Connecticut driver's license

Get your first license in Connecticut after moving to the US.

Connecticut issues a first driver's license after you pass the knowledge test and then the road test.^{1, 2} The knowledge test has 25 questions, and you need 20 correct answers to pass.¹ If you fail it, you wait seven days and pay $40 to book the test again.³ Bring your learner's permit to the road test, together with a registered and insured car.² Every document you show must be a valid unexpired original or a certified copy.⁴

How it goes

1
You arriveYou have moved to Connecticut and you want to drive here.
2
Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
3
The written testYou take the written test.
4
Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
5
Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.

If you just arrived in the US

Your immigration status

Certain residents with temporary lawful status can get a limited-term REAL ID; currently, only residents with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status are eligible to apply.⁵

Once you obtain a limited-term REAL ID, you cannot revert to a regular full-term credential.⁶
If you have an Employment Authorization Card, you may be eligible for a limited-term REAL ID driver's license or non-driver ID card if you meet the limited-term requirements.⁷
Only U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and refugees or asylees with acceptable documentation are eligible for a full-term REAL ID or ID credential.⁸
Limited-term REAL IDs are issued for driver's licenses and non-driver identification cards.⁹

Documents you need

Documents that are still validIdentity documents must be valid, unexpired original documents or certified copies.⁴

Your Social Security Number

Giving your number, and who may see it

Connecticut law classifies your Social Security number as highly restricted personal information.¹⁰

Tests you take

Eye test

If you fail the vision test, you can reschedule your appointment immediately.¹¹

For a Class D license you need 20/40 vision or better, with or without corrective lenses, and 140 degrees of binocular peripheral visual field.¹²
If you have never held a Connecticut license, or your Connecticut license expired more than two years before you apply, the commissioner may require you to pass a DMV vision screening or to submit results of a vision exam by a licensed medical professional certifying you meet the vision standards.¹³

Drive test

Bring your learner's permit. If you do not have it and cannot get a duplicate, you lose your appointment and must reschedule the test and pay another license exam fee.²

Tries you get on the written test

If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait seven days and pay $40 to reschedule and retake it.³

Practice questions for the written test

The 25-question knowledge test is based on the Connecticut driver's manual, and practice tests are published online.¹

Using an interpreter

The DMV website can be translated into other languages by choosing a language from the drop-down menu.¹⁴

What to bring to the drive test

The car and its insurance

The test vehicle must match the license class you are applying for and have a valid registration certificate, a valid insurance card, a working speedometer, and safe tires; it may not have an ignition interlock device unless the law requires you to use one, and any after-market window tint needs a CT DMV tint compliance sticker.¹⁵

Where to go

Booking an appointment

The Connecticut DMV takes and changes appointments at https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/resources/make-change-appointment.¹⁶

Office locations

Find Connecticut DMV offices and their hours at https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/resources/locations-office-hours.¹⁷

Other states

Sources

Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.

