Vermont’s Traffic Violation Point System

How traffic tickets can lead to license suspension under Vermont’s demerit point system.

Like most states, Vermont has a point system to identify drivers who get lots of tickets. Most traffic violation convictions are assigned a point value and remain on a driver's record for several years. A driver who accumulates too many points will face license suspension.

Point Values for Traffic Tickets

The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles receives notice of and records all traffic violation convictions that occur in the state. The following list indicates the number of points for various violations.

Violation

Points Assessed

Driving without a license

2

Municipal regulation violation

2

Traffic control signal violation

2

Failure to yield right-of-way

2

Improper turn

2

Failure to signal

2

Railroad crossing violation

2

Cellphone violation

2

Lighting violation

2

No insurance

2

Other unlisted violation

2

Illegal passing

3

Tailgating

3

Failure to obey officer

4

Failure to yield to pedestrian

4

Cellphone violation in school or work zone

4

Failure to yield to emergency vehicles

5

Illegal passing of school bus

5

Texting and driving

5

2nd offense cellphone violation in school zone

5

Negligent operation

10

Joyriding

10

Failure to stop for accident

10

Eluding an officer

10

Speeding less than 10 miles per hour over limit

2

Speeding more than 10 miles per hour over limit

3

Speeding more than 20 miles per hour over limit

5

Speeding more than 30 miles per hour over limit

10

Also, two points will be added if the violation resulted in an at-fault accident or collision.

Consequences of Getting Too Many Points

Any driver who obtains ten points in a two-year period will receive a notice of suspension. The suspension period depends on the number of points the driver currently has.

  • Ten points will result in a ten-day suspension
  • 15 points will result in a 30-day suspension, and
  • 20 points will result in a 90-day suspension.

For every five points above 20, the suspension period will increase by 30 days. For example, a driver will receive a 120-day suspension for 25 points and a 150-day suspension for 30 points.

Vermont does not issue hardship licenses for point suspensions.

Reduced points. Points expire after two years. Also, the judge is permitted to waive the issuance of points under certain circumstances. Drivers are eligible for point forgiveness if:

  • they have no tickets in the last five years
  • they have no more than three points in the last ten years
  • they do not hold a commercial driver's license
  • the current violation is no more than three points, and
  • the violation did not involve bodily injury.

Junior license. Youth drivers holding a junior license are subject to stricter point limitations. Any 3-point speeding violation will result in an immediate 90-day license suspension. Accumulation of six points will also result in a 90-day suspension. The youth may also have to retake the written portion of the driving examination.

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