Vermont ignition interlock & DUI requirements
Vermont does not mandate an ignition interlock for every first DUI: a court may order one, or it is required to obtain a restricted license during the suspension. A repeat offense carries 18 months under an ignition interlock RDL.
Ignition interlock device rules, approved vendors, SR-22 insurance filing, and license reinstatement in Vermont, cited to the statute and Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.
- IID on first offense
- Court's discretion
- Minimum IID period (first)
- 90 days
- SR-22 filing
- Required · 1 year
The short answers
Do I need an interlock?
- First offense
- At the court's discretion
- Minimum period
- 90 days
What the source says (2)
- First offense
“During a suspension under this section, an eligible person may operate a motor vehicle under the terms of an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate issued under section 1213 of this title.”
- Minimum period
“if the individual elects to operate under an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate, after the individual operates under the RDL or certificate for the applicable period set forth in subsection 1205(a) or section 1206 of this title”
What it costs here
- State reinstatement fee
- $96
- Restricted-license fee
- $125.00
- Reduced-cost rule
- Available — see exemptions below
- Interlock lease, national range
- $50–$150 per month
What the source says (3)
- State reinstatement fee
“there shall be paid to the Commissioner a fee of $96.00 in addition to any other fee required by statute.”
- Restricted-license fee
“(A) the individual submits a $125.00 application fee; (B) the individual submits satisfactory proof of installation of an approved ignition interlock device in any motor vehicle to be operated and of financial responsibility as provided in section 801 of this title;”
- Reduced-cost rule
“the manufacturer agrees to reduce the cost of installing, leasing, and deinstalling the device by at least 50 percent for persons who furnish proof of receipt of 3SquaresVT, LIHEAP, or Reach Up benefits or like benefits in another state.”
How to drive legally now
- Restricted license
- Available after a first offense · Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver's License
- Waiting period
- No waiting period
- Hearing-request deadline
- 7 days from the notice
- Driving after a DUI in Vermont: the restricted license
- How to get a license back in Vermont
- Date the hearing deadline with the timeline calculator
What the source says (3)
- Restricted license
“For all first alcohol offenses, it is voluntary if you want to drive before the suspension has served the full term.”
- Waiting period
“the applicable period set forth in this subsection has passed since the suspension or revocation was imposed if the offense involved refusal of an enforcement officer's reasonable request for an evidentiary test: (i) 30 days for a first offense; (ii) 90 days for a second offense;”
- Hearing-request deadline
“If you wish to request a hearing before the Criminal Division of the Superior Court, you must mail or deliver your request for a hearing within seven days after (date of notice).”
Approved interlock providers
Vendors listed here appear on the Vermont licensing agency's approved-device list. Listing order is alphabetical and is not a ranking or endorsement. Installation locations are on each vendor's own locator.
Where to get it installed — the official approved-installer list: Agency approved-vendor list
| Vendor | Website | Location finder |
|---|---|---|
| Alcohol Detection Systems | Alcohol Detection Systems website | Find a location |
| ALCOLOCK | ALCOLOCK website | Find a location |
| Guardian Interlock | Guardian Interlock website | Find a location |
| Intoxalock | Intoxalock website | Find a location |
| LifeSafer | LifeSafer website | Find a location |
| Low Cost Interlock | Low Cost Interlock website | Find a location |
| Monitech, LLC | Monitech, LLC website | Find a location |
| RoadGuard Interlocklisted by the agency as “RoadGuard by Draeger US Interlock” | RoadGuard Interlock website | Find a location |
| Simple Interlocklisted by the agency as “Simple Interlock, LLC” | Simple Interlock website | Find a location |
| Smart Start | Smart Start website | Find a location |
What Vermont law requires
Vermont's ignition interlock, SR-22, and reinstatement rules are set by the statute and agency rules cited below. The values in the tables on this page are taken from those sources and are not interpretations of how they apply to any particular case.
