Connecticut DMV: age, fees, test facts

Getting a license in Connecticut

Getting your first permit

In Connecticut, the minimum permit age is 16 years old (18+ apply for an adult learner's permit). When you apply for a permit or license, bring: completed Form R-229 application, acceptable ID documents, Form 2-D parental consent if parent absent, glasses/contacts if needed for vision test, and Social Security information. CT DMV 'Make or change DMV appointment' and 'DMV locations and hours' pages. In-person services are appointment-only for specific transactions; some locations have no walk-ins.

Fees, retakes, and practice hours

$40 combined testing fee covering vision, knowledge, and road test; no standalone knowledge-test-only fee. If you fail the knowledge test: must wait at least 14 days before retesting after failing, and pay the $40 fee again. Before the road test, the state requires 40 hours supervised driving required; commercial driving school path adds 8 hours professional instruction with a 120-day permit hold, vs. 180-day hold for home training.

REAL ID, motorcycle, and CDL

REAL ID ('verified ID'/Select CT ID) available by appointment; needs passport or birth certificate, SSN card, two residency mail proofs. Federal deadline May 7, 2025; no distinct CT deadline. For a motorcycle license: minimum age 16. Under-18 applicants need notarized parental consent and must hold a learner's permit 180+ days before skills test, plus DMV/MSF-approved rider education course; permit requires knowledge test and vision exam. For a commercial license (CDL): minimum age 18 for intrastate-only CDL; 21 to drive interstate or haul hazardous materials. Requires valid medical examiner's certificate, self-certification, and Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT).

The Connecticut bank has 69 questions across 7 topics