In the state of Vermont, your license can be suspended in two ways as the result of a DUI offence. One is administrative, and the other is judicial.
Administrative: If you refuse to submit to a breathalyzer test, or if you fail one such test, then your license will be immediately suspended by the Department of Motor Vehicles. You will be given the opportunity to challenge the suspension, and you will find the details of how to do so on the back of the Notice of Intention document that the arresting officer will provide you with.
Judicial: The courts may also suspend your license as part of sentencing or as part of a plea agreement that you reach with the prosecutor handling your case.
Depending upon how many prior DUI offences you have, you may be eligible to apply for Vermont’s ignition interlock device program. In order to do this, you will need to apply for an Ignition Interlock Restricted Drivers License, which will allow you to drive for certain approved purposes. Naturally, this program will require that you have an ignition interlock device installed on every car that you own or is registered in your name.
| Offence | Suspension Period | Waiting Period for Ignition Interlock Program |
| 1st | 9 months | 30 days |
| 2nd | 18 months | 90 days |
| 3rd | Permanent | 1 year |
The courts will determine if a jail term is warranted in the case, and may also impose an additional suspension period:
| Offence | Jail Term | Suspension Period |
| 1st | 2 years or less | 6 months |
| 2nd | 60 days – 2 years | 18 months |
| 3rd | 5 years or less | Permanent |