Connecticut

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Connecticut. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

Connecticut
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Connecticut
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

Helmets required for all riders under 18. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.

Connecticut
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

Choice of 4 or 6 years

Connecticut
Provisions for Mature Drivers

65 and over: choice of 2- or 6-year renewal, mail renewal requires demonstration of hardship

Connecticut
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

Connecticut
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for medical and recreational use

Connecticut
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

Connecticut
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65

Connecticut
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65

Connecticut
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

55

Connecticut
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

55

Connecticut
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

65

Connecticut
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

65

Connecticut
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

Connecticut
Increased penalty for high BAC

None

Connecticut
Administrative license suspension on first offense

90 days

Connecticut
Limited driving privileges during suspension

Yes

Connecticut
Ignition Interlocks

Highly incentivized for all convictions

Connecticut
Open container laws

No

Connecticut
Child Restraint Required

Under 2 yrs or under 30 lbs in rear-facing restraint system 2-4 yrs or 30-40 lbs in child restraint system 5-7 yrs or 40-60 lbs in child restraint or booster seat Booster seats only with a lap and shoulder belt

Connecticut
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

8-15 years and 60 lbs or over

Connecticut
Full Privilege Minimum Age

Nighttime Driving: 18 Driving with Passengers: 17 years, 4 months

Connecticut
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Connecticut
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

4 with driver's ed 6 without driver's ed

Connecticut
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

40

Connecticut
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16 / 4

Connecticut
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

11 p.m. - 5 a.m.

Connecticut
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 6 months: no passengers except parents or instructor Second 6 months: no passengers except parents, instructor or immediate family

Connecticut
Who is Covered?

8 and over

Connecticut
In What Seat?

All

Connecticut
Type of Law

Primary

Connecticut
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

Connecticut
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

Connecticut
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers under 18. Primary law.

Connecticut
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Connecticut
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Connecticut
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

Work Zones, school zones, pedestrian safety zones and other locally established areas (effective 10/1/23)

Connecticut
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Connecticut
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

School zones, pedestrian safety zones and other locally established areas (effective 10/1/23)

Coordinated Campaign Aims to Crack Down on Speeders in Mass., N.H., and Maine

A regional task force organized by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is working with local law enforcement to stop speeding in its tracks. Officials from the NHTSA, law enforcement representatives, and highway safety officials from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Connecticut announced the initiative during a joint news conference on Thursday in Seabrook, New Hampshire. The police aren’t looking to hassle drivers, but Kinsman said it doesn’t take long to find people speeding and driving aggressively at excessive speeds.

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