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  • 0 Incorrect (4 allowed to pass)
  • 0 Correct
Original questions based on the latest ConnecticutCT Driver Handbook • Expert-reviewed by S. Litvintchouk, M.S. (MIT), Chief Educational Researcher

Free Connecticut DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

Avg. pass rate on our CT tests: 48%.
Average pass rate for this test: 47%.
Moderate
6 min
Score distribution:
90-100=>11%
80-89=>11%
70-79=>17%
60-69=>22%
<60%=>39%
Avg. first-try score: 60%
Perfect for:
Learner’s permit applicants
First‑time adult applicants

The Connecticut learner permit test consists of 25 multiple-choice questions covering road signs, state traffic laws, and safe driving practices. To pass, you must answer at least 20 questions (80%) correctly. All knowledge tests must be taken in person at the DMV.

Our free online Connecticut permit practice test is current for May 2026 and mimics what you will face on the official written test. It provides questions and answers based on the Connecticut DMV 2026 Driver Handbook, with instant feedback so you know right away why a response is the best one.

Once you’re ready, go to the DMV with proof of identity (birth certificate or passport), proof of residency (utility bill, rental agreement, or the like), and proof of Social Security number. If you’re under 18, parental consent and proof of school enrollment are also required. Submit the documents, pass a vision screening, pay the fee, and take the official written test.

If you fail the test, you must wait seven calendar days to retake it.

In Connecticut, the Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) program applies to drivers under 18 and includes restrictions such as curfews and passenger limitations. During the permit phase, you must drive with someone who is at least 20 years old, has held a driver’s license for at least 4 years with no suspensions, and is seated in the front passenger seat. You are prohibited from driving between 11 PM and 5 AM and must complete a mandatory 8-hour safe driving practices course. You must hold your learner’s permit for 120 days or 180 days (depending on whether your training was from a driver’s education course or parents, respectively) before moving to the provisional license stage.

The GDL program ends when you turn 18 or after completing a specified period with a clean driving record.

Free Connecticut DMV Permit Practice Test 2026
CT DMV driver's license
Last verified:
Tricky exam topics covered here:
CT hands-free law
Dui & Alcohol Limits
Snow & Ice
Right-Of-Way At Intersections
35 CT students practicing right now 35 CT students online now
•225 tests completed today statewide
Quick Facts Hardest Topics Scores CT Rules Sample Questions

Connecticut permit test: quick facts

What to expect at the DMV

Questions
25 multiple-choice
Passing score
20 correct (80%)
Time limit
None
Fee
$40 (knowledge test)
If you fail
Retake 7 days
Supervised hours
40 hours (8 at night)
Where
Any Connecticut DMV office (find locations)
What to bring
ID + SSN + residency proof + permit/license fee (see checklist)
Minimum age
16
Test languages
English, Albanian, Arabic, French, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Vietnamese
Online testing
No (in-person only)
Ready to schedule?
Book your CT DMV appointment
Did you know?
Connecticut law requires the test be offered in any language spoken at home by at least 1% of the state's population.

Where Connecticut test-takers struggle most

Based on 4,478 Connecticut learners who practiced on our site in the last 30 days. 47% pass our practice tests, with an average first-try score of 63%.

47.6 % miss
Warning Signs

Warning signs are yellow (or orange in construction zones) and diamond-shaped. They indicate conditions ahead that require a reduction in speed or increased attention - they do not regulate behavior, but ignoring them when an accident results can support a negligence finding. A pennant-shaped yellow sign marks a no-passing zone; it appears on the left side of the road facing the driver it applies to.

43.8 % miss
Laws & Penalties

Connecticut's BAC limit is 0.08% for drivers 21 and older, and 0.02% for drivers under 21. A first DUI conviction carries a minimum 45-day license suspension, a fine of up to $1,000, and possible imprisonment up to 6 months. Refusing a chemical test results in an automatic 6-month license suspension for a first offense, separate from any criminal penalties.

42.4 % miss
Lane Changes & Passing

Signal at least 100 feet before any lane change. You may not pass on a two-lane road when within 200 feet of a bridge, viaduct, or tunnel. When a vehicle is stopped in your lane, do not pass if you cannot see clearly at least 200 feet ahead in the opposing lane.

33.3 % miss
Pavement Markings

A double solid yellow center line prohibits passing in either direction. A broken yellow line on your side of the center means passing is permitted when the way is clear. White edge lines mark the right boundary of the travel lane; driving to the right of the white edge line is driving on the shoulder, which is not a travel lane.

