What Is Required of Me To Have My License Reinstated After a DUI Conviction?

If an individual is convicted of a DUI either in the criminal or civil context, there are certain requirements that must be met in order for their driver’s license to be reinstated. What is important for most people, is that these tasks are completed efficiently so there is no “dead time”, where a suspension is prolonged merely because the convicted individual has been unable to complete all the steps required during the initial suspension period.

Impaired Driver Rehabilitation Program (IDRP) Screening

The first step in license reinstatement is to complete an initial screening with the IDRP coordinator. This screening will determine whether there are alcohol or drug dependency issues that increase the likelihood of reoffending.

IDRP Class

After the screening has been completed, an individual convicted of DUI must then complete the class portion of the IDRP program. This class, requires regular attendance at group sessions (most are held via Zoom at this time). There are two options for DUI offenders. Participate in a once a week class for four weeks, or complete an overnight weekend intensive class. To see where these classes are held and on what dates, visit the IDRP calendar page.

Counseling

One of the major reasons for an initial screening is to determine whether an individual needs to engage in alcohol or drug counseling as a result of the findings in the screening report. For a DUI-First, there is customarily a requirement of at least four counseling sessions with a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC). DUI-Second offenses carry enhanced counseling requirements. LADCs are in high demand throughout Vermont and can be difficult to connect with to set up an initial appointment. If you do not have a personnel connection with an LADC, a good place to start looking can be found HERE.

The Certificate of Completion

Once both the IDRP class and, if necessary, counseling sessions have been completed, IDRP should send a completion certificate to the Vermont DMV, notifying them that this requirement has been complete.

Unfortunately, this certificate does not always automatically get sent after completion. It is important to conduct the necessary follow up with both the DMV and the IDRP program to ensure that the two agencies are communicating in a timely manner. Otherwise, your license could be held in limbo while the slow wheels of bureaucracy grind along at a snail’s pace.

SR-22 Certificate

Vermont requires that all individuals convicted of a DUI must obtain an SR-22 certificate from their insurance company, certifying that they are providing at least the mandated minimum coverage. Vermont’s minimum coverage currently sits at $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 in property damage. For more information on the SR-22 process visit the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation website.

Paying Reinstatement Fee

An often forgotten phase of the license reinstatement is paying the necessary license reinstatement fee to the Vermont DMV. Currently the fee is $98.00 and can be paid by visiting the DMV website.

If you do not pay this fee, your license will not be reinstated. I have seen numerous cases throughout the year where a motorist has been pulled over and arrested for Criminal Driving While License is Suspended merely because they never paid the reinstatement fee.

Your License is Not Reinstated Until You Receive Notice from the Vermont DMV

Do not assume that you are reinstated because you have completed the necessary steps. In order to be considered legally reinstated you must receive written notice from the DMV.

The DUI process carries with it many legal hurdles in order to get your life back on track. Although the criminal side of things bring potential financial penalties as well as the risk of a period of incarceration, the license suspension process can also be ripe with potential peril. Ensuring you understand and are able to navigate both in the most efficient manner possible is key to ensuring that the DUI become a distant memory in as short a time as possible.