Primary source: 23 V.S.A. § 1213
Ignition interlock requirement
| Item | Vermont rule |
|---|---|
| IID on first offense | At the court's discretion |
| Minimum IID period, first offense | 90 days (the first-conviction suspension period under § 1206), if the person elects an ignition interlock RDL; DMV's FAQ describes it as 90 days violation-free |
| Minimum IID period, repeat offense | 18 months under an ignition interlock RDL (second suspension); 1 year for a person subject to the one-year hard suspension in § 1213(a)(1)(C); 3 years for third or subsequent offenses via the Total Abstinence Program |
For a first alcohol-related DUI suspension an ignition interlock is optional: 23 V.S.A. § 1206(c) provides that during the suspension an eligible person "may operate" under an ignition interlock restricted driver's license (RDL), and § 1209a(a)(1)(C) makes IID use a reinstatement condition only "if the individual elects" to drive under an RDL. DMV's Ignition Interlock Program FAQ (VL-086) states that for all first alcohol offenses the RDL is voluntary. An RDL becomes mandatory before reinstatement for second offenses (on or after July 1, 2016) and third or subsequent offenses (§ 1209a(a)(2)-(3)).
What the source says (5)
- IID on first offense
“During a suspension under this section, an eligible person may operate a motor vehicle under the terms of an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate issued under section 1213 of this title.”
- Minimum IID period, first offense
“if the individual elects to operate under an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate, after the individual operates under the RDL or certificate for the applicable period set forth in subsection 1205(a) or section 1206 of this title”
- Minimum IID period, repeat offense
“after the individual operates under an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate for 18 months or, in the case of someone subject to the one-year hard suspension prescribed in subdivision 1213(a)(1)(C) of this title, for one year”
- Ignition interlock statute
“(Cite as: 23 V.S.A. § 1213) § 1213. Ignition interlock restricted driver’s license or certificate; penalties”
- IID on first offense
“For all first alcohol offenses, it is voluntary if you want to drive before the suspension has served the full term. [...] Second offenses that took place on or after July 1, 2016, are mandatory to have an RDL.”
Removal: Compliance-based. DMV's FAQ states the terms for license restoration are to operate under an RDL violation-free for 90 days from the date of reinstatement (1st DUI offense), 18 months (2nd offense), or 3 years followed… Full rule and source
SR-22 requirement
An SR-22 is a certificate an insurer files with the state to confirm that a driver carries the liability coverage the state requires. Some states use an FR-44 or a different form for alcohol-related offenses; where Vermont does, the sources below say so.
| SR-22 filing required after a DUI | Yes |
|---|---|
| Filing period | 1 years |
SR-22. 23 V.S.A. § 801(a)(1)(B) requires proof of financial responsibility from a person convicted of any violation of § 1201 (DUI) or suspended under § 1205; DMV accepts only an SR-22 certificate filed by the insurance company. Duration is set by 23 V.S.A. § 809 (as amended effective January 1, 2021): one year, and where a suspension resulted from the conviction, one year after the reinstatement eligibility date; three years applies only to a second or subsequent § 1201 conviction (and to careless-and-negligent or reckless driving resulting in death). The DMV's insurance page states a general 'minimum of three years', which matches the statute only for repeat offenses. § 1213(a)(1)(B) also requires proof of financial responsibility to obtain an ignition interlock RDL.
What the source says (3)
- SR-22 filing required after a DUI
“(B) Any violation of section 1201 of this title or for any suspension pursuant to section 1205 of this title.”
- Filing period
“In the event that a suspension or revocation resulted from the conviction giving rise to the obligation, an operator shall not be relieved of the obligation to furnish proof of financial responsibility until one year after his or her reinstatement eligibility date.”
- SR-22 requirement
“will accept only certain documents (an SR-22 certificate from an insurance company, NOT from an insurance agent) that are completed in compliance with these requirements”
Program costs
Fees set by the state are cited to the fee schedule. Vendor charges vary by vendor and are shown as published ranges with the month they were checked.
| Item | Amount | As of |
|---|---|---|
| License reinstatement fee | $96 | 2026-08-29 |
| Ignition interlock RDL application fee(23 V.S.A. § 1213(a)(1)(A)) | $125 | 2026-08 |
| Ignition interlock RDL annual renewal fee(23 V.S.A. § 1213(a)(2)) | $125 | 2026-08 |
| Low-income IID discount:approved manufacturers must reduce installation, lease and de-installation cost by at least 50% for recipients of 3SquaresVT, LIHEAP or Reach Up(23 V.S.A. § 1213(l)(1)) | 50% reduction | 2026-08 |
| Alcohol and Driving Education Program fee cap / alcohol assessment screening fee cap(23 V.S.A. § 1209a(f)) | $250 / $200 (combined residential program cap $625) | 2026-08 |
| Court may conditionally reduce a low-income individual's DUI fine by one-half upon proof of IID installation(23 V.S.A. § 1213(d)) | fine reduced by one-half (conditional) | 2026-08 |
What the source says (7)
- License reinstatement fee
“there shall be paid to the Commissioner a fee of $96.00 in addition to any other fee required by statute.”
