Key points
On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52A BAC of .08 or above means you are under the influence, but you can be impaired below .08.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“Vermont law states that when a person's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) is .08 or above, he/she is “under the influence” or “impaired”. It is important to remember that a person is impaired at blood alcohol concentration levels below .08.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52Drivers under 21 with .02 or more get a civil violation, a suspension and a required alcohol education program.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“People under the age of 21 who operate a vehicle with an alcohol concentration of .02 or more can receive a civil traffic violation. The Driver’s License will be suspended and the driver must complete an alcohol and driving education program at their own expense.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52It takes at least an hour per drink for alcohol to leave your body.
Source: Handbook p. 53
“It takes at least an hour per drink for the alcohol and its effects to be processed out of your body.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 53By getting a license you agree to take an alcohol or drug test when asked.
Source: Handbook p. 53
“This means that when a person gets a license, that person is agreeing to say "yes" when asked to take a test to see how much alcohol or other drugs are in the person's body.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 53Refusing the test means losing your license for at least 6 months.
Source: Handbook p. 53
“If the driver refuses, they will lose their Driver's License for at least six (6) months.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 53Vermont can suspend your license through a civil process before any criminal DUI conviction.
Source: Handbook p. 53
“Vermont has an administrative suspension process, which means that you can lose your license through a civil process before a criminal DUI conviction.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 53A minor ticketed for alcohol must contact the Teen Alcohol Safety Program within 15 days, or face a $300.00 penalty and 90 day suspension.
Source: Handbook p. 7
“failure to contact the diversion board within 15 days will result in the case being referred to the judicial bureau, where the person, if found liable for the violation, will be subject to a penalty of $300.00 and a 90day suspension”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 7Even one drink impairs your judgment.
Source: Handbook p. 52
“Even one drink impairs your judgment.”
Vermont Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 52
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 40 minutes | how often someone is killed by a drunk driver | Handbook p. 52 |
| .08 | BAC that is legally under the influence | Handbook p. 52 |
| .02 (under 21) | level that brings a civil violation for young drivers | Handbook p. 52 |
| 6 months | minimum license loss for refusing a test | Handbook p. 53 |
| 15 days, $300.00, 90 days | deadline to contact the teen diversion program, and the penalty and suspension if you do not | Handbook p. 7 |
3 questions from the Vermont practice test
1. How often does the Vermont manual say someone is killed by a drunk driver?
- Once a week
- Every 4 hours
- Once a day
- On average every 40 minutes
Show answer
On average every 40 minutes. On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes. The manual uses the figure to show that impaired driving is a constant danger, not a rare event. Alcohol slows reaction time, blurs judgment, and reduces coordination long before a person feels drunk. If you drink, arrange a ride, stay overnight where you are, or call for help before getting behind the wheel.
2. What BAC level does Vermont identify as impaired for a general adult driver?
- 0.02 or above
- 0.04 or above
- 0.12 or above
- 0.08 or above
Show answer
0.08 or above. For the general adult rule described here, Vermont identifies a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or above as being under the influence or impaired. The lower .02 figure belongs to drivers under 21 and is a separate civil violation threshold, while .04 is not the general adult figure stated in this passage. A practical cue is to separate the adult impairment rule from the special under-21 rule instead of treating every driver category as identical.
3. Under Vermont's implied consent law, what can happen if a driver refuses an officer's alcohol or drug test?
- The driver receives only a written warning
- The driver's license can be lost for at least six months
- The license is suspended for exactly 30 days
- The driver may refuse if no crash occurred
Show answer
The driver's license can be lost for at least six months. Getting a Vermont license means agreeing to take a test when a police officer believes alcohol or drugs may be affecting the driver. Refusal can cost the driver the license for at least six months, independent of whether a criminal DUI conviction follows. The 30-day option understates the minimum stated period, while a warning is not the administrative consequence described. The useful cue is the word refusal: the administrative suspension process can begin before a criminal case is resolved.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with alcohol and dui questions from the free Vermont practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Vermont Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Driving Safely and Studying for Your Permit. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.