Your Guide to Connecticut Driver's Licenses
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
Connecticut
Getting a driver's license in Connecticut involves a series of steps and requirements. This guide aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview to make your journey to becoming a licensed driver in Connecticut smoother.
Eligibility Requirements for Naturalized and Non-U.S. Citizens
If you are not a U.S.-born citizen, you will be required to show proof of your legal status in the country. The DMV will verify your legal status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Verification may take ten days or more, and you may be asked to return to the DMV office when the immigration results have been approved.
Applying for a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)
If you're interested in a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), you'll need to meet federal identification requirements and show proof of legal presence in the United States. Non-U.S. citizens must present a valid employment authorization document to be eligible for a CDL or CLP.
Drive-Only License
Connecticut offers a drive-only license for individuals who can't establish legal presence in the United States or don't have a Social Security Number. However, U.S. citizens and documented immigrants are not eligible for this license.
Federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
Applicants under the DACA program may be eligible to receive a regular, non-verified driver's license or non-driver ID card, contingent on valid results of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement Program (SAVE).
Diplomats
Diplomats must obtain a license from the U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign Affairs.
Licenses from U.S. Territories, Canada, Germany, France, or Puerto Rico
Connecticut allows the transfer of licenses from certain territories and countries. However, if you are from a country not listed, you'll need to get an adult learner's permit before getting a Connecticut driver's license.
International Driver Permit (IDP)
An IDP serves as an English translation of a foreign-language license and can only be obtained in the country that issued the actual license.
First-Time Driver's License for Adults
If you're 18 years or older and applying for a driver's license for the first time, you'll need to go through a specific process, which includes obtaining an adult learner's permit.
Understanding the Connecticut driver's license system is crucial for anyone looking to drive in the state. This guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to navigate this system successfully.
