Drivers in the Military in Connecticut

Any active armed forces member whose driver's license expires while they are out of the state on active duty will have 60 days to renew their driver's license from the time the service member is honorably separated from service or returns to the state.

The license must be valid and in good standing (not suspended, canceled or revoked).
You must be honorably discharged and be able to present your separation or discharge papers when you go to renew your license.

And should your license expire you will be charged at $25 late fee.

The SelectCT ID Program

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles has begun a new program that allows military personal renewing their license to verify their identity through the new program called SelectCT ID Program. This program was created offer verified identity protection to people renewing driver licenses and DMV-issued identification cards. Driving using the SelectCT ID Program will get a gold star on the license or ID card. If you chose to decline verifying your identity through the program, your license will be stamped with "Not for Federal Identification." The difference could be extra screening under a proposed federal program.

To renew your license through the Select Ct ID Program, you must visit any CT DMV or AAA Office. PLEASE NOTE: AAA offices charge a $8 convenience fee and does not accept debit/credit cards for DMV services.

For more information, please visit the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles Frequently Asked Questions .

Renewing Your License While Serving in the Military

If you home of record is Connecticut, the CT DMV will allow drivers in the U.S. Armed Forces to renew their licenses by mail for free.

To do so:

Sign the renewal form that you'll receive in the mail.
- If you did not receive a renewal form, please call the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles at (860) 263-5700.
Include a note with your Connecticut address and your out-of-state address written or typed on it.
Complete an Application for Waiver of Operator License Fee Because of Active Service in U.S. Armed Forces (Form B-88).
Mail all three items to:
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Centralized Issuance Operations Unit
- 60 State St.
- Wethersfield, CT 06161

Renewal of a Commercial Driver License or Public Service

All Commercial Driver License (CDL) or Public Service License must be renewed in person at a local DMV office. However, if you cannot appear in person, you can instead complete the following applications:

a Voluntary Surrender or Downgrade of Operators License (Form P-147).
a Request for a Connecticut Driver's License/Identifications Card by Mail (Form B-350)

You MUST provide an out of state/country address, if not your application cannot be processed by mail and you must appear at your local branch office. Your Connecticut license/identification will be sent to the out of state/country address provided via regular mail unless a prepaid overnight mailer is included with your request.

Military Personnel Registering a Vehicle in Connecticut

Note To the Next Writer: There is a lot of missing information on this page. Please look at the

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. The forms you'll need depends on whether the car is a:

Brand New Car purchase in Connecticut
Used Vehicle purchased Out of State
Used Vehicle purchased in Connecticut

Once you have all the documents gather, you can mail them to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Customized Services Unit
60 State St.
Wethersfield, CT 06161

New Vehicles

First, download and complete the Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (Form H-13B).

Second, print out the form and mail it along with the following:

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 which is supplied by your dealership.
A bill of sale form or invoice from the seller.
A Application for Waiver of Registration Fee Active Service in U.S. Armed Forces (Form B-276)
$25 for title fee and $25 for each lienholder listed―must be cash, check, or money order.
An administrative fee of $40 for any vehicle 4 years old or older which is emissions exempt.
The required sales tax.
An approved ID―photocopies are acceptable. (If the identification of the military member is not available due to deployment, please bring a copy of the change of duty station orders along with a power of attorney for the person signing the Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (Form H-13B).

Used Vehicles From Out of State

Enclose these documents with your application:

Download and complete the Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (Form H-13B).
A current Connecticut insurance ID card in the name of the registered owner(s) of the vehicle.
A federal odometer statement, if the vehicle was purchased from a dealer.
Out of State VIN Verification (Form AE-81) completed by one of the inspection authorities listed on the form. (There will be an Administrative Fee of $10. If the vehicle resides in Connecticut, and unless it is an emissions exempt vehicle you will have to bring the vehicle to an emissions testing facility for testing prior to registration.)
A bill of sale form.
An Application for Waiver of Registration Fee Active Service in U.S. Armed Forces (Form B-276).
The previous out-of state title, assigned to you.

Fees

$25 for title fee and $25 for each lienholder listed―must be cash, check, or money order.
An administrative fee of $40 for any vehicle 4 years old or newer and are emissions exempt.
The appropriate registration fee:
- Passenger vehicle: $120 for 3 years.
- Commercial vehicle: From $47 for 1 year.
  - Price varies depending on weight of vehicle.
- Motorcycle: $63 for 3 years.
- Trailer (personal use): $28.50 .
- Snowmobile: $45 for 3 years.
- Electric vehicles: $120 for 3 years.
Required sales tax.
VIN inspection: $10.
An approved ID―photocopies are acceptable.

You may also be required to pay additional fees, which can include:

Federal Clean Air Act fee: $15.
Passport to the Parks fee: $15 per year.
Greenhouse Gas Reduction fee: $15.
- One-time fee if you're registering a vehicle with a Certificate of Origin.
Late fee: $10.
Contractor or municipality per transaction processing fee: Up to $8.

Used Vehicles Previously Registered in Connecticut

You application will need to include the following:

Completed Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (Form H-13B). Download the form, fill out online, and print out.
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 Active Service in U.S. Armed Forces (Form B-276).
The previous Connecticut title, assigned to you.
$25 for title fee and $10 for each lienholder listed―must be cash, check, or money order.
Required 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:

Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 150456
Hartford, CT 06115

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 Active Service in U.S. Armed Forces (Form B-276).

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 there are any following:

delinquent property tax.
unpaid parking tickets.
emissions late fees owed.
registrant has had their registration privilege suspended.
the vehicle is not emissions compliant.

If you did not receive an invitation to renew in the mail, please contact the DMV with your name, current mailing address, marker plate number and vehicle identification number. Also, let us know if there has been a change in your address.

Sales Tax for Military Personnel

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are legal Connecticut residents need to pay the full 6.35% (7.75% for vehicles over $50,000) sales and use tax when the car 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.

These sales tax laws also apply to military spouses. To obtain the reduced tax rate the military member must complete the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) Reduced Sales/Use Tax Rate MV Purchased by Nonresident Military Personnel/Spouses Form CERT-135 and submit to the Connecticut licensed dealer with other required documents that are mentioned on the form.

Military members who purchase a vehicle from an out-of-state dealer must submit the completed CERT-135 form and other required documents to the DMV at the time of registration.

Forms

H-13B: Application for Registration and Certificate of Title; The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles' application for vehicle title and registration.

B-88: Application for Waiver of Operator License Fee Because of Active Service in U.S. Armed Forces; Request fee waiver for your CT driver's license if you're an active member of the military OR were honorably discharged. Must be signed by your commanding officer.

B-350: Request for a Connecticut Drivers License/Identifications Card by Mail; Request a renewal OR replacement CT driver's license, learner's permit, OR identification card by mail if you cannot go to a DMV agency in person.

AE-81: Out of State VIN Verification; You must submit this VIN verification to register your car with the Connecticut DMV if you're currently living out-of-state.

CERT-135: Reduced Sales/Use Tax Rate Motor Vehicle Purchased by Nonresident Military Personnel/Spouses; If you're a nonresident currently in CT for military purposes, use this form to request reduced sales and use taxes on a vehicle you purchase during your time in Connecticut.

P-147: Voluntary Surrender or Downgrade of Operators License; Notify the Department of Motor Vehicles that you want to voluntarily surrender or downgrade your Connecticut driver's license or learner's permit.