Driver’s License

NEW STUDENTS and SCHOLARS: You must submit your arrival documents to ISSS and wait 10 days before you apply for a driver's license or non-driver identification card. 

 

To drive in Connecticut you must have a Connecticut Driver’s license or one of the following:

  • valid out-of-state (U.S.) driver’s license
  • valid out-of-country driver’s license (from your home country) AND international driver’s permit (you must carry BOTH)

How to Get a CT Driver's License or Non-Driver's Identification (State ID) Handout

Driving with your Home Country License

Students and visitors in Connecticut can drive using their foreign license for up to one year. If your license is in a language other than Spanish or English, you must also carry an International Driver Permit (IDP) to legally drive with that license. The IDP is issued in the country that issued the driver’s license. If you do not have an IDP or your stay will exceed one year, you should plan to obtain the Connecticut Driver’s License.    

Getting an Connecticut Driver's License

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles is the agency that issues the driver’s license and the non-driver Identification Card (state ID). You may want to consider getting a state ID if you want to have official U.S. identification so that you do not have to carry your passport around. Also, you will need to have a State ID in order to register a car that you own, if you do not have a CT Driver’s License. The DMV closest to Storrs campus is in Willimantic, and is located on the WRTD bus line. The closest DMV to Hartford is in Wethersfield. The closest DMV to Stamford is in Norwalk. The closest DMV to Avery Point is in Norwich.

Step 1: Complete ISSS Arrival Checklist (New Students & Scholars)

ISSS will activate your SEVIS record after check-in. Your SEVIS record must be active at the time that you go to the Department of Motor Vehicles to apply for your driver’s permit. Wait at least 10 days after checking in with ISSS before you visit the DMV. Review the Arrival Checklist here.

Step 2: Apply for Social Security Number or Social Security Rejection Letter

Visit the Social Security Administration to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). F-1 and J-1 students must have legal employment to be approved for the SSN. If you are an F-1/J-1 student and you do not work, you will be issued a Social Security denial letter confirming that you are not eligible for the SSN. You need either the SSN or the denial letter for your DMV application.

Bring the following to Social Security office:

If you are applying for a State ID, go directly to DMV after completing this step to obtain your ID card, and bring the documents listed in Step 4.

How to Apply for a Social Security Number (SSN)

Step 1: Complete the Arrival Checklist with ISSS if you are a new student or scholar.

Step 2: F-1 students with on-campus employment must submit the Foreign National Information Form to Payroll and apply to ISSS for a "DSO Letter" before you can apply for your SSN at the Social Security Administration office.  J-1 students need to apply for a "J-1 Work Authorization Letter" to bring to the SSA with them.  J-1 visiting scholars (research scholars, postdocs, short-term scholars) may skip to Step 3.

F-1 Students: submit a Social Security Letter Request in the ISSS Portal to get the DSO letter.  You will need to upload your employment offer letter from your on-campus employer (must be on UConn letterhead and signed). If your on-campus employer does not normally issue offer letters, they may use this template.pdfJ-1 Students: submit a J-1 Work Authorization Letter request in the ISSS Portal.

Step 3: Submit application to Social Security Administration (SSA)

Walk-in or call the Social Security Administration office closest to where you live to schedule an appointment to apply for your SSN.  You must visit the SSA office closest to the address where you are living.  You will need to search for the SSA office by Zip code.  Enter the zip code where you live.  If you are unsure of your zip code in the town where you live, use the US Post Office Zip Code locator tool and search for your zip code with your address.

Bring your immigration and employment authorization documents (-Passport, -I-94 admission number printout, -Form I-20 or DS-2019, -F-1 and J-1 Students with employment: Job offer letter, and letter confirming employment from ISSS)  to your appointment. Your card will be mailed to you within 2-4 weeks after you submit your application.

Locations:

Willimantic SSA (most Storrs campus students): 1320 Main St, Willimantic. This is on the Storrs-Willimantic bus line (stop: Tyler Square). Walk-In to apply for SSN or Denial Letter

Hartford SSA (most Hartford campus students): 960 Main St., Hartford. Schedule Appointment to apply for SSN, Walk-In to apply for Denial Letter.

East Hartford SSA (some Storrs and some Hartford campus students): 478 Burnside Ave, East Hartford, CT 06108 Walk-In to apply for SSN or Denial Letter

Stamford SSA (most Stamford campus students): 2 Landmark Square, Stamford.

How to Apply for a Social Security Denial Letter for DMV

When you apply for a CT Driver’s License or Non-Driver’s Identification Card, the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles asks you to provide either an SSN, or documentation that you are not eligible for a SSN. Therefore, you may need to apply for an SSN even if you do not have a job or work authorization.  To apply for a Social Security Rejection Letter for the DMV you must follow these steps.

Students applying at the Hartford and East Hartford Offices need to apply in person.  Fill out the Application for SSN.pdf (contact ISSS Advisor for help or questions) and visit the office during normal business hours to apply.  Find the Social Security Administration office closest to where you live by searching your Zip code.  Enter the zip code where you live.  If you are unsure of your zip code in the town where you live, use the US Post Office Zip Code locator tool and search for your zip code with your address.

Students applying at the Willimantic Social Security Offices (most Storrs campus students) need to apply by mail.

  1. Fill out the Application for SSN.pdf (contact ISSS Advisor for help or questions). Be sure your address is written correctly!
  2. Attach a post-it note to the SSN Application indicating that you are only applying for a rejection letter to bring to the DMV.
  3. Find the Willimantic Social Security Administration office and mail your Application for SSN to this address. You will need to search for the SSA office by Zip code.  Enter the zip code where you live.  If you are unsure of your zip code in the town where you live, use the US Post Office Zip Code locator tool and search for your zip code with your address.  If your zip codes indicates that you should visit Hartford or East Hartford offices see instructions above.
  4. SSA will send your denial letter to you by mail.

