Teen Suspensions and Operator Retraining

Key points

1. A first teen restriction violation brings a 30 day suspension and a $175 restoration fee.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “30-Day Suspension $175 license restoration fee, court fines.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

2. Speeding 20 mph over the limit brings a 60 day suspension for a first offense.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Speeding (20 mph over speed limit) §14-219 60-Day Suspension”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

3. A first reckless driving offense brings a 6 month suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Reckless Driving §14-222 (a) 6-Month Suspension $175 license restoration fee court fines or imprisonment of not more than 30 days, or both.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

4. A first street racing offense also brings a 6 month suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Street Racing §14-224(c) 6-Month Suspension $175 license restoration fee, court fines or imprisonment”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 34

5. A driver under 18 convicted under the cell phone law has the license suspended.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “If an operator is under the age of 18, a conviction for violating the cell phone law will result in a license suspension.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 13

6. Anyone 24 or younger with 2 or more moving or suspension violations must complete operator retraining.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Anyone age 24 or younger who commits two or more moving violations or suspension violations must complete the DMVcerti­fied operator retraining program.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

7. Drivers 25 or older must attend retraining after 3 or more such convictions.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “A motorist who is 25 years old or older and who has three or more such convictions is required to attend”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

8. A new moving violation within 3 years after retraining means a suspension of at least 30 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “an additional moving violation within three years of the completion date will result in a license suspension of at least 30 days.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 35

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Connecticut practice test

1. 1. What suspension does a Connecticut 16 or 17 year old face for speeding 20 mph over the limit?

   1. A 30 day suspension
   2. A 60 day suspension, a $175 restoration fee and court fines
   3. A one year suspension
   4. A warning
   Show answer

   A 60 day suspension, a $175 restoration fee and court fines. For a 16 or 17 year old, speeding 20 mph over the speed limit under section 14-219 brings a 60 day suspension, a $175 license restoration fee and court fines, with longer suspensions for repeat offenses. Cell phone use brings 30 days, and reckless driving and street racing bring six months. Two violations before age 25 also require operator retraining.

2. 2. What penalty does a Connecticut teen driver face for a first reckless driving conviction?

   1. A 30 day suspension
   2. A $50 fine
   3. Loss of license until 21
   4. A six month suspension, a $175 restoration fee, and court fines or up to 30 days in jail
   Show answer

   A six month suspension, a $175 restoration fee, and court fines or up to 30 days in jail. A first reckless driving conviction under section 14-222 brings a 16 or 17 year old driver a six month suspension, a $175 license restoration fee, and court fines or imprisonment of not more than 30 days or both; a repeat offense brings a one year suspension and up to a year in jail. Street racing carries the same six month and one year suspensions.

3. 3. Who must complete Connecticut's operator retraining program?

   1. Anyone 24 or younger with two or more moving or suspension violations
   2. Only drivers over 65
   3. Anyone with one speeding ticket
   4. All new drivers
   Show answer

   Anyone 24 or younger with two or more moving or suspension violations. Anyone age 24 or younger who commits two or more moving violations or suspension violations must complete the DMV certified operator retraining program, which covers the principles of motor vehicle operation, how attitude contributes to aggressive driving, and the need to practice safe driving. Motorists 25 and older have a separate threshold, and the program focuses on attitude as much as rules.

Source: the Connecticut Driver's Manual, Your License and Law. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.