Free · 24 short lessons · Quoted from the manual
Connecticut Driver Handbook, Chapter by Chapter
Start with lesson 1Every chapter of the Connecticut Driver's Manual that matters for the written test, cut down to the rules and exact numbers you need. Each point links to the manual text it comes from, with the page, and ends with questions from our free Connecticut practice test.
24 lessons in handbook order
Read one lesson, answer its 3 check questions, then drill that topic in the practice test. Most lessons take about 5 minutes.
- Lesson 1Obtaining a Connecticut Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
The Learner's Permit and License Tests
You need a learner's permit, earned with a vision test and a 25 question knowledge test, before you practice driving. After the required waiting period and training you take the road test and pay for your license.
8 key points · 8 numbers · Handbook pp. 4 to 7
- Lesson 2Obtaining a Connecticut Driver's LicenseLaws and paperwork
Teen Training, Passengers and Curfew
Teen drivers must complete driver training, wait a set time with their permit and follow passenger, curfew and seatbelt rules. The restrictions ease during the first year of licensed driving.
8 key points · 9 numbers · Handbook pp. 6 to 31
- Lesson 3Your License and LawLaws and paperwork
Teen Suspensions and Operator Retraining
DMV suspends a teen driver's license for restriction violations, speeding, reckless driving, street racing or phone use. Repeat offenders of any age may have to complete operator retraining.
8 key points · 9 numbers · Handbook pp. 13 to 35
- Lesson 4Before You Get Behind the WheelLaws and paperwork
Seat Belts, Child Seats and Phone Laws
Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seat belt, and children under 16 need proper restraints. Hand held phones are banned for all drivers, and drivers who are 16 or 17 may not use any phone.
8 key points · 7 numbers · Handbook pp. 12 to 13
- Lesson 5Know the Road: Traffic SignsRoad signs
Sign Shapes and Regulatory Signs
The shape and color of a sign tell you what kind of message it carries. All red signs are regulatory and must be obeyed, and a red circle with a slash prohibits the action shown.
8 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 46 to 48
- Lesson 6Know the Road: Traffic SignsRoad signs
Warning, School and Guide Signs
Diamond signs warn of hazards, a pentagon marks a school zone, and a pennant marks a no passing zone. Green signs guide you and blue signs show services.
8 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 46 to 51
- Lesson 7Know the Road: Traffic SignsRoad signs
Railroad Crossings and Work Zones
Railroad signs warn you of crossings, and a crossbuck means yield to trains. Orange signs mark work zones, where speeding and phone use bring heavier fines.
8 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 15 to 52
- Lesson 8Know the Road: Traffic SignalsSignals and markings
Traffic Lights, Arrows and HAWK Signals
A yellow light means the light is about to turn red, a flashing red light works like a stop sign, and you may turn right on red after a full stop unless a sign forbids it. Arrows and HAWK pedestrian signals add their own rules.
9 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 15 to 45
- Lesson 9Know the Road: Pavement MarkingsSignals and markings
Pavement Markings and Special Lanes
White lines separate lanes going the same way, and yellow lines separate traffic going opposite ways. Special lanes such as shared center lanes and reversible lanes have their own rules.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 43 to 44
- Lesson 10Road Safety: Right of WayRight of way
Right of Way at Intersections
The law says who must yield, but it gives no one the right of way. You must always do everything you can to avoid hitting a pedestrian or another vehicle.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 18 to 37
- Lesson 11Road Safety: Roundabouts and U-TurnsRight of way
Roundabouts, Traffic Circles and U-Turns
Entering traffic yields to traffic already circulating in a roundabout or traffic circle. U-turns are not legal everywhere and never on an expressway.
7 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 36 to 37
- Lesson 12Sharing the Road with OthersSafe driving
Pedestrians, Bicyclists and Horses
Pedestrians have the right of way in marked and unmarked crosswalks. Give vulnerable users such as bicyclists at least 3 feet when passing, and never sound your horn near a horse.
8 key points · 2 numbers · Handbook pp. 16 to 36
- Lesson 13Sharing the Road with OthersSafe driving
Motorcycles, Trucks and Slow Vehicles
Motorcycles may use a full lane and need a longer following distance, and a truck driver cannot see you if you cannot see the driver's face in the side mirror. Stop for an ice cream truck with flashing lights and its arms out.
