Suspended license in Vermont: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In Vermont, the first points threshold is 10 points within 2 years: 10-day suspension. No course removes points. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $96.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
Vermont's motor vehicle point system assigns demerit points to the driving record for convictions of moving violations. The Department of Motor Vehicles states that a driver will be suspended on accumulating 10 points or more within 2 years; under 23 V.S.A. § 2506 the suspension is 10 days for 10 points, 30 days for 15 points, 90 days for 20 points, and 30 days more for each additional 5 points.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 points | 2 years | 10-day suspension | legislature.vermont.gov |
| 15 points | 2 years | 30-day suspension | legislature.vermont.gov |
| 20 points | 2 years | 90-day suspension; 30 days more for each additional 5 points | legislature.vermont.gov |
Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Points remain assessed against the driving record for two years from the date of conviction, and the suspension threshold is 10 points within a two-year period. Two additional points are assessed for any violation that resulted in a crash found to be the violator's fault.
“The suspension shall be for 10 days for an accumulation of 10 points, 30 days for 15 points, 90 days for 20 points, and for a period increasing by 30 days for each additional 5 points”
“Points shall remain assessed against the driving record of any person for a period of two years from the date of conviction.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| State speed zones and local speed limits, less than 10 miles per hour over and in excess of speed limit | 2 |
| State speed zones and local speed limits, more than 10 miles per hour over and in excess of speed limit | 3 |
| State speed zones and local speed limits, more than 20 miles per hour over and in excess of speed limit | 5 |
| State speed zones and local speed limits, more than 30 miles per hour over and in excess of the speed limit | 8 |
| Following too closely | 3 |
| Illegal passing of school bus | 5 |
| Negligent operation | 10 |
Check points or the driving record: dmv.vermont.gov
The statute: 23 V.S.A. § 2501
“a uniform system is established assigning demerit points for convictions of violations of this title or of ordinances adopted by local authorities regulating the operation of motor vehicles.”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | None; point waiver by a judge or Judicial Bureau hearing officer (23 V.S.A. § 2501(b)) |
|---|---|
| Effect | No point-reduction course |
| How often | a waiver is possible only if no points were assessed within five years and no more than three points within 10 years of the violation |
Neither the Department of Motor Vehicles' suspension page nor 23 V.S.A. chapter 25 describes a course that removes points or dismisses a ticket. Under 23 V.S.A. § 2501(b), a Superior judge or Judicial Bureau hearing officer may waive the assessment of points for a moving violation in the interests of justice if the person had no points assessed within five years, no more than three points within 10 years, the offense carries no more than three points, the person was not driving a commercial vehicle, and the violation caused no injury or property damage.
“A Superior judge or Judicial Bureau hearing officer may waive the assessment of points against a person's driving record for a moving violation if the waiver of points is in the interests of justice”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point accumulation | Suspension on accumulating 10 points or more within 2 years; the length runs from 10 days at 10 points to 90 days at 20 points, plus 30 days for each additional 5 points under 23 V.S.A. § 2506, after not less than 10 days' notice and a hearing if requested. | Serve the suspension, pay the $96.00 reinstatement fee, and receive written notification of reinstatement from the Department. | $96 |
| Failure to pay a fine on a ticket or citation | A suspension for failure to pay a fine on a Vermont Civil Violation Complaint (traffic ticket) or citation remains in effect until all reinstatement requirements are met; there is no statute of limitations on driver suspensions. The Civil DLS Diversion Program can set up a payment plan approved by the Judicial Bureau. | Pay the fine to the court (the DMV does not accept fines) and pay the reinstatement fee to the DMV; the fee can be paid at any time. | $96 |
| No Financial Responsibility Insurance on file | A suspension issued because Financial Responsibility Insurance (SR-22) required after an offense is not on file with the DMV. | Submit an SR-22 (proof of insurance). No reinstatement fee is required if the only suspension on the record is for insurance purposes. | — |
| Habitual offender | Under 23 V.S.A. § 2501(a), the Department of Motor Vehicles is authorized to suspend the license of a driver whose driving record identifies the driver as a habitual offender under 23 V.S.A. § 673a. | Satisfy all reinstatement requirements and pay the reinstatement fee; the DMV issues written notification of reinstatement. | $96 |
| Suspension for physical disability or failure to pass reexamination | The DMV lists medical clearance and retaking the knowledge and skills tests among common reinstatement requirements. Under 23 V.S.A. § 675 the reinstatement fee does not apply to suspensions issued for physical disabilities or failing to pass reexamination. | Obtain medical clearance, or retake and pass the driving skills and knowledge tests; no reinstatement fee for these suspensions. | — |
| Recall of a learner's permit or junior operator's license | Under 23 V.S.A. § 607a a learner's permit or junior operator's license is recallable; a recall may extend past the operator's 18th birthday and runs concurrently with any suspension under chapter 13. The Commissioner recalls the permit or license on written request of the custodial parent or guardian. | The person whose license is recalled has the same right to a hearing before the Commissioner as under 23 V.S.A. § 671(a); while the recall is in effect the operator is ineligible for an operator's license. | — |
Source quotes for each cause
Point accumulation
“You will receive points on your driving record when you commit traffic violations. You will be suspended if you accumulate 10 points or more within 2 years.”
