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Please note:

Get your REAL ID by May 7, 2025: A REAL ID is a verified driver’s license or identification (ID) card that’s a federally accepted form of identification, sometimes referred to as a verified ID. Learn more.

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Get a driving school license

Learn more about how to get a commercial driving school license from the DMV

Get a driving school license

Learn more about how to get a commercial driving school license from the DMV

Open a commercial driving school

To open a commercial driving school in Connecticut, please follow the checklist in the tabs below.

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  • Get started
  • Send your documents
  • Additional requirements
  • Fees

Get started

Review the laws related to commercial driving schools:

You can request an application packet to apply for a driving school license by contacting the DMV driver education unit at 860-263-5097.

Send your documents

Once the DMV receives your documents, including those listed under additional requirements, we send an email to the email you provide on your application. This email has instructions on how to apply for a criminal background check. 

Failure to complete these forms causes a delay in the processing of your application:

  • Application for driving school license (R-94 Form)
  • Rate schedule (R-100 Form)
  • Bond for driving schools (B-319 Form)
  • Class Schedule for Driving School (R-410)
  • Authorization for DCF CPS background check (Form DCF-3031) for each owner, officer and manager of the proposed school 
    All individuals applying must complete the FBI Privacy Act Statement:  This form must be completed by all owner(s), partners, officers, members, managing members, etc. 
  • Accurate map of the location, including:
    • Property lines
    • Building dimensions showing windows and doors
    • Other characteristics of the location
  • Zoning approval. Zoning report must indicate the location is suitable to be used for a driving school
  • Approved fire marshal’s report
  • CT Financial Responsibility Certificate (R-1325e) which is supplied by the insurance carrier
  • Minimum liability insurance and uninsured motorist coverage for each vehicle of $300,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and property damage

Additional requirements

In addition to the documents above, you need to provide proof of:

  • A class curriculum consisting of 30 hours of classroom and eight hours of behind-the-wheel-training (drug and alcohol portion of the curriculum must be written by a person with expertise in that field)
  • Current textbooks (enough for the entire class)
  • Classroom schedule for Driving School (R-410) 
  • Proof of business registration
    o For an LLC or Corporation: Proof of registration with Secretary of State Corporation
    o For DBA: Copy of trade name certificate in each town where the business is located
  • Provide related paperwork (if applicable):
    o Secondary vocational or private schools need to complete Form R-318
 

Fees

Once the application is approved, you pay:

  • $700 for two-year commercial driving school license
  • $176 for each additional driving school branch