Vermont Point System License Suspension: How Many Points to Lose Your License

Vermont will suspend your license if you accumulate 10 or more points within a two-year rolling window. The point value assigned to a particular violation and the treatment of an out-of-state record should be confirmed from your DMV record.

How the Vermont Points System Works

The Vermont DMV assigns points to moving violations based on severity. The two-year window applies to the 10-point threshold; use Driver Control's record to confirm how a particular conviction is dated and counted. Once you hit 10, the DMV suspends your license through Driver Control.

Point values depend on the violation. Check the current Vermont DMV point schedule or your driving record for the value assigned to a specific conviction.

Non-moving violations are treated differently. Act 147 (2016) eliminated license suspensions for non-moving violations.

The Role of Act 147

Act 147 is worth understanding because it draws a hard line between moving and non-moving violations for suspension purposes. Before 2016, the DMV could suspend your license for failing to pay almost any traffic fine, regardless of whether points were involved. Act 147 stripped that power for non-moving violations, and H.53 (2023) later narrowed it further for civil traffic violations generally.

But points-based suspensions survived both reforms. If your points accumulation triggers a suspension, that's a behavioral suspension — not a payment-based one — and it follows the standard DMV Driver Control process.

What Happens When You Hit 10 Points

The DMV doesn't call you. You receive a suspension notice in the mail from Driver Control, and your license becomes invalid on the date stated in that notice. From that point, driving is a criminal offense — DLS (Driving with License Suspended), which is a misdemeanor in Vermont.

The suspension period is stated in the Driver Control notice. During the suspension, you cannot legally operate any motor vehicle. Vermont does not offer a hardship or work license for points-based suspensions. The Ignition Interlock Restricted Driver's License is only available for alcohol-related suspensions — it doesn't apply here.

Getting Reinstated After a Points Suspension

Once you've served the full suspension period, reinstatement requires:

1. Pay the $80 reinstatement fee to the DMV (online through myDMV, by mail, or in person at 120 State Street, Montpelier).

2. Retake exams if ordered. The DMV can require you to pass a written knowledge test and/or a road skills test before reinstatement. Your reinstatement notice will specify whether re-examination is required.

3. Wait for your Notice of Reinstatement. Vermont doesn't restore your license automatically when the suspension period expires. You must have the written notice from the DMV before you can legally drive.

Checking Your Current Points

Use these two channels to inspect your status and point information:

• myDMV (mydmv.vermont.gov): Your online dashboard shows your current status and active suspension indicators. This is free for dashboard viewing.
• Form VG-116: Request a certified 3-year driving record ($14) or complete driving history ($20) for a detailed breakdown of every conviction and its point assignment. The VG-116 is the version you'd need if a court or employer is asking for documentation.

Check early and check often. If you're near the threshold, use your DMV record to confirm the point value assigned to any new conviction and whether it would bring you to 10 points.

Out-of-State Records and NDR Flags

Out-of-state violations and National Driver Register flags can appear in a Vermont driving record. If an out-of-state item appears, ask Driver Control how it affects your Vermont record and what clearance is required.

Reducing Your Point Exposure

The two-year window matters for point accumulation. Use your current DMV record to identify when each conviction falls outside that window, and ask Driver Control about any other option that applies to your record.

The practical strategy is avoidance: if you're already carrying points, drive precisely at the limit and avoid any behavior that could generate a new citation. A single additional conviction could push you past the threshold; once the suspension hits, do not drive until the DMV clears it and issues written notice.

When Points Are Just One of Several Problems

A points suspension often reveals other issues buried in your driving record — an unpaid VJB fine you forgot about, an insurance lapse you didn't realize was reported, or a child support hold from OCS. Each of those is a separate suspension with its own resolution path, and all of them need to be cleared before the DMV will restore your license.

The Vermont Driver's License Reinstatement Guide covers every suspension type in sequence, with the forms, contacts, and deadlines for each agency involved.

See more Vermont guides →