Skip to main content

Course Outline

Officer testing for sobriety

Vermont law establishes specific penalties for BWI.

  • For operators 21 years of age or older, these are the penalties.
    • Upon a first conviction of boating while intoxicated, offenders:
      • Lose the privilege to operate any vessel (except for a non-motorized canoe or rowboat) for up to 1 year and…
      • Must successfully complete an alcohol program at the person’s own expense and…
      • Are fined up to $750.
    • Upon subsequent convictions, the fine is increased up to $1,000.
    • A person boating while intoxicated who causes the death of another person will, upon conviction, be imprisoned for up to 15 years, fined up to $10,000, or both imprisoned and fined.
    • A person boating while intoxicated who causes the serious bodily injury of another person will, upon conviction, be imprisoned for up to 15 years, fined up to $5,000, or both imprisoned and fined.
  • For operators under 21 years of age, these are the penalties.
    • For a first violation, the offender loses the privilege to operate any vessel (except for a non-motorized canoe or rowboat) for at least 6 months and must successfully complete an alcohol program at the person’s own expense.
    • For subsequent violations, the privilege to operate a vessel will be lost for 1 year or until the person reaches 21 years of age, whichever is longer.
  • Unit 4 of 6
  • Topic 4 of 19
  • Page 4 of 4