FAQ s About Teen Driving Laws

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1 FAQ s About Teen Driving Laws RESTRICTIONS What restrictions apply to 16 and 17 year olds who hold a learner's permit? Restrictions for ALL permit holders are: Curfew - No curfew, but must be accompanied by a qualified trainer. Passenger Only a parent, legal guardian or qualified trainer for the duration of the permit. What restrictions apply to 16 and 17 year olds who obtain a driver's license? Passenger Restrictions For the first 6 months after obtaining a driver license, may only drive with: o o o Licensed driving instructor or Person providing instruction who is at least 20 years old, has held a license for at least 4 years with no suspensions during the last 4 years parents or legal guardian at least one of whom holds a valid driver license. For the second 6 months, may drive with the above people and also drive with immediate family (e.g., brothers, and sisters). Curfew Until 18 th birthday, may not drive between hours of 11 p.m. 5 a.m. unless it is for: o employment o school o religious activities o medical necessity Please note: The passenger and curfew restrictions do not apply to: active members of a volunteer fire company or department responding to an emergency active member of volunteer ambulance service or company responding to an emergency assigned driver in a Safe Ride program. Seatbelt Until 18 th birthday, all passengers in vehicle must have permanently installed seat belts. Cell Phones and Mobile Electronic Devices. Until 18 th birthday, may not use cell phones (even if hands-free) or other mobile electronic devices while driving. This includes any hand-held computer or other device with a video display.

2 Does a 16 and 17 year old driver need a letter of verification if they fall into one of the exemptions under license passenger and/or curfew restrictions? No. Are there restrictions that apply to 16 and 17 year olds who have obtained a motorcycle endorsement? Yes. A 16 and 17 year old may not transport any passengers for the first 6 months from date of issuance of motorcycle endorsement. Can a 16 or 17-year-old drive with their child in the vehicle? There is currently no exemption for 16-and 17-year-old parents to carry their children. DMV will adopt regulations to put such an exemption in effect. The Department is drafting and will submit regulations for approval. TRAINING What are the acceptable types of classroom and practice driving training for 16-and 17-year-old who obtain a learner's permit? Commercial Driving School 30 hours classroom training, which includes the Safe Driving Practices course and 2 hours of parent training High School (Secondary) Driver Education 30 hours classroom training, which includes the S afe Driving Practices course and 2 hours of parent training Home Training 22 hour classroom type training, and an 8 hour Safe Driving Practices course at commercial/secondary school which includes 2 hour parent/legal guardian training 40 hours practice driving* 40 hours practice driving* 40 hours practice driving* *40 hour practice driving (behind-the-wheel) may be given by any combination of commercial/secondary/parent instruction. Learner's permit holders are eligible to apply for a driver's license after they have held the permit for at least 120 or 180 days. You must receive at least 30 hours classroom and 8 hours behind-the-wheel practice driving with a Connecticut licensed commercial/secondary driving school to be eligible to take the test after holding the permit for only 120 days. Who is a qualified trainer? A qualified trainer is a person 20 years of age or older, has held a valid license for at least 4 years and has received no suspensions within the last 4 years. Qualified trainers may include: spouse of married minor parent, grandparent, foster parent, legal guardian, or if none are qualified to give training, the stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt by blood or marriage, may train if qualified

3 When will I be eligible to apply for a driver license? If you are attending a commercial or secondary school for the entire 30 hours classroom portion of driver training and are receiving a minimum of 8 hours practice driving from them, you must have a learner permit for 120 days before you are eligible to take the test for your driver test. If you are being home trained by receiving the equivalent of 22 hours of classroom training, attend a commercial or secondary school for the 8 hour Safe Driving Practices class (including the 2 hour parent training) and are receiving your practice driving from a qualified home trainer, you must have a learner permit for 180 days before you are eligible to take the test for your driver test. Who must attend the 2-hour parent training course? The applicant and their parent or legal guardian must attend the 2 hour parent training course. Applicant must provide certification of completion of parent training course on Form CS-1 (Certificate of Completion of Commercial/Secondary School Driver Education) when they take their road test. When does the parent or legal guardian attend the 2-hour parent-training course? The 2-hour parent-training course is part of the 8 hour Safe Driving Practices course. A parent/legal guardian must attend the 2-hour course WITH the student at the commercial/secondary school. The parent attending the course does not need to be the same one who is conducting the training and does not need to have a driver license. Must the home training qualified trainer attest to the 40 hours practice driving? Yes. The qualified trainer must accompany the applicant to the DMV when they take their road test and sign the R-229 form that includes a certification statement, attesting to conducting the practice driving. NOTE: Home-trained applicants must also submit a completed Form CS-1 (Certificate of Completion of Commercial/Secondary School Driver Education) to prove completion of parent training course when they take their road test. The DMV recommends use of Parent/Guardian Driving Instruction Log to ensure that the 40-hour driving practice adequately covers the essential topics and areas of driving skill sets. Also recommended is the use of the RAPT3 driving simulation software that focuses on hazard awareness. If home trained, who signs the R-229 in the Signature of Home Training Instructor field? The qualified trainer who provided the practice driving must sign the R-229, attesting to the fact that the applicant has met all requirements, including classroom training, practice driving, Safe Driving Practices course and Parent Training.

