Vermont DUI Penalties

• Drinking and driving in Vermontdrink image by Galyna Andrushko from Fotolia.com
  
  Vermont has DUI penalties for first-, second- and third-time offenders. A person with a blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher will be charged with DUI. A person 21 years or younger will be arrested for DUI if the BAC is 0.02 or higher. A commercial driver with a BAC of 0.04 or higher will face charges of driving under the influence.
  
  

Implied Consent

• Any person who holds a Vermont driver's license agrees to any chemical test if an officer feels the person is driving impaired. The person may be requested to blow into a Breathalyzer or give a urine or blood sample. Refusal to consent to a chemical test will result in the automatic suspension of the driver's license for six months for the first offense. Longer suspensions and penalties will increase for any offenses after the first offense.
  
  

DUI Surcharge

• The Vermont DUI surcharge of $160 for a DUI conviction is used to fund three particular departments. The Health Department's Laboratory Services Special will receive $60, the public defenders special fund will receive $50 and drunk driving law enforcement fund will receive $50. The surcharge is assessed to all DUI convictions regardless of whether it is the first, second or third offense.
  
  

First-Offense DUI

• The first-offense DUI requires the convicted person to complete a therapy program, have a treatment assessment and complete the alcohol and driving education program before the driver's license can be reinstated. The person faces up to two years in jail and a fine of up to $750. The driver's license is suspended for 90 days.
  
  

Second-Offense DUI

• The second conviction of DUI will result in up to two years in jail, a fine up to $1,500 and the driver's license suspended for 18 months. The person can be ordered to perform a minimum of 200 hours of community service or serve 60 hours of jail time. Before the driver's license can be reinstated, the person must complete the alcohol and driving rehabilitation program.
  
  

Third-Offense DUI

• A third DUI offense will result in jail time up to five years, a fine of up to $2,500 and the suspension of the driver's license for life. The license can be reinstated after three years if the driver has total abstinence from alcohol, completes the therapy program and pays $500. The person's vehicle can be confiscated by the authorities if ordered by the courts. The person must complete 400 hours of community service or spend 1,000 hours in jail.