8 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook pp. 18 to 20
- Lesson 14Maintaining a Space CushionSafe driving
Space Cushion and Following Distance
Keep space all around your vehicle so you have time to react. Use the three second rule, and four seconds when conditions call for more room.
7 key points · 5 numbers · Handbook pp. 14 to 27
- Lesson 15Changing Lanes and PassingSafe driving
Changing Lanes and Passing
Look over your shoulder to check blind spots before a lane change, and change one lane at a time. Passing at 55 mph needs over 1,600 feet of clear road.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 18 to 23
- Lesson 16Road Safety: Speed Limits and StoppingSpeed limits
Speed Limits and Stopping Distance
Speed limits are set for ideal conditions, so you must slow down when conditions are worse. Stopping distance grows much faster than speed.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 16 to 36
- Lesson 17Hazardous ConditionsSafe driving
Slippery Roads, Hydroplaning and Curves
Rain, snow and ice cut traction, so reduce speed well below normal. Tires can hydroplane on wet roads above about 35 mph.
8 key points · 3 numbers · Handbook p. 25
- Lesson 18Road Safety: Lights, Horn and Turn SignalsSafe driving
Headlights, Horn and Turn Signals
Turn on your headlights when you use your wipers, and dim high beams for oncoming drivers. Signal at least 3 seconds before you move, and tap your brakes to warn drivers behind you before an unexpected stop.
8 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 38 to 39
- Lesson 19Dangerous Driving BehaviorsSafe driving
Distractions, Fatigue and Aggressive Driving
Adults may use only hands free phones, and drivers who are 16 or 17 may not use any phone. Get 7 to 9 hours of sleep, take breaks on long trips, and leave aggressive drivers to the police.
9 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook pp. 13 to 28
- Lesson 20Road Safety: Right of WayEmergencies
Emergency Vehicles, Move Over and School Buses
Pull right and stop for emergency vehicles using sirens or red or blue lights. Slow down and move over for any vehicle pulled over, and stop for school buses with flashing red lights.
8 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 16 to 37
- Lesson 21Road Safety: Equipment FailureEmergencies
Vehicle Emergencies and Equipment Failure
Get a broken down vehicle off the road and turn on your emergency flashers. Know what to do when the brakes, a tire, the engine or the gas pedal fails.
7 key points · 0 numbers · Handbook pp. 39 to 40
- Lesson 22Road Safety: Avoiding Collisions and Traffic CrashesEmergencies
Avoiding Collisions and After a Crash
To avoid a collision you can stop, turn or speed up, and in a skid you should stay off the brake and steer. After a crash you must stop, and police must be told if anyone is hurt or killed.
8 key points · 1 numbers · Handbook pp. 40 to 41
- Lesson 23Your License and Law: Alcohol and the LawAlcohol and DUI
Alcohol, Testing and DUI Suspensions
Alcohol is involved in more than 40 percent of fatal crashes, and only time sobers you up. Failing or refusing a DUI test brings a suspension of at least 45 days and an ignition interlock.
7 key points · 6 numbers · Handbook p. 33
- Lesson 24Your License and Law: Alcohol and the LawAlcohol and DUI
Zero Tolerance for Drivers Under 21
Drivers under 21 face zero tolerance, with penalties starting at a BAC of just .02%, and they could be considered impaired after only one drink. New drivers are more affected by alcohol than experienced drivers.
6 key points · 4 numbers · Handbook p. 33
Read, check, then practice
- Read a lesson. Open any point's source to see the exact manual wording and page.
- Answer the 3 check questions at the end without looking back.
- Drill that topic in the free Connecticut practice test, then take a full test when every lesson feels easy.
- Keep the Connecticut cheat sheet for a last look before test day.
Source: the Connecticut Driver's Manual (Current edition, ct.gov/dmv). Lessons are plain English summaries, not the law itself; where they differ, the manual and the statute govern. Every quote on these pages is checked against our saved copy of the manual. Last checked 2026-09-27.