Getting Your Connecticut Driver’s License: A Complete Guide

Getting your Connecticut driver’s license requires quite a few steps – regardless of your age, you will need to successfully complete the Graduated Driver’s License program before gaining full driving privileges. This will allow you to slowly get comfortable with operating a motor vehicle before being able to freely drive throughout the state. 

Stage 1: Learner’s Permit

The learner’s permit is the first step to getting your adult driver’s license. In Connecticut, you’re able to get your permit as early as 16 years of age. If you’re 18 or older when you apply, you’ll only need to hold the permit for a limited time (90 days).

To receive your permit, you need to:

• Pass the knowledge exam. It tests you on important traffic rules and legislation, including road signs and Connecticut-specific rules. The knowledge exam consists of 25 questions, of which you need to answer at least 20 correctly.
• Pass a vision test to ensure your visual acuity is at least 20/40.
• Pay the necessary $19 application fee and $40 test fee.

If you need help studying for your exam, Zutobi is the way to go. Our study material goes in-depth to teach you all about operating a motor vehicle and traffic laws in Connecticut. You also get dozens of practice tests to make sure there’s no way you’ll fail the knowledge exam.

Permit Restrictions 

The state of Connecticut imposes strict restrictions on student drivers under 18 years old with a permit.

If you’re under 18 – you will be faced with the following restrictions:

• Cannot travel from 11pm to 5am unless traveling for school, work, or religious activities
• Cannot drive with another passenger besides a licensed instructor or parent during first six months
• Can drive with only immediate family members in the second six months
• Cannot use cellphone or other electronic device while operating

If you’re over 18, you will need to hold your permit for 90 days and complete a Safe Driving Practices course before taking the road exam. You will then graduate immediately to a full drivers license without having to go through the teen license first.

If you would like to know more about this part of the licensing process, we recommend that you read our in-depth Connecticut learner’s permit guide.

Stage 2: Connecticut Teen Driver’s License 

As its name suggests, the teen Connecticut driver’s license is for teenagers 16 years or older looking to get their license. While you have a learner permit, there will be a few things you must do before applying for your teen license.

Teen Drivers License Requirements 

You’ll need to satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for a teen license. 

1. Complete Driver Training. You have two options for completing driver training:
   1. High School or Commercial Driving School is a popular option for many teens. This will include 30 hours of classroom training as well as an 8-hour Safe Driving Practices course, with two hours of parent/guardian instruction
   2. Home Training involves 22 hours of classroom training in addition to an 8-hour Safe Driving Practices Course and 2 hours with a parent/guardian
2. Complete behind-the-wheel training. Whether you decide to go with a driving school or home training, you will need to complete 40 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.
3. Hold permit for 120 or 180 days. If you are trained at a driving school, you will need to hold your permit for 120. Those who are home-trained will need to hold a permit for 180 days.

How to get a Teen Driver’s License in Connecticut

You will need to schedule and take a road test. The road test will examine your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle in the state of Connecticut. You will be tested on your ability to perform core driving maneuvers such as three-point turns, maintaining a safe following distance, left/right turns, and more. Your test administrator will ultimately test you on your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as well as your control and observance of road conditions.

On the day of your appointment, you will need to bring the following:

• Learner’s Permit
• Proof of completion of driving course, driver training, and parental training (CS-1)
• A vehicle for the road test
• Valid insurance and registration for your vehicle

After you passed your exams and provided proper documentation, you will need to pay $72 for your license (at the time of writing), payable by cash, check, or credit/debit card.

Teen License Restrictions

You will face the following restrictions:

• During first six months, you may only drive with a parent or legal guardian or another adult over the age of 20
• For the second six months, you may drive with members of your immediate family
• May not drive between 11pm and 5am, except if going to school, work, or religious activity
• Must wear seatbelts and refrain from using electronic devices at all times.

Adult Connecticut Driver’s License 

If you’re under 18 and you’ve made it this far – congratulations! You’ve done everything you need to do in order to get your full driver’s license. When you turn 18, your new license will be mailed directly to you. 

New drivers who apply for their license over the age of 18 will need to first obtain a learner’s permit and hold it for 90 days. Then, you’ll be prompted to schedule, take, and pass the road exam. Your license will be mailed to you after successful completion of these tasks.

That’s It!

That’s all there is to getting your driver’s license in Connecticut. We hope this guide has helped you understand the process a little bit better and what to expect. If you need help studying for your upcoming exams, Zutobi is the perfect study guide to help you ace your exams.