Driving with a suspended license in Vermont is a criminal offense that carries fines, jail time, and a longer suspension

If your license is suspended in Vermont, driving any vehicle on public roads is illegal, even if you have a valid license from another state or a commercial permit. Law enforcement can stop you for any traffic violation, and a license check will reveal the suspension when ready. The consequences are when ready and escalate quickly — a first offense typically results in a fine between $100 and $500, up to 60 days in jail, and an additional suspension period added to your original one.

The severity depends on why your license was suspended in the first place. Vermont suspends licenses for unpaid traffic fines, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points from violations, or failure to pay child support. Driving during suspension for any of these reasons is treated as a separate crime from the original violation, meaning you face charges on top of whatever led to the suspension.

Key Takeaways

  • Driving with a suspended license in Vermont is a criminal offense that can result in fines up to $500, jail time up to 60 days, and an extended suspension period.
  • Vermont law enforcement can stop you for any traffic violation and will discover a suspended license through a routine check.
  • The consequences increase significantly for repeat offenses — a second violation within five years can mean up to $1,000 in fines and up to 120 days in jail.
  • You can request a hardship license from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles if you need to drive for work, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs.
  • The fastest way to resolve a suspension is to address the underlying reason — paying outstanding fines, completing a DUI program, or resolving child support arrears.

Understanding why your license was suspended

Before you can legally drive again, you need to know exactly why your license was suspended. Vermont suspends licenses for several distinct reasons, and the path to reinstatement differs for each one. You can check your suspension status and the reason for it by contacting the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles directly at 802-828-2000 or by visiting their website and using the license status lookup tool.

The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, accumulation of points from moving violations, failure to maintain auto insurance, DUI or DWI convictions, or failure to pay child support ordered by the court. Some suspensions are mandatory — meaning the state automatically suspends your license when a specific event occurs, like a DUI conviction. Others are discretionary, meaning a judge or the DMV suspended it in response to your actions or failure to act.

Knowing the reason matters because it determines what you must do to get your license back. If it is unpaid fines, you pay them. If it is points, you may need to wait out a suspension period or take a driver improvement course. If it is a DUI, you must complete a substance abuse program. The DMV will tell you the specific steps required for your situation.

The criminal penalties for driving suspended in Vermont

Vermont treats driving with a suspended license as a criminal misdemeanor, not just a traffic violation. A first offense carries a fine of $100 to $500 and up to 60 days in jail. The court may impose one, both, or a combination depending on the circumstances and the judge's discretion. Additionally, your suspension period is automatically extended — typically by six months to one year from the date of conviction.

A second offense within five years is more serious. The fine increases to $500 to $1,000, and jail time can extend to 120 days. A third or subsequent offense within five years can result in fines up to $1,500 and up to six months in jail. Each conviction also adds points to your driving record, which can trigger an even longer suspension once you are eventually reinstated.

The court may also order you to pay restitution if your suspended driving caused an accident or property damage. If you were involved in a collision while driving suspended, you may face additional charges beyond the suspension violation itself. Insurance companies will also deny claims for accidents that occur while you are driving illegally.

How to request a hardship license

Vermont allows drivers with suspended licenses to request a hardship license (also called a restricted license) if you can demonstrate a genuine need to drive for specific purposes. A hardship license does not restore your full driving privileges — it permits you to drive only for the purposes listed on the license, such as driving to and from work, attending medical appointments, or participating in court-ordered programs like substance abuse treatment.

To request a hardship license, contact the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles at 802-828-2000 or visit their office in person. You will need to explain why you need to drive and provide documentation supporting your claim. For work, bring a letter from your employer stating that you need to drive as part of your job and that public transportation is not a viable option. For medical appointments, bring documentation from your healthcare provider. For court-ordered programs, bring proof of enrollment and the court order itself.

The DMV will review your request and decide whether to grant it. There is no may provide — hardship licenses are discretionary, and the DMV denies requests if they believe the stated need is not genuine or if you have a history of driving suspended. If approved, the hardship license will specify exactly which routes and times you are permitted to drive. Driving outside those parameters is another violation.

Resolving the underlying suspension reason

The only permanent solution is to address whatever caused the suspension in the first place. If your license was suspended for unpaid fines, contact the court that issued them and pay what you owe. The court will notify the DMV, and your suspension will be lifted once payment is processed — this typically takes one to two weeks. If you cannot pay the full amount, ask about payment plans; most Vermont courts will work with you rather than keep your license suspended indefinitely.

If your suspension is due to accumulated points, you must wait out the suspension period, which varies based on how many points you accumulated. During this time, you cannot drive at all unless you obtain a hardship license. Some drivers take a defensive driving course to reduce points, but this does not shorten the suspension — it only prevents future points from accumulating as quickly.

If your suspension is related to a DUI or DWI, you must complete a substance abuse assessment and any recommended treatment program. Vermont requires this before reinstatement, and the DMV will not lift your suspension until you provide proof of completion. This process can take several months depending on the program's length and your schedule.

If your suspension is due to failure to maintain insurance, you must obtain a Vermont auto insurance policy and provide proof to the DMV. Once they receive your proof of insurance, the suspension is typically lifted within days. If your suspension is related to unpaid child support, contact the Vermont Department for Children and Families to arrange payment or a payment plan.

What to do if you are stopped while driving suspended

If law enforcement stops you and discovers your license is suspended, remain calm and polite. Do not admit to knowing your license was suspended — straightforward provide your license and registration when asked. The officer will run your information through the system, and the suspension will appear. At that point, you will be cited for driving with a suspended license.

The officer may impound your vehicle, depending on Vermont law and the specific circumstances. If your vehicle is impounded, you will need to pay towing and storage fees to retrieve it, in addition to the citation fine. Do not attempt to drive away or resist — this will result in additional charges.

After you are cited, you will receive a court date in the mail. Attend that court date. If you cannot attend, contact the court in advance and request a continuance or ask about appearing by phone. Failing to appear will result in an additional charge and a warrant for your arrest. When you appear in court, bring documentation showing that you have resolved the underlying suspension reason — proof of paid fines, proof of insurance, proof of program completion, or whatever applies to your situation. This documentation may convince the judge to reduce your fine or sentence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to the DMV to reinstate my license?

No. Driving to the DMV while your license is suspended is still a violation, even if your purpose is to resolve the suspension. Have someone else drive you, use public transportation, or call the DMV to handle your reinstatement by phone or mail if possible. Some reinstatement processes can be completed without visiting in person.

Will a suspended license suspension show up on a background check for employment?

A criminal conviction for driving suspended will show up on a background check. The suspension itself is administrative, but the criminal charge is a matter of public record. Some employers will not hire someone with a recent misdemeanor conviction, so resolving the underlying suspension quickly is important if you are job hunting.

What if I was driving someone else's car when I was stopped?

It does not matter whose car you were driving — the law prohibits you from driving any vehicle on public roads while your license is suspended. The owner of the vehicle may also face penalties for allowing a suspended driver to operate their car. You are still charged with driving suspended, and the vehicle may be impounded.

Can I get my license reinstated online?

Some reinstatement processes can be started online through the Vermont DMV website, but you will likely need to visit an office in person or mail in documentation depending on the reason for your suspension. Call the DMV at 802-828-2000 to ask which steps can be completed remotely for your specific situation.

How long does reinstatement take after I resolve the suspension reason?

If you pay outstanding fines or provide proof of insurance, reinstatement typically takes one to two weeks once the DMV receives your documentation. If you must complete a program like substance abuse treatment, reinstatement happens once you provide proof of completion, which can take several months depending on the program length.