Vermont Driving Records

Vermont's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) maintains comprehensive driving records for all licensed drivers in the state. These records play a crucial role in various aspects of driving administration, law enforcement, and public safety.

Driving records are publicly accessible but are still subject to limitations under the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA).

Depending on requests, these records can contain partial details for up to three years or a full history. A holder's driving records include traffic violations, personal information, license status, driving restrictions, accidents, and demerit points.

Understanding these records and laws is vital for Vermont drivers, as they impact everything from insurance rates to employment opportunities.

Whether an individual is a long-time resident or new to the state, they should always be updated on driving regulations and record-keeping systems.

Types of Driving Records Available in Vermont

The Vermont DMV offers two distinct types of driving records, which are as follows:

Certified 3-year History

The Certified 3-year History provides a snapshot of a driver's recent record. This document covers the most recent three-year period. The charge for this record is $17, an affordable option for those needing a brief overview of their driving history.

Certified Complete Driving History

For a more thorough examination of a driver's record, the Certified Complete Driving History serves as the go-to option. This record encompasses the entire driving career of an individual, from their first license issuance to the present day.

The VT DMV charges $24 for this comprehensive document. This record proves invaluable for legal purposes, extensive background checks, or individuals seeking a complete understanding of their driving history in Vermont.

How To Request a Vermont Driving History Report?

Vermont offers multiple methods for obtaining driving history reports. Depending on their needs and frequency of access, residents can choose between in-person requests and subscriber services.

The DMV provides these options to accommodate various user requirements while maintaining the privacy and security of drivers' information.

In-Person Process

Individuals can request their driving record by submitting a Record Request Form  (VG-116) along with the appropriate fee at the Montpelier Main Office or any DMV location. Accepted payment methods include cash, checks, money orders, and credit or debit cards. Scheduling an appointment beforehand can streamline the process.

Subscriber Services

Vermont offers subscriber services for frequent or bulk access to driving records. This option is useful for insurance companies and other entities requiring regular access to driver information.

Subscribers gain access to various online services, including DMV Driver Record Lookups and Department of Public Safety (DPS) Criminal Conviction Record Lookups.

To subscribe, applicants must complete the subscriber services application form and any additional required documents, such as the Agreement As To The Driver Privacy Protection Policy for motor vehicle records.

The annual subscription fee of $75 includes up to ten individual user accounts. Subscribers can choose between monthly invoicing or auto-debit billing options.

Interested parties can apply immediately by downloading the necessary forms and mailing the completed documents to the address below:

NIC Vermont

90 Main Street

Suite 302

Montpelier, VT 05602

Uses of Vermont Driving Records

Vermont driving records serve various purposes for individuals, businesses, and government agencies:

• Government functions: Used by agencies, courts, and law enforcement for monitoring traffic violations, enforcing laws, and public safety analysis.
• Motor vehicle safety: Manufacturers and researchers analyze these records for vehicle performance, safety recalls, and policy decisions.
• Business verification: Companies verify personal information to prevent fraud, using a DMV confirmation process within DPPA guidelines. A separate request form to verify is used for this process. 
• Insurance: Insurers assess risk, investigate claims, and determine rates based on driving history.
• Commercial driver verification: Employers verify commercial driver's licenses to confirm adherence to safety standards.
• Personal use: Individuals can request their records for personal review or provide them to others as needed.

Understanding Vermont Driving Laws

Vermont has extensive driving laws. Here are some laws that motorists should always remember, as violating these specific laws can mean points against offenders:

General Requirements When Obtaining a Driver’s License

To obtain a Vermont driver's license, applicants must be at least 18 years old and pass the required examination. New residents must acquire a Vermont license within 60 days of establishing residency or before their out-of-state license expires, whichever comes first.

General requirements include proof of residency or authorization to stay as a foreign visitor in Vermont. Documentation establishing identity is mandatory.

State law prohibits issuing or renewing licenses for individuals with suspended, revoked, or refused driving privileges in any state until reinstatement. Licenses are also denied to those deemed incapable of safe driving or non-Vermont residents.

The Commissioner has the authority to refuse license issuance based on safety concerns.

Financial Responsibility Requirements

Drivers must maintain financial responsibility insurance. Failure to follow this law may subject the offenders to civil traffic citations, fines, and violation points.

