Obtaining an Adult Learner’s Permit
(for 18 years of age or older)
Payment Options: Effective January 1, 2020, the "e-check" payment option will no longer be available when scheduling your learner's permit test.
Anyone 18 years of age or older must obtain an adult learner’s permit before obtaining a driver's license. An adult learner's permit is valid for two years.
DRIVE ONLY APPLICANTS: If you would like to apply for a Drive Only License (for undocumented individuals), please follow these instructions.
If you already have a driver's license from another U.S. state or territory, Germany, Canada or France, you can you can transfer your license to Connecticut without getting an Adult Learner's Permit.
Learner's permit testing is offered by appointment only at DMV Hub Offices.
The adult learner’s permit must be held for at least 90 days prior to taking the on-the-road skills test and is required to practice driving on the road. Individuals exempt from this 90-day requirement are:
- Active duty military - stationed out-of-state - must provide orders and military ID card.
- Any customer who has previously held a Connecticut Learner's Permit or Driver's License that can be verified in the DMV system.
- Any customer that held a driver's license in the past. This includes individuals who have held an out-of-state driver's license, US territory or out-of-country license. Must provide expired license or abstract from previous state or country.
Required Classroom Training
Before taking the on-the-road skills test, you will be required to take an 8-hour Safe Driving Practices Course. If you had a Connecticut Driver's License and it has been expired for 2 years or more, you are not required to take the 8-hour Safe Driving Practices Course.
If you are required to take the 8-hour Safe Driving Practices Course:
- You can take it at any time, but you must take it before taking the on-the-road skills test.
- It can be taken through a commercial or secondary driving school.
- Proof of course completion (Form CS-1) must be presented at the time of the road test.
Exchange of an ID for a Learner's Permit
If you have a Connecticut-issued non-driver identification card, you have the option to surrender and exchange it without bringing all of your identity documents to DMV. If you do not have a Connecticut ID card, follow the instructions below.
What to do to get your Adult Learner's Permit:
- Go on-line to make your learner's permit test appointment.
- Collect all the required acceptable forms of identification. See document checklist in PDF.
- If you are a non-U.S. citizen, please see additional information.
- Study for the learner's permit knowledge test.
- Bring the following to your test appointment:
- All of your original documents from the checklist.
- A copy of your appointment verification.
- Your glasses or contact lenses (if needed to pass the vision test).
- Pass a vision test and 25-question knowledge test for the permit. See languages offered for testing. If you fail the vision test, you cannot take the knowledge test. If you fail either the vision or knowledge test, you will be required to reschedule on-line and pay the fees again.
- If you need a hearing interpreter service, see additional information below.
What it will cost
- $40 testing fee – covers vision, knowledge and road tests.
- $19 for learner’s permit.
- The learner’s permit must be held for at least 90 days prior to taking the on-the-road skills test unless you fall under the exemptions listed above.
- When driving, the permit holder must be accompanied by a qualified trainer. A qualified trainer is defined as a person 20 years of age or older who has been licensed to operate a motor vehicle for at least four consecutive years with no suspensions.
- Schedule your road test using DMV's new online appointment system.
For individuals requiring hearing interpreter services:
DMV coordinates with a hearing interpreter service. To meet your request, please allow at least two (2) weeks when scheduling your appointment date so we can coordinate with your appointment. Once you have scheduled your appointment on our on-line system make your learner's permit test appointment, please call the DMV Contact Center at 860-263-5700 within Hartford area or 1-800-842-8222 outside of Connecticut to request a hearing interpreter. You will need to provide your appointment and contact information. A hearing interpreter will then be requested. The vendor makes every effort to meet the date of your scheduled appointment. You will receive notification once interpreter services have been scheduled.
See more detailed information on obtaining your driver’s license.