the 1-year clock for refusal cases.
SR-22 filing
For most reinstatement scenarios — DUI conviction, driving without insurance, multiple major violations — Vermont requires the driver to file an SR-22 certificate through their auto insurance carrier proving the state minimum coverage of 25/50/10 + UM 50/100. The SR-22 is filed electronically with the Vermont DMV by the insurer; the driver must keep the SR-22 active for 3 years from the reinstatement date. Letting the policy lapse during the 3-year window restarts the suspension. See Vermont car insurance.
Ignition Interlock Device (IID)
Vermont's IID program allows drivers convicted of a second DUI offense (and many first offenders who choose the early-restoration route) to drive on a restricted license with an IID installed in any vehicle they operate. The IID measures the driver's BAC before allowing the engine to start; rolling tests during the trip prevent the driver from drinking after starting. Drivers pay for installation (around $100) and monthly monitoring ($70-$100). The IID stays installed for the duration set by the court and the DMV.
Reinstatement steps
- Complete the suspension period set by the DMV or the court.
- Resolve any underlying conviction — pay fines, complete Vermont CRASH (Court Diversion's substance-abuse program) for DUI cases, or finish driver-improvement courses for point-based suspensions.
- File an SR-22 through your insurer if required.
- If an IID is required, install the device and submit the certificate of installation.
- Pay the Vermont DMV reinstatement fee ($71 for most cases, higher for DUI).
- Visit a Vermont DMV branch to receive your reinstated license.
- Carry the new license and proof of insurance whenever you drive.
Hardship and restricted licenses
Vermont allows DUI offenders to apply for a restricted license after a portion of the civil suspension — typically 30 days for a first BAC failure — if the driver completes the CRASH program and installs an IID. The restricted license permits driving for work, school, treatment, and medical appointments. Restricted licenses are not available during the hard-suspension period at the start of a refusal case or when there are aggravating factors like a passenger under 16.
Driving while suspended
Driving while your Vermont license is suspended is a separate criminal offense (Driving with License Suspended — Criminal, or DLS Criminal) and adds time to the original suspension. A first DLS is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 2 years in jail; a second offense within 5 years is a felony. The DMV adds a separate 6-month suspension on top of the criminal penalty.
Pulling your record before reinstatement
Before paying the reinstatement fee, order a current Vermont driving record using TA-VL-021 to confirm exactly what conditions remain. The record shows every suspension, conviction, SR-22 status, and reinstatement requirement — and it's the document the DMV uses internally when you arrive at the counter.