Frequently Asked Questions
AGE REQUIREMENTS
How old do I have to be to get my license?
- You must be at least 16 years old to start taking a driver's ed class.
- However, you may enroll before you have turned 16, but you may not take a class until your 16th birthday.
How old do I have to be before I can get my permit?
- You cannot test for your permit until you are at least 16 years old. You may test on your 16th birthday, or any day thereafter.
I am an adult. Do I need a learner's permit?
- Yes. All new drivers, regardless of age, must obtain a learner's permit before testing for a driver's license.
- Adults must hold their permit for 90 days before testing for a license.
How old do I have to be before I can test for my license?
- You have to be at least 16 years old to test for your driver's license, but you must also have held your permit for the required amount of time.
How long do I need to hold my learner's permit?
- Adult Students must hold a permit for 90 days, regardless of the course they take.
- Teen Students must hold a permit for 180 days if they take the 8 Hour Safe Driving Course.
- Teen Students must hold a permit for 120 days if they take the Full Driver Education Program.
DRIVER'S EDUCATION VS. THE 8 HOUR COURSE:
What is the benefit of doing a full driver's education program versus an 8 hour safe driving course?
- Completing a Full Driver's Education program will prepare you for a safe future on the road. Students that take this course can test for their license in 4 months (6 months for those who do not take it). Also, many insurance companies recognize this program for student discounts. The course is a much more all-inclusive view of being a licensed driver, where the 8 Hour Safe Driving Course is a very short overview of driving laws and basic vehicle knowledge.
Do parents need to attend a class?
- If you are under 18 a parent/guardian must attend a 2 hour class with the student. Both student and parent must be present together to get credit for the class.You cannot test for your permit until you are at least 16 years old. You may test on your 16th birthday, or any day thereafter.
Do you do pick-ups at home?
- Yes if you are in our local area.
How many hours of driving are required by the state before I can get my license?
- If you are under the age of 18 you need to complete 40 hours of driving time by law.. If you do 8 hours of driving with us, you would complete the other 32 hours at home with a parent or guardian. Adult drivers do not have a minimum requirement for driving, but we recommend at least 40 hours regardless of age.
LEARNER'S PERMITS:
Do I need insurance to drive with my learner's permit?
- No, students are covered under the school/parent's insurance.
How old do I have to be to get my permit?
- You must be 16 years old to test for your learner's permit. You can test on your 16th birthday, or any day thereafter.
Do adults need a learner's permit?
- Yes. Every new driver needs to apply for an obtain a learner's permit, regardless of age, before testing for a license.
How long do I need to hold my learner's permit?
- If you are under 18 years old:
- You must hold your permit for 180 days if you take the 8 Hour Safe Driving Course
- You must hold your permit for 120 days if you take the Full Driver Education Program
- If you are 18 years old or older:
- You must hold your permit for 90 days, regardless of the course you take.
- This means that you can take your driving test 1 day after your required wait period. So the first day that an adult could take their driving test is 91 days after they obtained their learner's permit.
How do I schedule my permit test?
- Learner's permit testing is offered by appointment only at the following DMV offices: Bridgeport, Cheshire, Danbury, Hamden, Norwalk, Old Saybrook, Waterbury, Wethersfield and Willimantic.
Do I need my permit to start driver's ed?
- No you do not. You simply need to be 16 years old to begin. We actually recommend you take a couple of classes before you test for your permit, as the information will help you pass the first time.
What is involved in the permit test?
- The permit test is a 25-question multiple choice test. It is taken on a touch screen computer. You must get at least 21 questions right in order to pass. In addition to the written exam, you must also pass a vision test. VERY IMPORTANT! If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them with you!