Recent Vermont DUI Law Changes
What changed, when it took effect, and who it affects.
July 1, 2025
Impaired driving amendments (Act 41, H.44)
Hindering a blood draw ordered by a search warrant is now its own DUI-related crime, for people with a prior DUI or in crashes causing serious injury or death. The Act also lined up civil and criminal limits (0.08; 0.04 commercial; 0.02 school bus) and requires juvenile DUI violations to be reported to the DMV.
July 1, 2025
Under-21 violations and the Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program (Act 45)
Drivers under 21 at 0.02 or more face a civil violation. A first offense brings a $300 civil penalty and a 180-day suspension, with an interlock RDL option.
Official sources
- Vermont Statutes — 23 V.S.A. § 1201
- Vermont Statutes — 23 V.S.A. § 1205
- Vermont Statutes — 23 V.S.A. § 1210
- Vermont Statutes — Title 23, Chapter 13
- Vermont Statutes — Title 13, Chapter 230 (sealing and expungement)
- Vermont Legislative Council — DUI Legislative Enactments (2015)
- Vermont Legislature — DUI Penalty Chart (2016)
- Vermont Act 45 (2025) — Youth Substance Awareness Safety Program
- Vermont Act 41 (2025) — Impaired driving amendments
- Vermont DMV — License Suspensions and Related Programs
- Vermont DMV — Ignition Interlock Device
- Vermont DMV — Ignition Interlock Program FAQ
- Vermont DMV — What is an Ignition Interlock RDL?
- Vermont DMV — Total Abstinence Reinstatement
- Vermont Department of State’s Attorneys — New DUI law (Act 41)
- Vermont Highway Safety Office — Impaired Driving
- Vermont DMV — Restricted Driver’s Licenses (RDL)
- Vermont Statutes — 23 V.S.A. § 1209a (conditions of reinstatement)
- Vermont Department of Health — Impaired Driver Rehabilitation Program
- Vermont Statutes — 3 V.S.A. § 164 (adult court diversion)
- Vermont Attorney General — Court Diversion and Pretrial Services Report (FY 2025)
- Vermont Department of State’s Attorneys — Act 41 signed by Governor Scott
- Vermont Legislature — H.44 bill status (Act 41)
- Vermont Joint Fiscal Office — H.53 fiscal note (2023)
- Vermont Judiciary — Chittenden Criminal Division
- Vermont Judiciary — Rutland Superior Court criminal information sheet
- Vermont Buildings and General Services — Washington County Courthouse
Educational information, not legal advice. Vermont law changes and every case is different. Confirm deadlines with Vermont DMV (Agency of Transportation) and talk to a licensed Vermont attorney about your situation.
Some details on this page are still being verified against official sources. Check the linked sources before relying on a specific number or deadline.
Last reviewed October 1, 2026.