DMV Connecticut · Fees, age, and practice test
Connecticut Permit Test: Cost, Age, and DMV Facts
Sourced procedural facts for Connecticut DMV, plus a free 180-question practice test with real sign images and audio.
How much does the Connecticut permit test cost?
$40 combined testing fee covering vision, knowledge, and road test; no standalone knowledge-test-only fee
- Learner permit / application fee: $19
- Knowledge (written) test fee: $40 combined testing fee covering vision, knowledge, and road test; no standalone knowledge-test-only fee
- Initial driver license fee: $84 (new issue regular non-commercial; issued for 5 1/2 to 7 years), plus $40 examination fee
Source: CT.gov DMV - Teen Driver's License · Last verified 2026-07-06. Our 180-question Connecticut practice test is free and separate from these DMV fees.
Quick facts
Minimum permit age
16 years old (18+ apply for an adult learner's permit)
Knowledge test fee
$40 combined testing fee covering vision, knowledge, and road test; no standalone knowledge-test-only fee
Permit fee
$19
Initial license fee
$84 (new issue regular non-commercial; issued for 5 1/2 to 7 years), plus $40 examination fee
Questions on the knowledge test
25
Passing score
20 of 25 correct (80%)
Retake fee
$40 (and a 7-day wait)
Retake wait after failing
Must wait at least 14 days before retesting after failing, and pay the $40 fee again
Supervised driving before road test
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
Documents to bring
Completed Form R-229 application and acceptable forms of identification; Form 2-D parental consent if a parent is absent; bring glasses or contacts if needed for the vision test
Find an office / appointment
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.
REAL ID status
Connecticut's verified ID requires an in-person appointment with a passport or birth certificate, Social Security card, and two pieces of mail from within 90 days. Federal deadline May 7, 2025.
Motorcycle license
Under-18 applicants need notarized parental consent (Form 2-D); the permit requires knowledge and vision tests, and a DMV-approved novice safety course (CONREP) is required for the endorsement.
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).
Official source: CT.gov DMV - Teen Driver's License
Things like renewing registration, REAL ID, or a change of address are outside what this page covers -- go straight to the official Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles site.
How much is the Connecticut permit test?
Connecticut knowledge test fee: $40 combined testing fee covering vision, knowledge, and road test; no standalone knowledge-test-only fee (official source). Permit fee: $19 (official source).
How many questions are on the Connecticut permit test?
The official Connecticut knowledge test: 25 (official source). Passing score: 20 of 25 correct (80%) (official source).
Connecticut DMV fees at a glance
| Fee | Official figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge test fee | $40 combined testing fee covering vision, knowledge, and road test; no standalone knowledge-test-only fee | source |
| Permit fee | $19 | source |
| Initial license fee | $84 (new issue regular non-commercial; issued for 5 1/2 to 7 years), plus $40 examination fee | source |
| Retake fee | $40 (and a 7-day wait) | source |
Studying for it? Take the free Connecticut DMV practice test (180 questions, instant explanations, no signup).
What a Connecticut driver license covers
Initial license fee: $84 (new issue regular non-commercial; issued for 5 1/2 to 7 years), plus $40 examination fee (official source)
REAL ID status: Connecticut's verified ID requires an in-person appointment with a passport or birth certificate, Social Security card, and two pieces of mail from within 90 days. Federal deadline May 7, 2025. (official source)
The gold star marks a REAL ID compliant card. Many states hand you a paper interim license the day you pass and mail the physical card later; the interim paper generally works for driving but not for TSA airport ID. Check the official Connecticut DMV site for exact card timelines.
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 and acceptable forms of identification; Form 2-D parental consent if a parent is absent; bring glasses or contacts if needed for the vision test. 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
Connecticut's verified ID requires an in-person appointment with a passport or birth certificate, Social Security card, and two pieces of mail from within 90 days. Federal deadline May 7, 2025. For a motorcycle license: under-18 applicants need notarized parental consent (Form 2-D); the permit requires knowledge and vision tests, and a DMV-approved novice safety course (CONREP) is required for the endorsement. 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 180 questions across 8 topics
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