Ace Your Connecticut Permit Test: 15 Questions You Need to Know

The 25-question knowledge test is your first official hurdle at the Connecticut DMV. Passing it proves you have a solid grasp of the state's traffic laws and safety rules before you start practicing on the road. While any test can be intimidating, confidence comes from knowing the material.

All questions on the official test are taken directly from the Connecticut Driver's Manual. To pass, you must answer at least 20 of the 25 questions correctly. To help you prepare, we've compiled 15 practice questions that reflect the types of topics and formats you're likely to see. Use them to test your knowledge and get ready to ace your exam.

Connecticut Permit Practice Test

Read each question carefully and select the best answer. The correct answers and detailed explanations follow below.

1. A 16 or 17-year-old driver with a new license is prohibited from driving between what hours? a) 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. b) Midnight and 5 a.m. c) 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. d) 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

2. In Connecticut, what is the law regarding cell phone use for drivers under 18? a) They can only use a hands-free device. b) They can use a cell phone only for emergencies. c) They are banned from using any mobile electronic device, even hands-free. d) They can use their phone when stopped at a red light.

3. When you see an emergency vehicle approaching from any direction with its lights and siren on, you must: a) Speed up to get out of the way. b) Pull over to the right side of the road and stop. c) Stop immediately where you are. d) Continue driving at a slower speed.

4. A solid yellow line on your side of a two-lane road means: a) You may pass if the way is clear. b) The road is ending ahead. c) You are in a passing zone. d) You may not pass from your lane.

5. For the first six months after getting a license, a 16 or 17-year-old can only have which of the following people in the car? a) A licensed driving instructor. b) A parent or legal guardian. c) One person who is at least 20 and has had a license for 4+ years. d) All of the above.

6. What is the proper hand signal for a right turn? a) Hand and arm extended straight out. b) Hand and arm extended upward. c) Hand and arm extended downward. d) A circular motion with the hand.

7. Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit in a school zone in Connecticut is: a) 15 mph b) 20 mph c) 25 mph d) 30 mph

8. An eight-sided (octagon) sign always means: a) Yield b) Stop c) Warning d) No U-Turn

9. What is the minimum following distance you should maintain under ideal conditions? a) One car length for every 10 mph. b) A one-second gap. c) A three-second gap. d) 500 feet.

10. In Connecticut, you must dim your high beams when you are within how many feet of an oncoming vehicle? a) 200 feet b) 300 feet c) 500 feet d) 1000 feet

11. A triangular sign with a red border and a white center is always a: a) Stop sign b) School crossing sign c) Yield sign d) No passing zone sign

12. If an adult driver (18+) gets their first learner's permit, how long must they hold it before taking the road test? a) 30 days b) 180 days c) 90 days d) There is no waiting period.

13. When parking uphill on a two-way street with a curb, you should turn your front wheels: a) Straight ahead. b) To the right (toward the curb). c) To the left (away from the curb). d) It doesn't matter.

14. True or False: In Connecticut, you can make a right turn on a red light after a full stop, unless a sign tells you not to. a) True b) False

15. If you are 16 or 17 and commit your first moving violation, what is one of the penalties? a) A warning letter. b) A 48-hour license suspension. c) A mandatory driver retraining class. d) A $500 fine.

Answer Key and Explanations

1. d) 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. This nighttime curfew is a key part of the GDL laws for teen drivers, with limited exceptions for work, school, religious, or medical reasons. [1]

2. c) They are banned from using any mobile electronic device, even hands-free. Connecticut has one of the strictest laws in the country for teen drivers to eliminate distracted driving. [1]

3. b) Pull over to the right side of the road and stop. This action clears a path for the emergency vehicle to pass safely. Do not block intersections.

4. d) You may not pass from your lane. A solid yellow line indicates a no-passing zone. A broken line allows passing when safe.

5. d) All of the above. For the first 6 months, passenger restrictions are very tight. Only a licensed parent, a driving instructor, or one person who is at least 20 and has held a clean license for 4+ years can be in the car. [1]

6. b) Hand and arm extended upward. This is the universal hand signal for a right turn. Straight out is for a left turn, and downward is for stopping or slowing.

7. c) 25 mph. The speed limit in a school zone is typically 25 mph unless a different speed is posted.

8. b) Stop. The unique octagon shape is reserved exclusively for stop signs to ensure they are easily recognizable.

9. c) A three-second gap. This is the recommended minimum following distance to give you enough time to react and stop safely if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly.

10. c) 500 feet. You must dim your high beams for oncoming traffic within 500 feet and when following another vehicle within 300 feet.

11. c) Yield sign. The inverted equilateral triangle is the standard shape for a yield sign, requiring you to slow down and give the right-of-way to other traffic.

12. c) 90 days. While teens must wait 120-180 days, adult first-time permit holders have a 90-day mandatory practice period before they can take the road test. [1]

13. c) To the left (away from the curb). This ensures that if the vehicle's brakes fail, it will roll into the curb and be stopped instead of rolling into traffic.

14. a) True. After coming to a complete stop and ensuring the way is clear of traffic and pedestrians, a right turn on red is permitted unless a sign explicitly prohibits it.

15. b) A 48-hour license suspension. Connecticut has very tough penalties for teen drivers. The first offense for many moving violations results in a 48-hour suspension, fines, and a license reinstatement fee.

How to Guarantee a Passing Score

The best way to prepare is to thoroughly study the Connecticut Driver's Manual. Focus on the GDL laws, right-of-way rules, and traffic signs. By combining careful reading with practice tests, you'll be well-equipped to pass on your first try.