Connecticut Driver License

In the United States, you are required to have a valid driver’s license, if you want to drive a car. Accordingly, it is illegal to drive without holding an authentic license.

The state of Connecticut is no exception and it is unlawful to operate any motor vehicle without demonstrating proper evidence of licensing. To clarify, one must go through the state licensing process and obtain a Connecticut driver’s license to be able to drive legally.

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles takes responsibility for the licensing process by establishing laws and rules concerning driving in the state. The Department, in short, ensures safe driving practices that apply to all persons who drive a vehicle in the state of Connecticut.

The licensing process includes getting proper driving education, as well as taking the required tests. To put it differently, you will need to take a written and driving skills test to demonstrate safe driving skills. You will also need to pass a vision test and have your fingerprints taken.

Equally important is submitting the right documentation, which will support the licensing process. In addition to this, the guide is to assist you to gather the necessary paperwork, as well as complete the steps mentioned above.

How to obtain a learner’s permit

Persons, who are between 16 and 18 years old, can make their first step towards getting a driver’s license and apply for a learner’s permit. The latter gives one the opportunity to drive legally, supervised by a licensed driver. The license is valid for only two years and you must get an adult license afterwards.

Requirements

• To begin with, you must provide parental consent, by having your parents or guardian sign the Certificate of Parental Consent in a DMV office
• The next requirement is to take and pass a written knowledge test, which will assess your knowledge of traffic rules and laws, as well as road signs and safety items
• You will also need to take a law knowledge test
• Equally important is passing the vision test, which determines if you can see well enough to drive safely
• The last step is to pay the fix fees and get photographed

Necessary documentation

• Current and valid forms of identification (including full legal name)
• Certificate of date of birth
• Social Security Number
• Evidence of legal presence in the US
• Connecticut residence address (showing street, city)

Steps to get a teen driver’s license

You can apply for a teen driver’s license if you are 16-18 years of age and hold a learner’s permit. This license gives you permission to practice unsupervised driving, with some restrictions.

Requirements for a teen driver’s license

• Completing driving training in a high or commercial driving school (containing 30 hours of classroom training, 8 hours of safe driving practices)
• Behind-the-wheel training
• Taking and passing the road test
• Paying the required fees

Necessary documentation

• Your learner’s permit
• Evidence of having completed driving training
• Vehicle registration certificate
• Insurance card

Driving restrictions

1. Not driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.(except for the purposes of employment, school, religious medical needs)
2. Using your cellphone or other types of wireless communications is also not allowed

Note that you cannot carry passengers for the first six months of driving.

Steps to get an adult driver’s license in Connecticut

If you have your learner’s permit and have completed the driver education training requirements, then you can apply for the Connecticut driver’s license.

Connecticut driver’s license requirements

• To start with, you must hold your learner’s permit (at least for 90 days)
• Secondly, you should demonstrate certificate of completion of the eight-hour Safe Driving Practices course
• Thirdly, you must schedule a road test, take it and successfully pass it
• Bring proper documentation to help the licensing process
• Pay the required fees

Required paperwork

• Two forms of valid identification, including Primary and Secondary ID (for example, US Passport or Passport Card)
• Social Security Number (Social Security card, W-2 form, 1099)
• Documents of legal presence in the United States
• Certificate of a properly registered and insured vehicle
• Evidence of auto insurance coverage
• Residence address in the state of Connecticut
• Pay attention to the fact that you must provide your full legal name, as it will be printed on the card.

Learn how to renew your Connecticut driver’s license

In the state of Connecticut, you must renew your driver’s license when it is due to expire. To clarify, you can start the renewal process six months before the expiration date to keep it active. Below you may find different ways of renewing the driver’s license.

In person

To renew the driver’s license in person, you should visit a DMV office and bring both the current license and the application form.

Online

If you want to renew the license online, then you will need to provide your first and last name, date of birth, street address, driver’s license number, social security number and a credit/debit card.

Note that you will not be able to renew online, if you are not a US citizen or if you have a commercial driver’s license. You will also not be eligible to renew it, if you have an S, V, A, or F endorsement or an expired license (for two or more years). For the latter case, you will need to complete driver training and tests again, as well as pay additional late fee of $25.

By mail

You can renew the license by mail, if you:

• Are fulfilling military duty in the US, serving the armed forces
• Have health problems and, therefore, cannot visit the DMV office
• You are out of the state/country
• If you are in prison

You should send the necessary documents, application form and payment to the following mailing address:

Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06109
Central Issuance Operations Unit

Connecticut driver’s license classifications

The state of Connecticut issues driver’s licenses in different classifications, according to the type of vehicle you want to drive.

Class D (Non-Commercial)

This license, in short, gives permission to drive any motor vehicle, other than a commercial vehicle or motorcycle.

Class A (Commercial)

To clarify, it allows operating combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 lbs.

Class B (Commercial)

To clarify, it allows operating a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs.

Class C (Commercial)

This license, in short, allows transporting 16 passengers and hazardous materials.

M Endorsement

This one, in short, is for motorcycles.

V Endorsement

To clarify, it is used for student transportation vehicles, including activity vehicle, taxi, service bus, motor coach.

A Endorsement

To clarify, allows driving activity vehicles, taxi, livery, service bus and motor coach.

F Endorsement

This, in short, gives permission to drive taxi, livery, service bus, motor coach.

Q Endorsement

To clarify, this is needed for fire apparatus.

Driver’s license fees

• Learner’s Permit Fee: $19
• Driver’s License Fee: $72
• Knowledge Test Fee: $40
• Driver’s License Renewal Fee: $72.00 ($96 for 8-year license)
• DMV Transaction Convenience Fee: $8

Contact Information

If you want to contact the Department within Hartford area, then you should call at 860-263-5700.

Those, who want to contact the Department from Connecticut other areas/parts, can call at 800-842-8222.

If you are out of state, then you can call at 860-263-5700.