4 Do license applicants over the age of 18 have to take any driver training? Any applicant who has not been previously licensed in CT or who does not hold a valid license from any other state (including US territories, Germany, Canada & France) will be required to take the 8-hour Safe Driving Practices course through a licensed driving school before they can be tested for a license. They must present a driver training certificate (CS1). They do not need to obtain a permit. TESTING What knowledge test will be given to permit and license applicants? The knowledge test will have 25 questions. The applicant must answer at least 20 questions correct to pass. The test will include questions about restrictions for 16 and 17 year old drivers. A 25-question test will be taken prior to the learner permit being issued, if the applicant passes the test a learner permit will be issued. NOTE: Effective July 5, 2011, DMV no longer requires 16 or 17-year-old applicants to take a second knowledge test, also known as the "Teen Final Exam." However, any 16 or 17-year-old who failed this second test prior to July 5 will still need to take the re-test of it to obtain a license. FEES Learner permit applicants pay the $40 testing fee when they appear at the DMV to apply for a learner permit. They must pass the vision and 25 question knowledge test. If they pass both tests, they pay $19 fee to obtain the permit. When they come in for their road test to obtain their license, they pay the fee for their license ($72 for six-year license, $84 for seven-year license depending on the applicant s date of birth). If an applicant fails the knowledge test, they pay the $40 fee again when they reapply. If an applicant fails a vision test, they can return after they have had their vision corrected and take the vision and knowledge tests for no additional fee. If they pass both tests, they pay the $19 permit fee to obtain the permit. Is there an additional fee for the parent training? No. The 2-hour parent training is included in the $125 fee for the 8-hour Safe Driving Practices course. There is no additional fee at this time.

5 OUT-OF-STATE TRANSFERS What about 16 and17 year olds with valid licenses who are transferring from out-of-state? Any 16 or any 16 and 17 year old with a valid license who wants to obtain a Connecticut license must: Complete the 8 hour Safe Driving Practices class at a commercial driving school or secondary school in Connecticut including the 2 hour parent/legal guardian training Provide proof of driver education training requirements that meet Connecticut standards. Pass a vision test at the DMV. Pass a road test at the DMV. Surrender their out-of-state license. Comply with all Graduated Driver License (GDL) restrictions. What about an 18 year old with valid license who is transferring from outof-state? These operators only have to take a vision test. NON-DRIVER ID If a customer currently holds an Identification Card, must they surrender it when they receive a learner's permit? Yes. Since the learner's permit is a bona fide credential, a customer must surrender any identification card upon receipt of a photo permit. The number on the ID is used as the permit number. DUPLICATES What if customer needs a duplicate of a learner's permit? If a customer needs a duplicate of a permit, they must: Visit a full-service or satellite DMV office or photo license center Submit 2 forms of identification from the list of acceptable forms of identification Complete an Application for Duplicate of Current Driver s License or Permit (Form B-1) Pay a fee of $19 for the duplicate permit.

