Vermont
Reckless Driving in Vermont: Negligent Operation Penalties and Points
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 25, 2026). · 23 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Vermont has no offense called reckless driving. Its dangerous-driving offenses are negligent operation and grossly negligent operation of a motor vehicle on a public highway under 23 V.S.A. 1091: negligent operation is punishable by up to one year, a fine up to $1,000, or both, and grossly negligent operation by up to two years, a fine up to $5,000, or both, rising to up to 15 years when serious bodily injury or death of another person results. A separate offense, excessive speed under 23 V.S.A. 1097, makes driving 60 mph or more and at least 30 mph over the limit a crime.
Information last verified on 2026-10-25. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
Jurisdiction scope: This article covers Vermont statutes on negligent and grossly negligent operation (23 V.S.A. 1091), excessive speed (1097), eluding police (1133), the point system and suspensions in 23 V.S.A. chapter 25, and driving without a valid license or after suspension. It does not cover DUI penalties (see Vermont DUI laws), manslaughter (see Vermont manslaughter laws), leaving the scene of a crash (see Vermont hit-and-run laws), town or city ordinances, or federal and commercial-driver rules beyond a short note. For other states, see reckless driving laws by state.
Is there a reckless driving law in Vermont?
Not under that name. Chapter 13 of Title 23, which holds Vermont's rules for operating vehicles (Sections 1001 to 1143 and 1200 to 1230), contains no section titled reckless driving or careless driving. The offense that does that work is Section 1091, "Negligent operation; grossly negligent operation."
The phrase "reckless driving" does appear in the commercial driver's license chapter, where it points back to Section 1091: Section 4103 lists as a serious traffic violation, when committed in a commercial motor vehicle or in a noncommercial vehicle where the conviction results in a revocation, cancellation or suspension of the license, "Negligent or reckless driving, as defined in section 1091 of this title."
What is negligent operation in Vermont?
Section 1091(a) defines the lower tier:
"(1) A person who operates a motor vehicle on a public highway in a negligent manner shall be guilty of negligent operation. (2) The standard for a conviction for negligent operation in violation of this subsection shall be ordinary negligence, examining whether the person breached a duty to exercise ordinary care." 23 V.S.A. 1091(a)(1)-(2)
The test, in the statute's words, is whether the driver "breached a duty to exercise ordinary care."
Negligent operation penalties
Under Section 1091(a)(3), a person who commits negligent operation "shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both." The section raises the maximum in two situations:
- A prior conviction under subsection (a): "not more than two years or fined not more than $3,000.00, or both."
- Serious bodily injury to or death of any person other than the operator: "imprisonment for not more than two years or to a fine of not more than $3,000.00, or both." When more than one other person is killed or seriously injured, "the operator may be convicted of a separate violation of this subdivision for each decedent or person injured."
What is grossly negligent operation in Vermont?
Section 1091(b) defines the higher tier, the closest Vermont offense to what other states call reckless driving:
"(1) A person who operates a motor vehicle on a public highway in a grossly negligent manner shall be guilty of grossly negligent operation. (2) The standard for a conviction for grossly negligent operation in violation of this subsection shall be gross negligence, examining whether the person engaged in conduct that involved a gross deviation from the care that a reasonable person would have exercised in that situation." 23 V.S.A. 1091(b)(1)-(2)
Grossly negligent operation penalties
Under Section 1091(b)(3):
- First offense: imprisonment "not more than two years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both."
- Prior conviction under Section 1091: "If the person has previously been convicted of a violation of this section, the person shall be imprisoned not more than four years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both." The prior can be a conviction under either subsection, since the text says "this section," while the negligent-operation repeat rule counts only priors under "this subsection."
- Serious bodily injury or death of another: "If serious bodily injury to or death of any person other than the operator results, the operator shall be imprisoned for not more than 15 years or fined not more than $15,000.00, or both," with a separate violation possible "for each decedent or person injured."
Section 1091(d) adds a $50 surcharge for a conviction under subsection (b), "added to any fine or surcharge imposed by the court" and credited to the DUI Enforcement Fund. Section 1091(c) provides that the section does "not limit or restrict the prosecution for manslaughter."
