Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-36

Current with legislation from the 2024 Regular and Special Sessions.

Section 14-36 - Motor vehicle operator's license

(a)Motor vehicle operator's license required for operation of motor vehicle. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section and section 14-40a, no person shall operate a motor vehicle on any public highway of this state or private road on which a speed limit has been established in accordance with section 14-218a or section 14-307a until such person has obtained a motor vehicle operator's license.

(b)Adult instruction permit. Out-of-state license holders. Minimum age.

(1) A person eighteen years of age or older who does not hold a motor vehicle operator's license may not operate a motor vehicle on the public highways of the state for the purpose of instruction until such person has applied for and obtained an adult instruction permit from the commissioner. Such person shall not be eligible for an adult instruction permit if such person has had a motor vehicle operator's license or privilege suspended or revoked. An applicant for an adult instruction permit shall, as a condition to receiving such permit, pass a vision screening conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles or submit to the commissioner the results of a vision examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined in section 14-46b. Such medical professional shall certify that the applicant meets the vision standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 14-45a. An adult instruction permit shall entitle the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, provided such holder is under the instruction of, and accompanied by, a person who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73 or a person twenty years of age or older who has been licensed to operate, for at least four years preceding the instruction, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor vehicle being operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall not issue a motor vehicle operator's license to any person holding an adult instruction permit who has held such permit for less than ninety days unless such person (A) is a member of the armed forces on active duty outside the state, or (B) has previously held a motor vehicle operator's license.

(2) A person holding a valid out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license may operate a motor vehicle for a period of sixty days following such person's establishment of residence in Connecticut, if the motor vehicle is of the same class as that for which his or her out-of-state motor vehicle operator's license was issued.

(3) No person may cause or permit the operation of a motor vehicle by a person under sixteen years of age.

(c)Youth instruction permit.

(1) A person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age and who has not had a motor vehicle operator's license or right to operate a motor vehicle in this state suspended or revoked may apply to the commissioner for a youth instruction permit. The commissioner may issue a youth instruction permit to an applicant after the applicant has (A) passed a test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, (B) paid the fee required by subsection (v) of section 14-49, (C) passed a vision screening conducted by the Department of Motor Vehicles or submitted to the commissioner the results of a vision examination conducted by a licensed medical professional, as defined in section 14-46b, that certifies that the applicant meets the vision standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 14-45a and (D) filed a certificate, in such form as the commissioner prescribes, requesting or consenting to the issuance of the youth instruction permit and the motor vehicle operator's license, signed by (i) one or both parents or foster parents of the applicant, as the commissioner requires, (ii) the legal guardian of the applicant, (iii) the applicant's spouse, if the spouse is eighteen years of age or older, or (iv) if the applicant has no qualified spouse and such applicant's parent or foster parent or legal guardian is deceased, incapable, domiciled outside of this state or otherwise unavailable or unable to sign or file the certificate, the applicant's stepparent, grandparent, or uncle or aunt by blood or marriage, provided such person is eighteen years of age or older. The commissioner may, for the more efficient administration of the commissioner's duties, appoint any drivers' school licensed in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69 or any secondary school providing instruction in motor vehicle operation and highway safety in accordance with section 14-36e to issue a youth instruction permit, subject to such standards and requirements as the commissioner may prescribe in regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. Each youth instruction permit shall expire two years from the date of issuance or on the date the holder of the permit is issued a motor vehicle operator's license, whichever is earlier. Any holder of a youth instruction permit who attains eighteen years of age may retain such permit until the expiration of such permit.

(2) The youth instruction permit shall entitle the holder, while such holder has the permit in his or her immediate possession, to operate a motor vehicle on the public highways, provided such holder is under the instruction of, and accompanied by, a person who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73 or a person twenty years of age or older who has been licensed to operate, for at least four years preceding the instruction, a motor vehicle of the same class as the motor vehicle being operated and who has not had his or her motor vehicle operator's license suspended by the commissioner during the four-year period preceding the instruction.

(3) Unless the holder of the permit is under the instruction of and accompanied by a person who holds an instructor's license issued under the provisions of section 14-73, no passenger in addition to the person providing instruction shall be transported unless such passenger is a parent or legal guardian of the holder of the permit.

