Connecticut Permit Practice Test — DMV Written Test, 25 Questions

Free 10-question Connecticut permit practice test, then full 25-question tests like the DMV exam (20 to pass), each question cited to the Connecticut Driver's Manual.

The exam

The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles knowledge test is 25 questions, and 20 correct is a pass. Everything on it comes out of Connecticut Driver's Manual. Officially it is the knowledge test; most people call it the written test, or the permit test.

How this works

Most practice tests hand you a bank of questions and leave the manual somewhere else. This one puts them together.

You read one law and the reason behind it, then answer a question on that law while it is still fresh. Get it right and you move on; get it wrong and you have found the gap while it is cheap to fix, not on the morning of the exam.

Learning one rule at a time, and proving it immediately, is what turns a manual you skimmed into something you actually know — and it makes studying feel like getting somewhere rather than like waiting to find out.

Ask a question about Connecticut road law

Easier than searching the manual: ask in your own words — how far from a fire hydrant you may park, when you must stop for a school bus — and the answer comes from Connecticut Driver's Manual or Connecticut’s code, with the page or the section it is in. When neither says, the answer says so rather than guess. Or tick Nationwide and compare every state on one question.

Ask a question

Connecticut driving law, answered

Connecticut driving questions, answered

What it costs

  • One payment, once — not a subscription. Nothing renews and there is nothing to cancel, for an exam you sit one time.
  • Free to start: a 10-question test and the first section of cards. No sign-up and no account.
  • Paying opens the rest of the cards, unlimited full-length practice tests, and retests built from exactly the questions you got wrong.
  • Every level up to Prepared — 3 tests passed in a row.
  • Do the work, fail the real exam, and we refund you.

What Connecticut tests

127 concepts, 627 separate rules. Each one is a page of its own.

Questions from the Connecticut test

What class is an ordinary Connecticut non-commercial driver's license?

Class D. Class D is the ordinary license. Knowing its name is how you tell it from the ones a truck or a bus needs. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.4: “A non-commercial driver's license is known and designated as Class D.”

When must a Connecticut learner have a permit in hand?

Before beginning to practice driving. Practice on a public road without one is not practice, it is driving unlicensed. The permit is what makes the lesson legal. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.4: “A learner's permit is required before you begin practicing driving.”

How many of the 25 knowledge test questions must be answered correctly?

20 questions. Twenty of twenty-five leaves room for five misses and no more. Knowing the margin is what tells you how much study is enough. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.5: “The knowledge test consists of 25 questions and you need 20 correct answers to pass.”

What is the minimum vision requirement for a Connecticut license?

20/40 with or without corrective lenses. Glasses count toward the standard. What matters is what you can see while driving, not what you can see unaided. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.5: “The minimum vision requirements for all classes of license are at least 20/40 with or without glasses or contact lenses.”

Where must the person instructing a Connecticut permit holder sit?

In the front passenger seat next to the learner. A trainer in the back seat cannot reach the wheel. Sitting in front is what makes the rescue possible at all. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.5: “The person giving instruction to the learner's permit holder must sit in the front passenger seat next to the learner and must be alert and ready to take over control of the vehicle.”

What must every 16- and 17-year-old applicant complete before being licensed?

A driver training program from one of three approved routes. Three routes, one requirement. A teen who skips all three is not eligible for the road test at all. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.6: “All 16- and 17-year-old applicants for a driver's license must complete a driver training program through one of the following”

How many hours of instruction must a teen permit holder's parent complete?

Two hours. The rules only work if the adult at home knows them. Two hours is what the state asks of the parent, not the teen. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.6: “A parent or legal guardian of a 16- or 17-year-old who obtains a learner's permit is required to complete two hours of instruction with his or her teen concerning the laws governing drivers under age 18 and the dangers of teen driving.”

What is the minimum age of a Connecticut home training instructor?

20 years of age. The same bar the state sets for a paid instructor. A recently licensed older sibling does not clear it. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.6: “Applicants for home training must train with an instructor who is at least 20 years of age or older, and who has held a license for four or more years prior to training, which has not been suspended during the four year period.”

How long must an applicant aged 18 or over hold a permit before the road test?

At least 90 days. Being an adult shortens the wait but does not remove it. Ninety days of supervised driving still has to happen. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.7: “A person 18 years of age or older must obtain and hold a learner's permit for at least 90 days prior to taking a road test.”

