Restricted License — Vermont
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Vermont's RDL Application Runs Through Montpelier
You lost your license after a DUI conviction in Vermont, and you need to drive to keep your job. You assumed you'd walk into a DMV office, fill out a hardship application, and leave with restricted driving privileges. That's not how Vermont works. The state calls it an Ignition Interlock Device Restricted Drivers License (RDL), and the application path runs through a specialized unit in Montpelier — not your local DMV counter.
Vermont's RDL is available only for DUI-related suspensions. If your suspension stems from unpaid fines, points accumulation, or uninsured driving, you do not qualify for this program. The RDL Unit reviews your driving record, sends you a packet, and requires you to pass an online knowledge test, install a camera-equipped ignition interlock device, and submit notarized documentation before your application is considered. Most applicants miss the camera requirement on the IID and face rejection.
“Vermont requires a camera-equipped IID for RDL approval — standard units without the camera feature trigger application rejection.”
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Vermont RDL Application Fee
The base application fee is $125. If you want an Enhanced Driver License (EDL), add $36. These fees are paid when you mail the completed RDL application packet to the RDL Unit in Montpelier.
Vermont DMV RDL Unit fee schedule
What the RDL Actually Covers
Vermont's RDL allows you to drive for work, medical appointments, education, court-ordered treatment, and essential household errands. The state does not publish a fixed list of approved purposes, but the RDL is not a full license — you cannot drive recreationally, and you must have the ignition interlock device installed and functioning at all times.
The RDL period runs concurrently with your suspension. If you were suspended for one year, the RDL allows you to drive during that year with the IID installed. Once the suspension period ends and you meet all reinstatement requirements, you apply for full license reinstatement. The RDL does not shorten your suspension — it gives you restricted driving privileges during it.
Vermont requires SR-22 filing for three years after a DUI conviction. The SR-22 is a certificate your insurance carrier files with the state to prove you carry liability coverage. You need SR-22 coverage active before the RDL is issued, and you must maintain it for the full three-year period. If your carrier cancels your policy or you let coverage lapse, the state suspends your RDL immediately.
Vermont requires a camera-equipped IID for RDL approval. Standard IID units without the camera feature do not meet state requirements and will trigger application rejection.
What Blocks Most RDL Applications
The most common blocker is the camera requirement on the IID. Vermont mandates a camera-equipped ignition interlock device for all RDL applicants. If you install a standard IID without the camera feature, your application is rejected. The IID vendor must confirm the camera is installed and functioning before you submit the installation form. If the vendor's form does not mention the camera, the RDL Unit will not approve your application.
The second blocker is the notarization requirement on the participant agreement. Vermont requires all four pages of the participant agreement to be signed and notarized. If you sign the agreement but do not have it notarized, the RDL Unit returns the packet without processing it. Most applicants assume the signature alone is sufficient — it is not.
The third blocker is SR-22 filing. Vermont requires proof of SR-22 coverage before the RDL is issued. If your carrier has not filed the SR-22 certificate with the state, or if the certificate has lapsed, your application is rejected. The SR-22 must be active and on file with the Vermont DMV before you mail the RDL packet to Montpelier.
3 years
Vermont SR-22 Filing Period
Vermont requires SR-22 filing for three years after a DUI conviction. The three-year period starts from the conviction date, not the filing date. If your SR-22 lapses at any point during the three years, the state suspends your RDL immediately.
Vermont DMV SR-22 Certificate of Insurance requirements
IID Costs and Monitoring Requirements
The camera-equipped IID costs more than a standard unit. Installation typically runs $75 to $150, depending on the vendor and your vehicle. Monthly monitoring fees range from $70 to $100. The monitoring fee covers the camera feature, data uploads, and calibration. Vermont requires monthly calibration visits — if you miss a calibration appointment, the IID logs a violation and reports it to the RDL Unit.
If the IID logs a violation — a failed breath test, a missed calibration, or a tampering attempt — the vendor reports it to the state. The RDL Unit reviews the violation and may suspend your RDL. Repeat violations trigger automatic revocation. The state does not issue warnings for IID violations. The first failed breath test is reported, and the RDL Unit decides whether to suspend your driving privileges based on the violation's severity.
