Once you’ve held your learner’s permit for the required amount of time, completed any required driver training, and/or applied for a waiver, you may be eligible to take your on-the-road skills test (also known as the “driving test” or “road test”).

The road test will assess your ability to safely drive a vehicle and is the last test you’ll need to pass in order to receive your driver’s license.

Prior to the road test, the DMV Agent will evaluate:

• Your knowledge of common driving phrases and commands
• The condition of the vehicle being used for the road test
  • NOTE: Vehicles with after-market tinted windows need to have a CT DMV tint compliance sticker affixed to the inspection report.
• Your ability to properly adjust the seat, mirror, and seatbelt (“preparing to drive”)
• Your response to traffic control signs, signaling, road markings, and interaction with other motorists (e.g., yielding right-of-way, response to emergency vehicles, etc.)
• Your proficiency in basic driving skills such as turns, backing up, and parking
• Other driving maneuvers at the direction of the inspector/license agent

Additional tips: Practice basic driving skills prior to your road test and review the Connecticut driver’s manual to refresh your knowledge of driving laws.

Please note:
A non-licensed driver cannot drive to the test location unless accompanied by a licensed driver.

Make sure your vehicle is mechanically safe. If the test vehicle is found to be in an unsafe operating condition, the road test will NOT be conducted, and you will need to reschedule.

DMV’s Guide to Passing Your Driving Test

Download the DMV’s helpful Guide to Passing Your Driving Test (PDF) prior to your road test appointment for additional information.

Taking the road test

Making, rescheduling, or canceling a road test appointment

In-person road test appointments can be scheduled online: Make an appointment now.

Reminder: A non-licensed driver cannot drive to the test location unless accompanied by a licensed driver.

Rescheduling your road test appointment:

You will avoid losing your prepaid test fee if you reschedule your road test at least three days before your scheduled appointment.

Cancelling your road test appointment:

Road tests may be cancelled in certain areas of the state due to bad weather. If testing is cancelled, you will receive an email to the email address provided to DMV at the time of your appointment. It will provide instructions for the rescheduling of your driver’s license test. If testing is being conducted, you are expected to appear for the scheduled test or you will lose the testing fee.

What to bring

Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment time.
If you don’t meet the below list of requirements, you’ll need to reschedule your appointment— reschedule your appointment now.

What to bring:

• The Road Test Appointment Confirmation Page (sent to you via email after successfully scheduling your appointment). This information can be accessed online using your PIN # at any time.
• A fully completed application for a non-commercial driver’s license (Form R-229).
  Your learner’s permit. If you don’t have it, you can request a duplicate. If you don’t have the permit and cannot get a duplicate, you’ll lose your appointment and will need to reschedule the test and pay another license exam fee. (If you’ve lost your learner’s permit, you must bring one form of acceptable identification to apply for a duplicate and the associated fee payment.)
• A properly registered and insured vehicle (appropriate for the type of test that you are taking). Review all the vehicle requirements. The vehicle used for the road test must be mechanically safe and pass an evaluation.
• Valid motor vehicle registration certificate. Please verify that you have the current registration in the vehicle before you leave home and bring it into the office when you arrive for your test.
• Connecticut insurance card. The required proof of insurance must be in the same name as on the registration, except for leased vehicles which may be in the name of the lessee. Please verify that you have the current proof of insurance in the vehicle before you leave home and bring it into the office when you arrive for your test.

Your driver education certificate (Form EDEC) issued by a Connecticut licensed driving school will be sent electronically to the DMV after successful completion of the training course.

Note for applicants under age 18:

Your qualified trainer must be present at the DMV office and sign a form attesting that all driver education/practice driving requirements have been fulfilled.
Note for non-U.S. license holders: If you are presenting an out-of-country license in a language other than English, you need to also provide translation by one of our approved translators.

Failing the road test

If you fail your road test, you must go online to reschedule within 72 hours after your failed test. Your rescheduled test must be scheduled for at least 2 weeks after the initial test. To retake the test, you will need to pay another $40 testing fee.

Reschedule and pay for another road test. To access your PIN please refer to your confirmation emails or use the “Retrieve PIN” option on the scheduling website.

Fees

Road testing fees

All testing fees must be prepaid in advance:

• License fee: $84
• Re-test fee if you fail the road test: $40