Connecticut learner's permit and knowledge test
Connecticut residents age 16+ can apply for a learner's permit. The DMV knowledge test has 25 questions, requires 20 correct answers, and is taken in person after the vision test.
Independent guide. Road to Permit is not affiliated with or endorsed by a DMV, DPS or other government agency. Use the official state links below when a rule, fee or procedure matters.
- 16minimum permit age
- 25 / 20questions / correct to pass
- $40 + $19testing + permit fees
Connecticut learner-permit knowledge test
The Connecticut knowledge test contains 25 questions based on the official driver's manual. You need at least 20 correct. Vision testing comes first, and testing is by appointment.
| questions | 25 |
|---|---|
| correct to pass | 20 |
| testing | In person |
25 questions, 20 correct
The DMV knowledge test is based on information in Connecticut's driver's manuals.
Vision screening comes first
If the vision requirement is not met at the appointment, the knowledge test is not taken at that visit.
The steps to a Connecticut driver license
The first step for a new Connecticut driver is the learner-permit process. Residents age 16+ can apply, with a separate adult learner-permit path from age 18.
- Step 1. Complete the free Connecticut Work Zone Safety Course and study the current DMV driver's manual.
- Step 2. Book the learner-permit appointment, bring the required identity documents, then pass vision and the 25-question knowledge test.
- Step 3. Receive the permit and complete the training/holding-period requirements for your age before the road test.
Before you go: requirements and documents
Connecticut learner's-permit requirements
Connecticut learner-permit requirements: age 16+, Work Zone Safety Course, vision test, 25-question knowledge test and appointment-based testing.
Open the requirements guide →Documents for a Connecticut learner's permit
Connecticut learner-permit document guide: use the DMV's current identity checklist, bring required originals and schedule vision/knowledge testing online.
Open the document checklist →Use the live DMV document checklist
Accepted identity and residency evidence can change, so use the checklist linked from the current DMV permit page.
Bring the required identification
The permit transaction requires the identification documents applicable to your age and credential type.
Fees
Connecticut DMV currently lists a separate testing fee and learner-permit fee for the standard Class D process.
| license exam fee | $40 |
|---|---|
| Class D learner permit | $19 |
| fee due after failed testing | Again |
See the full Connecticut fee guide →
Connecticut teen learner-permit rules
For 16–17-year-olds, Connecticut combines classroom/safe-driving instruction, 40 hours of road practice and a parent-training requirement.
Complete 40 practice hours
The behind-the-wheel requirement can be met through the allowed combination of school and qualified-trainer instruction.
Training route changes the waiting period
Qualifying commercial/secondary-school training can make a teen eligible after 120 days; home-training routes generally use 180 days.
A parent or guardian has homework too
The teen licensing path includes a mandatory two-hour parent/legal-guardian training component about teen-driving law and risk.
Connecticut first driver license for adults
At age 18+, a first-time driver normally starts with an adult learner's permit before moving to the road test.
Get the adult learner's permit
Complete the required Work Zone Safety step, vision and knowledge testing and the permit transaction.
The standard adult route uses 90 days
Certain applicants with prior driving credentials or specified military circumstances may qualify for an exemption from the 90-day wait, but the adult learner's permit itself is still part of the process.
Complete the eight-hour Safe Driving Practices Course
The course must be completed before the road test unless a specific DMV exception applies.
Appointments and office visits
Connecticut learner-permit knowledge testing is appointment-based, and the DMV appointment system also handles non-commercial road tests.
Book the learner-permit knowledge test
Select the learner-permit knowledge-test appointment type and confirm the office offers the service.
Book the road test only after eligibility
Complete the required training and permit-holding period before selecting a non-commercial road-test appointment.
Check nearby offices if your first choice is full
DMV advises applicants to review neighboring locations because appointments are added and availability changes.
Connecticut DMV permit and test locations
Not every Connecticut DMV location offers every test. The appointment system tells applicants to verify the service at the chosen location before selecting a time.
Find the right office
Find Connecticut DMV offices offering learner-permit knowledge testing, road tests and license services, and verify service availability before booking.
Open office locations →Check the service first
Office types, appointment rules and testing availability can differ by location. Confirm the exact service before you travel.
Check appointment rules →After the permit: prepare for the road test
Road-test eligibility depends on age, completed training and the required learner-permit period. Connecticut also allows some licensed driving schools to conduct road tests.