- License reinstatement fee
“there shall be paid to the Commissioner a fee of $96.00 in addition to any other fee required by statute.”
- Ignition interlock RDL application fee (23 V.S.A. § 1213(a)(1)(A))
“(A) the individual submits a $125.00 application fee;”
- Ignition interlock RDL annual renewal fee (23 V.S.A. § 1213(a)(2))
“The renewal fee shall be $125.00.”
- Low-income IID discount: approved manufacturers must reduce installation, lease and de-installation cost by at least 50% for recipients of 3SquaresVT, LIHEAP or Reach Up (23 V.S.A. § 1213(l)(1))
“unless the manufacturer agrees to reduce the cost of installing, leasing, and deinstalling the device by at least 50 percent for persons who furnish proof of receipt of 3SquaresVT, LIHEAP, or Reach Up benefits or like benefits in another state.”
- Alcohol and Driving Education Program fee cap / alcohol assessment screening fee cap (23 V.S.A. § 1209a(f))
“The fee for the Alcohol and Driving Education Program shall not exceed $250.00. The fee for the alcohol assessment screening shall not exceed $200.00. [...] the total charge shall not exceed $625.00.”
- Court may conditionally reduce a low-income individual's DUI fine by one-half upon proof of IID installation (23 V.S.A. § 1213(d))
“the court may order that the fine of an individual with low-income conditionally be reduced by one-half to defray the costs of the ignition interlock device”
Exemptions and special cases
Four questions readers ask once an interlock is ordered — motorcycles, employer vehicles, medical inability to give a breath sample, and reduced-cost programs — answered as Vermont's interlock program page or statute states them.
| Question | Vermont rule |
|---|---|
| Motorcycles | May not operate a motorcycle while interlock-restricted The DMV's Ignition Interlock Program FAQ (VL-086) states that IIDs cannot be installed on motorcycles because of the random-retest feature; IIDs may only be installed on cars and non-commercial trucks (not snowmobiles, motorboats or ATVs). The DMV's ignition interlock rules define 'motor vehicle' for the program as only pleasure cars and trucks not requiring a CDL. 23 V.S.A. § 1213 does not mention motorcycles. What the source says“Can I install an IID on my motorcycle? No. Because IIDs perform “random retests”, for safety purposes, IIDs cannot be installed on motorcycles.” |
| Employer-owned vehicle | No exemption No employer-vehicle exemption is stated. The DMV FAQ says an RDL holder may only operate vehicles equipped with an IID; a device may be installed on a company vehicle if the registered owner provides a letter giving written permission to install it. 23 V.S.A. § 1213 contains no employer exemption and excludes commercial motor vehicles from the RDL. What the source says“You may only operate vehicles equipped with an IID. A device may be installed on a company vehicle if the registered owner of the vehicle provides a letter giving written permission to install it in the vehicle.” |
| Unable to provide a breath sample | Available A breath-volume reduction rather than a waiver: the device is set to accept 1.5 liters of breath; a person may request that it be adjusted to as low as 1.2 liters per blow by submitting the Ignition Interlock Medical Waiver / Breath Volume Waiver form (VL-097) with a certification from a licensed pulmonologist that a lung condition makes a 1.5-liter sample impossible; if granted, DMV notifies the manufacturer to adjust the device. No provision for waiving the interlock requirement entirely was found in § 1213, the DMV program page or the FAQ. What the source says“A person may request that the ignition interlock device installed in his or her vehicle be adjusted to allow a minimum breath sample of 1.2 liters of breath volume per blow. The request shall be made on a form furnished by the Commissioner” |
| Reduced-cost / indigent program | Available Statutory low-income discount (no program name given). Under 23 V.S.A. § 1213(l)(1) the Commissioner may not approve a manufacturer as a provider unless it agrees to reduce the cost of installing, leasing and deinstalling the device by at least 50 percent for persons who furnish proof of receipt of 3SquaresVT, LIHEAP or Reach Up benefits (or like benefits in another state). The DMV FAQ says benefit letters may be submitted directly to the manufacturer or to the RDL unit for forwarding, and describes the reduction as 50% of installation, maintenance and removal. Separately, § 1213(d) allows the court to conditionally reduce a low-income individual's DUI fine by one-half upon proof of installation. The driver pays all remaining costs. What the source says“the manufacturer agrees to reduce the cost of installing, leasing, and deinstalling the device by at least 50 percent for persons who furnish proof of receipt of 3SquaresVT, LIHEAP, or Reach Up benefits or like benefits in another state.” |
