Driver Training Requirements
16-and 17-Year-Olds
You must be 16 years old before beginning driver education.
If you obtained a learner's permit, the following training may be combined to meet the requirements:
Commercial Driving School |
Secondary School Driver Education |
Home Training |
30 hours classroom training at a commercial or secondary driving school, which includes the Safe Driving Practices course and 2 hours of parent training |
30 hours classroom training at a commercial or secondary driving school, which includes the Safe Driving Practices course and 2 hours of parent training |
22 hour classroom training, plus: 8-hour Safe Driving Practices course at commercial or secondary school which includes 2 hour parent/legal guardian training |
40 hours practice driving* |
40 hours practice driving* |
40 hours practice driving* |
*40 hour practice driving (behind-the-wheel) may be given by any combination of commercial/secondary/parent instruction.
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Home Training:
The driving practice must be given by a Qualified Trainer.
- Qualified Trainers (eligible to train and sign a form under penalty of false statement attesting to applicant’s fulfillment of all driver education requirements) must be 20 or older, held a driver license for at least 4 years with no suspensions during past 4 years and can include:
- spouse of married minor (under 18) applicant, or
- parent, grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian, or
- if applicant has no spouse, parent, grandparent, foster parent or guardian who is qualified & available: stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or marriage.
PARENTS: Download training log for home training of your teen driver (word document).
Parent/legal guardian must attend 2-hour parent training with 16-17 year old permit holder before the teen can be tested for a license.
Two-Hour Parent Training
Connecticut law requires that one parent or legal guardian be available and take a 2 hour parent training at a commercial driving school before a teen is eligible for a driver license. If your parent or legal guardian is unable to attend the 2 hour parent training, you will not be eligible for a Connecticut driver license until you reach age 18.
Driver License Eligibility Date
If you attend a commercial or secondary school:
- The entire 30 hours classroom portion of driver training including the 8-hour safe driving practices class (including the 2-hour parent training class) and
- Receive a minimum of 8 hours practice driving (behind-the-wheel) from them
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Receive the equivalent of 22 hours of classroom training
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Attend a commercial or secondary school for the 8 hour safe driving practices class (including the 2 hour parent training) and
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Receive the 40 hours of practice driving (behind-the-wheel) from a qualified home trainer
Driver Education Certificate (form CS-1)
A driver education certificate (form CS-1) will be issued by a CT licensed driving school after completion of the training course. The certificate will certify the completion of 30 hours of classroom and 8 hours behind-the- wheel driving; or 8 hours only of Safe Driving Practices course. (2 hours of parent training is included in these courses for 16-and 17-year-old students.)
All applicants must present the CS-1 certificate at the time of testing.