Is negligent operation a misdemeanor or a felony?
Section 1091 does not use either label. Vermont's general rule in 13 V.S.A. 1 decides it: "any offense whose maximum term of imprisonment is more than two years, for life, or which may be punished by death is a felony. Any other offense is a misdemeanor." Applying that rule to the maximums in Section 1091:
- Negligent operation, in every tier (maximum one or two years): a misdemeanor.
- Grossly negligent operation, first offense (maximum two years): a misdemeanor.
- Grossly negligent operation with a prior Section 1091 conviction (maximum four years), or with serious bodily injury or death of another (maximum 15 years): a felony.
For Vermont's full classification rules, see Vermont felony and misdemeanor classes.
Where Section 1091 applies
Both tiers of Section 1091 apply to operation "on a public highway." Section 1011(a) sets the same default for the whole chapter: its provisions "relating to the operation of motor vehicles apply to operation upon public highways only, except where a different place is specifically referred to."
How fast is reckless driving in Vermont? Excessive speed
Vermont makes a combination of speeds a crime of its own. Section 1097 provides:
"No person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public highway at a speed of 60 miles per hour or more and at least 30 miles per hour in excess of a State speed zone or local speed limit. A person who violates this section shall be imprisoned upon a first conviction not more than three months or fined not more than $300.00, or both, and upon a second conviction shall be imprisoned not more than six months or fined not more than $500.00, or both." 23 V.S.A. 1097
Both conditions must be met: the driver must be going at least 60 mph and at least 30 mph over the posted limit. Section 1097 carries eight points (see below).
Ordinary speeding falls under the basic speed rule in Section 1081: "No individual shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions, having regard for the actual and potential hazards then existing," and Section 1081(b) sets a general maximum, subject to the limits specified or established under that section: "no individual shall drive a vehicle on a highway at a speed in excess of 50 miles per hour."
Vermont points for negligent operation and license suspension
Vermont's point system exists, in the words of Section 2501(a), "For the purpose of identifying habitually reckless or negligent drivers and frequent violators of traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles." The schedule in Section 2502 assigns:
| Violation | Points (23 V.S.A. 2502) |
|---|---|
| Negligent operation (Section 1091) | 10 |
| Attempting to elude a police officer (Section 1133) | 10 |
| Failure to stop when involved in a crash (Section 1128) | 10 |
| Operation without the owner's consent (Section 1094) | 10 |
| Excessive speed (Section 1097), or more than 30 mph over the limit | 8 |
| More than 20 mph over the limit | 5 |
| Failure to yield to emergency vehicles (Section 1050); illegal passing of a school bus (Section 1075) | 5 |
| More than 10 mph over the limit | 3 |
| Following too closely (Section 1039) and listed passing violations | 3 |
| Less than 10 mph over the limit | 2 |
| Any violation that caused a crash that was the violator's fault | 2 more, after a determination on fault |
The schedule lists "§ 1091. Negligent operation" as a single ten-point entry and does not list subsection (b) separately. Under Section 2501(a), no points are assessed if "a Superior judge or Judicial Bureau hearing officer has waived the assessment of points in the interest of justice and in accordance with subsection (b) of this section."
Suspension after a Section 1091 conviction
Two sections of chapter 25 work together:
- Section 2505: when a person's convictions for moving violations raise the point total "to at least 10 points in a two-year period, the Commissioner shall initiate suspension proceedings."
- Section 2506: the Commissioner "shall suspend" the license "upon not less than 10 days' notice, and upon hearing, if requested for verification of the conviction records." The point-based periods are 10 days at 10 points, 30 days at 15 points, 90 days at 20 points, and 30 more days for each additional 5 points. For Sections 1091, 1094, 1128 and 1133, the period is fixed instead: "30 days" for a first conviction, "for a second conviction 90 days, and for a third or subsequent six months, or the suspension period under the point values, whichever is greater." "If a fatality occurs, the suspension shall be for a period of one year in addition to the suspension under the point values."
