Connecticut Driver’s License Renewal Guide

Updated July 10, 2021
In 2019, the Constitution State had 2 608 061 licensed drivers. According to Insurify, the Honda Accord was the most popular car in Connecticut in 2020 which is not surprising since the Accord was the number two on the Top 10 List of Most Popular Cars in America that same year.

According to QuoteWizard data 2019, Ridgefield, Shelton, and Milford in Connecticut all ranked for being the worst cities to drive in in Connecticut since they had the highest number of incidents including DUI’s and car crashes. The best Connecticut cities to drive in include Mansfield, New Haven, Simsbury, and Hartford.

If your Connecticut driver’s license has been expired for two or more years, you’re required to retest on all requirements before applying for a license replacement. Once you pass all required examinations, you can submit the application and a $25 late fee payment. If you’re not sure of the status of your driver’s license, you can order a driving record online through the Connecticut DMV. Continue reading for more details about driving licenses in Connecticut.

Connecticut DMV License Renewal Requirements

What do I need to renew my Connecticut driver’s license?

Have you been wondering how to renew a Connecticut drivers license? This is the place to get all the details needed to take care of this chore quickly and accurately.

Renewing Your Connecticut License

In Connecticut, your drivers license is issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Their website is packed full of useful facts regarding licensing, vehicle registration, and insurance requirements.

Where can I process my Connecticut license renewal?

You will receive your Connecticut driver’s license renewal in the mail about two months before it is due to expire.

You must bring the renewal application to a DMV office or a participating AAA office. Find the office closest to you by checking the state’s complete list.

CT License Renewal Locations

There are offices that only process license renewals that don’t require any special attention. Make sure to check that your nearest location can address all your needs.

Find time to take care of this chore as soon as you receive the renewal notice in the mail. You don’t walk out of the DMV with a new license, but a paper version. It will take a week to ten days for the real license to be mailed to your home.

Online Driver’s License Renewal in Connecticut

Currently, Connecticut residents are unable to renew their driver’s license online. Right now the only way to complete a Connecticut license renewal is in person at one of their authorized locations. You may find a third-party website that offers a renewal application online, but you will still have to take it down to the office.

Connecticut AAA Driver’s License Renewal

AAA has had a partnership with the Connecticut DMV for years, allowing the roadside assistance company can provide drivers license renewals. There are seven locations across the state. Connecticut DMV driver’s license renewal locations with AAA are located in the cities of:

• Avon
• Cromwell
• Enfield
• Manchester
• Old Saybrook
• Waterford
• West Hartford

Call ahead to check for hours of operation, as they vary from the DMV hours. You may find an AAA office open on a weekend or holiday when the DMV is closed, but they may not be able to process your renewal if the DMV is shut down at that time.

When does my CT license expire?

Your Connecticut drivers license is good for 6 years. The exceptions to this rule are if you turn 65, 18, or 21.

The fee for a Connecticut license renewal is $72. If you renew at an AAA office, there may be an additional convenience fee charged.

Renewing Your License at the Connecticut DMV

When you renew your license, your identity will be checked against your current drivers license. Then the clerk will conduct a vision test. Once you pass the vision test, a new photo is taken for your new license.

Will my renewed license work at the airport?

With the new Real ID regulations going into effect across the country, Connecticut offers you the choice to opt for a regular drivers license or a verified license. The verified license can be used as a valid form of identification when traveling across the country and to board commercial aircraft.

You will be asked to provide additional identification during the license renewal process to achieve verified status. Valid forms of additional ID that can be used at the airport include:

• Birth Certificate
• Passport
• Social Security Card
• 1099 Form
• Marriage Certificate

These are only a few of the options available. There are many more. Find the complete list of acceptable ID here.

Connecticut DMV Hours

Typically the Connecticut DMV is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Tuesday through Friday it is generally open 8 AM to 4 PM with limited hours of operation on Saturdays. Check with your local office for current hours.