6 VEHICLE OWNERSHIP Can a 16 or 17 year old register a vehicle? Connecticut law allows 16 and 17 year-olds to register vehicles. A Certificate of Parental Consent (Form 2D) must be signed by a parent/legal guardian for 16 and 17 year olds. NOTE: When a 16 or 17 year old registers a non-passenger vehicle (e.g., motorcycle, trailer, some pickup trucks), Connecticut law requires special insurance called Proof of Financial Responsibility. This insurance must be on file at the DMV before you can register the vehicle. Please call to verify the filing before you come to the DMV to register the vehicle. Requirements for 16 and 17 Year Olds to Obtain a License Before a 16-or 17-year-old begins to practice driving in Connecticut, he or she must obtain a learner's permit. PLEASE NOTE: Beginning August 12, 2011, all knowledge testing will only be conducted at the following DMV offices on a walk-in basis: Bridgeport, Waterbury, Wethersfield and Willimantic. Driver Training Options If you obtained a learner's permit, the following training may be combined to meet the requirements: Commercial Driving School 30 hours classroom training, which includes the Safe Driving Practices course and 2 hours of parent training High School (Secondary) Driver Education 30 hours classroom training, which includes the S afe Driving Practices course and 2 hours of parent training Home Training 22 hour classroom type training, and an 8 hour Safe Driving Practices course at commercial/secondary school which includes 2 hour parent/legal guardian training 40 hours practice driving* 40 hours practice driving* 40 hours practice driving* *40 hour practice driving (behind-the-wheel) may be given by any combination of commercial/secondary/parent instruction. Learner's permit holders are eligible to apply for a driver's license after they have held the permit for at least 120 or 180 days. You must receive at least 30 hours classroom and 8 hours behind-the-wheel practice driving with a Connecticut licensed commercial/secondary driving school to be eligible to take the test after holding the permit for only 120 days. Testing Once you have completed the required driver training and have held your permit at least 120 days (commercial/secondary) or 180 days (home-training) you are ready to continue the testing process, which includes a road test. Taking the Road Test at a DMV Office If you have a learner's permit and were home trained, or attended a commercial school that does not offer testing, you must take your road test at a DMV Branch Office. PLEASE NOTE: Beginning August 12, 2011, road testing will only be conducted at the following DMV offices: Bridgeport, Waterbury, Wethersfield and Willimantic.

7 To do so, follow these five easy steps: 1. Make an appointment to take the road test by calling the DMV Phone Center. You do not have to return to the same office where the learner's permit was issued. 2. When you come to the DMV, you must bring the following items: Your learner's permit. If you do not have it, you can obtain a replacement/duplicate permit by showing the appropriate identification and paying the duplicate fee. If you do not have the permit and cannot obtain a replacement you will forfeit the appointment, have to reschedule the test, and pay another testing fee. Completed Application for Driver License (Form R-229) which can be obtained at the DMV branch office or requested from the website. Your qualified trainer must sign the Application for Driver License (Form R-229) attesting that all driver education/practice driving requirements have been fulfilled. CS-1 Driver Education Certificate verifying completion of driver training. A vehicle that can be used for the Road Test. A valid registration and proof of insurance for your test vehicle. The proof of insurance must be in the name of the registered owner of the vehicle. (If the vehicle is leased, proof of insurance may be in the name of the lessee). License fee NOTE: Effective July 5, 2011, DMV no longer requires 16 or 17-year-old applicants to take a second knowledge test, also known as the "Teen Final Exam." However, any 16 or 17-year-old who failed this second test prior to July 5 will still need to take the re-test of it to obtain a license. 3. When you and your qualified trainer arrive at the DMV, you present the appropriate documents and your qualified trainer signs the Application for Driver License (R-229) attesting to the fulfillment of all training requirements in the presence of a DMV agent. The R-229 form can be obtained either at the branch office or requested through the mail. 4. Once you pass the road test you are eligible for your driver's license. 5. If you fail the road test: You must pay the testing fee at the DMV office and schedule another test. You must wait at least 14 days to be retested. Taking the Road Test at a Commercial or Secondary School If your driving school offers the road test at their facility, they will advise you when you are eligible to take the road test. You must present: Your learner's permit to the DMV Agent on your scheduled road test date. If you do not present the permit, you will not be tested. Completed Application for Driver License (Form R-229). Your qualified trainer must sign the Application for Driver License (Form R-229) verifying that all driver education/practice driving requirements have been fulfilled. CS-1 Driver Education Certificate verifying completion of driver training. Once you pass the road test you must wait 48 hours before going to the DMV Office with your passed Road Test Evaluation Report. If you fail the Road Test you must pay the test fee and wait at least 14 days to be retested. Walk-in testing hours.