Habitual offender
Section 673a requires the Commissioner to revoke a license "for a period of two years" for a habitual violator, defined as a person convicted of "eight or more moving violations each of which would result in point assessments of six or more points, including violations of section 1201 of this title, arising out of different incidents within a consecutive period of five years." Under the Section 2502 schedule, negligent operation carries ten points and excessive speed eight. The driver may request a hearing within 15 days "solely for the purpose of verifying the conviction record."
Commercial drivers
Under Section 4116(d), a commercial driver "shall be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for a period of 60 days if convicted of two serious traffic violations, or 120 days if convicted of a third or subsequent serious traffic violation, arising from separate incidents occurring within a three-year period." Section 4103 lists as serious traffic violations, when committed in a commercial motor vehicle or in a noncommercial vehicle where the conviction results in a revocation, cancellation or suspension of the license, "Excessive speeding, involving a single charge of any speed 15 miles per hour or more, above the posted speed limit" and "Negligent or reckless driving, as defined in section 1091 of this title." The reckless driving laws by state hub covers the federal commercial-driver rules.
Is there careless driving in Vermont?
Chapter 13 contains no offense named careless driving. Negligent operation under Section 1091(a), with its ordinary-negligence standard, is Vermont's lower tier, and it is a crime with a maximum of one year on a first offense. Chapter 13 also has no section titled aggressive driving.
Eluding a police officer in Vermont
Section 1133 punishes failing to stop for an enforcement officer, and its penalties tie back to Section 1091:
- Basic violation: "imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both" (1133(b)(1)).
- While driving negligently or grossly negligently: a person who violates subsection (a) "while operating a vehicle in a negligent or grossly negligent manner in violation of section 1091 of this title shall be imprisoned for not more than five years or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both" (1133(b)(2)).
- Serious bodily injury to another, "proximately caused by the operator's knowing violation": "not more than 15 years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both" (1133(b)(3)).
- Death of another, proximately caused by the knowing violation: "not less than one year nor more than 15 years or fined not more than $10,000.00, or both" (1133(b)(4)).
Section 1133(c) provides an affirmative defense, proven by a preponderance of the evidence, that the operator stopped "in a manner, time, and distance that was reasonable under the circumstances," and Section 1133(d) adds a $50 surcharge to any fine on conviction.
Eluding carries ten points and the same fixed 30-day, 90-day and six-month suspensions as Section 1091 under Section 2506.
Street racing and burnouts in Vermont
Chapter 13 of Title 23 contains no section on street racing, speed contests, exhibitions of speed or street takeovers; its index runs from Section 1001 through 1143 and 1200 through 1230 with no such heading. The chapter 13 offenses that turn on how a person drives are negligent and grossly negligent operation (Section 1091) and excessive speed (Section 1097).
Vermont's criminal code also has a general reckless endangerment offense, 13 V.S.A. 1025: "A person who recklessly engages in conduct which places or may place another person in danger of death or serious bodily injury shall be imprisoned for not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00 or both." The section does not mention vehicles.
Does Vermont have a wet reckless?
Vermont has no reckless driving offense, so it has no "wet reckless" in that sense, and the DUI sections (1201, 1205, 1206, 1208, 1210 and 1213) do not use the word reckless. Two of those sections do refer to negligent operation under Section 1091. The repeat-offense tiers in Section 1210 count prior convictions of Section 1201, not Section 1091.
Section 1213(a)(1), which lists when the Commissioner shall issue "an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate" to a person whose license is suspended or revoked, includes this subdivision, which names a DUI charge under Section 1201(a) that ended in a guilty plea to "a reduced charge of negligent operation":
"(E) the individual is serving a suspension pursuant to section 2506 if the individual was charged with a violation of subsection 1201(a) of this title and pled guilty to a reduced charge of negligent operation under section 1091 of this title, notwithstanding any points assessed against the individual's driving record for the negligent operation offense under section 2502 of this title." 23 V.S.A. 1213(a)(1)(E)
Section 1205(p) provides that suspensions under Sections 1205, 1206, 1208 and 1216 (or comparable statutes of other jurisdictions), "or any suspension resulting from a conviction for a violation of section 1091 of this title from the same incident, shall run concurrently," with credit for time already served. For DUI penalties, see Vermont DUI laws.
