Lerner's Permit  ( for 16 and 17 year olds )

If  you are under the age of 18, you must obtain a Learner's Permit and hold it for 180 days (120 day if completing a commercial or secondary driver training course) prior to being able to test for a driver's license.

The permit allows the student to practice with a licensed driver who is at least 20 years old and has held a license for a minimum of four consecutive years.

Driving without a permit is a violation of state law and could extend the waiting time necessary to apply for a Connecticut operator's license.

Learner's Permit Requirement: 

Applicants must wait until their 16th birthday before they can apply for a Learner's Permit. Applicants must pass a vision and a 10 question knowledge test in order to obtain the Learner's Permit. The latest edition of the Connecticut Driver's Manual should be studied prior to testing.

Test Locations:

The permit test is offered at Connecticut Driving School, Inc. and is given on a walk-in basis up to two before the office closes. Also at a Full Service DMV Branch Offices and is given also on a walk-in basis up to two hours before the DMV office closes.

Required Consent:

A parent, court- appointed legal guardian ( Certified Court Documentation must be presented ), or spouse over 18 years of age must accompany the applicant in person or provide the applicant with a notarized Certificate of Parental Consent ( form  2D.)

Required Documents:

To acquire the Learner's Permit, the applicant must provide the following:

           *  Residence address verification, such as a postmarked letter ( P.O. Box is not acceptable. ) 

           *  Certified Birth Certificate or valid U.S. Passport, in addition to one form of identification from list of acceptable
               forms of identification. Photocopies of documents are not acceptable.

           *  In accordance with the Social Security Act 42  U.S.C.  666 (a) (13), it will be required that the Social Security of 
               any applicant applying for a new Connecticut driver's license or Learner's Permit be recorded on the application for  
               a Non Commercial Driver's License and/or Learner's Permit.

Notice:    If you're not a citizen of the United States, you will be required to show proof of your legal status in this country.

          *  Holders of a B1 or B2 Visitor's Visa are not illegible for a driver's license or identification card unless a valid
              Employment Authorization Card (EAC) and verification of an application pending for Lawful Permanent
              Residence is provided.

          *  Foreign students with an F1 Visa status must show Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) document
              I-20 and verification of current enrollment in a Connecticut School.

          *  J1 Visa holders are required to show INS document IAP-66.

          *  All applicants will be verified trough INS for legal status before a driver's license/identification card will be issued.
 

Fees: Applicants requesting a Learner's Permit examination will be required to pay a test fee prior to taking the knowledge/vision examination.

Test Requirements:  There are two parts to the permit test. First, a vision test is administered, followed by a knowledge test consisting of 10 questions.

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

Knowledge Test:  In Order to pass the knowledge portion of the test, you must answer at least eight questions correctly. The test is based on the latest edition of the Connecticut Driver's Manual for new Drivers. If the applicants fails the knowledge test, he/she must wait at least until the next business day before re-testing. There will be a fee collected each time the applicants tests.

Learners Driving out of State:  The Department of Motor Vehicles advises the permit holder to check with proper authorities if planning to drive outside of Connecticut. Learner's permits are not valid in all states. Please contact the state in which you plan to drive for verification.