What is ‘legally drunk’ Vermont
In Vermont, drivers less than 21 years are considered to be legally drunk if their blood alcohol level is more than .02, for non-commercial drivers above 21 years, they are legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is more than .08. Commercial vehicle drivers are considered legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is more than .04. Despite the fact that, school bus drivers are commercial drivers in Vermont, they are considered to be legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is more than .02.
Vermont Drunk Driving Penalties
For first time DUI offenders in Vermont, they face the following penalties:
- A prison sentence of up to 2 years
- The offender will be subjected to pay a fine not exceeding $750
- The suspension period for the offender’s driver’s license is 3 months
For second time DUI offenders, they face:
- A prison sentence of up to 2 years
- The offender will be subjected to pay a fine not exceeding $1,500
- The suspension period for the offender’s driver’s license is 18 months
For third time and subsequent offenders, they face:
- A prison sentence of up to 5 years
- The offender will be subjected to pay a fine not exceeding $2,500
- The offender’s driver’s license will be revoked indefinitely
Commercial drivers convicted of a DUI offense will face disqualification from operating a commercial vehicle for a period of one year. However, if at the time of the offence the driver was transporting hazardous material, the disqualification period is three years. A commercial driver risks disqualification from driving a commercial vehicle for life if he/she is convicted of a DUI offense twice.
For drivers below 21 years, first time offenders face the following penalties:
- The offender’s driver’s license will be suspended for 6 months
- The offender will also be required to complete an alcohol abuse program
For second time offenders, they face:
- The offender’s driver’s license will be suspended for 1 year or until the offender reaches 21 years
- The offender will also be required to complete an alcohol abuse program
The Point System in Vermont
The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is responsible for awarding points; you get points on your driving record anytime you are involved in a traffic violation. “Suspension of license” means the withdrawal by formal action of the commissioner in a court of law, for a specific period of time and until reinstatement by the commissioner, of a person’s license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways. The term also includes the refusal of the right of an unlicensed person to apply for a license.