32.6 % miss
Vehicle Equipment

Headlights must be on from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is less than 500 feet. Windshield wipers must be in good working condition; any wiper use requires headlights to be on. Tires must have a minimum tread depth of 2/32 inch, measured in the center tread groove.

Data updated daily from our practice test results

First-try score distribution

How Connecticut learners score on their first practice test attempt

90-100
42%
80-89
26%
70-79
15%
60-69
9%
<60
8%

Connecticut-specific rules you must know

Rules that are unique to Connecticut or differ from most other states

Work Zone Safety Course required before permit

As of January 1, 2026, all new permit applicants must complete a free online work zone safety course before receiving a learner's permit. This requirement is specific to Connecticut and was added to address driver behavior in construction zones.

Parent or guardian must complete a 2-hour training course

Connecticut requires the supervising parent or guardian to complete a mandatory 2-hour parent training course and submit Form CS-1 before a minor can apply for a permit. Most states require no formal training from the supervising adult.

Two different permit holding periods depending on training method

Applicants who complete a state-approved driver education program must hold a permit for 120 days before the road test. Applicants who skip formal driver ed and train at home must hold the permit for 180 days. The extra 60 days compensates for the lack of structured instruction.

Absolute technology ban for permit and intermediate license holders

Drivers under 18 are prohibited from using any cell phone, including hands-free devices. Connecticut also bans touchscreen displays in vehicles for permit holders - one of the broadest technology restrictions in any US state GDL program.

8,566 practice tests completed by Connecticut learners this month
Steven Litvintchouk, M.S., Chief Educational Researcher at Driving-Tests.org

Reviewed for legal and handbook accuracy

Steven Litvintchouk

M.S. (MIT, Columbia), Chief Educational Researcher. ACES member (Society for Editing). Verifies all 50 state tests against official handbooks weekly.

Andrei Zakhareuski, Co-founder & CEO, Driving-Tests.org

Test design and learning experience oversight

Andrei Zakhareuski

Co-founder & CEO, Driving-Tests.org

Questions are created and maintained by the Driving-Tests.org content team following our multi-layer editorial process and updated whenever the Connecticut DMV changes its handbook or website information. Official sources we check: 

How to study for the Connecticut permit test

  1. Start here. One of 4 free online Connecticut tests. ~6 min. Read explanations as you go.
  2. Cover more ground. All tests have different questions - no repeats.
  3. Finish strong. Try the Exam Simulator for a full-length run.

Why this works

  • Exam-like questions from the current handbook + questions most people get wrong. Explanations cite the manual.
  • AI Assistant explains like a friend.
  • Performance Insights shows where you need work.
  • Challenge Bank™ saves your mistakes for targeted practice.
  • Proven Progress Students improve from 63% → 72% after just 3 tests.

Sample Connecticut permit test questions

7 questions written and verified by our content team against the current Connecticut Driver Handbook

  1. Question 1 of 7

    Under Connecticut's Graduated Driver's License law, what are the nighttime driving restrictions for 16- and 17-year-old licensed drivers?

    • A. No driving between midnight and 6 a.m.
    • B. No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
    • C. No driving between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
    • D. No driving between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B - No driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

    The curfew for newly licensed 16- and 17-year-old drivers in Connecticut runs from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Exceptions exist for employment, school, religious activities, medical necessity, or participation in the Safe Ride Program. Violating this curfew can result in a 30-day license suspension for a first offense.

    Source: CT Driver's Manual, Chapter 1 - Restrictions for 16- and 17-Year-Old Drivers
  2. Question 2 of 7

    What is unique about Connecticut's cell phone law for drivers aged 16 and 17?

    • A. They may use a cell phone only for GPS navigation
    • B. They may use a hands-free device but not a handheld phone
    • C. They may not use any cell phone or mobile electronic device, even if it is hands-free
    • D. They may only use a cell phone when the vehicle is stopped at a red light
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C - They may not use any cell phone or mobile electronic device, even if it is hands-free

    Drivers under 18 face a stricter ban than adult motorists. While adults are allowed to use hands-free accessories, 16- and 17-year-olds cannot use any type of cell phone or mobile electronic device while driving - hands-free included. A conviction results in a 30-day suspension for a first offense and a 6-month suspension for repeat violations.

    Source: CT Driver's Manual, Chapter 2 - Connecticut Cell Phone Laws
  3. Question 3 of 7

    Under Connecticut's "Move Over" law, what must drivers do when any vehicle is pulled over on any part of a highway or road?