1
“Pass the DMV knowledge test. The 25-question test is based on information in the Connecticut driver’s manuals . You’ll need to get at least 20 questions correct to pass.”
portal.ct.gov/…/take-knowledge-vision-test
Checked August 1, 2026
2
“Your learner's permit. If you don’t have it, you can request a duplicate . If you don’t have the permit and cannot get a duplicate, you’ll lose your appointment and will need to reschedule the test and pay another license exam fee. (If you've lost your learner's permit, you must bring one form of acceptable identification to apply for a duplicate, and the associated fee payment.) A properly registered and insured vehicle (appropriate for the type of test that you are taking). Review all the vehicle requirements . The vehicle used for the road test must be mechanically safe and pass an evaluation. Valid motor vehicle registration certificate. Please verify that you have the current registration in the vehicle before you leave home and bring it into the office when you arrive for your test. Connecticut insurance card. The required proof of insurance must be in the same name as on the registration, except for leased vehicles which may be in the name of the lessee. Please verify that you have the current proof of insurance in the vehicle before you leave home and bring it into the office when you arrive for your test. Your driver education certificate (Form EDEC ) issued by a Connecticut licensed driving school will be sent electronically to the DMV after successful completion of the training course. Note for applicants under age 18: Your qualified trainer must be present at the DMV office and sign a form attesting that all driver education/practice driving requirements have been fulfilled. Note for non-U.S. license holders: If you are presenting an out-of-country license in a language other than English, you need to also provide translation by one of our approved translators . Failing the road test If you fail your road test, you must go online to reschedule within 72 hours after your failed test. Your rescheduled test must be scheduled for at least 2 weeks after the initial test. To retake the test, you will need to pay another $40 testing fee. Reschedule and pay for another road test . To access your PIN please refer to your confirmation emails or use the “Retrieve PIN” option on the scheduling website. Read more Fees Road testing fees All testing fees must be prepaid in advance: License fee: $84 Re-test fee if you fail the road test: $40 Read more Vehicle requirements Vehicle requirements for your road test Vehicles equipped with medical devices Minimum insurance requirements in Connecticut Vehicle requirements for your road test The vehicle used for the road test must be mechanically safe and pass an evaluation by your driving instructor. If the vehicle you supply for the road test is a rental vehicle and you do not hold a valid driver's license, you cannot use this vehicle for your road test. This vehicle must: Be appropriate for the license class for which you are applying. Have a valid registration certificate. Have proof of insurance. Insurance companies are required to provide you with an insurance identification card to keep in each vehicle. If using a vehicle registered out of state, you’ll need to present the declaration page of your insurance policy that meets minimum Connecticut insurance requirements. Be compliant with tinted windows . (Any vehicle with after-market tint needs to have a CT DMV tint compliance sticker affixed to it and the inspection report.) NOT have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed if the testing applicant is not required by law to use an IID. Make sure your vehicle is mechanically safe. If the test vehicle is found to be in an unsafe operating condition, the road test will NOT be conducted, and you will need to reschedule. Here are some common safety reasons why a vehicle cannot be used: Cracked or damaged windows/windshields Defective brake/signal light (includes high mount/third brake light) Safety warning indicator lights on the dashboard are activated (e.g., SRS, ABS, etc.) Worn or damaged tires Missing lug nuts Defective seatbelts Defective speedometer Defective braking system Any other defective equipment”
portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/take-road-test
Checked August 4, 2026
3
“If you fail the knowledge test, you will need to wait seven days and will need to pay $40 to reschedule your appointment to retake the knowledge test. Read more Required documents & fees You’ll need to bring the following items to your appointment before you’re able to take the DMV vision and DMV knowledge tests: Acceptable forms of identification ,”
portal.ct.gov/…/take-knowledge-vision-test
Checked August 4, 2026
4
“Documents need to be valid/unexpired original documents, or certified copies.”
portal.ct.gov/…/get-a-drivers-license-ct
Checked August 4, 2026
5
“Certain residents with temporary lawful status can obtain a limited-term REAL ID in Connecticut. A limited-term REAL ID is a temporary, federally recognized credential that may be used for domestic air travel and entering certain federal buildings. Who is eligible for a limited-term REAL ID? Currently, only residents with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status are eligible to apply for a limited-term REAL ID in Connecticut . The Department is currently working on including other residents who may qualify for a limited term Real ID. What is the difference between a limited-term REAL ID and a full-term REAL ID? A limited-term REAL ID is issued to”
portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/get-real-id
Checked August 4, 2026
6
“Once you obtain a limited-term REAL ID, you cannot revert to a regular full-term credential.”
portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/get-real-id
Checked August 4, 2026
7
“Applicants with an EAC may be eligible to receive a limited term REAL ID driver's license or non-driver ID card if they meet the requirements for a limited term REAL ID.”
portal.ct.gov/…/get-a-drivers-license-ct
Checked August 3, 2026
8
“O nly U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and asylee/refugees with acceptable documentation are eligible for a f ull - term REAL ID or ID credential.”
portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/get-real-id
Checked August 4, 2026
9
“Limited-term REAL IDs are issued for driver’s licenses and non-driver identification cards”
portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/get-real-id
Checked August 4, 2026
10
““Highly restricted personal information” means an individual's photograph or computerized image, Social Security number or medical or disability information;”
cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_246.htm
Checked August 4, 2026
11
“You can reschedule your appointment immediately. If you fail the knowledge test, you will need to wait seven days and will need to pay $40 to reschedule your appointment to retake the knowledge test.”
portal.ct.gov/…/take-knowledge-vision-test
Checked August 4, 2026
12
“The minimum vision requirement for a Class D license—any motor vehicle that doesn’t require a commercial driver’s license—is 20/40 vision or better, with or without corrective lenses. The vision test also evaluates your peripheral vision (how far you can see to either side while looking straight ahead). To meet the vision requirements, a person must have 140 degrees of binocular peripheral visual field.”
portal.ct.gov/…/take-knowledge-vision-test
Checked August 3, 2026
13
“(b) Prior to issuing a motor vehicle operator's license to a person who has not previously been issued a license in this state or whose Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two years prior to the application date, the commissioner may require such person to (1) pass a vision screening conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles to determine if the person meets vision standards specified in the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, or (2) submit to the commissioner the results of a vision examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined in section [14-46b](https://www.cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_246.htm#sec_14-46b), that certifies that such person meets such vision standards.”
cga.ct.gov/current/pub/chap_246.htm
Checked August 2, 2026
14
“This website can be translated into other languages by choosing a language from the drop-down menu.”
portal.ct.gov/…/get-drive-only-license
Checked August 4, 2026
15
“This vehicle must: Be appropriate for the license class for which you are applying. Have a valid registration certificate. Have proof of insurance. Insurance companies are required to provide you with an insurance identification card to keep in each vehicle. If using a vehicle registered out of state, you’ll need to present the declaration page of your insurance policy that meets minimum Connecticut insurance requirements. Be compliant with tinted windows . (Any vehicle with after-market tint needs to have a CT DMV tint compliance sticker affixed to it and the inspection report.) NOT have an Ignition Interlock Device (IID) installed if the testing applicant is not required by law to use an IID. Make sure your vehicle is mechanically safe. If the test vehicle is found to be in an unsafe operating condition, the road test will NOT be conducted, and you will need to reschedule. Here are some common safety reasons why a vehicle cannot be used: Cracked or damaged windows/windshields Defective brake/signal light (includes high mount/third brake light) Safety warning indicator lights on the dashboard are activated (e.g., SRS, ABS, etc.) Worn or damaged tires Missing lug nuts Defective seatbelts Defective speedometer Defective braking system Any other defective equipment Read more Vehicles equipped with medical devices For permanent Connecticut”
portal.ct.gov/dmv/licenses-permits-ids/take-road-test
Checked August 3, 2026
16
“https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/resources/make-change-appointment”
portal.ct.gov/…/get-a-drivers-license-ct
Checked July 26, 2026
17
“https://portal.ct.gov/dmv/resources/locations-office-hours”
portal.ct.gov/…/transfer-out-of-state-license
Checked August 4, 2026

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