Connecticut Graduated Driver’s Licensing Laws
The Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) system is a three phase program that gives new drivers increasing responsibility and privileges. The program begins at age 16 and ends at age 18 with full privileges and an unrestricted license.
You can take a written test to get a learner’s permit at age 16, and you will remain in this first stage of licensing for four months if you have had driver’s education or six months if you have not had the course. While you have your permit, you must a minimum of 40 hours supervised driving experience.
After the four or six months of practice, you can take the road test to get a restricted, intermediate license that you will use until the age of 18. During the first six months of getting your license, you are not allowed to have passengers other than your parent or driving instructor. During the second six months, you can only have your immediate family as passengers. During this year, you are not allowed to drive at night between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.
At age 18, passenger and night-driving restrictions are lifted, and you are given full driving privileges.