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Essential Information for 16 and 17 Year Olds

Our goal is to provide our customers with the information they need to perform their DMV transactions as expeditiously as possible. Take a moment and read this section. It may help you understand the learner permit and driver license process, the new terms and requirements and the resources available to you.

How the Learner's Permit and License Process Works

Once you are equipped with all the right information, the process of obtaining a learner permit and then a driver license is really not that difficult. It involves a little research on your part, dedication from both teens and parents and some informed choices. Basically, the process works like this:

Getting a Learner Permit

  1. You study the latest Connecticut Driver’s Manual (the one that contains information about the new teen driving laws), take some sample knowledge tests, have your parents quiz you on the material (or take a prep course at a commercial driving school).
  2. You and your parent/legal guardian come to a DMV Branch Office with:
  •  your identification documentation
  •  your proof of Connecticut residency
  •  the testing and permit fees.
  1. Your parent/legal guardian signs a form granting their consent to your obtaining a learner permit. (If legal guardian, bring the certification of legal guardianship.)
  1. Once you take and pass the vision and 25 question knowledge tests, YOU GET YOUR LEARNER'S PERMIT.

Getting Trained

  1. You and your parents decide on the best course of action for your driver education. Investigate the Driver Training Options and informational material available on the Center for Teen Driving web site. Keep in mind that some classes (8-hour safe driving practices class including a 2-hour parent training class) at a commercial driving/secondary school are mandatory.
  1. You complete your driver education (including the 40 hours of practice driving) and both you and your parents decide you are ready to take the road test to obtain your license.

 

Getting a Driver License

If your commercial driving school offers road testing, you can take your road test with a DMV inspector/agent there. Other wise, you schedule a road test at a DMV Branch Office.

  1. Check Obtaining a License – 16/17 Year Olds to make sure you have fulfilled all of the requirements for your driver license.
  1. Make sure you bring the correct documents.
  1. Check Testing Information for information about scheduling. Hours, etc.
  1. Once you pass your road test, you GET YOUR DRIVER LICENSE. Now you have to be aware of and abide by the restrictions that apply until you reach your 18th birthday.

 

Requirements for 16 and 17 Year Olds to Obtain a License

 
Before a 16-or 17-year-old begins to practice driving in Connecticut, he or she must obtain a learner's permit.
 
PLEASE NOTE: All knowledge testing will only be conducted at the following DMV offices on a walk-in basis: Bridgeport, Danbury, Hamden, Waterbury, Wethersfield and Willimantic.
 
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 S afe 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.

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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

If you have a learner's permit and were home trained, or attended a commercial school that does not offer testing, you must take your road test at a DMV Branch Office.

PLEASE NOTE: Road testing will only be conducted at the following DMV offices: Bridgeport, Danbury, Hamden, Waterbury, Wethersfield and Willimantic.

To do so, follow these five easy steps:

1. Make an appointment to take the road test by calling the DMV Phone Center . You do not have to return to the same office where the learner's permit was issued.
2. When you come to the DMV, you must bring the following items:
  • Your learner's permit. If you do not have it, you can obtain a replacement/duplicate permit by showing the appropriate identification and paying the duplicate fee. If you do not have the permit and cannot obtain a replacement you will forfeit the appointment, have to reschedule the test, and pay another testing fee.
  • Completed Application for Driver License (Form R-229) which can be obtained at the DMV branch office or requested from the website. Your qualified trainer must sign the Application for Driver License (Form R-229) attesting that all driver education/practice driving requirements have been fulfilled.
  • CS-1 Driver Education Certificate verifying completion of driver training.
  • A valid registration and proof of insurance for your test vehicle. The proof of insurance must be in the name of the registered owner of the vehicle. (If the vehicle is leased, proof of insurance may be in the name of the lessee).

NOTE: Effective July 5, 2011, DMV no longer requires 16 or 17-year-old applicants to take a second knowledge test, also known as the "Teen Final Exam." However, any 16 or 17-year-old who failed this second test prior to July 5 will still need to take the re-test of it to obtain a license.

3. When you and your qualified trainer arrive at the DMV, you present the appropriate documents and your qualified trainer signs the Application for Driver License (R-229) attesting to the fulfillment of all training requirements in the presence of a DMV agent. The R-229 form can be obtained either at the branch office or requested through the mail.
4. Once you pass the road test you are eligible for your driver's license.
 
