Drunk and drugged driving laws in Vermont

By the end of this topic you can

• You can state Vermont's alcohol limits for adults and for drivers under 21.
• You can explain implied consent and what happens if you refuse a test.
• You can describe how impairment affects driving skills.
• You can plan a safe way home that does not involve driving impaired.

What you need to know and understand

• A blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or more counts as under the influence in Vermont.
• You can be impaired below .08. Even one drink affects judgment.
• Drivers under 21 with .02 or more commit a civil violation: a first offense brings a 90-day license suspension and referral to a youth substance awareness program run through Court Diversion, at their own cost.
• Implied consent: by getting a license you agree to be tested. Refusing means losing your license for at least six months.
• Vermont has an administrative suspension process, so you can lose your license before a criminal conviction.
• Only time removes alcohol. Allow at least an hour per drink; coffee or a cold shower does not help.
• Prescription, over-the-counter and other drugs can impair you just as alcohol does.

What alcohol and drugs do to a driver

Drugs, including legal ones, can make you drowsy and slow your thinking. Read medicine labels and ask a pharmacist if you are unsure. Being legally allowed to have a substance does not make it legal to drive impaired by it.

• Judgment: you feel fine and take risks you would normally avoid.
• Vision: your overall vision can be greatly reduced.
• Concentration and understanding: your mind wanders and you miss what is happening.
• Sense of speed: you may not realize how fast you are going.
• Reaction time: moving from gas to brake takes longer.

Penalties and getting your license back

A DUI conviction brings a license suspension, a fine, the cost of an alcohol education program, possible jail and higher insurance costs. To reinstate, the DMV requires you to serve the full suspension, pay a reinstatement fee and file proof of insurance (an SR-22).

Vermont uses a restricted license with an ignition interlock device. According to the DMV, it is optional after a first offense, required for 18 months after a second and for 3 years after a third. Since July 2025, under-21 alcohol and .02 driving cases go through the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program at Court Diversion. You must contact Diversion within 15 days. Failing to contact it or to complete the program sends the case to the Judicial Bureau, where a first .02 driving offense means a $300 penalty and a 180-day suspension.

Making a plan before you go out

1. Choose a designated driver who will not drink or use drugs.
2. Agree with a parent or trusted adult that you can call for a ride, no questions asked.
3. Hand your keys to a sober friend before any drinking starts.
4. Stay overnight if it is safe to do so.
5. Never ride with a driver you think is impaired.

Drowsy driving counts too

Fatigue can make a driver perform as badly as a drunk one. Warning signs include yawning, heavy eyes, drifting from your lane and not remembering the last few miles. Opening the window or turning up the radio will not keep you safe. Pull over somewhere safe and rest.

Common mistakes

• Thinking you are fine to drive because you feel fine. Judgment is the first skill alcohol damages.
• Believing coffee or exercise will sober you up. Only time works.
• Assuming .08 is the limit for everyone. Under 21 it is .02.
• Driving after taking a new medication without checking how it affects you.

Test yourself: Drunk and drugged driving laws in Vermont

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Learning to Drive in Vermont
• Vermont Driver’s Ed and the 40-Hour Practice Certification
• Vermont Junior Driver’s License Rules