Violating Vermont driving and traffic laws can result in the suspension of your driving privileges. The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) uses a point system to track violations and their corresponding penalties. Points are added to your driving record if you receive a traffic ticket for moving violations.

MOVING VIOLATIONS AND POINTS

Different violations are assigned different point values, which are added to your driving record. For instance, moving violations like failure to observe traffic signals, illegal driving to the right, illegal turning at intersections, and failure to yield at an intersection, each carry two points. Five-point offenses include failure to yield to emergency vehicles, illegal passing of school buses, and civil violation of license revocation. Ten-point offences include failure to stop when involved in an accident, and driving with a revoked license. The number of points assessed for different speeding violations are as follows:

Exceeding the maximum speed limit by less than 10 mph:2 points

Exceeding the maximum speed limit by 10-20 mph:3 points

Exceeding the maximum speed limit by 20-30 mph: 5 points

Exceeding the maximum speed limit by more than 30 mph: 8 points

View the complete Point Schedule to learn about the number of points associated with each type of moving violation.

PENALTIES

You will be subject to specific penalties if you accumulate a certain number of points on your driving license:

1. You will have your license suspended if you accumulate 10 points or more within a period of 2 years. A notice to this effect will be sent to you by mail.
2. The duration of suspension is determined by the number of points you have accumulated. The more the number of points, the longer the period of suspension. License suspension might range from 10 days to a year.
3. Accumulating points on your driving license is also likely to increase your auto insurance rates as all moving violations are reported by the DMV. See our auto insurance section for more information about obtaining quality car insurance at competitive rates.

HOW TO CLEAR YOUR DRIVING RECORD

Once your driving privileges have been suspended, there are a number of steps that you will have to take to restore them.

1. You may have to take driver safety classes or join an alcohol treatment program, as prescribed by the DMV.
2. Once you have met the conditions set out by the DMV you will have to pay a $50 reinstatement fee in order to restore your driving privileges.

HOW TO DISPUTE A MOVING VIOLATION CHARGE

If you believe you have been incorrectly charged with committing a moving violation, you may be able to fight the charge in court. See Traffic Tickets and Traffic Ticket Attorneys for more information.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Points are not assessed for parking or other non-moving violations.
• See also Driver's Education and Suspended Licenses.