Connecticut's New Drive-Only License

On January 2, 2015 Connecticut’s new law to issued Drive-Only Connecticut State Driver’s Licenses to undocumented immigrants will take effect.

Starting on September 1, 2014 undocumented immigrants living in the State of Connecticut can begin their online registrations for issuance of their Drive-Only licenses.  If you or someone you know has an expired visa, or crossed into the United States illegally, that person will be able to register online for a Connecticut State issued Driver’s License on September 1, 2014.  .  The Drive-Only classification means that the license cannot be used to board an airplane or as proof of identity. The license will be good for three, four five or six years (as selected randomly by a computer software program) The purpose of this random expiration date is to avoid backlogs in the future at the time of license renewal; as a type of phase-in process.  The Connecticut DMV expects that this new Drive-Only license may attract tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants in the State of Connecticut and wants future renewals to be more staggered. 

First, the applicant will apply for a Driver’s Permit, available only online.  This step involves an affidavit which attests that the applicant will change his/her immigration status whenever possible.  There is a registration fee which can be paid by credit or debit card in order to schedule the written DMV test after January 2, 2015. 

At the time of the test, undocumented immigrants will need to present primary and secondary proof of identity and proof of residency in the State of Connecticut, and pass a vision test, as well as a 25-question written test on driving rules in the State of Connecticut.  The test is available only in English and Spanish, but may become available in Portuguese and two other languages.

After presenting identity documentation and passing the written test, then the applicant will undergo a criminal background check for felonies committed in Connecticut only.  It is expected that this will take 30 days to complete. 

Once the background check is complete, the undocumented applicant will be eligible to register for the road test. In order to register for the road test, undocumented applicants will need to present a Driver Education Certificate Form CS-1 issued by a Connecticut-licensed driving school evidencing completion of the Safe Driving Practices course of at least 8 hours.  The vehicle used for the road test must be registered and insured. 

What should the undocumented community do now? 

1                 Obtain a credit card or debit card so that registration fees can be paid online

2                 Obtain 2 types of proof of identity, such as a valid passport from their country, school identification card, credit/debit card, library card, check cashing card, bank card, etc. 

3                 Obtain proof of residency in the State of Connecticut, such as cancelled envelopes showing the correct address

4                 Take a preliminary vision test online, with an eye doctor, at school, at an eyeglass store

5                 Start reading and learning the driving rules and regulations in the State of Connecticut by picking up a driving book from the DMV or from a Connecticut Driving school, from a local library or online

6                 Learning English, if your first language is not Spanish or Portuguese by enrolling in an Adult Education class, practicing speaking and reading English, practicing with your children, contacting an ESL program

7                 Familiarize yourself with a Connecticut-licensed driving school and ask questions about obtaining the Driver Education Certificate Form CS-1.

The new rules and requirements are substantial for undocumented persons.  We can all step up and assist our relatives, friends and neighbors in this process.  Having educated and licensed drivers on the roads of Connecticut makes travel safer for all of us.