Obtaining a Learner's Permit

Who Needs a Learner Permit

All 16 and 17 year olds must first obtain a learner permit before practice driving.  People age 18 and over do not need a learner permit to practice driving. 

How to Obtain a Learner Permit

All 16 and 17 year olds must pass a 25 question knowledge test before they can obtain a learner permit.  We strongly suggest that you take some time and thoroughly study the Connecticut Driver’s Manual before you take this test.  All the material on the test is in that manual, including information on the restrictions for 16 and 17 year olds.

Some commercial driving schools offer a knowledge test prep course (which does not count toward required 30 hours of commercial/secondary school classroom training).

NOTE:  If you currently hold a non-driver ID, you must surrender it when you receive a learner permit.  The number on your non-driver ID is used as the learner permit number.

Learner Permit knowledge testingis done at a full service branch office :  Effective November 18, 2009, there will be new walk-in testing hours.

Testing will stop at 11:00 on those days that the office closes early. Please see Holiday Hours for a complete list of office closings.

Once you feel confident about your level of knowledge, you and your parent/legal guardian will come to the DMV Branch office.

Your first stop will be at the information desk where you will be instructed to enter your information into the kiosk to start the permit process. You will then be directed to the testing area.

1.   You must bring the following with you when you come to the DMV: 

• Non-laminated certified birth certificate with raised seal (hospital-issued are not acceptable) or valid passport and
•  An additional identification document from the secondary document list of List of Acceptable Forms of Identification Documentation.
• Address Verification.
• $40 fee for vision, knowledge and road tests
• $18 fee for learner permit.  Refer to acceptable forms of payment.  If you are paying by check or money order, these must be made in 2 separate payments.

• If your full legal name is different than that shown on your birth certificate or passport, you need to provide proof of your full legal name.  Proof can include original or certified copy of a court order, marriage or civil union certificate, marriage or civil union dissolution or certificate of adoption.
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must show proof of your legal status in this country.  Refer to List of Acceptable forms of Identification.

·      Proof of Connecticut residency – a piece of postmarked mail that has been delivered to your home address, dated within 90 days or official school transcript with your current Connecticut address.  (We cannot accept a Post Office box as proof of residency.)

·      If parent/legal guardian is present, they must sign a Parental Consent Form (Form 2D) in the presence of a DMV agent/inspector giving their consent and show their operator license or ID card.  Legal guardians must show certificate of legal guardianship. 

·      If parent/legal guardian is not present, a notarized Parental Consent (Form 2D) that can be downloaded from the DMV website. Parents must include their operator license or ID card number. Legal guardians must show certificate of legal guardianship.

·      Social Security Number - In accordance with the Social Security Act 42 U.S.C 666 (a) (13), you must record your social security number on the Application for a Non-Commercial Driver License (Form R-229).  If you are not eligible for a social security number, you must obtain a letter from the Social Security Administration stating your ineligibility. Bring this letter with you when you apply for your learner permit.

2.  A DMV agent administers the vision test and 25 question learner's permit test.

·      Vision Test – Minimal vision is evaluated for at least 20/40 in the better eye with or without glasses or contact lenses.  Peripheral vision (sight to either side while looking straight ahead) must be 140 degrees or 100 degrees for people with vision in one eye.

·      Knowledge Test – In order to pass the 25 question learner permit knowledge test, you must answer 20 questions correctly.

3.  If you pass both tests:

·    You pay the $18 photo learner permit fee

·    Your image and electronic signature are captured.

·    You obtain your photo learner's permit.

Now that you have your permit, you must undergo driver training before you can obtain a driver license. Please note that your learner permit may not be valid in all states.  Please contact the state in which you plan to drive for verification.

If you fail the knowledge test, you must wait 7 days before re-taking the test.  You must bring all your required documentation and parent or legal guardian and pay the $40 test fee again.

If you fail the vision test, you need to visit an eye care professional and have your vision corrected before you can take the knowledge test.