(4) The holder of a youth instruction permit who (A) is an active member of a certified ambulance service, as defined in section 19a-175, (B) has commenced an emergency vehicle operator's course that conforms to the national standard curriculum developed by the United States Department of Transportation, and (C) has had state and national criminal history records checks conducted by the certified ambulance service or by the municipality in which such ambulance service is provided, shall be exempt from the provisions of subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection only when such holder is driving to or from the location of the ambulance for purposes of responding to an emergency call.

(5) The commissioner may revoke any youth instruction permit used in violation of the limitations imposed by subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection.

(d)Operator's license requirements for persons sixteen or seventeen years of age. Administration of knowledge test.

(1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued to any applicant who is sixteen or seventeen years of age unless the applicant has held a youth instruction permit and has satisfied the requirements specified in this subsection. The applicant shall (A) submit to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the successful completion (i) in a public secondary school, a technical education and career school or a private secondary school of a full course of study in motor vehicle operation prepared as provided in section 14-36e, (ii) of training of similar nature provided by a licensed drivers' school approved by the commissioner, or (iii) of home training in accordance with subdivision (2) of this subsection, including, in each case, or by a combination of such types of training, successful completion of: Not less than forty clock hours of behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction for applicants to whom a youth instruction permit is issued on or after August 1, 2008; (B) submit to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner shall direct, a certificate of the successful completion of a course of not less than eight hours relative to safe driving practices, including a minimum of four hours on the nature and the medical, biological and physiological effects of alcohol and drugs, including cannabis, as defined in section 21a-420, and their impact on the operator of a motor vehicle, the dangers associated with the operation of a motor vehicle after the consumption of alcohol or drugs by the operator, the problems of alcohol and drug abuse, the penalties for alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle violations and a video presentation specific to the impact of cannabis on the operator of a motor vehicle and how the ingestion of cannabis can cause impairment of motor function, reaction time, perception and peripheral vision; and (C) pass an examination which may include a comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road in addition to the test required under subsection (c) of this section and shall include an on-the-road skills test as prescribed by the commissioner. At the time of application and examination for a motor vehicle operator's license, an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred eighty days, except that an applicant who presents a certificate under subparagraph (A)(i) or subparagraph (A)(ii) of this subdivision shall have held a youth instruction permit for not less than one hundred twenty days and an applicant who is undergoing training and instruction by the driver training unit for persons with disabilities in accordance with the provisions of section 14-11b shall have held such permit for the period of time required by said unit. The commissioner shall approve the content of the safe driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools. Subject to such standards and requirements as the commissioner may impose, the commissioner may authorize any drivers' school, licensed in good standing in accordance with the provisions of section 14-69, or secondary school driver education program authorized pursuant to the provisions of section 14-36e, to administer the comprehensive test as to knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road, required pursuant to subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, as part of the safe driving practices course required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, and to certify to the commissioner, under oath, the results of each such test administered. Such hours of instruction required by this subdivision shall be included as part of or in addition to any existing instruction programs. Any fee charged for the course required under subparagraph (B) of this subdivision shall not exceed one hundred fifty dollars. Any applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who, while a resident of another state, completed the course required in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, but did not complete the safe driving course required in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, shall complete the safe driving course. The commissioner may waive any requirement in this subdivision, except for that in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, in the case of an applicant sixteen or seventeen years of age who holds a valid motor vehicle operator's license issued by any other state, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant has received training and instruction of a similar nature.

(2) The commissioner may accept as evidence of sufficient training under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection home training as evidenced by a written statement submitted to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs. Such statement shall be signed by the spouse of a married minor applicant, or by a parent, grandparent, foster parent or legal guardian of an applicant, and state that the applicant has obtained a youth instruction permit and has successfully completed a driving course taught by the person signing the statement, that the signer has had an operator's license for at least four years preceding the date of the statement, and that the signer has not had such license suspended by the commissioner for at least four years preceding the date of the statement. If the applicant has no spouse, parent, grandparent, foster parent or guardian so qualified and available to give the instruction, such statement may be signed by the applicant's stepparent, brother, sister, uncle or aunt, by blood or marriage, provided the person signing the statement is qualified.

