Connecticut: Minor & Provisional Licensing Questions
20 real, verified Connecticut driving-test questions on minor & provisional licensing, each with the correct answer and a full explanation below. Want to practice these interactively instead? Start a Minor & Provisional Licensing practice round.
1. What are the two requirements to obtain a Connecticut learner's permit?
Why: Connecticut requires a permit applicant to be at least 16 years old and to pass both a vision test and a 25-question knowledge test.
2. How long is a Connecticut learner's permit valid?
Why: A Connecticut learner's permit is valid until the holder gets a driver's license or 2 years from issuance, whichever happens first.
3. How many questions are on the Connecticut knowledge test, and how many correct answers are needed to pass?
Why: The Connecticut knowledge test has 25 questions, and an applicant needs 20 correct answers -- 80 percent -- to pass.
4. Who must complete an 8-hour Safe Driving Practices course at a Connecticut commercial driving school before getting a learner's permit?
Why: Connecticut requires anyone, regardless of age, who has not previously held a Connecticut license or a valid out-of-state license, to complete an 8-hour Safe Driving Practices course before getting a learner's permit.
5. What are the three paths a 16- or 17-year-old can use to satisfy Connecticut's driver training requirement?
Why: Connecticut lets 16- and 17-year-olds complete driver training through a licensed commercial driving school, a secondary school program, or a Home Training Program combined with the 8-hour safe driving practices course.
6. What is required of a parent or legal guardian before their 16- or 17-year-old can be licensed in Connecticut?
Why: A parent or legal guardian of a 16- or 17-year-old permit holder must complete 2 hours of instruction on the laws governing drivers under 18 and the dangers of teen driving; skipping it delays licensing until the teen turns 18.
7. How many hours of classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training does Connecticut require through a commercial driving school or secondary school program?
Why: Commercial driving school or secondary school training in Connecticut consists of at least 30 hours of classroom instruction and at least 40 hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road training.
8. How long must a 16- or 17-year-old wait after learner's permit issuance before taking the road test?
Why: Applicants who complete driver education through a commercial or secondary driving school wait 120 days after permit issuance before the road test; all other applicants wait 180 days.
9. Who is qualified to serve as a Home Training Program instructor in Connecticut?
Why: A Home Training Program instructor must be at least 20 years old and have held a license for four or more consecutive, unsuspended years -- eligible people include a parent, foster parent, guardian, grandparent, or (if none of those are available) an uncle, aunt, sibling, or stepparent.
10. What must a home-trained Connecticut applicant complete in addition to the 40 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction?
Why: Home-trained applicants must also complete at least 30 hours of course study, including an 8-hour Safe Driving Practices class (with at least 4 hours on alcohol and drug effects) and the 2-hour parent training class.
11. How long must a Connecticut applicant who is 18 or older hold a learner's permit before taking the road test?
Why: An applicant 18 years of age or older must obtain and hold a learner's permit for at least 90 days prior to taking the road test.
12. What is the license fee an applicant must pay after passing the Connecticut road test?
Why: Connecticut requires payment of an $84 license fee after passing the road test.
13. During the first six months of licensure, who may a 16- or 17-year-old Connecticut driver carry as passengers?
Why: For the first six months, a 16- or 17-year-old driver may not carry passengers except a licensed driving instructor, a parent or legal guardian holding a valid license, or one person at least 20 years old who has held a license for four or more consecutive, unsuspended years.
14. During months seven through twelve of licensure, what additional passengers may a 16- or 17-year-old Connecticut driver carry?
Why: During the second six months (months seven through twelve), the only additional passengers a 16- or 17-year-old Connecticut driver may carry are members of their immediate family.
15. What is the curfew for 16- and 17-year-old Connecticut drivers?
Why: Connecticut sets an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew for 16- and 17-year-old drivers, with exceptions for employment, school, religious activities, medical necessity, or being an assigned Safe Ride Program driver.
16. Can a 16- or 17-year-old Connecticut driver use a hands-free cell phone while driving?
Why: Connecticut drivers who are 16 or 17 may not use any type of cell phone or mobile electronic device while driving, including hands-free devices -- a stricter rule than for drivers 18 and older.
17. Who in Connecticut is allowed to use a hand-held cell phone while actually driving?
Why: Connecticut bans hand-held cell phone use while driving, but allows it for a driver contacting emergency services, and for peace officers, firefighters, or ambulance drivers; drivers 18+ may otherwise use only hands-free accessories.
18. What is the license suspension for a 16- or 17-year-old's first Graduated Driver's License violation, such as breaking curfew or a passenger restriction?
Why: A first Connecticut GDL violation carries a 30-day suspension plus a $175 license restoration fee and court fines; a second or later offense escalates to a 6-month suspension (or until age 18, whichever is longer).
19. What license suspension applies to a 16- or 17-year-old Connecticut driver convicted of speeding 20 mph or more over the limit, on a first offense?
Why: A 16- or 17-year-old convicted of speeding 20 mph or more over the limit faces a 60-day suspension on a first offense (90 days for a second, 6 months for a third), plus a $175 restoration fee and court fines.
20. Who must complete Connecticut's DMV-certified Operator Retraining Program after repeat moving violations?
Why: Connecticut requires anyone 24 or younger who commits two or more moving or suspension violations, and anyone 25 or older with three or more such convictions, to complete the DMV-certified Operator Retraining Program.
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Rules and requirements change — always confirm current details with Connecticut DMVbefore your exam. Take the full Connecticut practice test or check the Connecticut cheat sheet.