Vermont Vermont’s all -offender interlock law went into effect July 1, 2016. From 2006 to 2020 in Vermont, interlocks stopped 11,700 attempts to drive drunk with a breath alcohol concentration of .08 or greater, including 1,422 attempts to drive drunk in 2020. Why does MADD call the law all-offender? All drunk drivers must use an interlock in order to drive during a driver license agency imposed license suspension. Process to obtain an ignition interlock 1. Serve any jail or suspension time, as well as completing the Vermont Drinking Driver Rehabilitation Program and any community service if applicable. 2. Apply for a RDL. Call the DMV (802-828-2061) to verify eligibility for a RDL first. 3. Schedule an appointment to have an interlock device installed. 4. Fill out a SR-22 form, which proves financial responsibility, and send to the DMV. 5. Pay all your applicable fees to the DMV. 6. Complete court regulations as well. Ignition Interlock Law Overview and MADD Legislative Recommendations Grade: C (75/100) Vermont’s all-offender law contains a big loophole — drunk drivers can wait out their license suspension and avoid an installing an interlock.
How soon can an ignition interlock be installed?
Duration on ignition interlock
Legislative Recommendation
Upon Revocation Upon Revocation
6 months 18 months 9 months
First offense
Eliminate waiting time for refusal offenders to install an interlock.
Second offense
30 days after revocation
First refusal
Yes
Can a drunk driver wait out an interlock order?
Legislative Recommendation
Any person who has a license suspended for a drunk driving offense, must use an ignition interlock for at least six months before obtaining a non-interlock driver's license.
Compliance based removal? Yes If a person makes 3 attempts to start a vehicle with a BAC of .04 or above, the interlock requirements will be extended for a period of 3 months. Any subsequent 3 attempts to start a vehicle with a BAC of .04 or above, will result in additional 3 month extensions which will run consecutively. If a person fails one random retest due to a BAC of .04 or above, but less than .08, the interlock requirements will be extended for a period of 3 months. Any subsequent random retest failures due to a BAC of .04 or above, but less than .08, will result in additional 3 month extensions which will run consecutively. If a person fails one random retest due to a BAC of .08 or above, the interlock requirements will be extended for a period of 6 months. If a person 1) operates a motor vehicle not equipped with an interlock, or 2) attempt to tamper with or circumvent the device, or 3) failure to pullover after failing a random retest, the interlock requirements will be extended for a period of six months. If a person misses a required service visit to have the interlock calibrated, the interlock requirements will be extended for a period of sixty days. Day-for-Day credit for early installation? No Legislative Recommendation Allow for the use of ignition interlock after arrest and credit early installation of an interlock toward time ordered on an interlock upon conviction. Interlocks required for plea agreements or diversion? Not applicable The implementation of Vermont's interlock law is mainly administrative and not solely reliant on the Court system. As a result, the use plea agreements or diversion to avoid interlock use does not play a factor in undermining the use of this lifesaving device for drunk drivers. Affordability program? Yes In order for DMV to approve an interlock vendor, the manufacturer must agree to reduce the cost of the device by at least 50% for persons
who prove that they receive 3Squares, LIHEAP, or Reach Up benefits or like benefits in another state. Sources: Sec. 4. 23 V.S.A. §1205, Sec. 2. 23 V.S.A. §1213, Vermont DMV.
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