Driving with a suspended license in Vermont is illegal and carries criminal penalties

If your license is suspended in Vermont, you cannot legally drive any vehicle on public roads. Driving anyway is a criminal offense, not just a traffic violation. The penalties depend on how many times you have been caught driving with a suspended license, and they increase with each offense.

Vermont distinguishes between a suspended license (temporary removal, usually for a specific reason like unpaid fines or a DUI conviction) and a revoked license (permanent removal until you meet certain conditions). Both are illegal to drive on. The state also recognizes administrative suspension, which happens automatically when you fail a breathalyzer or refuse a breath test, and takes effect before any court case.

Key Takeaways

  • Driving with a suspended license in Vermont is a criminal offense with jail time and fines that increase after a first offense.
  • Your license can be suspended for unpaid traffic fines, DUI convictions, accumulating points, or failing a breath test.
  • You can request a hardship license from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles if suspension is causing genuine difficulty, though approval is not may provide.
  • If you are stopped, police will likely arrest you, impound your vehicle, and you will face court charges separate from the original reason for suspension.

Why Vermont suspends licenses and how long suspension lasts

The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles suspends licenses for several reasons. The most common are unpaid traffic fines or court-ordered restitution, accumulating too many points from traffic violations (12 points in three years triggers a suspension), and DUI or DWI convictions. Administrative suspension happens when ready after you fail or refuse a breath test during a traffic stop, even before you are convicted of anything.

Suspension length varies. For unpaid fines, your license stays suspended until you pay or arrange a payment plan. For point accumulation, suspension typically lasts 30 days for a first offense. For a first DUI, administrative suspension lasts seven days if you took the breath test and failed, or one year if you refused. Court-ordered suspension for a DUI conviction can last months or years depending on the circumstances.

You can check your license status anytime by calling the Vermont DMV at 802-828-2000 or visiting their website. Knowing your suspension status before you drive prevents accidental violations.

Criminal penalties for driving with a suspended license

A first offense of driving with a suspended license in Vermont is a misdemeanor. You face up to six months in jail, a fine of $100 to $500, or both. Your vehicle can be impounded, and you will owe towing and storage fees.

A second offense within five years increases the penalty to up to one year in jail and a fine of $250 to $1,000. A third or subsequent offense within five years can result in up to two years in jail and a fine of $500 to $2,000. These are separate charges from whatever caused the original suspension, so you are facing two separate court cases.

If you cause an accident or injure someone while driving with a suspended license, the charges become more serious and can include reckless endangerment or negligent operation.

How to request a hardship license

Vermont allows you to request a hardship license (also called a work license) if suspension is creating genuine hardship. A hardship license lets you drive only for specific purposes: getting to work, attending medical appointments, going to court, or attending substance abuse treatment if your suspension is DUI-related.

To request one, contact the Vermont DMV directly at 802-828-2000. You will need to explain why the suspension is causing hardship and provide documentation: a letter from your employer stating your job requires driving, proof of medical appointments, or court documents. The DMV reviews your request and decides whether to grant it. Approval is not automatic and depends on the reason for your suspension and your driving history.

If your suspension is due to unpaid fines, paying or setting up a payment plan with the court is often faster than waiting for hardship approval. Contact the court that issued the fine to ask about payment options.

What to do if you are stopped while driving with a suspended license

If a police officer stops you and discovers your license is suspended, you will likely be arrested. The officer will issue you a citation for driving with a suspended license and may impound your vehicle. You will be taken to the police station for booking and processing.

Do not argue or resist. Provide your name and address, but do not answer questions about why you were driving or where you were going without a lawyer present. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, you can request a public defender at your first court appearance.

Your vehicle will be towed and stored. You will owe towing fees (typically $150 to $300) and daily storage fees (usually $25 to $50 per day) before you can retrieve it. These fees are separate from any fines or jail time you face for the driving charge itself.

Getting your license reinstated after suspension ends

Once your suspension period ends, you do not automatically get your license back. You must take action to have it reinstated. Contact the Vermont DMV and ask what steps are required. For most suspensions, you will need to pay a reinstatement fee (typically $50 to $100) and provide proof that the reason for suspension has been resolved.

For DUI suspensions, you may need to complete a substance abuse assessment or treatment program before reinstatement. For point-based suspensions, you straightforward wait out the suspension period and pay the fee. For unpaid fines, you must show proof of payment or a court-approved payment plan.

After reinstatement, your driving record still shows the suspension. This affects your insurance rates and may impact future employment, housing, or loan applications. Some employers and insurers view suspensions as a sign of financial irresponsibility or unsafe driving.

Alternatives to driving while suspended

If you need to get around while your license is suspended, Vermont has other options. Public transportation is available in larger towns and cities through local transit systems. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft operate in Vermont. Carpooling with a licensed driver, biking, or walking are also legal alternatives.

If you live in a rural area where public transit is limited, ask friends or family for rides, or look into volunteer driver programs run by some community organizations. Some employers offer shuttle services or carpool programs. These options are inconvenient, but they keep you out of the criminal justice system and protect your record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to the DMV to get my license reinstated?

No. Driving with a suspended license is illegal regardless of where you are going. Arrange a ride with someone who has a valid license, or use public transportation or a ride-sharing service to get to the DMV.

What if I did not know my license was suspended?

Lack of knowledge is not a legal defense in Vermont. The DMV mails suspension notices to your address on file. If you did not receive notice, it is still your responsibility to check your license status before driving. Ignorance does not prevent criminal charges.

Will a hardship license let me drive anywhere I want?

No. A hardship license restricts you to specific purposes: work, medical appointments, court, or treatment. Driving for any other reason violates the hardship license and can result in additional charges.

How much does it cost to get my license back after suspension?

Reinstatement fees vary but typically range from $50 to $100. You may also owe the original fines that caused suspension, towing and storage fees if your vehicle was impounded, and court costs if you were convicted of driving with a suspended license.

Does a suspended license suspension show up on a background check?

A suspension itself may not appear on a criminal background check, but a conviction for driving with a suspended license does. This conviction shows up on employment background checks, housing applications, and insurance inquiries for seven years or longer depending on the context.