Drivers in the Military

Unlike many other states, Connecticut does not allow its licensed drivers who are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces in another state to drive on an expired license. If you are serving out of state in the U.S. Armed Forces and you receive a notification in the mail that your driver's license is about to expire, you need to renew it or risk driving illegally.

Renewing Your License While Serving in the Military

Connecticut will allow drivers in the U.S. Armed Forces to renew their licenses by mail and also to apply to have the renewal fee waived. Here's the process for renewing a driver's license while serving out of state in the U.S. Armed Forces:

• Sign your renewal form. If you know your license is about to expire and you did not receive a renewal form, please call the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles at (860) 263-5148.

• Include a note with your Connecticut address and your out-of-state address written or typed on it.

• Complete an application for waiver of renewal fee.

• Mail all three items to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• License Processing Unit

• 60 State St.

• Wethersfield, CT 06161-5041

Military Personnel Registering a Vehicle in Connecticut

Any Connecticut resident serving out of state in the U.S. Armed Forces who wants to register a vehicle in Connecticut can do so by mail. You need to complete a standard application for registration and mail to:

• Department of Motor Vehicles

• Customized Services Unit

• 60 State St.

• Wethersfield, CT 06161-5049
  

New Vehicles

Here's what you'll need to include with your application:

• A current Connecticut insurance ID card in the name of the registered owner(s) of the vehicle.

• The original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin signed by the seller.

• A federal odometer statement.

• A bill of sale form.

• An application for waiver of registration fee for military personnel.

• $25 for title fee and $10 for each lienholder listed―must be cash, check, or money order.

• An administrative fee of $40 for any vehicle four years or older.

• Sales tax.

• An approved ID―photocopies are acceptable.

Used Vehicles from Out of State

Enclose these documents with your application:

• A current Connecticut insurance ID card in the name of the registered owner(s) of the vehicle.

• A federal odometer statement.

• A bill of sale form.

• An application for waiver of registration fee for military personnel.

• The previous out-of state title, assigned to you.

• If the vehicle is more than 10 years old, you'll need a completed courtesy vehicle inspection form.

• $25 for title fee and $10 for each lienholder listed―must be cash, check, or money order.

• An administrative fee of $40 for any vehicle four years or older.

• Sales tax.

• An approved ID―photocopies are acceptable.

Used Vehicles Previously Registered in Connecticut

You application will need to include the following:

• A current Connecticut insurance ID card in the name of the registered owner(s) of the vehicle.

• A Federal Odometer statement.

• A bill of sale form.

• An application for waiver of registration fee for military personnel.

• The previous Connecticut title, assigned to you.

• If the vehicle is more than 10 years old, you'll need a completed courtesy vehicle inspection form.

• $25 for title fee and $10 for each lienholder listed―must be cash, check, or money order.

• An administrative fee of $40 for any vehicle four years or older.

• Sales tax.

• An approved ID―photocopies are acceptable.

Renewing a Connecticut Registration

Unlike many other states, Connecticut does not allow vehicles owned by military personnel serving out of state to be driven on an expired registration. If you are serving out of state in the U.S. Armed Forces and driving a vehicle registered in Connecticut, you must renew the registration. Connecticut will send out registration renewal forms to any out-of-state address and does allow out-of-state military personnel to renew by mail at the following address:

• State of Connecticut

• P.O. Box 8013

• Bridgeport, CT 06601-4013

Any military personnel attempting to register a vehicle or renew a vehicle registration can apply to have all fees waived by completing an application for waiver of registration fee for military personnel.

Any vehicle being registered in Connecticut must be up to date with all taxes owed on the vehicle, including sales tax and municipal excise taxes. The Connecticut DMV will refuse to renew registration of any vehicle, including those from military personnel serving out of state, if back taxes are owed on it.

Sales Tax for Military Personnel

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are legal Connecticut residents need to pay the full 6% sales tax on a new vehicle when it is registered with the state. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are not Connecticut residents, but who are serving in Connecticut on active duty, are eligible for a reduced sales tax of 4.5% on a new vehicle.