Requirements for Foreigners Obtaining a
Connecticut Driver's License
You must be a resident of Connecticut in order to obtain a driver's license in this state. If you currently hold a valid out of state license, once you have established residency, you have 30 days to obtain a Connecticut license.
If you are 16 or 17 years of age you must obtain a learners permit prior to practicing to drive. Please see Learners Permits for 16 or 17 year olds for detailed information on how to obtain a learner's permit.
Effective October 1, 2008, all applicants 18 years of age or older who have not previously held a license in Connecticut (or your Connecticut license has been expired for two or more years) or an out-of-state license within the past two years will be required to take an 8-hour course on safe driving practices in Connecticut and present a CS-1 certificate showing proof of attending this course before taking a test to obtain their license . This course is offered at Connecticut commercial or secondary driving schools. The fee for the course is $125
It is recommended that you study the Connecticut Driver's Manual and read the guide to Passing Your Driving Test (Z-17). If you are 18 years of age or older and have not had a Connecticut license suspended or revoked, you may receive on the road instruction provided you are accompanied by a licensed operator who is at least 20 years of age and has held a license for the past four years without suspension.
Please see information on Obtaining a Connecticut License for the First Time which explains the identification documents needed, testing times, and the testing process.
Proof of Legal Status:
Non U.S. citizens will be required to show proof of legal status in this country, including a valid passport and one form of identification from list of
acceptable forms of identification .
Photocopies of documents are not acceptable. Following are additional documents required for specific visa types:
- Holders of a B1 or B2 Visitor's Visa are not eligible for a driver's license or identification card unless a valid USCIS Employment Authorization Card and verification of an application pending for Lawful Permanent Residence/Adjustment of Status is provided.
- Foreign students with an F1 Visa status must show USCIS document I-20 and verification of current enrollment in a Connecticut school.
- J1 Visa holders are required to show USCIS document DS2019.
- H1B Visa holders are required to show a valid USCIS Employment Authorization Card and an employment verification letter from a Connecticut employer or an employer from a bordering state. The employment verification letter must be dated within the past 30 days.
- All applicants will be verified through USCIS for legal status before a driver's license/identification card will be issued. In some cases responses from USCIS may take an extended period of time and applicants will be asked to return the next business day to complete the licensing process. Responses are usually not received on Thursday evenings or Saturdays.
Social Security Number:
The social security number of the applicant applying for the driver's license must be listed on the
Application for a Non-Commercial Drivers License (form R-229). If you do not have a social security number, you must obtain a letter from the Social Security Administration that states you are ineligible for a social security number. This letter must be submitted to DMV when applying for your driver's license, learner's permit or ID card.
International Driver Permit Holders:
- Visitors from another country are permitted to use their valid out-of-country license here in Connecticut for a period of one year with an International Driver Permit obtained from your home country.
- Full time students, on a student visa, maintaining an out-of-country residency do not have to obtain a Connecticut license as long as full-time student status is in effect and are permitted to use their valid out-of-country license here in Connecticut with an International Driver Permit obtained from your home country.
Diplomats:
Diplomats must obtain a license from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign Affairs, 866 United Nations Plaza suite 265, NY, NY 10017 For more information, please call the Office of Foreign Affairs at 212-826-4500
U.S. territories:
A license from the following U.S. territories - American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands - is transferred using the same procedures as an
out of state license, and must be surrendered when a Connecticut drivers license is obtained. In addition, you must obtain an abstract of your driver record from your home territory prior to transferring your license to Connecticut.
A valid license from Canada, Germany or France can also be transferred to Connecticut using the same procedures for an
out of state license.
Try Our Sample Online Questions for a Driver's License Test