Financial Responsibility Insurance covers an individual rather than a specific vehicle. Drivers required to file must maintain coverage for at least three years. Lapses in coverage lead to license suspension until valid coverage is reinstated.

Child Passenger Safety Regulations

Vermont enforces strict child passenger safety laws to protect young occupants:

• Children under one year or weighing less than 20 pounds: Rear-facing car seat, not in front of an active airbag
• Ages 1-7 and over 20 pounds: Appropriate child restraint system
• Ages 8-17: Safety belt or child restraint system

Violations incur fines ranging from $25 for first offenses to $100 for third offenses. No points are assessed against the driver's license.

Move Over Law

Vermont's Move Over Law protects emergency responders and roadside workers. When approaching stationary emergency vehicles with activated signal lamps, drivers must reduce speed. If safe, they vacate the lane closest to the stationary vehicles.

This law applies to law enforcement, rescue vehicles, fire trucks, ambulances, and towing/repair vehicles.

Speed Limits

Vermont sets specific speed limits for various road types. Limits on interstate and controlled-access highways cannot exceed 55 miles per hour (mph). For other roads, speed limits range from 25 to 50 mph. Municipal governments can establish limits between 35 and 50 mph on unpaved highways without conducting traffic investigations.

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Laws

Vermont takes a strict stance on driving under the influence (DUI). Blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limits are as follows:

• 0.08% for drivers 21 and older
• 0.02% for drivers under 21
• 0.04% for commercial drivers

Penalties for DUI convictions can include fines, license suspension, mandatory alcohol education programs, and installation of an ignition interlock device. For repeat offenders, jail time may also be imposed, with the duration depending on the severity of the violations.

Law enforcement conducts sobriety checkpoints and can request breath, blood, or urine tests from suspected impaired drivers. Refusing these tests can result in automatic license suspension.

Crash or Accident Reporting

Vermont law mandates reporting motor vehicle crashes under specific circumstances. Operators must file a written report with the Commissioner within 72 hours if the crash results in injury to any person and total property damage exceeds $3,000.

The Points System in Vermont

Vermont's driving record system assigns points for traffic violations. Drivers accumulating ten points or more within two years face license suspension. 

In Vermont, examples of minor violations with allotted two to three points are as follows:

• Failure to yield right of way at intersections
• Improper signaling
• Slow-moving vehicle violations
• Following too closely

Moderate violations have four to five points and can be the following instances:

• Disobeying law enforcement
• Failing to yield to pedestrians
• Using electronic devices in work/school zones (first offense)
• Failing to yield to emergency vehicles
• Illegally passing school buses

Severe violations carry a 10-point penalty. Examples include negligent driving, leaving the scene of an accident, and attempting to elude police.

Violation points remain on a driver’s record for two years and are not subject to any reduction program.

Criminal vs. Civil Driving Offenses in Vermont

Vermont's driving laws distinguish criminal and civil offenses, each carrying different consequences for motorists. 

Criminal Driving Offenses

Criminal driving offenses encompass more serious violations that pose significant risks to public safety. These offenses typically involve impaired driving, reckless behavior, and actions resulting in injury or death.

Felony Driving Offenses

Felony traffic violations represent the most severe category of criminal driving offenses. These include vehicular homicide or manslaughter, multiple DUI convictions, hit-and-run incidents causing injury, and aggravated reckless driving with damage to property or injury.

Penalties for felony driving violations may include incarceration of two or more years in state prison. Habitual offenders with multiple felony convictions face heightened penalties, including possible life imprisonment for a fourth offense.

Fines and assessments are computed with a minimum of $5,000. Moreover, offenders can lose their civil rights and privileges.

Misdemeanor Driving Offenses

Misdemeanor traffic violations are less severe than felonies but are still considered criminal offenses. These include reckless driving, driving without insurance or a valid license, failing to stop after an accident, and first or second DUI offenses.

Unlike some states, Vermont doesn't subdivide misdemeanors into classes. Courts determine penalties for each offense individually.

Misdemeanor penalties include imprisonment for up to two years, driving privilege suspension, and fines of up to $10,000. Penalties escalate for repeat offenders.

Civil Driving Offenses

Vermont classifies less severe traffic violations as civil offenses, treating them as non-criminal matters. These infractions fall into two categories: moving and non-moving violations. Moving violations include speeding or failing to stop at a red light. Meanwhile, non-moving violations typically involve equipment issues or parking infractions.

