Connecticut DMV Records

Connecticut DMV – Department of Motor Vehicles

The Connecticut DMV is your one-stop spot for just about everything related to your motor vehicle and driver’s license. Whether you are looking to get your first license or want to register a recently purchased vehicle, there is a good chance that you will have to go through the Connecticut DMV to complete the process. While visiting the DMV in person often results in long lines, the good news is that now many Connecticut DMV services can be completed online from the comfort of home.

Connecticut DMV Services Online

First, let’s look at the DMV services that you can complete entirely online. In terms of driver services, a number are now offered online. You can check the status of your license, make driver license suspension payments, complete your commercial driver self-certification, track the delivery status of your license/ID, and register for a child safety class all online. You can also book your learner’s permit and road test online.

 In terms of vehicle services, you can check the status of your registration and license plates, renew your registration, check your registration status, reprint your registration certificate, order special license plates, replace damaged license plates, and pay any emissions test late fees.

 Finally, if you do have to visit the Connecticut DMV office in person, you can check online first for a list of wait times for offices across the state. You can also click here for a complete list of online services offered by the Connecticut DMV.

Connecticut DMV Vehicle Services

While you can renew your vehicle’s registration online, for new registrations and titles, you will have to go to the DMV in person. To find your nearest DMV office check this list. Registering and titling a passenger car, SUV, or van for regular or personal use is fairly straightforward. There are six main steps you must complete for new registrations:  

How to Renew Your Connecticut Vehicle Registration

•   Ensuring compliance (for example, you cannot have any unpaid property tax or outstanding parking tickets, and you must also ensure your vehicle meets all emissions testing requirements)

•   Provide proof of identification

•   Complete an application for registration and title

•   Provide proof of vehicle ownership

•   Provide proof of insurance

•   Provide a bill of sale

Connecticut Driver License Renewal

Unfortunately, you cannot renew your license online. To renew your Connecticut driver’s license, you must bring your current license, your renewal application (you should have received this in the mail), and pay the $72 renewal fee. Certain DMV offices also charge an additional $8 convenience fee. If you are applying for a REAL ID, you will need to bring additional documents, two pieces of ID, your Social Security Number, two documents proving Connecticut residency, proof of legal presence in the United States, and, if applicable, proof of name change.

 It is strongly recommended that you visit the DMV at least a week before your license expires. You will not receive your new license at the DMV. Rather, it will be mailed to you, so give yourself enough time to make sure you get your new license before your old one expires.

 If you are applying for a license, then you will likely be required to complete a number of tests, including a vision, knowledge, and road test, the appointments for which can usually be made online. If this is your first license, you will also be required to complete an 8-hour traffic safety course. While this requirement is waived for those who had a Connecticut driver’s license that has been expired for 2 years or more, it is still a good idea to enroll in a traffic safety course regardless. Completing a safety course may help remove demerit points from your license and lower your insurance premiums.

Paying Your Connecticut Traffic Tickets

 Paying your traffic ticket is one of the few services not offered by the DMV itself. Rather, to pay your traffic ticket, you will have to do so through the courts. Fortunately, the State of Connecticut Judicial Branch has an online payments process. So long as you have your ticket number and a credit card, you can pay your traffic ticket online. Alternatively, you can also pay your traffic ticket through the mail. There will be instructions on your citation about how to pay the penalty through the mail.

 Remember to pay your traffic tickets as soon as possible. Since traffic tickets are still criminal offenses, accumulating enough of them could result in severe penalties, including a license suspension.

Connecticut DMV Record Requests

 Unfortunately, Connecticut does not yet allow people to order their driving records online. Rather, you will have to either order your driving history in person or through the mail. Information about driving records can be found here. The cost of getting a record is $20. Keep in mind that if you are requesting a driving record for somebody else, then you can only do so through the mail and not at a DMV office.

 Keep in mind that if you only need an unofficial non-certified copy of your driving history then you may be able to obtain one through third-party databases, search as SearchQuarry.com, for either free or less than you would pay at the DMV.