What must the vehicle brought to a Connecticut road test have?

A valid registration and proof of insurance. The examiner will not drive in a car that is not roadworthy or not covered, and the test is over before it starts. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.7: “At the time of the road test you must appear at the office with a vehicle that is appropriate for the license class for which you are applying that is mechanically safe, and have a valid registration and proof of insurance.”

Who may ride with a newly licensed 16-year-old in the first six months?

A parent or legal guardian who holds a valid license. The first six months are when a new teen driver crashes most, and other teens in the car is what makes it worse. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.8: “During the first six months the newly licensed driver may not have any passengers in the vehicle except for:”

What limits the number of passengers a Connecticut teen driver may carry?

The number of seat belts in the vehicle. An unbelted passenger is the one thrown across the car. The seat belt count is the state's cap on how many ride. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.34: “Passenger restrictions; Driving curfew; Operating public service vehicle or vanpool; More passengers than seat belts”

What does it cost to register as an organ and tissue donor at the DMV?

Nothing. Cost is the reason people put it off, and there is none. It is a box at the counter, not a transaction. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.8: “there is “no fee” to be registered as an organ and tissue donor.”

What must be submitted before a Connecticut limited license is issued?

Reports made by one or more physicians. The point is to license people who can still drive safely, and a doctor's report plus a drive is how that is decided. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.9: “Before a limited license is issued to a person, reports made by one or more physicians must be submitted and the person may be required to pass an on-the-road skills test with a DMV inspector.”

Whose duty is it to make sure a vehicle is safe to operate?

The driver's. Nobody checks the car for you before a trip. The duty sits with whoever turns the key. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.11: “It is the duty of drivers to make certain that the vehicles they drive are safe to operate.”

What can stop a vehicle?

The brakes. Downshifting and coasting slow a car; they do not stop it. Brakes that are failing leave nothing behind them. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.11: “Only your brakes can stop your vehicle.”

How much of the glass must be cleared of snow and ice before driving?

All of the windows. A cleared patch the size of a face leaves everything else hidden, including the cyclist beside you. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.11: “Clear snow, ice, or frost from all windows before driving.”

What do worn tires do on a wet road?

Increase stopping distance and make turning harder. Tread cuts water out from under the tire. Without it the rubber rides on the water instead of the road. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.11: “Worn or bald tires can increase your stopping distance and make turning more difficult when the road is wet.”

What does a car that keeps bouncing after a bump need looking at?

The shocks or other suspension parts. Suspension keeps the tires pressed on the road. Bouncing means they are leaving it, and a tire in the air steers nothing. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.12: “If the vehicle bounces a lot, after a bump or a stop, or is hard to control, you may need new shocks or other suspension parts.”

What does a delay between turning the wheel and the car turning mean?

The steering needs checking by a mechanic. Slack in the steering shows up as a delay. In a fast correction that delay is the whole of the distance you needed. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.12: “hard to turn or does not turn when the steering wheel is first turned, have the steering checked by a mechanic.”

Who must wear a safety belt in a Connecticut vehicle?

The driver and the passengers. The belt is what keeps you behind the wheel in a crash, and a driver thrown sideways is steering nothing. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.12: “In Connecticut, it is illegal to drive or to be a passenger without wearing a safety belt.”

Up to what age must a Connecticut child be secured in a proper restraint system?

Under 16. A belt made for an adult sits across a child's neck. The restraint is what puts the load where a small body can take it. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.12: “State law requires children under 16 to be secured in proper child restraint and safety systems while riding in a vehicle.”

How long does it take to undo a safety belt?

Less than a second. The fear is of being held in. Being knocked out is what actually holds you in, and the belt prevents that. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.13: “It takes less than a second to undo a safety belt.”

What does Connecticut law say about a hand-held phone while driving?

It may not be used on a public highway. A phone in the hand takes one hand off the wheel and most of the mind off the road at the same time. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.13: “Hand-held cell phones or mobile electronic devices may not be used while operating a motor vehicle on any public highway.”

What insurance does Connecticut require on a registered vehicle?

Continuous coverage. A gap of a week is still a gap. The state checks that the cover never stopped, not that it exists today. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.13: “Connecticut law requires continuous insurance coverage on any registered vehicle.”