Common civil driving offenses include:

• Speeding
• Using electronic devices while driving
• Improper lane usage
• Following too closely
• Equipment violations (faulty lights, cracked windshields)
• Parking in prohibited areas

Civil driving offenses carry lighter penalties than criminal violations. Consequences may include monetary fines, points added to the driver's record, and potential license suspension for accumulating too many points.

Vermont Driving Statistics and Goals

Vermont's roadways have seen fluctuating safety trends in recent years. Between 2018 and 2022, the state averaged 0.9632 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT).

While 2019 marked a low point with 0.64 fatalities per 100 million VMT, subsequent years have shown a concerning upward trajectory. Current projections for 2023 indicate a potential rise to 1.37 fatalities per 100 million VMT.

Unrestrained passenger vehicle occupants accounted for 41% of all fatal injuries from 2018 to 2022, making it the second-leading factor in fatal crashes. Additionally, 23% of serious injury crashes involved improper occupant protection. 

Alcohol-impaired driving remains a significant concern. The town of Dummerston in Windham County reported the highest rate of fatal and serious injury crashes involving drivers with a BAC of 0.08% or above, at 18.30 per 10,000 people from 2017 to 2021.

Newbury followed with 14.72, while the combined area of Glastonbury, Woodford, Searsburg, Stamford, and Readsboro ranked third at 14.69.

Targeted Interventions and Campaigns

In collaboration with the State Highway Safety Office under the Agency of Transportation, the DMV focuses on high-risk areas to improve road safety. It targets outreach, engagement, and education efforts in census tracts with elevated fatality counts.

This approach aims to reduce the overall statewide fatalities per 100 million VMT and address specific safety concerns in vulnerable communities.

The state also participates in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) campaigns like "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" and "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over." These initiatives use various media channels to highlight the consequences of impaired driving.

Law enforcement conducts visible stops to check for impaired drivers. These may involve stopping all vehicles or a selection, with breath tests administered when impairment is suspected.

Other interventions and campaigns that the VT DMV employs to improve road safety in the state include the following:

• Strict implementation of Ignition Interlocks
• Partner collaborations with third-party service providers and non-profit organizations
• Conducting attitude surveys
• Drug Recognition Experts (DRE)

Frequently Asked Questions About Vermont Driving Records

If users still have questions about driving records, here are answers for some of the frequently asked questions:

Who Is Allowed To Request a Driving Record?

Generally, the driver is the only person who can request a driving record. However, employers, insurance companies, and individuals can obtain this record for employment screening, insurance rate determinations, or personal reference. Others will need to obtain the record holder's consent.

Is Access to Driving Records Public?

Access to driving records is public. However, not all information is available to anybody without the driver's consent unless the purpose is for public safety.

What To Do if There’s an Error on the Third-Party Driving Records?

The DMV is committed to accuracy and transparency. If an individual finds an error, they should make sure that the copy they are checking is certified by an authorized government agency. Vermont doesn’t accredit third-party and private providers to generate these records.

If the copy is DMV-certified and there’s an error, record holders should clarify immediately with the concerned department.

Can Traffic Violations Be Sealed or Expunged?

Sealing and expungement are allowed. However, violators can request these procedures and present their reasons to have them approved.

What is The Difference Between Sealing and Expungement?

Sealing is when certain details, especially those that are criminal in nature, are not available publicly. On the other hand, expungement permanently destroys a record's details.

Helpful Links and Resources

If drivers still want to know more about driving records, driving laws, and other related matters, they can use these additional resources for their reference:

• A full chapter of Vermont Statutes: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/23/025 
• Forms and manuals: https://dmv.vermont.gov/forms
• Appointment online scheduler: https://vtdmv.cxmflow.com/Appointment/Index/57479cc4-a999-4eee-a392-0a7a474a17aa
• List of towns and cities with contact and address: https://www.vermont.gov/towns-and-Cities#gsc.tab=0 
• A full chapter on Vermont driving laws: https://legislature.vermont.gov/statutes/fullchapter/23/013 

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Counties in Vermont

• Addison
• Bennington
• Caledonia
• Chittenden
• Essex
• Franklin
• Grand Isle
• Lamoille
• Orange
• Orleans
• Rutland
• Washington
• Windham
• Windsor