5. If you fail the road test:
  • You must pay the testing fee at the DMV office and schedule another test.
  • You must wait at least 14 days to be retested.
 

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:

  • Your learner's permit to the DMV Agent on your scheduled road test date. If you do not present the permit, you will not be tested.
  • Completed Application for Driver License (Form R-229). Your qualified trainer must sign the Application for Driver License (Form R-229) verifying that all driver education/practice driving requirements have been fulfilled.
  • CS-1 Driver Education Certificate verifying completion of driver training.

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 test fee and wait at least 14 days to be retested. Walk-in testing hours.

 
 

Driver Training Requirements

You must be 16 years old before beginning driver education.

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

 

Commercial Driving School

Secondary School 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 S afe Driving Practices course and 2 hours of parent training

 

22 hour classroom training, plus:

 

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 permit holders are eligible to apply for a driver 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 CT licensed commercial/secondary driving school to be eligible to take the test after holding the permit for only 120 days.

 

 

Home Training:

The driving practice must be given by a Qualified Trainer.

  • Qualified Trainers (eligible to train and sign a form under penalty of false statement attesting to applicant’s fulfillment of all driver education requirements) must be 20 or older, held a driver license for at least 4 years with no suspensions during past 4 years and can include:
    • spouse of married minor applicant, or
    • parent, grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian, or
    • if applicant has no spouse, parent, grandparent, foster parent or guardian who is qualified & available: stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or marriage

Parent/legal guardian must attend 2 hour parent training with 16-17 year old permit holder before the teen can be tested for a license.

 

Two Hour Parent Training

Connecticut law requires that one parent or legal guardian be available and take a 2 hour parent training at a commercial driving school before a teen is eligible for a driver license. If your parent or legal guardian is unable to attend the 2 hour parent training, you will not be eligible for a Connecticut driver license until you reach age 18.

 

Driver License Eligibility Date

 

When will I be eligible to take the road test to obtain my driver license?

 

· If you attend a commercial or secondary school for:

    • the entire 30 hours classroom portion of driver training including the 8-hour safe driving practices class (including the 2-hour parent training class) and
    • receive a minimum of 8 hours practice driving (behind-the-wheel) from them

You must have a learner permit for at least 120 days before you are eligible to take the road test for your driver license.

 

  • If you are home trained by :
    • receiving the equivalent of 22 hours of classroom training
    • attend a commercial or secondary school for the 8 hour safe driving practices class (including the 2 hour parent training) and
    • receive all of your practice driving (behind-the-wheel) from a qualified home trainer

You must have a learner permit for at least 180 days before you are eligible to take the test for your driver license.

 

Driver Education Certificate (form CS-1)

A driver education certificate (form CS-1) will be issued by a CT licensed driving school after completion of the training course. The certificate will certify the completion of 30 hours of classroom and 8 hours behind-the- wheel driving; or 8 hours only of Safe Driving Practices course. (2 hours of parent training is included in these courses for 16 & 17 year old students)

 

All applicants must present the CS1 certificate at the time of testing.

Obtaining a Connecticut License for the First Time
(18 Years of Age or Older)

PLEASE NOTE: This service will only be conducted at the following DMV offices: Bridgeport, Danbury, Hamden, Waterbury, Wethersfield and Willimantic.

To obtain a Connecticut Driver's License, you must:

Note: Walk-in testing will close at 11 a.m. on days that the offices close early. Please see Holiday Closing Schedule for the complete list of office closings.

You should study the Connecticut Driver's Manual and read the Guide to Passing Your Driving Test (Z-17) prior to taking the knowledge and road tests.

Once you are prepared for your knowledge test:
  • Please visit the one of the following DMV offices: Bridgeport, Danbury, Hamden, Waterbury, Wethersfield or Willimantic.
  • When you arrive at DMV your first stop will be at the information desk where you will be instructed to enter your information into the self-service photo kiosk and receive a receipt. You will then be directed to the testing area.
Once at the testing area, be prepared to provide:
 
New Adult Drivers: Information on practicing how to drive
 
A person 18 years of age or older can practice driving without a learner permit as long as their privilege to drive hasn’t been suspended or revoked in any state. The person must be under the instruction of a commercial driving school instructor, secondary school instructor or a person 20 years of age or older who has held a license, which has not been suspended, for four or more consecutive years prior to training.