    • A. Come to a complete stop and wait until the vehicle leaves
    • B. Slow down below the posted speed limit AND move over one lane when safe to do so
    • C. Flash your headlights twice to alert the stopped vehicle
    • D. Move to the left lane regardless of traffic conditions
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B - Slow down below the posted speed limit AND move over one lane when safe to do so

    Two actions are required, not just one. You must slow down below the posted speed limit and move your vehicle over one lane whenever it is safe to do so. The handbook states this applies when "any vehicle is pulled over on any part of a highway or road" - making Connecticut's law broader than many other states that only cover emergency or service vehicles.

    Source: CT Driver's Manual, Chapter 3 - "Move Over" Law, p. 16
  4. Question 4 of 7

    In Connecticut, if a 16-year-old licensed driver has a passenger who is not wearing a seat belt, what happens?

    • A. Only the passenger receives a warning
    • B. Both the driver and the unbelted passenger can each be cited and fined $75
    • C. The driver receives a $150 fine but the passenger is not cited
    • D. No penalty applies until the driver turns 18
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B - Both the driver and the unbelted passenger can each be cited and fined $75

    State law holds both the teen driver and the passenger responsible. Each can be cited for a seat belt violation and fined $75. This dual-liability approach is specific to 16- and 17-year-old drivers and their passengers. For adult drivers, the law is different - only the unbelted individual typically receives the citation.

    Source: CT Driver's Manual, Chapter 2 - Connecticut Seat Belt Laws
  5. Question 5 of 7

    During which period are studded snow tires permitted on Connecticut roads?

    • A. October 1 through April 15
    • B. November 15 through April 30
    • C. December 1 through March 31
    • D. Year-round, with no seasonal restriction
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B - November 15 through April 30

    Studded tires are permitted in Connecticut from November 15 through April 30. Outside that window, they are not allowed. The handbook notes that studded tires can cause road damage, which is why Connecticut restricts their use on cars to this seasonal window.

    Source: CT Driver's Manual, Chapter 3 - Hazardous Conditions / Slippery Roads, p. 24
  6. Question 6 of 7

    What does Connecticut's Vulnerable User's Law provide for?

    • A. Reduced speed limits in all residential neighborhoods
    • B. Higher penalties for drivers who fail to exercise reasonable care and cause serious injury or death to a vulnerable user
    • C. Mandatory jail time for any collision involving a pedestrian
    • D. A requirement to stop for all pedestrians at every intersection, even without a crosswalk
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: B - Higher penalties for drivers who fail to exercise reasonable care and cause serious injury or death to a vulnerable user

    The law targets drivers who injure or kill vulnerable road users through careless driving. Vulnerable users include pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, people riding or driving animals, and highway workers. Penalties go beyond standard traffic fines.

    Source: CT Driver's Manual, Chapter 3 - Sharing the Road with Others / Vulnerable Users
  7. Question 7 of 7

    During the first six months after receiving their license, who may ride as a passenger with a newly licensed 16- or 17-year-old driver in Connecticut?

    • A. Up to two friends of any age
    • B. Immediate family members only
    • C. Only a driving instructor, a parent/guardian, or a qualified person aged 20 or older
    • D. One passenger under 21 and any number of passengers over 21
    Show answer & explanation

    Correct answer: C - Only a driving instructor, a parent/guardian, or a qualified person aged 20 or older

    For the first six months, only three kinds of passengers are allowed: a licensed driving instructor, the driver's parents or legal guardian (with at least one holding a valid license), or a person aged 20 or older who has held a license for four or more consecutive years and whose license has not been suspended within the past four years. Friends, siblings, and other family members are not permitted. During the second six months (months 7-12), immediate family members may also ride as passengers.

    Source: CT Driver's Manual, Chapter 1 - Restrictions for 16- and 17-Year-Old Drivers

Verified by Steven Litvintchouk, M.S. (MIT), Chief Educational Researcher, on .

Real Connecticut drivers who passed first try

Verified student reviews • Shared with permission

I loved the pictures which made the concept of the question all the more clear!
Questions were very well written. This test prep prepared me very well for my written test in Connecticut and I am so glad I decided to take it. Thanks so much!
AC
The program helped me get ready for the test in just 5–6 days.
Thank you so much. Some of the questions on the actual test were worded a bit differently, but it wasn’t a big deal.
EO

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