(3) The knowledge test for a class D motor vehicle operator's license required under this section shall be administered (A) in electronic and audio format and any other format the commissioner deems appropriate, and (B) at the option of the applicant, in English, Spanish or any language spoken at home by at least one per cent of the state's population, according to statistics prepared by the United States Census Bureau, based on the most recent decennial census. The knowledge test shall also be administered in a written or electronic format in at least twenty-six other languages that the commissioner, in consultation with representatives of organizations that advocate on behalf of or assist immigrants, refugees or other persons who are English language learners, determines are responsive to the linguistic needs of the emerging immigrant and refugee populations in the state. Each knowledge test offered in such other languages shall be reviewed by a person who is fluent in the language of such knowledge test and may also be administered in an audio format as the commissioner deems appropriate. The commissioner shall require any applicant under this section to have sufficient understanding of English for the interpretation of traffic control signs.

(4) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the purposes of this subsection concerning the requirements for behind-the-wheel, on-the-road instruction, the content of safe driving instruction at drivers' schools, high schools and other secondary schools, and the administration and certification of required testing.

(e)Requirements for issuance of operator's license.

(1) No motor vehicle operator's license shall be issued until (A) the applicant signs and submits to the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs, an application under oath, or made subject to penalties for false statement in accordance with section 53a-157b, and (B) the commissioner is satisfied that the applicant is sixteen years of age or older and is a suitable person to receive the license.

(2) Except any applicant described in section 14-36m, an applicant for a new motor vehicle operator's license shall submit with the application a copy of such applicant's birth certificate or other prima facie evidence, as determined by the commissioner, of date of birth and evidence of identity.

(3) Before granting a license to any applicant who has not previously held a Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license, or whose Connecticut motor vehicle operator's license expired more than two years prior to the application date, the commissioner shall require the applicant to demonstrate personally to the commissioner, a deputy, a motor vehicle inspector or an agent of the commissioner, in such manner as the commissioner directs, that the applicant is a proper person to operate motor vehicles of the class for which such applicant has applied, has sufficient knowledge of the mechanism of the motor vehicles to ensure their safe operation by him or her and has satisfactory knowledge of the laws concerning motor vehicles and the rules of the road. The knowledge test of an applicant for a class D motor vehicle operator's license shall include a question concerning highway work zone safety and the responsibilities of an operator of a motor vehicle under section 14-212d. Each such knowledge test shall include not less than one question concerning distracted driving, the use of mobile telephones and electronic devices by motor vehicle operators or the responsibilities of motor vehicle operators under section 14-296aa. If any such applicant has held a license from a state, territory or possession of the United States where a similar examination is required, the commissioner may waive part or all of the examination. If any such applicant is (A) a veteran who applies not later than two years after the date of discharge from the military and who, prior to such discharge, held a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, or (B) a member of the armed forces or the National Guard who currently holds a military operator's license for motor vehicles of the same class as that for which such applicant has applied, the commissioner shall waive all of the examination, except in the case of a commercial motor vehicle license, the commissioner shall waive the driving skills test for such applicant and may, in such commissioner's discretion, waive the knowledge test for such application, provided such applicant meets the conditions set forth in 49 CFR 383.77, as amended from time to time. For the purposes of this subsection, "veteran" and "armed forces" have the same meanings as provided in section 27-103. When the commissioner is satisfied as to the ability and competency of any applicant, the commissioner may issue to such applicant a license, either unlimited or containing such limitations as the commissioner deems advisable, and specifying the class of motor vehicles which the licensee is eligible to operate.

(4) If any applicant or operator license holder has any health problem which might affect such person's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, the commissioner may require the applicant or license holder to demonstrate personally or otherwise establish that, notwithstanding such problem, such applicant or license holder is a proper person to operate a motor vehicle, and the commissioner may further require a certificate of such applicant's condition, signed by a medical authority designated by the commissioner, which certificate shall in all cases be treated as confidential by the commissioner. A license, containing such limitation as the commissioner deems advisable, may be issued or renewed in any case, but nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the commissioner from refusing a license, either limited or unlimited, to any person or suspending a license of a person whom the commissioner determines to be incapable of safely operating a motor vehicle. Consistent with budgetary allotments, each motor vehicle operator's license issued to or renewed by a person who is deaf or hard of hearing shall, upon the request of such person, indicate such impairment. Such person shall submit a certificate stating such impairment, in such form as the commissioner may require and signed by a licensed health care practitioner.

(5) The issuance of a motor vehicle operator's license to any applicant who is the holder of a license issued by another state shall be subject to the provisions of section 14-111k.

(f)Limited license. No person issued a limited license shall operate (1) a motor vehicle in violation of the limitations imposed by such license, or (2) any motor vehicle other than the motor vehicle for which such person's right to operate is limited.