| Commercial vehicles | An RDL does not permit operating a commercial motor vehicle; IIDs are installed only on cars and non-commercial trucks. What the source says“Can I drive a commercial vehicle with an RDL? No.” |
| Snowmobiles, motorboats, ATVs | IIDs may not be installed on these; only on cars and non-commercial trucks. What the source says“Can I install an IID on my snowmobile, motorboat, or ATV? No. IIDs may only be installed on vehicles (cars and non-commercial trucks).” |
| Nonresidents – Ignition Interlock Certificate | The DMV rules define an Ignition Interlock Certificate as a restricted privilege issued to a nonresident whose Vermont privilege is suspended or revoked for an alcohol offense. What the source says“"Ignition Interlock Certificate" means a restricted privilege to operate a motor vehicle issued by the Commissioner allowing a nonresident whose privilege to operate a motor vehicle in Vermont has been suspended or revoked” |
| Low-income fine reduction | On proof of installation, the court may conditionally reduce a low-income individual's fine for a § 1201 conviction by one-half to defray device costs, subject to continued compliance with the RDL. What the source says“the court may order that the fine of an individual with low-income conditionally be reduced by one-half to defray the costs of the ignition interlock device” |
Compare: motorcycles by state · employer, medical and reduced-cost exemptions by state
Frequently asked questions
- Is an ignition interlock device required after a first DUI conviction in Vermont?
- No. Under 23 V.S.A. § 1206, a first conviction carries a 90-day suspension, and an eligible person "may operate" during that suspension under an ignition interlock RDL issued under § 1213. Under § 1209a(a)(1)(C), IID use is a reinstatement condition only if the individual elects an RDL. DMV's Ignition Interlock Program FAQ states the RDL is voluntary for first alcohol offenses.
- How long must an ignition interlock RDL be held after a second DUI in Vermont?
- Under 23 V.S.A. § 1209a(a)(2)(C), after a second suspension a license is not reinstated until the individual has operated under an ignition interlock RDL or certificate for 18 months (one year for someone subject to the one-year hard suspension in § 1213(a)(1)(C)), plus any extension arising from a § 1213 violation.
- What does an ignition interlock RDL cost in Vermont?
- Under 23 V.S.A. § 1213(a)(1)(A), the RDL application fee is $125, and § 1213(a)(2) sets the annual renewal fee at $125. The RDL holder pays the device installation, lease, calibration, data-retrieval and removal costs (§ 1213(e)). Under § 1213(l)(1), approved manufacturers must cut installation, lease and de-installation costs by at least 50% for recipients of 3SquaresVT, LIHEAP or Reach Up benefits.
- Does Vermont require an SR-22 after a DUI?
- Yes. Under 23 V.S.A. § 801(a)(1)(B), proof of financial responsibility is required from a person convicted of a § 1201 violation or suspended under § 1205. Vermont DMV states it accepts only an SR-22 certificate issued by the insurance company and that the filing must be maintained on file for a minimum of three years.
- What is the license reinstatement fee after a DUI suspension in Vermont?
- Under 23 V.S.A. § 675(a), before a suspension or revocation issued by the Commissioner may be terminated or a license reinstated, a fee of $96.00 must be paid to the Commissioner in addition to any other fee required by statute.
Sources
- 23 V.S.A. § 1213 – Ignition interlock restricted driver's license or certificate; penalties (Vermont Statutes Online)
- 23 V.S.A. § 1206 – Suspension of license for DUI; first conviction
- 23 V.S.A. § 1209a – Conditions of reinstatement
- 23 V.S.A. § 675 – Fee prior to termination or reinstatement of suspension
- 23 V.S.A. § 801 – Proof of financial responsibility required
- Vermont DMV – IID Manufacturers (approved providers and installers)
- Vermont DMV – Ignition Interlock Device (program page and rules)
- Vermont DMV – Restricted Driver's Licenses (RDL)
- Vermont DMV – Ignition Interlock Program FAQ (VL-086, 02/2024)
- Vermont DMV – Insurance (Financial Responsibility / SR-22 filing)
- Vermont DMV – Why is Financial Responsibility Insurance required for an alcohol offense?
Record history
- — sr22Years: 3 → 1
- — Record verified against primary sources.