State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles

Requirements for 16-and 17-Year-Olds to Obtain a License

NEW PROCESS: You will not receive a permanent driver license or ID card while at a DMV or AAA office.   It will arrive through the mail.  You will keep your expiring license/ID and receive a temporary paper card.  For more on this, please see Central Issuance.

NOTE: This service is only provided at a DMV Hub Office.


All applicants must supply identification and address verification same as License Requirements for New Residents.  

Before a 16-or 17-year-old begins to practice driving in Connecticut, he or she must obtain a learner's permit. 

In addition, a 16-or 17-year-old with a valid license who wants to obtain a Connecticut license must:

  • Complete the 8-hour Safe Driving Practices class at a commercial driving school or secondary school in Connecticut, including the 2-hour parent/legal guardian training.

When they come to the DMV to surrender their out-of-state license and obtain a Connecticut driver license, they must:

  • Provide a Certificate of Completion of Safe Driving Practices class (CS1)
  • Pass a vision test
  • Pass a road test
Bring glasses or contact lenses if needed for testing.


Please be aware of the passenger restrictions and other laws for newly licensed 16-and 17-year-olds in Connecticut.   

Learner's permit testing is offered by appointment only at the following DMV offices: Bridgeport, Cheshire, Danbury, Hamden, Norwalk, Old Saybrook, Waterbury, Wethersfield and Willimantic. Make your appointment here.

Driver Training Options

If you obtained a learner's permit, the following training may be combined to meet the requirements:

Commercial Driving School

High School (Secondary) Driver Education

Home Training

30 hours classroom training, which includes the Safe Driving Practices course and 2 hours of parent training

30 hours classroom training, which includes the Safe Driving Practices course and 2 hours of parent training

22 hour classroom type training, and an 8 hour Safe Driving Practices course at commercial/secondary school which includes 2 hour parent/legal guardian training

40 hours practice driving*

40 hours practice driving*

40 hours practice driving*

*40 hour practice driving (behind-the-wheel) may be given by any combination of commercial/secondary/parent instruction. Learner's permit holders are eligible to apply for a driver's license after they have held the permit for at least 120 or 180 days. You must receive at least 30 hours classroom and 8 hours behind-the-wheel practice driving with a Connecticut licensed commercial/secondary driving school to be eligible to take the test after holding the permit for only 120 days. Please see more detailed information on driver training requirements.

Testing
Once you have completed the required driver training and have held your permit at least 120 days (commercial/secondary) or 180 days (home-training) you are ready to continue the testing process, which includes a road test.

Taking the Road Test at a DMV Office
See what you need to do to take the road test at a DMV office.

Taking the Road Test at a Commercial or Secondary School

If your driving school offers the road test at their facility, they will advise you when you are eligible to take the road test.  You must present the following:

Once you pass the road test you must wait 48 hours before going to the DMV Office with your passed Road Test Evaluation Report. If you fail the Road Test you must pay the License Exam Fee  and wait at least 14 days to be retested.