(g)Ignition interlock device. The commissioner may place a restriction on the motor vehicle operator's license of any person or on any special operator's permit issued to any person in accordance with the provisions of section 14-37a that restricts the holder of such license or permit to the operation of a motor vehicle that is equipped with an approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for such time as the commissioner shall prescribe, if such person has:

(1) Been convicted for a first or second time of a violation of subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227a, and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of subsections (g) and (i) of section 14-227a;

(2) been ordered by the Superior Court not to operate any motor vehicle unless it is equipped with an approved ignition interlock device, in accordance with the provisions of section 14-227j;

(3) been granted a reversal or reduction of such person's license suspension or revocation, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (i) of section 14-111;

(4) been issued a motor vehicle operator's license upon the surrender of an operator's license issued by another state and such previously held license contains a restriction to the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock device;

(5) been convicted of a violation of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d;

(6) been permitted by the commissioner to be issued or to retain an operator's license subject to reporting requirements concerning such person's physical condition, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (e) of this section and sections 14-45a to 14-46g, inclusive;

(7) had such person's operator's license suspended under subsection (i) of section 14-227b and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of such suspension;

(8) been convicted for a first or second time of a violation of subsection (a) of section 14-227m and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-227m and subsection (i) of section 14-227a; or

(9) been convicted of a violation of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n and has served not less than forty-five days of the prescribed period of suspension for such conviction, in accordance with the provisions of subsection (c) of section 14-227n and subsection (i) of section 14-227a.

(h)Driving history record check. Before issuing a motor vehicle operator's license in accordance with this section or section 14-44c, the commissioner shall request information from the National Driver Registry and the Commercial Driver License Information System, in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR section 383.73. Each driving history record shall contain a notation of the date on which such inquiry was made.

(i)Penalties.

(1) Any person who violates any provision of this section shall, for a first offense, be deemed to have committed an infraction and be fined not less than seventy-five dollars or more than ninety dollars and, for any subsequent offense, shall be fined not less than two hundred fifty dollars or more than three hundred fifty dollars or be imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both.

(2) In addition to the penalty prescribed under subdivision (1) of this subsection, any person who violates any provision of this section who (A) has, prior to the commission of the present violation, committed a violation of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-215, shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or sentenced to perform not more than one hundred hours of community service, or (B) has, prior to the commission of the present violation, committed two or more violations of this section or subsection (a) of section 14-215, or any combination thereof, shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year, and, in the absence of any mitigating circumstances as determined by the court, ninety days of the sentence imposed may not be suspended or reduced in any manner.

(j)Regulations. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-36

(1949 Rev., S. 2377; 1949, S. 1295d; 1953, S. 1296d; 1957, P.A. 117; 411; 437, S. 2; 599, S. 3; September, 1957, P.A. 23, S. 1; 1959, P.A. 309, S. 1; 1961, P.A. 481, S. 1; 1963, P.A. 150; 550, S. 2; February, 1965, P.A. 361, S. 3; 1967, P.A. 458, S. 3; 614, S. 1; 807, S. 3; 832, S. 4; 1969, P.A. 55, S. 1; 445, S. 1; 807, S. 1, 2; 1972, P.A. 127, S. 13; P.A. 73-507; 73-605, S. 1; P.A. 74-33; 74-36, S. 1; P.A. 76-263, S. 3, 9; P.A. 77-256, S. 1, 4; P.A. 79-7; P.A. 81-172, S. 17; P.A. 82-223, S. 9; P.A. 83-452; 83-491; 83-577, S. 15; P.A. 84-429, S. 15; 84-546, S. 40, 173; P.A. 86-90, S. 1; P.A. 89-242, S. 1, 7; P.A. 90-265, S. 1, 8; P.A. 91-13 , S. 1 , 3 ; P.A. 93-341 , S. 9 ; P.A. 95-181 , S. 2 ; P.A. 96-244 , S. 35 , 63 ; 96-248 , S. 1 , 4 ; P.A. 97-1 , S. 1 , 4 ; 97-236 , S. 24 , 27 ; June 18 Sp. Sess. P.A. 97-8 , S. 73 , 88 ; P.A. 02-70 , S. 52 , 66 ; P.A. 03-171 , S. 1 ; 03-265 , S. 20 ; P.A. 04-217 , S. 2 ; 04-257 , S. 22 ; P.A. 05-54 , S. 1 ; 05-215 , S. 3 ; 05-218 , S. 20 ; P.A. 06-130 , S. 2 ; 06-196 , S. 281 ; P.A. 07-167 , S. 20 , 22 ; P.A. 08-32 , S. 2 , 3 ; 08-150 , S. 57 ; P.A. 09-187 , S. 2 , 51 ; P.A. 11-48 , S. 53 ; 11-51 , S. 218 ; 11-213 , S. 12 , 13 , 58 ; P.A. 12-81 , S. 37 ; 12-116 , S. 87 ; P.A. 13-89 , S. 2 ; 13-92 , S. 3 ; 13-271 , S. 50 , 56 ; 13-277 , S. 22 ; P.A. 14-122 , S. 20 ; 14-130 , S. 4 ; 14-131 , S. 2 , 3 ; 14-228 , S. 1 ; P.A. 16-126 , S. 7 ; P.A. 17-79 , S. 2 ; 17-202 , S. 43 ; 17-237 , S. 93 .)

