Procedures For Connecticut Driver Licensing and Online Driver Education

The State of Connecticut is delighted that you have chosen to start the process of applying for your Connecticut learner’s permit or first Connecticut driver license. Connecticut has a graduated driver license program that is especially designed for younger Connecticut drivers (16-18 years of age), and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that you don’t run into any problems while striving for your Connecticut driver’s license. So what are we waiting for?

• Connecticut Instructional Permit or Connecticut Learner Permit

When you turn 16, you can finally apply for a Connecticut instructional permit, otherwise known as a Connecticut learner permit. You’ll need to gather these documents in order to apply for your Connecticut learner’s permit:

• A birth certificate
• A valid passport-sized photo
• A piece of mail or ID to verify your address
• Two forms, the “learner’s “permit application()”:http://www.dmvct.state.ct.us/b307.HTM and a “parental consent form()”:http://www.ct.gov/dmv/LIB/dmv/20/29/2-D.pdf
• One other form of “”proper identification()”:http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=805&Q=244772&dmvPNavCtr=%7C28089%7C%22%20%5Cl%20%2228090”
• Social Security card
• $40 test fee as well as the $18 permit fee, payable by check or money order.

After you have had your Connecticut learner permit for 6 months (or 4 months if you’ve taken a Connecticut approved driver education course), you’ll have the green light to apply for the Connecticut license exam.

• Your First Connecticut Driver’s License

In order to apply for your first Connecticut provisional driver license, you’ll need to do the following:

• Complete 40 hours of on-road practice as well as a driver education course (see last paragraph, “Connecticut Online Driver Education”)
• Bring a birth certificate
• Provide a piece of mail or identification to verify your address
• Bring one other form of “proper identification()”:http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=805&Q=244772&dmvPNavCtr=%7C28089%7C%22%20%5Cl%20%2228090
• Provide proof of car insurance
• Complete a two hour teen driving course with your parent or guardian
• Bring the license fee of $66 to $77, depending on how many years the license is valid for
• Bring your learner’s permit (to be surrendered)
• Provide a valid passport-sized photo

Then, if you can survive the following tests:

• Vision test, in which you must have 20/40 vision (with or without glasses)
• Written test, in which you must score at least an 80%
• The dreaded road test!

Congratulations, you’ve just earned your first Connecticut driver license!

Restrictions and Penalties Connecticut Teen Driver License

Unfortunately, as a newer driver, not every kind of driving will be open to you just yet. There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your Connecticut learner’s license or Connecticut driver’s license.

Connecticut Permit Restrictions: With a Connecticut learner’s permit, you cannot drive unless accompanied by:

• a parent or guardian (who must have a driver’s license)
• a licensed instructor
• someone 20 or older with a valid license for at least four years (holding no suspensions).

Connecticut Provisional License Restrictions:

• first six months: you must drive with parents/guardians or licensed driver * second six months: you may drive with members of your immediate family
• you may not drive a bus or any vehicle that requires a public passenger permit
• you may not drive between midnight and 5AM unless going to an approved school or church activity, or for emergencies
• you may not drive while talking on a cell phone (no exception for hands-free)

If you have your Connecticut provisional license and you’re 16 or older you cannot drive a vehicle between 1:00AM and 5AM unless the following conditions are met:

• You’re accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or person over 21 who has at least 1 year of driving experience
• You are driving because of an emergency
• You are an emancipated minor
• You’re going to or from your workplace, a school sponsored or religious event

The whole point of driver education is to give you the tools to acquire good driving habits. If you abuse the privilege of driving, you may not have your license for very long! Each time your license is suspended, there is a restoration fee of $125. Your Connecticut driver license may be suspended under the following circumstances:

• you use your cell phone while driving (texting or talking) – 30 day suspension
• you speed – 60 day suspension
• you drive recklessly – 6 month suspension
• you street race – 6 month suspension

Connecticut Auto Insurance Connecticut Financial Responsibility Laws

So you finally have your Connecticut drivers license. Think you’re ready for the road? Hold your horses, your vehicle must be covered by liability insurance. If you ever get caught driving without proof of Connecticut mandatory liability insurance, you could be fined. Worse, if you are involved in an accident and cannot provide proof of insurance, your Connecticut learner’s permit or Connecticut provisional license will be suspended.

• The minimum required coverage is $20,000 for personal injury and $40,000 for total injury, and $10,000 for property damage.

Connecticut Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws

As a new Connecticut driver, nothing is more important than for you to understand the Connecticut drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. In Connecticut, the standard of DUI is lower for teens, and you only need to have a BAC of 0.02 (instead of 0.08) to be convicted. Upon your first conviction of a Connecticut DUI, you face the following penalties:

• your Connecticut license will be suspended for 3 months
• a $500 to $1000 fine
• 100 hours of community service
• mandatory alcohol education programs that adults face for DUI convictions

And of course, further Connecticut DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Connecticut license suspension or even Connecticut license revocation.

A distracted driver is a dangerous driver. Thus, Connecticut bans teen drivers from using a cell phone or text messaging while driving. As tempting as it may be to call or text friends and family, driving while using a cell phone carries a 30 day license suspension and a $125 license restoration fee plus court fines. A second conviction carries a 6 month suspension.

Connecticut Online Driver Education

Anyone younger than 18 must provide proof of completion for a Connecticut approved driver’s education course including at least 40 hours of behind the wheel training and 22 hours of home-based classroom training. If you take a Connecticut approved driver’s education course, you will be able to take your license road test 2 months earlier. The Connecticut DMV maintains a list of the many Connecticut “approved driver education courses()”:http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a=805&Q=289746&PM=1&dmvPNavCtr=%7C41797%7C42553%7C%22%20%5Cl%20%2242645 .