Driving without a license or after suspension in Vermont
No license. Under Section 601(g), driving without a license is a traffic violation, "except that a person who violates this section after a previous conviction under this section within the prior two years shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than 60 days or a fine of not more than $5,000.00, or both." A learner's permit holder who drives in violation of the permit rules "shall be subject to a penalty of not more than $50.00, and his or her learner's permit shall be recalled for a period of 90 days" (Section 615(b)).
License not in possession. Section 611 requires drivers to carry the license certificate, but a licensee cited under that section or Section 610 "shall not be convicted if the licensee sends a copy of or produces to the issuing enforcement agency within seven business days after the traffic stop an operator's license certificate that was valid or had expired within 14 days prior to the traffic stop."
Driving after a suspension for grossly negligent operation. Section 674(a)(1) makes it a crime to drive on a public highway while suspended or revoked for a violation of "subsection 1091(b), 1094(b), or 1128(b) or (c)" before the suspension period expires: imprisonment "not more than two years or fined not more than $5,000.00, or both." Section 674(b) covers driving while suspended for DUI under Section 1201 or 1205, with the same maximum plus mandatory minimums that rise from a $300 fine or 40 hours of community service for a first offense to at least 16 consecutive days in a correctional facility for a fifth or later offense within five years.
Driving after any other suspension. Under Section 676(a), driving while revoked, suspended or refused "for any reason other than a violation of subsection 1091(b), 1094(b), 1128(b) or (c) of this title or section 1201 of this title or a suspension under section 1205 of this title" is a civil traffic violation. That covers a suspension for negligent operation under Section 1091(a) or for accumulated points. It becomes a crime with the same two-year, $5,000 maximum under Section 674(a)(2) for a third or later violation "if the two prior offenses occurred within two years of the third offense and on or after December 1, 2016"; violations before a person completes the DLS Diversion Program do not count as priors (674(a)(3)).
Vermont driving offenses and penalties at a glance
| Offense | Statute | What it prohibits | Grade (13 V.S.A. 1) | Statutory penalty range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Negligent operation, first offense | 23 V.S.A. 1091(a) | Operating on a public highway in a negligent manner (ordinary negligence) | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year, fine up to $1,000, or both |
| Negligent operation, prior subsection (a) conviction, or serious bodily injury or death of another | 1091(a)(3) | Same | Misdemeanor | Up to 2 years, fine up to $3,000, or both |
| Grossly negligent operation, first offense | 1091(b) | Operating on a public highway in a grossly negligent manner (gross deviation from reasonable care) | Misdemeanor | Up to 2 years, fine up to $5,000, or both; $50 surcharge |
| Grossly negligent operation, prior Section 1091 conviction | 1091(b)(3) | Same | Felony | Up to 4 years, fine up to $10,000, or both |
| Grossly negligent operation, serious bodily injury or death of another | 1091(b)(3) | Same, with serious bodily injury or death of another person | Felony | Up to 15 years, fine up to $15,000, or both; a separate count per person |
| Excessive speed | 1097 | Driving 60 mph or more and at least 30 mph over the limit | Misdemeanor | First: up to 3 months, fine up to $300, or both; second: up to 6 months, fine up to $500, or both |
| Eluding a police officer | 1133(b)(1) | Failing to stop for an enforcement officer | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year, fine up to $1,000, or both |
| Eluding while driving negligently or grossly negligently | 1133(b)(2) | Eluding while violating Section 1091 | Felony | Up to 5 years, fine up to $1,000, or both |
| Eluding causing serious bodily injury or death | 1133(b)(3)-(4) | Knowing violation that proximately causes serious bodily injury or death of another | Felony | Injury: up to 15 years, fine up to $5,000; death: 1 to 15 years, fine up to $10,000 |
| Reckless endangerment | 13 V.S.A. 1025 | Recklessly placing another in danger of death or serious bodily injury | Misdemeanor | Up to 1 year, fine up to $1,000, or both |
| Driving without a license | 23 V.S.A. 601(g) | Driving without a license | Traffic violation (second within 2 years: criminal) | First: civil penalty up to $1,000 (2302(c)); second within 2 years: up to 60 days, fine up to $5,000, or both |
| Driving after suspension for grossly negligent operation | 674(a)(1) | Driving before a Section 1091(b) suspension expires | Misdemeanor | Up to 2 years, fine up to $5,000, or both |
| Driving after other suspensions | 676(a) | Driving while suspended for points, Section 1091(a) or other listed-out reasons | Civil traffic violation (criminal on the third within 2 years, 674(a)(2)) | Civil penalty up to $1,000 (2302(c)); criminal tier up to 2 years, fine up to $5,000 |
Vermont statutes set each offense's range in the offense section itself; the misdemeanor or felony grade follows from 13 V.S.A. 1, which makes any offense with a maximum term over two years a felony. For the full classification rules, see Vermont felony and misdemeanor classes.