Full Reinstatement After the RDL Period
Once your suspension period ends, you apply for full license reinstatement. Vermont's base reinstatement fee is $96. If your suspension involved multiple violations or a DUI with aggravating factors, the reinstatement fee may be higher — the state does not publish a fixed fee schedule for all suspension types. You must complete all court-ordered requirements, pay all outstanding fines, and maintain SR-22 coverage through the full three-year period before the state reinstates your full license.
After reinstatement, you take the driving test. The test costs $23. If you fail, you pay the $23 fee again to retake it. Once you pass the driving test and the state confirms all reinstatement requirements are met, you receive your full Vermont driver's license. The IID is removed after reinstatement, but the SR-22 filing requirement continues for the remainder of the three-year period. If you cancel your SR-22 coverage before the three years are up, the state suspends your license again.
Compare Carriers That Write RDL Coverage
Vermont requires SR-22 filing for the full three-year period after a DUI conviction. Not all carriers write SR-22 policies for drivers with DUI convictions, and rates vary significantly by carrier, county, and driving history. Carriers that write SR-22 coverage in Vermont include Geico, Progressive, State Farm, Farmers, National General, The General, USAA, and Dairyland. Each carrier prices DUI risk differently — one carrier may quote $243 per month while another quotes $259 for the same coverage. The only way to find the lowest rate is to compare quotes from multiple carriers that write your situation. Use the comparison tool to see which carriers write RDL coverage in your county and what each one charges for the liability limits Vermont requires.
The RDL Application Path
Contact the Ignition Interlock (RDL) Unit by phone or email. The unit reviews your driving record and determines whether you qualify for the RDL program. If you qualify, the unit sends you an application packet. You cannot download the packet from the DMV website — it is sent directly to you after the unit reviews your record. Once you receive the packet, you must pass the online knowledge test. The test costs $39 and is administered through the Vermont DMV website. You cannot take the test in person. If you fail, you pay the $39 fee again to retake it.
After passing the knowledge test, you install a camera-equipped ignition interlock device. Vermont requires the camera feature — standard IID units do not meet state requirements. The IID vendor provides an installation form after the device is installed. You submit that form with your RDL application. Next, you complete the four-page participant agreement, have it notarized, and mail it with the completed RDL application, the IID installation form, proof of SR-22 filing, and the $125 application fee to the RDL Unit in Montpelier. The unit processes the application and mails you the RDL if approved.
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Get My Restricted License Insurance QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Can I get a restricted license in Vermont for a non-DUI suspension?
No. Vermont's RDL program is available only for DUI-related suspensions. If your suspension stems from unpaid fines, points accumulation, or uninsured driving, you do not qualify for the RDL. The state does not offer a hardship license program for non-DUI suspensions.
How long does it take to get an RDL in Vermont?
Vermont does not publish a fixed processing timeline for RDL applications. After you mail the completed packet to the RDL Unit in Montpelier, the unit reviews your driving record, verifies your IID installation, and confirms your SR-22 filing is active. Processing typically takes several weeks, but delays occur if any documentation is missing or if the IID vendor's form does not confirm the camera feature.
What happens if I drive without the IID installed during my RDL period?
Driving without the IID installed during your RDL period is a violation of your restricted license terms. Vermont revokes your RDL immediately if you are caught driving a vehicle without the IID. The violation may also trigger additional criminal charges and extend your suspension period.
Do I need SR-22 insurance before I apply for the RDL?
Yes. Vermont requires proof of SR-22 filing before the RDL is issued. Your insurance carrier must file the SR-22 certificate with the Vermont DMV, and the certificate must be active when you mail your RDL application packet to Montpelier. If the SR-22 is not on file, your application is rejected.
Can I use a standard IID without the camera feature?
No. Vermont requires a camera-equipped ignition interlock device for all RDL applicants. Standard IID units without the camera feature do not meet state requirements. If your IID vendor's installation form does not confirm the camera is installed, the RDL Unit rejects your application.
What is the total cost of getting an RDL in Vermont?
The RDL application fee is $125. Add $39 for the online knowledge test, $23 for the driving test, $75 to $150 for IID installation, and $70 to $100 per month for IID monitoring. You also pay your insurance carrier's SR-22 filing fee (typically $15 to $50) and the monthly premium for SR-22 coverage. Total first-year cost typically exceeds $1,500 when you include all fees and insurance.