Visiting the Connecticut DMV: appointments, what to bring and what to expect

How Connecticut DMV hub, branch and express offices differ, which tasks you can finish online, how to book a license, registration or test appointment, and which documents and payment to bring.

Guide · Connecticut · Appointments · updated October 29, 2026

In Connecticut, one agency handles both driver licensing and vehicles: the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), with its main office at 60 State Street in Wethersfield. It issues driver licenses, learner's permits and non-driver ID cards, and it registers and titles vehicles. This guide covers what you can do without going in, how appointments work, and what to bring.

Types of offices

The DMV describes three kinds of locations:

• Hub offices, where you can complete all transactions.
• Branch offices, which offer a limited set of services. Check each location's list before you book.
• Express offices: non-DMV organizations that handle a limited number of DMV transactions, with no CDL services. They are some AAA offices and some Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union branches; the DMV's locations page lists which ones. AAA charges a convenience fee of $6 for members and $8 for non-members per DMV transaction. Nutmeg charges $8, which is waived for credit union members.

The express offices handle REAL ID, license and non-driver ID renewals for U.S. citizens, duplicates, name changes and driving histories. For offices near you, see the Connecticut DMV office list on this site, and check the DMV's locations page for the services each office offers.

Check whether you need to visit at all

The DMV's online services include:

• Renewing a driver's license or non-driver ID, and requesting a replacement
• Changing your address
• Upgrading from a learner's permit to a driver's license
• Tracking delivery of a new card, and requesting your driving history
• Renewing a vehicle registration, reprinting a registration certificate and replacing damaged plates
• Canceling a registration and plates
• Checking property tax, insurance, emissions and other compliance issues that can block a registration
• Ordering special or vanity plates and requesting a replacement title

A 24-hour automated phone line can also check registration and license delivery status and renew a registration.

Appointments

The DMV says its locations offer services by appointment only. Walk-in service is not available at the Cheshire, Putnam and Stamford locations, nor at any location on Saturdays. People without an appointment should expect long waits. The DMV adds new appointments regularly and suggests checking back often and trying neighboring offices.

On the appointment page you choose an appointment type. The types include new residents transferring a license or registration, license and non-driver ID services, registrations, knowledge tests and road tests. Keep in mind:

• You need a valid email address or mobile phone number to book.
• An appointment is valid only for the service you selected, so choose the right type to avoid a cancellation.
• The DMV serves one person per appointment, and you may need more than one appointment for several transactions.
• Services vary by location, so check the office's list first.

Tests have their own schedulers. Learner's permit knowledge tests are booked and prepaid on a separate online system, and the DMV says you cannot walk in to take one. Road tests are booked on another system. You keep your prepaid road test fee if you reschedule at least three days ahead. Learner's permit testing is offered only at Bridgeport, Cheshire, Danbury, Enfield, Hamden, Norwalk, Old Saybrook, Waterbury, Wethersfield and Willimantic. Road tests are given only at hub offices.

What to bring

For a learner's permit, driver's license or non-driver ID, including a REAL ID, the DMV asks for:

1. Two forms of identification, at least one from its primary list (for example a U.S. passport or a U.S. birth certificate). Two of the same document are not accepted.
2. Proof of your Social Security number: a Social Security card, or a W-2 or 1099 issued within the past five years that shows your full number.
3. Two proofs of Connecticut residence from two different sources, showing your name and address and dated within 90 days unless the list says otherwise. Examples include a utility bill, a bank statement and a pay stub.
4. Proof of legal presence, if you were not born in the U.S.
5. Name change documents, if your name differs from your primary document. Update your name with Social Security first.

Documents must be valid originals or certified copies. Anything in a language other than English must be translated by a DMV-approved translator. The DMV's document checklist, in English and Spanish, is linked from its Get a Driver's License page. For background on federal ID rules, see REAL ID explained.

Forms to fill in beforehand

• Form R-229: application for a non-commercial learner's permit or driver's license. It is needed for the knowledge test and the road test, and it can be printed after you make your online test appointment.
• Form 2-D: certificate of parental consent, if a parent or guardian is not with a teen applicant at the knowledge test.
• Form B-230: application for a non-driver ID.
• Form 1-B: application for a duplicate license or permit in person.
• Form H-13B: application for registration and certificate of title.

Paying

The DMV says its offices accept cash, money orders, personal checks, bank checks, American Express, Mastercard, Visa and Discover, and most debit cards with a Mastercard or Visa logo. Make checks payable to "DMV". Checks drawn on foreign banks and third-party checks are not accepted.

At the counter

Your photo is taken at the appointment. The DMV says you cannot wear headwear or dark glasses in it, except for a sincere religious belief or a valid medical reason. For a permit, you take the vision test first and must pass it before the knowledge test, at the same appointment. The knowledge test has 25 questions, and you need at least 20 correct.

You do not receive your permanent card at the office. You get a temporary paper card, and the card arrives by mail. The DMV says new licenses take up to 20 business days, and renewals up to 30 days. You can track delivery online.

Language help and accessibility

The DMV uses Language Line, a translation service in over 40 languages; ask an employee. The knowledge test is offered on screen in several languages and on paper in many more. Many online services are available in Spanish.

For a hearing interpreter, book your appointment online first. Then call 860-263-5700, or 1-800-842-8222 from outside the Hartford area, and allow at least two weeks. For other accommodations, the Customer Accommodations Unit lists (860) 263-5264 and DMV.CustomerAccommodations@ct.gov.

For licenses and REAL ID, see the Connecticut driver's license and ID guide. For vehicles, see the Connecticut vehicle registration and title guide.