Procedures For Meriden Connecticut Driver Licensing and Online Driver Education
The State of Meriden Connecticut is delighted that you have chosen to start the process of applying for your Meriden Connecticut learner's permit or first Meriden Connecticut driver license. Meriden Connecticut has a graduated driver license program that is especially designed for younger Meriden Connecticut drivers (16-18 years of age), and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that you don't run into any problems while striving for your Meriden Connecticut driver's license. So what are we waiting for?
Meriden Connecticut Instructional Permit or Meriden Connecticut Learner Permit
When you turn 16, you can finally apply for a Meriden Connecticut instructional permit, otherwise known as a Meriden Connecticut learner permit. You'll need to gather these documents in order to apply for your Meriden Connecticut learner's permit:
After you have had your Meriden Connecticut learner permit for 6 months (or 4 months if you've taken a Meriden Connecticut approved driver education course), you'll have the green light to apply for the Meriden Connecticut license exam.
Your First Meriden Connecticut Driver's License
In order to apply for your first Meriden Connecticut provisional driver license, you'll need to do the following:
- Complete 40 hours of on-road practice as well as a driver education course (see last paragraph, "Meriden Connecticut Online Driver Education")
- Bring a birth certificate
- Provide a piece of mail or identification to verify your address
- Bring one other form of proper identification
- Provide proof of car insurance
- Complete a two hour teen driving course with your parent or guardian
- Bring the license fee of $66 to $77, depending on how many years the license is valid for
- Bring your learner's permit (to be surrendered)
- Provide a valid passport-sized photo
Then, if you can survive the following tests:
- Vision test, in which you must have 20/40 vision (with or without glasses)
- Written test, in which you must score at least an 80%
- The dreaded road test!
Congratulations, you've just earned your first Meriden Connecticut driver license!
Restrictions and Penalties Meriden Connecticut Teen Driver License
Unfortunately, as a newer driver, not every kind of driving will be open to you just yet. There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your Meriden Connecticut learner's license or Meriden Connecticut driver's license.
Meriden Connecticut Permit Restrictions: With a Meriden Connecticut learner's permit, you cannot drive unless accompanied by:
- a parent or guardian (who must have a driver's license)
- a licensed instructor
- someone 20 or older with a valid license for at least four years (holding no suspensions).
Meriden Connecticut Provisional License Restrictions:
- first six months: you must drive with parents/guardians or licensed driver over 20
- second six months: you may drive with members of your immediate family
- you may not drive a bus or any vehicle that requires a public passenger permit
- you may not drive between midnight and 5AM unless going to an approved school or church activity, or for emergencies
- you may not drive while talking on a cell phone (no exception for hands-free)
If you have your Meriden Connecticut provisional license and you're 16 or older you cannot drive a vehicle between 1:00AM and 5AM unless the following conditions are met:
- You're accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or person over 21 who has at least 1 year of driving experience
- You are driving because of an emergency
- You are an emancipated minor
- You're going to or from your workplace, a school sponsored or religious event
The whole point of driver education is to give you the tools to acquire good driving habits. If you abuse the privilege of driving, you may not have your license for very long! Each time your license is suspended, there is a restoration fee of $125. Your Meriden Connecticut driver license may be suspended under the following circumstances:
- you use your cell phone while driving (texting or talking) - 30 day suspension
- you speed - 60 day suspension
- you drive recklessly - 6 month suspension
- you street race - 6 month suspension
Meriden Connecticut Auto Insurance Meriden Connecticut Financial Responsibility Laws
So you finally have your Meriden Connecticut drivers license. Think you're ready for the road? Hold your horses, your vehicle must be covered by liability insurance. If you ever get caught driving without proof of Meriden Connecticut mandatory liability insurance, you could be fined. Worse, if you are involved in an accident and cannot provide proof of insurance, your Meriden Connecticut learner's permit or Meriden Connecticut provisional license will be suspended.
The minimum required coverage is $20,000 for personal injury and $40,000 for total injury, and $10,000 for property damage.
Meriden Connecticut Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
As a new Meriden Connecticut driver, nothing is more important than for you to understand the Meriden Connecticut drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws. In Meriden Connecticut, the standard of DUI is lower for teens, and you only need to have a BAC of 0.02 (instead of 0.08) to be convicted. Upon your first conviction of a Meriden Connecticut DUI, you face the following penalties:
- your Meriden Connecticut license will be suspended for 3 months
- a $500 to $1000 fine
- 100 hours of community service
- mandatory alcohol education programs that adults face for DUI convictions
And of course, further Meriden Connecticut DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Meriden Connecticut license suspension or even Meriden Connecticut license revocation.
A distracted driver is a dangerous driver. Thus, Meriden Connecticut bans teen drivers from using a cell phone or text messaging while driving. As tempting as it may be to call or text friends and family, driving while using a cell phone carries a 30 day license suspension and a $125 license restoration fee plus court fines. A second conviction carries a 6 month suspension.
Meriden Connecticut Online Driver Education
Anyone younger than 18 must provide proof of completion for a Meriden Connecticut approved driver's education course including at least 40 hours of behind the wheel training and 22 hours of home-based classroom training. If you take a Meriden Connecticut approved driver's education course, you will be able to take your license road test 2 months earlier. The Meriden Connecticut DMV maintains a list of the many Meriden Connecticut approved driver education courses .