How to Apply for a Drivers License in Connecticut

There are very specific rules and steps that must be followed in order for residents to obtain a driver’s license in Connecticut. These requirements may include acquiring a learner’s permit first, providing certain identification documents and passing the applicable tests.

On the other hand, these steps vary slightly depending on your age when applying for a CT DMV license, since there are additional requirements in place for minors. For instance, motorists who are younger than 18 years of age may obtain a new driver’s license with certain attached restrictions, whereas applicants who are 18 years of age or older can acquire driving credentials without any limitations. Becoming aware of these differences and how the process of applying for a license changes based on your age is very important. To learn more, continue reading the information detailed below.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Connecticut as an Adult (18 or Older)

It is important for you to understand all the relevant drivers license information in order to apply for this type of driving credential as an adult. If you are 18 years of age or older, you may be able to apply for a standard non-restricted Connecticut DMV drivers license, as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.

These drivers license requirements include that you must be 18 years of age or older and pass the tests related to this credential. Moreover, you must have held an adult learners permit for at least 90 days and completed an 8-hour safe driving practice course.

In addition, when you apply for a drivers license, you must be prepared to show documentation that proves your identity and legal status in the U.S., along with proof of your physical address in Connecticut. Furthermore, all of these requirements must be completed in person, because getting a driver’s license online is not offered in the state.

In order to get your first CT driving license, you must obtain an adult learners permit. In general, all applicants who are 18 years of age or older must obtain an adult learners permit before obtaining a license. As such, you must:

  1. Make an appointment, then visit a local Connecticut DMV office.
  2. Provide valid documentation:
  3. Two forms of identification, such as U.S. birth certificate, passport, permanent resident card, military ID, certified school transcript or tribal member ID card.
  4. Proof of Social Security Number (SSN), such as a Social Security card, W-2 form or 1099.
  5. Two forms proving Connecticut residency, including postmarked mail, mortgage or rent statement, credit card bill, property tax bill, Medicaid or Medicare statement or state-issued motor vehicle registration.
  6. Proof of legal presence in the U.S. if you were not born in the country, such as an I-94, permanent resident card or refugee travel document.
  7. Name change documents (if applicable), such as marriage certificate or probate court name change document.
  8. Pass a vision test.
  9. Pass a 25-question knowledge test.
  10. Pay the $40 testing fee, covering the vision, knowledge and road skills tests.
  11. Pay the $19 learner’s permit

It is important to note that, in order to obtain a DMV license, you must pass a road skills test. After holding the adult learners permit for at least 90 days, you will be able to schedule this exam. Furthermore, you must bring the following with you on the date of your scheduled road test:

  • A print-out of your road test appointment confirmation page.
  • A fully completed R-229 form application.
  • Your learners permit.
  • A properly insured and registered vehicle to complete the test in.
  • A valid motor vehicle registration certificate.
  • A valid auto insurance
  • The CS-1 driver education completion certificate, issued by the Connecticut licensed driving school where you completed your 8-hour safe driving practices course.
  • Payment for the $72 licensing fee for new credentials.

Getting a Connecticut Drivers License as a New Resident

If you are a new resident who needs a Connecticut DMV license, you must surrender your valid out-of-state driving credential and obtain a CT license within 30 days of becoming a resident. To complete the transfer, you must bring the following:

  • Your current out-of-state DMV driver’s license, which must not be expired for more than two years.
  • A completed Application for Non-Commercial Driver’s License (Form R-229).
  • Acceptable identification documents.
  • An application fee of $40.
  • A license fee of $72.

How to Apply for a Driver’s License in Connecticut as a Teen (Younger Than 18)

The process of how to get a driver’s license as a motorist who is younger than 18 of age is very similar to the procedure of obtaining this credential as an adult. In general, applicants must first apply for a learner’s permit, then take a road skills test at a DMV office.

However, as a minor holding a permit, there will be certain restrictions on when you may drive and with whom. Moreover, you will be required to complete additional driver’s education before you can qualify for a license. To learn more about this process, read the sections below.

Connecticut Drivers License Eligibility Requirements for Teens (Younger Than 18)

When completing a driving license application, one of the most important factors in whether or not you are eligible to get a license is the length of time during which you have held a learner’s permit. Generally, you must hold your permit for a certain period of time before you meet the driver’s license eligibility requirements and are able to take the road skills test.

The length of time that you need to hold a permit before obtaining a full DMV license depends on the driver’s education course that you enrolled in. If you complete drivers ed through a commercial driving school or a secondary school (high school), you may apply for your Connecticut driver license after you have held your permit for at least 120 days. If you complete home training through a qualified instructor, you must have held your permit for at least 180 days before you can take the road skills test in order to get your license.

Furthermore, when you apply for a driver’s license in CT, be prepared to show documentation proving your identity and legal presence in the U.S., along with proof of state residency.

Driver’s license services in the form of driver’s education courses are required for all residents seeking to obtain a new license. If you are 18 years of age or older, you may take an 8-hour safe driving practices course. On the other hand, if you are 16 or 17 years of age, you may complete a driver’s ed course through either a commercial driving school, secondary school or home training.

Steps for Getting a Drivers License in Connecticut as a Teen (Younger Than 18)

In order to get your first CT driving license, you must first obtain a learner’s permit. After holding your permit for a set period of time, you will be able to apply for a license with full privileges. Thus, in order to get this permit, you must:

  1. Make an appointment, then visit a DMV office.
  2. Provide identification documents such as:
  3. Two forms of identification (birth certificate, passport, permanent resident card, military ID, certified school transcript, tribal member ID card)
  4. Proof of Social Security Number (Social Security card, W-2 form or 1099).
  5. Two proofs of state residency (postmarked mail, mortgage or rent statement, credit card bill, property tax bill, Medicaid or Medicare statement or motor vehicle registration).
  6. Proof of legal status in the event that you were not born in the U.S. (U.S. passport, 1-94, permanent resident card, refugee travel document).
  7. Name change documents, if applicable (certificate of marriage or related court document).
  8. Pass a vision test.
  9. Pass a 25-question knowledge test.
  10. Pay the $40 testing fee, which covers the vision, knowledge and road skills tests.
  11. Pay the $19 learner’s permit fee.

After you hold the learners permit for either 120 or 180 days, which depends on your CT driver’s license education, you can schedule a road skills test. After the successful completion of that exam, the DMV will allow you to obtain a license. Thus, make sure to bring the following documents with you for your scheduled road test:

  • A print-out of your road test appointment confirmation page.
  • A fully-completed R-229 form application.
  • Your valid learner’s permit.
  • A properly insured and registered vehicle to complete the test in, along with documents such as a valid auto insurance card and a valid car registration.
  • A CS-1 driver education completion certificate, which is issued after completing this training course.
  • Your qualified trainer, so that he or she can sign a form attesting that all driver education/practice driving requirements have been fulfilled.
  • Payment for the $72 licensing fee.

Connecticut Drivers License Costs

There are certain driver’s license costs that you should be aware of before applying for a license. These fees include the following:

  • Learners permit – $19
  • New driver’s license fee – $72
  • License examination fee (covering vision, knowledge and road tests) – $40
Last updated on Tuesday, March 3 2020.