Just Moved to Connecticut. How Do I Transfer My Driver's License and Vehicle Registration?

by Jim on July 19, 2022

Tags: Connecticut drivers license, ct dmv, Connecticut

Glad to have you here in the Constitution State! Connecticut is home to Yale University, the Mystic Seaport, and the Mark Twain House. Before you start your adventures in this state, you need to make sure you have your out-of-state documents ready so you can transfer them to the state of Connecticut.

Here’s your guide to transferring your out-of-state driver’s license and vehicle registration to Connecticut.

Required Items to Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to Connecticut

You will need specific documentation and payment(s) to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license to Connecticut. Here’s what you’ll need:

Your current driver’s license (if your driver’s license is expired, it can’t be expired for more than two years)
Complete an Application for a Non-Commercial Driver’s License (Form R-229)

2 proofs of identity (birth certificate, ID card, etc.)
Social security number
Proof of residency
Legal presence in the U.S. (for individuals who are non-U.S. born)
Name change documents (if applicable)
Application fee: $40
License fee: $84 (if you are paying these fees by check, you need to bring two checks for this process- 1 check for each process)

Steps You Need to Take to Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to Connecticut

You need to take certain steps to ensure you transfer your out-of-state vehicle documents to Connecticut.

Finding a Location

In this state, you need to visit DMV Hub Offices or Enfield office because out-of-state transfers are only handled in these locations.

Obtaining the Required Documents

You need to make sure you submit all the required documentation, take the necessary tests, and pay all applicable fees to ensure there are no delays, and that you are not susceptible to any penalties.

Pass the Necessary Exams

You must take and pass the Connecticut vision test, and you might be required to take and pass the knowledge exam for the state of Connecticut. The knowledge exam is a written exam that determines how familiar you are with the traffic laws in CT.

As far as the vision test is concerned, if you wear glasses or contact lenses, make sure you wear them during your vision test.

Be advised that the CT DMV mails all license and ID cards. During this time, you must keep your current driver’s license or ID until you receive your permanent driver’s license or ID card. However, you will receive a temporary paper card that acts as your driver’s license or ID until you receive your permanent document.

Exceptions to Transferring Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to Connecticut

There are some exceptions to transferring your out-of-state driver’s license to the state of Connecticut. First, you need to establish residency in the state of Connecticut. Once you establish residency in this state, you have 30 date to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license to Connecticut.

If you are under the age of 18 and have a valid driver’s license from a different state, you are required to complete additional steps. Be advised that Connecticut does not accept a license that is issued to individuals who are under the age of 16 years old.

If your out-of-state driver’s license has expired for more than two years, you will need to obtain a learner’s permit and take the 8-hour safe driving practices course at a Connecticut-licensed school. This test is required before you can take the CT skills test at a Connecticut DMV branch.

If your out-of-state driver’s license is lost, you need to obtain a certified copy of your out-of-state driver history or abstract dated within 60 days. The previous licensing state will be notified of the issuance of your Connecticut driver’s license, then your previous state driver’s license will be canceled.

If you’re a full-time student who is living in Connecticut but maintaining out-of-state or out-of-country permanent residency, you are not required to obtain a CT driver’s license as long as you have maintain full-time student status. When and if your full-time student status is terminated (which will be determined by your school records), you have 30 days to obtain a Connecticut driver’s license.

If you are military personnel or the dependent of military personnel who is stationed in Connecticut, you are not required to obtain a CT driver’s license. Click here for more information regarding military personnel and driver’s licenses in Connecticut.

As a foreign traveler on a visitor’s visa, you may operate a motor vehicle in the state of Connecticut for one year with a valid out-of-country driver’s license and an International Driver’s Permit. You can obtain an International Driver’s License Permit from your home country. Click here for more information regarding an International Driver’s Permit.

