Connecticut DMV driving test, CT drivers license, CDL, motorcycle practice test

Features of Earning Each Type of Driver’s License in Connecticut

Automobile License

Obtaining a learner’s permit is a prerequisite and the first step in the process of earning a driver's license in Connecticut. Both adults over 18 years and adolescents aged 16-17 years have to hold the permit before they are allowed to have behind-the-wheel practice and a road examination. This rule doesn’t apply to people, who need transferring their out-of-state licenses to Connecticut, as well as licenses issued in Germany, Canada or France. Note that out-of-state learner’s permits can’t be transferred.

The permit may be issued to persons, who successfully pass a vision screening and a knowledge test, so you need to start with getting the Driver’s Manual, which is available on driver-start.com. While learning traffic laws and safe driving practices covered in the manual, you must prepare a package of documents required for the application. This includes:

• application form R-229;
• documents proving your identity, SSN, residence, legal presence (if you were not born in U.S.), name change (if any) from a list presented on Connecticut DMV official website. Only originals or certified copies of the documents are accepted;
• a certificate of parental consent (if you are under 18 and none of your parents are going to be present on the testing).

Also, required fees have to be paid including $40 testing fee and $19 learner’s permit fee. Note that it is necessary to make online DMV appointment for the testing. On the appointed day, you have to come to the specified office, to pass a vision test and to correctly answer 20 test questions out of 25. If you fail any of these tests, you can try again in 7 days, but you need to pay $40 fee and to schedule the appointment once more. Note that in addition to English, 6 other foreign languages are available for the applicants.

If you get through the tests, you will earn the permit for practicing driving skills, but you need to complete a driver training course to be admitted to the road exam. Besides, if you are over 18, you need to hold the permit for 90 days, prior to being allowed to the road examination, and if you are under 18, the required period makes 120 or 180 days depending on the type of driver training chosen by you.

Motorcycle License

There is no separate motorcycle license in Connecticut, but there are 2 types of endorsements added to an existing driver license. Thus, you need to hold a valid license to apply for “M” or “3” endorsements. The first one gives the right to operate both 2- or 3-wheeled motorcycles, while the second one restricts it only to 3-wheeled bikes.

While earning your motorcycle endorsements, you have to undergo vision and knowledge tests, passing which you can get an appropriate permit for driving practice. Unlike many other states, CT doesn’t require two separate knowledge tests and offers only one pre-driving test, but it is built upon both the Motorcycle Manual and Driver’s Manual. It consists of 16 questions and available on a “walk-in” basis. To be admitted to the testing, you have to submit:

• your driver license;
• R-229 form;
• a certificate of parental consent (for minors only).

Also, you must pay the above-mentioned fees.

Commercial Driver’s License

CDL is available for holders of a valid driver license, who are older than 18. A CDL learner’s permit is required prior to being admitted to a road exam. Earning the permit includes taking both general knowledge and endorsement testing depending on the type of vehicle you are going to operate. The general test requires 40 correct answers out of 50 questions, while endorsement tests have from 20 to 30 questions.

The following documents must be submitted for CDL testing:

• a CT driver’s license;
• SSC or W-2 form;
• a medical certificate;
• a confirmation notice of self-certification;
• DMV Form R-229a.

To improve your chances of getting through the testing, Driver Start offers the DMV permit test study guide along with our useful app that allows learning and practicing test questions on your mobile devices App Store and Google Play.