Vehicular homicide in Vermont
When negligent driving causes a death, Section 1091 provides that it does "not limit or restrict the prosecution for manslaughter"; see Vermont manslaughter laws.
Recent changes to Vermont driving laws
- 2025: excessive speed points. 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 66, Section 37 (effective July 1, 2025) amended 23 V.S.A. 2502 to add Section 1097 to the eight-point entry, which now reads "Eight points assessed for sections 1003, 1007, and 1097."
- 2025: eluding. 2025 Acts and Resolves No. 18, Section 42 (effective May 13, 2025), a technical corrections act, amended Section 1133.
- 2024: license possession. 2023 Acts and Resolves No. 85 (Adj. Sess.), Section 272 (effective July 1, 2024) amended Section 611.
- Negligent operation itself. Section 1091 was last amended by 2019 Acts and Resolves No. 131 (Adj. Sess.).
Related Vermont laws
- Reckless driving laws by state
- Vermont DUI laws
- Vermont manslaughter laws
- Vermont felony and misdemeanor classes
- Vermont hit-and-run laws
- Vermont expungement laws
- New Hampshire reckless driving laws
- New York reckless driving laws
This article is general legal information about Vermont law, not legal advice. For a specific situation, contact a lawyer licensed in Vermont, or the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles for license questions.
Last updated: 2026-10-25.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a reckless driving law in Vermont?
Not by that name. Vermont charges dangerous driving as negligent operation or grossly negligent operation under 23 V.S.A. 1091, and Section 4103 treats negligent or reckless driving as defined in Section 1091 as a commercial-driver serious traffic violation when committed in a commercial vehicle, or in another vehicle where the conviction results in a license revocation, cancellation or suspension.
Is negligent operation a misdemeanor in Vermont?
Yes. Negligent operation carries up to one year or a $1,000 fine on a first offense and up to two years in its higher tiers (1091(a)(3)), so under 13 V.S.A. 1, which makes offenses with a maximum over two years felonies, every tier is a misdemeanor.
Is grossly negligent operation a felony in Vermont?
A first offense, with a maximum of two years or $5,000, is a misdemeanor. With a prior Section 1091 conviction (up to four years) or when another person suffers serious bodily injury or death (up to 15 years), it is a felony under 13 V.S.A. 1.
How fast is reckless driving in Vermont?
Vermont's speed crime is excessive speed under 23 V.S.A. 1097: driving 60 mph or more and at least 30 mph over the limit. A first conviction carries up to three months or a $300 fine, a second up to six months or $500, and the offense carries 8 points.
How many points is negligent operation in Vermont?
Ten points under 23 V.S.A. 2502, with two more if the violation caused a crash that was the driver's fault. Section 2506 then sets a 30-day suspension for a first conviction, 90 days for a second and six months for a third, or the point-based period if longer.
What is the difference between negligent and grossly negligent operation in Vermont?
Negligent operation uses an ordinary-negligence standard: whether the driver breached a duty to exercise ordinary care (1091(a)(2)). Grossly negligent operation asks whether the conduct was a gross deviation from the care a reasonable person would have exercised (1091(b)(2)).
Does Vermont have a wet reckless?