If you have a driver’s license from American Samoa, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, this is still considered an out-of-state driver’s license, which have the same requirements listed above. You are required to obtain an abstract of your driving record from your home territory before you can transfer your driver’s license to Connecticut. The CT DMV will waive the need for you to present an abstract when you are transferring a non-CDL driver’s license from Guam if you are an active duty military member or a family member of an active military member. Be advised that you must show military identification in this situation. If you are the family member of an active military duty individual, you must show identification.

If you obtain a driver’s license from Puerto Rico, this is considered an out-of-state driver’s license, and again, you need to follow the instructions provided above. In this situation, the CT DMV branch you visit will verify your driver’s license from Puerto Rico with your home territory before you can transfer your driver’s license to the state of Connecticut. The DMV will also notify you via mail of the status of your Puerto Rico driver’s license. The letter you will receive from the CT DMV will give you the information you need on how to proceed with the licensing process.

Connecticut Written Examination

You may be required to pass the CT written examination. This exam has a total of 25 questions. You need to answer at least 20 questions correctly to obtain a minimum passing score of 80%. The CT written exam is not a timed test. If you fail this test, you have to wait at least 7 days before you can retake the exam. You will also have to pay the fee to retake the exam.

Connecticut Vision Standards

The minimum vision requirements for a standard, Class D driver’s license in Connecticut is 20/40 or better with or without wearing corrective lenses. Your visual acuity is how clearly you can see. Your peripheral vision is how far you can see to either side while looking straight ahead. The CT vision standards require drivers to obtain a peripheral vision of 140 degrees of binocular peripheral vision field. If you fail the CT vision test, you will not be permitted to take the knowledge exam, and you must reschedule the vision test once you see an optometrist to correct your vision.

Transferring Your Out-of-State Vehicle Registration to Connecticut

In order to transfer your vehicle’s registration to the state of Connecticut, you need to take different steps and pay all the applicable fees. Your vehicle must be registered to legally drive it on the highways and roadways of Connecticut. Whether you have recently moved to the state or purchased a new vehicle, you will need to register the vehicle.

Be advised that you also must have a valid auto insurance policy before you can register your vehicle with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (CT DMV).

New Residents of Connecticut

If you are bringing your vehicle from your home state (the state you moved from), you have 60 days to transfer your previous vehicle registration to the CT DMV. Before you can complete the vehicle registration process, you must complete a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection and emissions test at a CT emissions testing center. Keep in mind that you may be exempt from emissions testing depending on the type of vehicle you own. Click here for more information regarding emissions testing in Connecticut.

Once you complete the required testing, you can visit your local CT DMV branch and present:

Your out-of-state Certificate of Title and vehicle registration certificate
Your emissions report or VIN verification report
Your current CT auto insurance identification card
An acceptable form of identification:
- Driver’s license
- ID card
- Military ID card
Payment for all applicable CT registration fees

You can’t have any outstanding property tax payments, parking tickets, or previously had your registration privileges suspended.

Registering Your New or Used Vehicle in Connecticut

In order to register your vehicle in the state of Connecticut, your vehicle needs to meet the state’s requirements for compliance.

You will not be granted a CT vehicle registration if:

You have had your vehicle registration privilege suspended
You owe property tax payments
You have unpaid parking tickets
Your vehicle does not comply with the CT emissions standards found here

New or Used Vehicles

Before you can register your vehicle, you need to take your vehicle to an emissions testing facility to pass the emissions test or have the VIN verified at a verification station (if your vehicle is exempt from emissions testing)

Once your vehicle passes the emissions test or the VIN has been verified, you need to visit your local CT DMV branch or a limited service office and present:

A completed Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (Form H-13B)
The current Certificate of Title and Registration certificate (if you’re registering a new vehicle)
A bill of sale

A current Connecticut vehicle insurance card (this insurance card can be obtained from your insurance provider. The insurance policy must be in your name.)
An acceptable form of identification:
- Driver’s license
- Learner’s permit
- Identification card