Amended by P.A. 23-0047,S. 5 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2023 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2023.

Amended by P.A. 23-0040,S. 27 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2023 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2023.

Amended by P.A. 23-0116, S. 6 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2023 Regular Session, eff. 7/1/2023.

Amended by P.A. 21-0079, S. 22 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2021 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2021.

Amended by P.A. 21-0028, S. 8 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2021 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2021.

Amended by P.A. 21-0106, S. 9 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2021 Regular Session, eff. 7/1/2021.

Amended by P.A. 17-0202, S. 43 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2017 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2017.

Amended by P.A. 17-0237, S. 93 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2017 Regular Session, eff. 7/1/2017.

Amended by P.A. 17-0079, S. 2 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2017 Regular Session, eff. 6/27/2017.

Amended by P.A. 16-0126, S. 7 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2016 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2016.

Amended by P.A. 14-0131, S. 3 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2014 Regular Session, eff. 1/1/2015.

Amended by P.A. 14-0131, S. 2 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2014 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2014.

Amended by P.A. 14-0122, S. 20 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2014 Regular Session, eff. 10/1/2014.

Amended by P.A. 14-0130, S. 4 of the Connecticut Acts of the 2014 Regular Session, eff. 6/6/2014.

Provisions in automobile insurance policies as to the age of the driver construed. 88 C. 308 ; 108 C. 598 . That a licensed operator is under age does not ipso facto void his license. 107 C. 213 . The exception as to one under instruction construed. Id., 476. Permission to operate without license is confined to persons actually receiving instruction in order to qualify for license. 110 C. 366 . Former statute cited. 114 C. 269 . Age or experience of operator is not material on issue of his negligence. Id., 341. Lack of operator's license cannot be deemed to be proximate cause of injury. Id., 342. Mere proof that operator was unlicensed and inexperienced is insufficient to fix liability upon owner. 116 C. 521 . Fact that license has been suspended is not proof operator lacks skill, technique or capability to operate an automobile. 146 C. 631 . Cited. 154 C. 644 . There is no distinction between standards of competence and care between adults and minors for purposes of licensing. 165 C. 251 . Cited. 174 C. 275 ; 175 C. 112 ; 225 Conn. 499 . Cited. 27 CA 495 ; judgment reversed, see 225 Conn. 499 ; 33 CA 727 ; 41 CA 866 . Cited. 16 CS 178 . Proof only that an operator was unlicensed and inexperienced would not support a finding of contributory negligence. 18 CS 40 . Cited. 23 CS 28 . Cited. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 389; 5 Conn. Cir. Ct. 221. Subsec. (a): Prohibition on operating a motor vehicle until person has obtained license is applicable even if operator has previously been licensed but failed to obtain new license after period of suspension. 138 CA 379 . Cited. 26 CS 184 ; 30 CS 233 . Cited. 4 Conn. Cir. Ct. 441; 6 Conn. Cir. Ct. 521. Subsec. (i): Subdiv. (2): Under 2007 revision, defendant's prior convictions that occurred more than 3 years before present offense could properly be taken into account. 138 Conn.App. 379 .

See Sec. 14-38a re printing of instruction manual in Spanish. See Sec. 14-40c re hearing upon denial or suspension of operator's license. See Sec. 14-50(f) re penalty for payment of fee with check returned as uncollectible. See Sec. 14-111(h) re licensing and registration penalty imposed on out-of-state operator violating provisions of this section. See Sec. 14-227o re discount for ignition interlock device services.