Failure to pay a fine on a ticket or citation
“In addition to paying your fine to the court you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. If you have paid your fine but have not paid your reinstatement fee you cannot be reinstated.”
No Financial Responsibility Insurance on file
“No, the reinstatement fee is not required if the only suspension on your record is for insurance purposes.”
Habitual offender
“The Department of Motor Vehicles also is authorized to suspend the license of a driver when the driver's driving record identifies the driver as a habitual offender under section 673a of this title.”
Suspension for physical disability or failure to pass reexamination
“This section shall not apply to suspensions issued under the provisions of chapter 11 of this title nor suspensions issued for physical disabilities or failing to pass reexamination.”
Recall of a learner's permit or junior operator's license
“A learner's permit or junior operator's license shall contain an admonition that it is recallable and that the later procurement of an operator's license is conditional on the establishment of a record which is satisfactory to the commissioner”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $96. Before a suspension or revocation issued by the Commissioner is terminated or a license reinstated, a $96.00 fee is paid in addition to any other statutory fee. It does not apply to financial-responsibility (chapter 11) suspensions, suspensions for physical disabilities, or failure to pass reexamination; the DMV states no fee is due when the only suspension is for insurance purposes.
“there shall be paid to the Commissioner a fee of $96.00 in addition to any other fee required by statute.”
Satisfy the requirements for the offense
Requirements vary by offense and may include submitting an SR-22, retaking and passing the driving skills and knowledge tests, satisfying court requirements, obtaining medical clearance, and completing court-ordered alcohol courses.
“Reinstatement requirements vary depending on the offense. Common requirements may include: Submit an SR-22 (proof of insurance) Retake and pass the driving skills and knowledge tests Satisfy any court requirements Pay reinstatement fee(s)”
Pay any outstanding fines to the court
Fines on a Vermont Civil Violation Complaint are paid to the Judicial Bureau through VT Courts Online; the DMV does not accept payments for fines.
“If you have outstanding fines from a Vermont Civil Violation Complaint (traffic ticket), you may pay those fees using VT Courts Online's Court Pay System.”
Pay the reinstatement fee
The reinstatement fee can be paid online through myDMV, by mail to Vermont DMV, 120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603-0001 (attention Driver Control) with the driver's full name, date of birth and mailing address, or in person at the Montpelier office. It can be paid at any time, without waiting for the ticket to be paid.
“The reinstatement fee for your privilege to operate can be paid at any time; you do not need to wait until your traffic ticket is paid.”
Wait for written notification of reinstatement
Driving privileges are not reinstated until all requirements are satisfied and the DMV has issued written notification of reinstatement.
“Driving privileges will not be reinstated until you have satisfied all reinstatement requirements and received written notification of reinstatement from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles.”
Official page: dmv.vermont.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Vermont.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Not available · None (no hardship or work license). The Department of Motor Vehicles states that Vermont law does not provide for a hardship or work license during a suspension.
“Important: Vermont law does not provide for a "hardship" or "work license."”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Vermont.
Questions about a suspended license in Vermont
- How many points suspend a Vermont license?
- The Vermont DMV's License Suspensions page states that a driver is suspended on accumulating 10 points or more within 2 years. Under 23 V.S.A. § 2506 the suspension is 10 days for 10 points, 30 days for 15 points, 90 days for 20 points, and 30 days more for each additional 5 points, after at least 10 days' notice and a hearing if requested.
- How long do points stay on a Vermont driving record?
- Under 23 V.S.A. § 2503, points remain assessed against the driving record for two years from the date of conviction. Under § 2502(b), two additional points are assessed for a violation that resulted in a crash found to be the violator's fault.
- Can a course remove points in Vermont?
- The DMV suspension page and 23 V.S.A. chapter 25 describe no point-reduction or ticket-dismissal course. Under 23 V.S.A. § 2501(b), a Superior judge or Judicial Bureau hearing officer may waive points for a minor moving violation in the interests of justice when the driver had no points in the prior five years and no more than three in ten.
- What is the Vermont reinstatement fee?
- 23 V.S.A. § 675 sets a $96.00 fee before a suspension issued by the Commissioner is terminated or a license reinstated, in addition to any other statutory fee. The DMV states the fee is not required when the only suspension on the record is for insurance purposes, and the statute exempts suspensions for physical disabilities or failing reexamination.
- Does Vermont offer a hardship license during a points suspension?
- No. The Vermont DMV's License Suspensions page and its Definitions page both state that Vermont law does not provide for a hardship license or a work license.
Sources
- Vermont DMV - License Suspensions & Related Programs
- Vermont DMV - Driving Records Requests
- Vermont DMV - Definitions (suspensions, revocations, recalls)
- Vermont DMV FAQ - reinstatement fee not required for insurance-only suspension
- Vermont DMV FAQ - paid ticket but still suspended
- Vermont DMV FAQ - where to send a reinstatement fee
- 23 V.S.A. chapter 25 - Point System (§§ 2501-2507) - Vermont Statutes Online
- 23 V.S.A. § 675 - Fee prior to termination or reinstatement of suspension
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Vermont license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/vermont/suspended-license/