Confirm eligibility before booking
Teens use the 120- or 180-day route depending on training, while adults normally use the adult permit and course requirements.
A failed road test has a retest delay
Connecticut says a failed road test requires another testing fee and at least a 14-day wait before retesting.
Teen applicants have a post-test DMV step
The teen-license instructions say to wait 48 hours after passing before bringing the passed road-test evaluation to a DMV office for the licensing step.
Open the full road-test guide →
Practice for the Connecticut knowledge test
Connecticut missions are not live in Road to Permit yet. Use the official DMV manual and practice tests plus these free guides for now.
Open Connecticut study guide →
Connecticut road signs for the knowledge test
Connecticut's knowledge exam comes from the DMV driver's manual, including the material needed to recognize and respond to traffic controls.
Study road signs →Connecticut Driver's Manual for permit-test study
Connecticut DMV says its driver's manuals are the source used for knowledge-test questions. The written manual should be preferred over the older audio edition for current law changes.
Open the handbook study guide →What to study
Use the official handbook as the source of truth, then practice the same subjects in short sessions. These are the major study areas covered across the official guide and Road to Permit resources.
- Study the current written manual
- Do not rely on the old audio version for updates
- Add official practice questions
- Study sign and signal families
- Tie each sign to a driving decision
- Use the official practice tests
- 25 questions, 20 correct
- Vision screening comes first
- A failed test means a new appointment and fee
Connecticut permit test: questions and answers
What is the Connecticut knowledge-test format?
Connecticut DMV publishes a clear passing standard: 25 questions total and at least 20 correct answers.
What do I need before I apply in Connecticut?
The first step for a new Connecticut driver is the learner-permit process. Residents age 16+ can apply, with a separate adult learner-permit path from age 18.
Which documents should I prepare?
Connecticut DMV links age- and credential-specific identification checklists from the learner-permit process. Collect the required documents before booking or traveling.
How much does the permit or first license cost?
Connecticut DMV currently lists a separate testing fee and learner-permit fee for the standard Class D process.
Where do I make an appointment?
Connecticut learner-permit knowledge testing is appointment-based, and the DMV appointment system also handles non-commercial road tests.
Complete Connecticut driver guide
Open the exact part of the licensing process you need. Every page below is backed by official state sources.
Connecticut Driver's Manual for permit-test study
Use the current Connecticut DMV driver's manual to prepare for the 25-question learner-permit knowledge test and road rules.
Open guide →Connecticut learner's-permit requirements
Connecticut learner-permit requirements: age 16+, Work Zone Safety Course, vision test, 25-question knowledge test and appointment-based testing.
Open guide →Documents for a Connecticut learner's permit
Connecticut learner-permit document guide: use the DMV's current identity checklist, bring required originals and schedule vision/knowledge testing online.
Open guide →Connecticut DMV test appointments
Connecticut DMV appointment guide for learner-permit knowledge/vision testing and non-commercial road tests.
Open guide →Connecticut road signs for the knowledge test
Study Connecticut road signs, signals, pavement markings and rules from the official DMV manual for the 25-question knowledge test.
Open guide →Connecticut learner-permit knowledge test
Connecticut learner-permit knowledge test format: 25 questions, 20 correct answers required, in-person testing after vision screening and official practice tests.
Open guide →Connecticut teen learner-permit rules
Connecticut teen permit rules: 40 practice hours, 120-day school-training or 180-day home-training wait and mandatory two-hour parent training.
Open guide →Connecticut first driver license for adults
Connecticut adult first-driver guide: learner's permit required at 18+, 90-day practice period in the standard route, 8-hour Safe Driving Practices Course and road test.
Open guide →Connecticut road test
Connecticut road-test guide: required permit period, driver training, test documents, retest rules and the 48-hour step after passing a teen road test.
Open guide →Connecticut permit and testing fees
Connecticut learner-permit fees: $40 testing fee covering vision, knowledge and road tests plus $19 for the Class D learner's permit.
Open guide →Connecticut DMV permit and test locations
Find Connecticut DMV offices offering learner-permit knowledge testing, road tests and license services, and verify service availability before booking.
Open guide →Official sources
Facts on this hub were checked against the linked state sources on September 30, 2026. Procedures and fees can change, so recheck the official page before you apply.