No, because Vermont has no reckless driving offense. 23 V.S.A. 1213(a)(1)(E), an ignition interlock license rule, does refer to a person serving a Section 2506 suspension who was charged under 1201(a) and pled guilty to a reduced charge of negligent operation under 1091.
Is street racing illegal in Vermont?
Title 23 chapter 13 has no section on street racing, speed contests or exhibitions of speed. The chapter offenses that turn on how a person drives are negligent and grossly negligent operation (1091) and excessive speed (1097).
What is the penalty for eluding police in Vermont?
Up to one year or $1,000 under 23 V.S.A. 1133(b)(1); up to five years while driving negligently or grossly negligently in violation of 1091; and up to 15 years when a knowing violation causes serious bodily injury or death of another. Eluding carries 10 points.
What happens if you drive without a license in Vermont?
It is a traffic violation under 23 V.S.A. 601(g), but a second violation within two years carries up to 60 days or a $5,000 fine. A driver cited for not carrying a license is not convicted if a valid license is produced within seven business days (Section 611).
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 23: Motor Vehicles, Chapter 13: Operation of Vehicles, Subchapter: VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES
§ 1091Negligent operation; grossly negligent operationIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) Negligent operation. (1) A person who operates a motor vehicle on a public highway in a negligent manner shall be guilty of negligent operation. (2) The standard for a conviction for negligent operation in violation of this subsection shall be ordinary negligence, examining whether the person breached a duty to exercise ordinary care. (3) A person who violates this subsection shall be imprisoned not more than one year or fined not more than $1,000.00, or both. If the person has been previously convicted of a violation of this subsection, the person shall be imprisoned not more than two years or fined not more than $3,000.00, or both. If serious bodily injury to or death of any person other than the operator results, the operator shall be subject to imprisonment for not more than two years or to a fine of not more than $3,000.00, or both. If serious bodily injury or death results to more than one person other than the operator, the operator may be convicted of a separate violation of this subdivision for each decedent or person injured. (b) Grossly negligent operation.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Vermont Manslaughter Laws: Voluntary, Involuntary and DUI Deaths
§ 1097Excessive speedIn force
No person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public highway at a speed of 60 miles per hour or more and at least 30 miles per hour in excess of a State speed zone or local speed limit. A person who violates this section shall be imprisoned upon a first conviction not more than three months or fined not more than $300.00, or both, and upon a second conviction shall be imprisoned not more than six months or fined not more than $500.00, or both. (Added 1989, No. 109, § 5, eff. July 1, 1990.)
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 23: Motor Vehicles, Chapter 25: Motor Vehicle Violations; Point System
§ 2502Point assessment; scheduleIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a) Unless the assessment of points is waived by a Superior judge or a Judicial Bureau hearing officer in the interests of justice and in accordance with subsection 2501(b) of this title, a person operating a motor vehicle shall have points assessed against the person’s driving record for convictions for moving violations of the indicated motor vehicle statutes in accord with the following schedule: (All references are to this title of the Vermont Statutes Annotated.) (1) Two points assessed for: | (A) | § 601. | License required; | (B) | § 602. | Exceptions for farm tractors and highway equipment; | (C) | § 611. | Possession of license certificate; | (D) | § 612. | Restrictions of license; | (E) | § 614. | Rights under license; | (F) | § 615. | Unlicensed operators; | (G) | § 1004. | Interstate highway regulations; | (H) | § 1008. | Regulations in municipalities; | (I) | § 1009. | Restrictions on controlled-access roadway; | (J) | §§ 1021 and 1022. | Failure to obey traffic-control signals; | (K) | § 1024. | Failure to obey flashing signals; | (L) | § 1026. | Failure to obey lane control signals; | (M) | § 1031. | Illegal driving to right; | (N) | § 1032.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Also relied on in: Is Lane Splitting Legal in Vermont? Rules and Penalties (2026)
§ 2501Motor vehicle point systemIn force
(a) For the purpose of identifying habitually reckless or negligent drivers and frequent violators of traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles, a uniform system is established assigning demerit points for convictions of violations of this title or of ordinances adopted by local authorities regulating the operation of motor vehicles. Notice of each assessment of points may be given. No points shall be assessed for violating a provision of a statute or municipal ordinance regulating standing, parking, equipment, size, or weight, or if a Superior judge or Judicial Bureau hearing officer has waived the assessment of points in the interest of justice and in accordance with subsection (b) of this section. The conviction report from the court shall be prima facie evidence of the points assessed unless points are specifically waived in the conviction report. The Department of Motor Vehicles also is authorized to suspend the license of a driver when the driver’s driving record identifies the driver as a habitual offender under section 673a of this title.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 23: Motor Vehicles, Chapter 13: Operation of Vehicles, Subchapter: DRUNKEN DRIVING
