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CDL HOLDERS:  Beginning June 16, 2025, DMV will no longer accept a paper medical certificate.  Your certificate will be sent electronically to DMV.  Learn more here. 

SMISHING SCAM ALERT: We have been informed that some residents are receiving fraudulent text messages and phone calls. Please be advised that the CT DMV does NOT contact residents regarding motor vehicle related violations. 

REGISTRATION SERVICES: We offer appointments to reduce in-office wait times. Residents with an immediate need to register a vehicle may visit any office location, except for Cheshire, Putnam and Stamford. Residents without an appointment may experience longer wait times, as those with appointments will receive priority service. We will do our best to accommodate everyone. (HOURS: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday - 7:45 a.m. - 2:00 p.m./Thursday - 9:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.)  Before visiting DMV: Select this link to verify that services are available at your desired location.

SCHEDULED SITE MAINTENANCE: Some online services will be unavailable on Saturday, June 14th from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.  and Sunday, June 15th from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Upgrade from a learner’s permit to a driver’s license

Learn how to upgrade your learner’s permit to a driver’s license

Upgrade from a learner’s permit to a driver’s license

Learn how to upgrade your learner’s permit to a driver’s license

How do I upgrade my Connecticut learner’s permit to a license?

The first step to get a Connecticut driver’s license is getting a learner’s permit.

Once you have your learner’s permit, there are different requirements for drivers age 16 or 17 and for adults when it’s time to upgrade to a driver’s license.

The fee for a new driver’s license is $84. Learn more about acceptable forms of payment.

Important

Before you can upgrade your learner’s permit to a driver’s license you need to: 

  • Hold your learner’s permit for the required time period
  • Complete required driver training
  • Pass a road test (or “driving test”)

How to upgrade a learner’s permit to a driver’s license

Steps to upgrade a permit to a driver’s license for drivers age 16 and 17
CT residents who are age 16 or 17 can apply for a driver’s license after you:

  • Complete the driver training requirements.
  • Hold a learner’s permit for
    • At least 120 days if you complete commercial or secondary driver training
    • At least 180 days if you complete driver training at home with a Qualified Trainer
  • Successfully complete the road test

Learn more about how to get a learner’s permit if you are age 16 or 17.

Steps to upgrade a permit to a driver’s license for adults
CT residents who are age 18 or older can apply for a driver’s license after you:

  • Hold an adult learner’s permit for at least 90 days prior to taking the road test, unless you qualify for an exemption. Learn more about how to get an adult leader’s permit, including requirements and training.
  • Successfully complete the road test.

Transferring your license from another state
If you already have a driver’s license from another U.S. state or territory, Germany, Canada, or France, you can transfer your license to Connecticut without first getting an adult learner’s permit.

Please note: Undocumented individuals age 16 or older can get a drive-only learner’s permit, which can lead to a drive-only license. Learn more about the drive-only permit process.

Estimated time to upgrade online: 7 minutes

Get started

Upgrade your learner’s permit to a driver’s license online

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  • Who’s eligible to upgrade online
  • Steps to upgrade your permit to a license online
  • Fees

Who’s eligible to upgrade online

You may upgrade your learner’s permit to a driver’s license online after you:

  • Hold your learner’s permit for the required amount of time
  • Successfully complete any required training
  • Pass a road test at an offsite driving school (not DMV office)
Read More

Steps to upgrade your permit to a license online

Step 1: Gather what you need

Provide DMV with these items:

  • Your first and last name exactly as it appears on your current learner’s permit
  • Your date of birth
  • Your street address
  • Your learner’s permit number
  • Your Social Security Number
  • A credit or debit card
Step 2: Upgrade online

 

Get started


Step 3: Get your driver’s license in the mail

Your license arrives in the mail within 30 days. Be sure to keep your learner’s permit until you receive your driver’s license. Refer to Central Issuance for more details on this process.

 

You can also track the delivery of your new driver’s license or view a receipt of your completed online transaction.

Read More

Fees

The fee for a new license is $84. Review acceptable forms of payment.

Read More

Upgrade your learner’s permit to a driver’s license in person

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  • Who’s eligible to upgrade a permit in person
  • Steps to upgrade your permit to a license in person

Who’s eligible to upgrade a permit in person

You may visit a DMV to upgrade your learner’s permit to a driver’s license in person after you: 

  • Hold your learner’s permit for the required amount of time
  • Successfully complete any required training
  • Pass a road test at a DMV branch office.
ReadMore

Steps to upgrade your permit to a license in person

Step 1: Gather what you need

Provide these items to the DMV on the day you pass your road test:

Step 2: Get your driver’s license in the mail

Your license arrives in the mail within 30 days. Be sure to keep your learner’s permit until you receive your driver’s license. Refer to Central Issuance for more details on this process.

 

You can also track the delivery of your new driver’s license

ReadMore