What should be on before a vehicle is started?

The parking brake. A car that starts in gear can move before you are ready for it. The brake is what holds it while you find out. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.14: “Make sure the parking brake is on before you start the vehicle.”

Where does the left hand sit on the steering wheel?

Between 8 and 10 o'clock. Hands opposite each other can turn the wheel without letting go, which is what a sudden swerve needs. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.14: “Both hands should be placed on opposite sides of the steering wheel (i.e., left hand between 8 and 10 o'clock and right hand between 2 and 4 o'clock).”

How far ahead do safer drivers look?

At least 12 seconds. Twelve seconds is how far ahead trouble has to be for you to steer around it instead of braking at it. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.14: “Safer drivers tend to look at least 12 seconds ahead of their vehicles.”

Why does a driver look to the sides?

Because traffic may cross or enter their path. What hits you at an intersection comes from the side, and it is the direction a driver looking down the road has stopped watching. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.14: “As other vehicles, bicycles or pedestrians may cross or enter your path at any time, you should look to the sides to make sure no one is coming.”

Which of these is an intersection?

A shopping center entrance. A driveway is an intersection. Treating it as one is what stops a car appearing from a parking lot being a surprise. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.15: “Intersections are any place where traffic merges or crosses.”

What does a driver do on approaching any railroad crossing?

Slow down and look up and down the tracks. A train cannot swerve and cannot stop in the distance you can see. Looking is the whole of the defense. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.15: “As you approach any railroad crossing, slow down and look up and down the tracks to make sure that no trains are coming.”

What is a work zone?

Any roadwork that may delay traffic conditions. Knowing what counts as one is what tells a driver the orange signs are about to start meaning something. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.15: “A work zone is any type of roadwork that may delay traffic conditions.”

What does Connecticut's Vulnerable User's Law provide?

Higher penalties for drivers who injure a vulnerable user. A person outside a car has no metal around them, and the law prices the failure to remember that. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.16: “Connecticut has a Vulnerable User's Law which provides for higher penalties for drivers who fail to exercise reasonable care and cause the serious injury or death of a vulnerable user.”

Which vehicles must a driver yield to?

Emergency vehicles using a siren or flashing lights. Whatever they are going to is worse than your delay, and the seconds you cost them are the ones that count. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.16: “You must yield the right-of-way to police vehicles, fire engines, ambulances or other emergency vehicles using sirens, air horns or red or blue flashing lights.”

What does the Move Over Law require a driver to do about speed?

Slow down below the posted speed limit. Someone is standing beside that car, inches from a lane of traffic. Slowing is what buys them room. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.16: “When any vehicle is pulled over on any part of a highway or road, drivers must: • SLOW DOWN (below the posted speed limit) and...”

Who generally has the right of way in a crosswalk?

Pedestrians. A person on foot loses every argument with a car, so the rule puts the duty on the side that can stop. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.16: “Generally, pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks.”

What does the manual say about children as pedestrians?

They are the least predictable and hardest to see. A child does not check for traffic before chasing a ball, and a child is short enough to be hidden by a parked car. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.16: “Children are often the least predictable pedestrians and the most difficult to see.”

Who must a driver give the right-of-way to?

A pedestrian carrying a white cane. They cannot see you decide to go. The right-of-way has to sit with the person who cannot check. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.16: “You must give the right-of-way to a pedestrian with a guide dog or who is carrying a white cane, with or without a colored tip.”

What are bicycles considered when used on roadways?

Vehicles, following the same rules of the road. A cyclist who rides like traffic is predictable. Treating them as something else is what makes a driver guess wrong. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.17: “Bicyclists are considered vehicles when used on roadways. They are expected to follow the same rules of the road as motorized vehicles.”

How much of a lane may a motorcycle operator use?

A complete traffic lane. A bike needs the whole lane to move around a pothole. A car sharing it takes that room away at the worst moment. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.18: “Motorcycle operators have the right to use a complete traffic lane and two motorcycles may share a lane. Do not pass a motorcycle in the same lane.”

What speed do farm tractors and roadway maintenance vehicles usually travel at?

25 mph or less. Closing on something doing twenty-five while you do fifty takes seconds. The decal is the warning that it is that slow. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.18: “Farm tractors, animal-drawn vehicles and roadway maintenance vehicles usually go 25 mph or less.”

