Suspended License

Driving is not the time to test the limits of the law. Not only can your rashness result in injury and death, but it can also lead to the suspension or revocation of your driving privileges.

Besides the obvious inconvenience of not having a license, suspensions and revocations wallop your wallet with fines and reinstatement fees. Depending on the nature of your violation, they can also burden your schedule with court appearances, as well as mandatory alcohol and drug education programs.

The difference between a suspension and a revocation is that a suspension is a temporary withdrawal of your license, while a revocation means your license is essentially cancelled. To get back a revoked license, once you become eligible you will have to apply for a new license.

Reasons for Suspension

Your license can be suspended for accumulating 10 points on your license within two years. However, some moving violations are so serious that the DMV will pull your license after only one offense. Among them:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher will result in a six-month suspension for a first offense and 18 months for a second offense.

• Refusing an alcohol test will result in a six-month suspension.

• Operating a vehicle while 21 or younger with a BAC of 0.02% or higher will cost you a six-month suspension on the first offense, and for your second offense your license will be suspended for either one year or until you turn 21 (whichever is longer).

• If you're a commercial driver with a BAC of 0.04% or higher, you will be slapped with an immediate suspension, as will a bus driver with a BAC of 0.02% or higher.

• Failure to stop when involved in an accident.

• Attempting to elude an officer.

Reasons for Revocation

• A commercial driver convicted of a second DUI offense.

• After a third DUI conviction, your license will be immediately revoked for life.

• Negligent vehicular assault involving a motor vehicle will result in immediate revocation.

Notifications of all suspensions and revocations are done by mail. If you do not receive a notification of any kind, you may have moved without notifying the DMV (as required by law) of your address change. Hence, the onus is on you to keep the DMV up to date.

License Reinstatement

After your suspension period ends, you will be allowed to have your license reinstated. But to do so you will need to meet a range of requirements that, depending on your situation, may include:

• Payment of all reinstatement fees

• Providing proof of financial responsibility (insurance) for three years

• Completion of court-imposed treatment programs

• Passing driving exams

Mail all reinstatement fees (do not send cash) along with a note stating your intention that includes your name, date of birth, and current mailing address to:

• Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles

• Attention: Driver Improvement

• 120 State St.

• Montpelier, VT 05603-0001

Hardship License

You're out of luck if you hope to obtain a hardship license while your driving privileges are suspended. Vermont does not offer any such license. Hopefully you live close to public transportation or have friends willing to drive you around.