Applying for a New License

Connecticut is an especially tough state for anyone attempting to obtain a driver's license. Written exams are required for both the learner's permit and the driver's license. Special restrictions, including parental permission and required driver's education, are also placed on first-time drivers under 18. Finally, even those attempting to transfer a license from out of state are not guaranteed they won't have to take a written or even a road exam.

Here's what you need to know about applying for a learner's permit and driver's license from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles.

Applying for a Learner's Permit (16- and 17-Year-Olds)

If you are a teen driver who is over 16 but under 18, you may apply for a Connecticut driver's license―but only with your parents' permission. The first step is to get a learner's permit. To apply for a learner's permit, you must do the following:

• Request the application for a learner's permit.

• Prepare yourself to take the 10-question written exam covering basic driving knowledge and rules of the road. You must answer eight of the 10 questions correctly in order to pass. The following driver education tools will help you study for the exam:

• The Connecticut Driver's Manual

• Sample test 1

• Sample test 2

• Sample test 3

• When you think you're ready to take the test, you need to go to a Connecticut DMV office, where exams are offered on a walk-in basis. You don't have to make an appointment, but you need to arrive at least one hour before the DMV office is scheduled to close for the day.

• You'll need the following to take the test:

• Your completed application

• A notarized certificate of parental consent

• $18 in cash, money order, bank check, or personal check (no credit cards)

• Proper ID (verification of your Connecticut address, a certified birth certificate, and one other form of acceptable ID

You pay the $18 up front before taking the test or the required vision exam. Pass the written and vision exams, and you'll walk out with a new Connecticut learner's permit. Fail the written exam, and you have to wait at least one business day before reapplying (and paying another $18 application fee).

The idea behind a learner's permit is to allow a beginning driver to legally practice behind the wheel before taking a road test. In Connecticut, a teen needs to hold a permit for at least six months―four months if they complete a state-approved driver education course. You may not apply for a driver's license until this waiting period has passed.

During this time, the beginning driver is required to have a licensed driver, who is at least 20 years old and has held a license for a minimum of four consecutive years, in the car with them while driving.

New drivers over 18 years old are not required to obtain learner's permits. A Connecticut resident over 18 who has never held a driver's license is allowed to obtain on-road training as long as they are accompanied by a licensed driver over 20 years old who has held a license for at least four years without suspension.

Applying for a New Driver's License (16- and 17-Year-Olds)

Once you've held your learner's permit for the required amount of time―180 days, or 120 days with a certificate from an approved driver education program―you may apply for a Connecticut driver's license. Use that time to attend and pass a state-certified driver education class or to get certified for home education. Either one of these is required for anyone under 18 before they will be permitted to take a road test.

To apply for your driver's license exam, you must first schedule an appointment, following these steps:

• Fill out an application for a Connecticut driver's license appointment.

• Bring in the completed application―along with a $40 check or money order―to any Connecticut DMV office. The DMV will then schedule an appointment for you to take a road test.

• Proof of driver training. You need to have a third-party driving school certificate, a secondary school driving certificate, or a home training statement.

• A valid Connecticut learner's permit.

• A recent photo of yourself without a head covering or sunglasses.

• Verification of your Connecticut address (a postmarked bill or letter dated within 90 days is fine).

• A certified birth certificate, your Social Security card, and at least one more form of approved ID.

• The license fee ($66 to $77, depending on your age) in the form of a check or money order (no credit cards).

Applying for a New Driver's License (18 Years and Older)

For anyone 18 and over, the application requirements for a Connecticut driver's license exam are the same as for 16- and 17-year-olds, except for the following:

• You are not required to have a Connecticut learner's permit.

• You are not required to have completed an approved driver education class.

• You are not required to have parental permission.

The Driver's License Test

• Vision exam: You need to have at least 20/40 vision in both eyes in order to pass the test without wearing glasses. If you're blind in one eye, the other eye needs to be at least 20/30.

• Written exam: The test consists of 16 questions on basic motor vehicle laws and safety. Study the Connecticut Driver's Manual to prepare.

• Road test: You have to pass the vision and written exams before you are permitted to take the road test. A DMV inspector will ride with you in the vehicle you provide to take the test, which lasts about 15-20 minutes and will include the following:

• A safety evaluation of the vehicle

• Assessment of your preparation before driving, including your adjustment of seats, mirrors, and seatbelts

• Your response to signs, signals, other motorists, and pedestrians

• Safety of turns

• Backing up and parking

Pass all three parts of the license exam and you will be granted a driver's license. Fail any of the three parts and you will need to wait 30 days (first failure) or 60 days (second and subsequent failures) before retaking the exam. You will need to pay a $40 retesting fee each time you take the license exam after failing.

Applying for a Driver's License (Over 18, Previously Licensed in Another State)

If you've moved to Connecticut from another state and have a valid driver's license from that state, you still have to take and pass a vision exam, but you can almost always avoid taking the written and road exams. This is, however, up to the discretion of the DMV officer processing your application. Here are the necessary steps to trade in your valid out-of-state driver's license for a Connecticut license:

• Go to any full-service DMV office or the Winsted or Stamford branch offices. Be sure to arrive more than a half-hour before the office's scheduled closing time.

• Bring your current driver's license and a certified copy of your birth certificate, as well as one additional form of approved ID. You'll also need a paycheck or postmarked piece of mail dated within 90 days to prove your Connecticut residency.

• Break out your checkbook. Transferring your license costs $40. But wait, there's more. You still have to pay the regular license fee of $66 to $77 as well. Personal checks, bank checks, and money orders are fine, but no credit card payments are accepted.

Rules for Out-of-State Licenses

• You have 30 days after moving to Connecticut to legally drive on your previous license. After 30 days of residency, your out-of-state license is no longer acceptable to legally drive in Connecticut.

• If your out-of-state license is more than 60 days expired, you must go through the entire application and testing process to obtain a new Connecticut license.

• Full-time students in Connecticut who maintain out-of-state residency do not need to apply for a Connecticut license.

• Any driver under 18 who has been licensed in another state and wishes to obtain a Connecticut license needs to go through the entire application and testing procedure.

Driving Privileges for Non-Citizens

The permit, which basically translates your driver's license to make it understandable to U.S. officials, must be obtained through your home country. Be sure to keep both the permit and your driver's license with you whenever you're driving.

If you're a full-time student in the United States with a student visa, you may drive with a valid license issued from your country and the International Driver Permit. You can do this as long as you remain a full-time student, and your visa and license remain current.

Applying for a License

You must be legally considered a resident of Connecticut in order to apply for a state driver's license.

However, if you have a current license issued in France, Canada, Germany, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands your license is treated as a U.S. out-of-state license.

If you're in this category, you don't need to take any tests to convert your license. But, you do need to apply for a license within 30 days of becoming a resident. To apply for a license, follow the rules outlined for drivers with out-of-state licenses. Be aware you will have to give up your home country license to the DMV after receiving your Connecticut license.

If you're not from any of the areas mentioned, you will need to follow these guidelines to obtain a license. Among other things, you'll need to verify your legal status within the country and residency in Connecticut, and provide your state insurance card as well as a photograph of yourself.

Then, you'll need to pass the vision, knowledge, and road tests. After you obtain a Connecticut license, you may retain your license from your home country.