Step 3: Safe Driving Program Course

Complete a mandatory 8-hour Safe Driving Course. This is a classroom based course that covers important driving safety rules. It is not a course that teaches you how to drive. Obtain certificate of completion when done. Please note that you can take this course at any point before the road test (Step 5).

If you live off-campus in a surrounding community, it may be more convenient to take the class at another local driving school. Local schools around Storrs campus include:

AAA Driving School - Online Classes via Zoom- summer and fall 23 schedule here:
The Next Street - Online Classes via Zoom

Students at the Hartford, Stamford, and Avery Point Campuses should visit the DMV website for a list of other Commercial School Locations.

Step 4: Written Test and Adult Learner’s Permit

Schedule an appointment with the Department of Motor Vehicles for a written test and Adult Learner’s Permit. Download the CT DMV Mobile App to find practice learner permit tests. You must hold the learner’s permit for 90 days before you can move on to the next step (road test). With your learner’s permit, you may only drive in the company of someone who is at least 20 years old, and who has had a license for at least 4 years, without suspension.

If you have a current or previous license from your home country, or a previous U.S. license, the 90‐day waiting period may be waived. You must provide that license (even if expired) in order to be waived the 90-day waiting period.

Bring the following to your appointment:
-Passport
-I‐94 admission printout
-Form I‐20 or DS‐2019
-Social Security Card or Social Security office denial letter (from Step 2)
-Certified school transcript or Marriage Certificate (if you don’t have a Social Security card). Must be translated by an approved translation company if not in English.
-Two documents to show proof that you live in CT (refer to list).

Fees: $40 Testing Fee, $19 for Learner’s Permit

NOTE: When you apply for a driver’s license or state ID, the DMV must verify your immigration status to complete the application. To do this, they use a program called the SAVE Program. If they cannot verify your status they will advise you that your request cannot be completed. They should give you a 15 digit verification number that you can use to check the progress of your case online. You can use that number to check your case here and wait until the status has been verified to return to the DMV for your learner’s permit. You may also be advised to visit your school – visit ISSS during Walk‐In hours to check that your SEVIS record is active, which is required for SAVE.

Step 5: On the Road Skills Test

After you have had the learner’s permit for 90 days, you can schedule an appointment online to take a skills test or road test (a driving test). You will need to bring a car for the road test. Some driving schools will allow you to rent a car to bring for your road test. The DMV website lists documents to bring, and resources to prepare for the Road Test. Cost: $40.

Step 6: Get your License!

Your license will be mailed to you. Please be sure you can receive mail at the address indicated on your application. Cost: $84. Cost of Non-Driver Identification card: $26. These costs are subject to change - check DMV website for current fees.
For License/ID information go to “Driver’s License and ID’s” > “New” > “Non-US Citizens”

Transferring your License from another U.S. State, or France, Germany and Canada

If you have a license from another U.S. state, or if you have a valid French, German or Canadian driver’s license, you may “transfer” this license to a CT license.

Licenses should be transferred within 30 days of establishing residency in Connecticut and must be valid, or recently expired (within two years). If your out-of-state license expired more than two years ago, you must obtain the Learners Permit and take the 8 Hour Safe Driving Course.

 

Full time students living in Connecticut but maintaining out of state or out of country permanent residency are not required to transfer the license to Connecticut, provided full time student status is maintained.

Bring to the DMV the following:

  • Your current driver’s license
  • Complete the application for the Non-Commercial Driver’s License (Form R-229)
  • Passport
  • I-94 admission printout
  • Form I-20 or DS-2019
  • Social Security Card or Social Security office denial letter (from Step 2)
  • Certified school transcript or Marriage Certificate (if you don’t have a Social Security card)
  • Two documents to show proof that you live in CT (refer to list)
  • Application fee = $40.   License Fee: $72. Cards are accepted for payment. If paying by check, bring two separate checks

 

Learning to Drive

If you are over the age of 18, you are not required to attend formal driving lessons. However, if you have never driven an automobile, we strongly recommend that you take driving lessons. Many of the same schools that offer the 8 Hour Safe Driving course also offer driving lessons. Visit the DMV website for a list of other Commercial School Locations.

 

Owning a Car

Car owners have many responsibilities and expenses. Some students purchase a car used from a private owner, and others may purchase a new or used car from a dealership. Whichever route you choose, do your research!  Review car value estimates on websites like Carfax or Kelley Blue Book to ensure you are paying a fair price. Bring a friend with you to look at the car. Ask questions and take the car for a test drive.

 

Other considerations for owning car:

 

  • All car owners are legally required to maintain insurance for the vehicle. Liability insurance covers only the expenses associated with damages you cause to another driver/car.  Comprehensive insurance will cover expenses for both yourself, and any damage you caused to another person/vehicle. If you make car payments to a dealership, you must carry comprehensive insurance, which is more expensive.
  • Your insurance will be cheaper if you have a Connecticut license, and more expensive if you drive with your home country license and IDP.
  • You must register your car with the DMV, and keep that registration valid while you drive the car. You are required to have either a CT Driver’s License or a State ID in order to register your card.
  • You will pay a car tax in the town that where you live. Car tax bills will be sent to you in the summer. You are responsible for paying your car tax, even if you go home in the summer. You have to pay the car tax, even if you no longer live in that town at the time that you receive the bill.

DMV Resources

CT DMV Mobile App

DMV Driver’s Manual (for studying)

DMV Offices

Common Phrases Used During DMV Road Skills Test

New Drivers - Driving in Bad Weather (Podcast)

New Drivers - Know Your Traffic Signs (Podcast)

New Drivers - How to Take the On The Road Skills Test (Podcast)