Payment for all applicable registration fees

Purchasing a Vehicle from a Private Party

If you purchased a vehicle from a private party (an individual) and want to drive the vehicle, the following may apply to this situation:

If the vehicle’s previous owner has returned the license plates and cancelled the vehicle’s registration, you need to transfer the vehicle title and register the vehicle in your name before you can drive it.
If the vehicle’s previous owner has not returned the license plates and cancelled the vehicle’s registration, you should not have an issue legally driving the vehicle. The vehicle’s title needs to be transferred and the vehicle needs to be registered in your name as soon as possible.
If the previous vehicle owner didn’t have the vehicle registered for a while, the vehicle will need to pass an emissions test. You need to contact the CT DMV and ask about obtaining a temporary vehicle registration in order to be able to get the vehicle inspected and fully registered.

Leased Vehicles

If you are registering a leased vehicle, you will follow the same steps above fro registering a new or used vehicle. In addition to those steps, you will also need:

Your leasing license on file with the CT DMV (you can call (860) 263-5056) to verify the license and address of the leasing company before registering your vehicle)
An original Power of Attorney document (copies and faxes are not accepted). The document must state who has authorization to sign documents for the leasing company.

Be advised that your CT auto insurance card may be in your name or in the name of the leasing company. If your vehicle will be used to complete a driver test at any time, your auto insurance card is required to be in the name of the leasing company.

The leasing company’s name and address are required to be present on the Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (Form H-13B) The power of attorney must also sign this form.

Expired Connecticut Vehicle Registrations

If your vehicle registration is expired, you will be required to re-register your vehicle. If your vehicle’s registration has been expired for less than 2 years, you need to visit your local CT DMV office and:

Provide your license plate number and registration renewal notice
Show your valid CT driver’s license
Make sure your vehicle has no outstanding compliance issues, such as:
- Emissions testing requirements
- Unpaid parking tickets
- Outstanding property taxes
Payment for the CT registration fee and $10 late fee

If your vehicle registration has been expired for more than 2 years, in addition to the requirement above, you will need to complete an Official Registration of a Motor Vehicle and Application for Certificate of Title (Form H-13B). You will also be required to put new license plates on the vehicle.

Temporary Vehicle Registrations in Connecticut

If your vehicle’s registration has expired but your vehicle requires a safety inspection or emissions test, you can give yourself time to complete these tasks by obtaining a temporary vehicle registration.

You will follow the same steps above for registering a new or used vehicle. You need to be sure that you specify you’re requesting a temporary CT vehicle registration document for the purposes of having a vehicle inspection performed.

Keep in mind that temporary vehicle registrations are not renewable, so you need to complete your safety inspection or emissions test within the first 10 days of receiving the temporary vehicle registration.

Registration Fees in Connecticut

Vehicle registration fees in the state of Connecticut vary depending on the type of vehicle you own. Common CT vehicle registration fees include:

Passenger vehicle: $120 for 3 years
Commercial vehicle: From $47 for 1 year (price will vary depending on the weight of the vehicle)
Motorcycle: $63 for 3 years
Trailer (personal use): $28.50
Snowmobile: $20 for 3 years
Electric vehicles: $57 for 3 years

You may also be required to pay additional fees, including:

Federal Clean Air Act fee: $10
Passport to the Parks fee: $5 per year
Greenhouse Gas Reduction fee: $5 (one-time fee if you’re registering a vehicle with a Certificate of Origin)
Late fee: $10
Contractor or municipality per transaction processing fee: up to $8

New residents of Connecticut will also need to pay:

Emissions test fee: $0
VIN inspection fee: $10 (vehicles exempt from emissions testing)

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicle Locations

You need to visit a Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicle branch to successfully complete the transfer of your out-of-state vehicle documents. Luckily, there are different DMV branch locations throughout the state of Connecticut.

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles - Waterbury Branch

2210 Thomaston Ave

Waterbury, CT 06704