§ 1213Ignition interlock restricted driver’s license or certificate; penaltiesIn forcecited in 2 of our articles
(a)(1) An individual whose license or privilege to operate is suspended or revoked under this subchapter may operate a motor vehicle, other than a commercial motor vehicle as defined in section 4103 of this title, if issued a valid ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate. Upon application, the Commissioner shall issue an ignition interlock RDL or ignition interlock certificate to an individual otherwise licensed or eligible to be licensed to operate a motor vehicle if: (A) the individual submits a $125.00 application fee; (B) the individual submits satisfactory proof of installation of an approved ignition interlock device in any motor vehicle to be operated and of financial responsibility as provided in section 801 of this title; (C) at least one year has passed since the suspension or revocation was imposed if the offense involved death or serious bodily injury to an individual other than the operator; (D) the applicable period set forth in this subsection has passed since the suspension or revocation was imposed if the offense involved refusal of an enforcement officer’s reasonable request for an evidentiary test: (i) 30 days for a first offense; (ii) 90…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2023
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- State v. Jason Combs (Supreme Court of Vermont 2023)“…a device showing that the person has not consumed alcohol. 23 V.S.A. § 1213. She noted, however, that the Departmen…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Vermont DUI Laws: Penalties, BAC Limit & License (2026)
Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 23: Motor Vehicles, Chapter 39: Commercial Driver's License Act
§ 4103DefinitionsIn force
As used in this chapter: (1) “Commercial driver’s license” means a license issued in accordance with the requirements of this chapter to an individual that authorizes the individual to drive a class of commercial motor vehicle. (2) “Commercial Driver’s License Information System” means the information system established pursuant to federal law to serve as a clearinghouse for locating information related to the licensing and identification of commercial motor vehicle drivers. (3) “Commercial learner’s permit” means a permit issued pursuant to sections 4108 and 4110 of this title. (4)(A) “Commercial motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle designed or used to transport passengers or property that: (i) has either a gross vehicle weight rating or gross vehicle weight of at least 26,001 or more pounds or such lesser rating as determined by federal regulation; (ii) is designed to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver; or (iii) is transporting hazardous materials and is required to be placarded in accordance with 49 C.F.R. Part 172, subpart F.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at legislature.vermont.gov
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Sources and References
- 23 V.S.A. 1091, Negligent operation; grossly negligent operation(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 1097, Excessive speed(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. chapter 13, Operation of vehicles (index)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 4103 and 4116, Commercial driver serious traffic violations and disqualification(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 1, Felonies and misdemeanors defined(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 1011, Applicability of chapter 13(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 1081, Basic speed rule(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 2501, Motor vehicle point system(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 2502, Point assessment; schedule(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 2505 and 2506, Suspension of license; procedure(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 673a, Habitual offenders(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 1133, Attempting to elude a police officer(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 13 V.S.A. 1025, Recklessly endangering another person(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 1213(a)(1)(E)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 1205, subsection (p), Suspensions to run concurrently(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 601 and 615, License required; learner's permit violations(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 611, Possession of license certificate(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 674, Operating after suspension or revocation (criminal)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 676, Operating after suspension or revocation (civil)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 2025 Vermont Acts and Resolves No. 66 (as enacted)(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 4103, Commercial driver license definitions(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 2302, Traffic violations defined; penalties(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
- 23 V.S.A. 1210, DUI penalties(legislature.vermont.gov).gov
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