How far from an ice cream truck with its stop arm out must a driver stop?

At least 10 feet. Children run to and from an ice cream truck without looking, and ten feet is the room that lets you see them coming. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.18: “to stop their vehicles at least 10 feet from the front or back of the truck”

How must horseback riders travel on a Connecticut road?

Single file near the right edge. Single file at the edge keeps the horse out of the travel lane, which is the only place a car can safely pass. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.18: “They also must ride single file near the right curb or road edge, or on a usable right shoulder, lane or path.”

What is true of trucks, buses and recreational vehicles?

They accelerate slowly and need greater stopping distances. Everything a big vehicle does takes longer. Judging it by what a car would do is what puts a car under one. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.19: “They accelerate slowly and require greater stopping and turning distances.”

What must a driver have before starting to pass a truck?

Room to complete the pass without excessive speed. A pass that needs speeding to finish is a pass that was never long enough, and you find that out alongside the truck. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.19: “Always make sure you have room to complete your pass without having to resort to excessive speed.”

What is the minimum following interval behind a truck?

Three seconds. Behind a trailer you cannot see the road at all, so the gap is the only warning you are going to get. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.20: “Never follow a truck at a time interval of less than three seconds.”

What is off-track?

The rear wheels following a shorter path than the front wheels. It is why a truck swings left before turning right. The trailer is going to cut the corner whatever the cab does. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.20: “On every vehicle, the rear wheels follow a shorter path than the front wheels. The longer the vehicle, the shorter the path followed by the rear wheels. This is called off-track.”

What is an entrance ramp for?

Reaching the speed of traffic before joining. Joining slower than the traffic makes everyone behind brake for you, and a highway braking for one car is how pileups start. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.20: “Use the ramp to reach the speed of other vehicles before you pull onto the road.”

What is true of vehicles moving in the same direction at the same speed?

They cannot hit one another. Crashes between two cars going the same way need a difference in speed. Matching the traffic removes it. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.21: “Vehicles moving in the same direction at the same speed cannot hit one another.”

How large an opening does crossing traffic need?

Large enough to get all the way across. Stopping halfway leaves part of the car in a live lane, and the driver arriving there is not expecting it. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.21: “When you cross traffic, you need a large enough opening to get all the way across the road.”

What causes rear-end crashes?

Following too closely to stop in time. The car ahead can always stop faster than you expect, and the gap is the only thing that answers for it. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.21: “Rear-end crashes are very common. They are caused by drivers who follow too closely to be able to stop before hitting the vehicle ahead when it suddenly stops.”

How does a driver help the vehicle behind keep a safe distance?

By keeping a steady speed and signaling in advance. The car behind is planning around what you do next. Warning them early is the whole of what you can offer. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.22: “you can help keep the driver at a safe distance by keeping a steady speed and signaling in advance when you have to slow down or turn”

What should a driver do rather than drive alongside another vehicle?

Move ahead of it or drop behind it. Side by side you have nowhere to go if either of you needs the space. Ahead or behind, you both do. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.22: “Avoid driving next to other vehicles on multi-lane roads.”

Where should a driver avoid positioning their car?

In another vehicle's blind spot. A driver who cannot see you will change lanes into you, and they will not know you were there until the noise. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.22: “Drive your vehicle where others can see you. Do not drive in another vehicle's blind spot.”

What does a driver do where people and traffic gather?

Lower their speed to have time to react. Space and time are the same thing at the wheel. Where the space is gone, slowing is the only way to buy time. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.22: “Wherever people or traffic gathers, your room to maneuver is limited.”

Which of these counts as changing lanes?

Entering the roadway from the curb. Pulling out from the curb is a lane change, and a driver who does not think of it that way skips the checks. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.23: “Changing lanes includes: moving from one lane to another, merging onto a roadway from an entrance ramp, and entering the roadway from the curb or shoulder.”

How long does passing take at 55 mph?

About 10 seconds. A pass is a plan about the future. Ten seconds is how far into it you have to be able to see. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.23: “At a speed of 55 mph, you need about 10 seconds to pass.”

What does a no passing zone marking tell a driver?

They cannot see far enough ahead to pass. The marking is not an opinion about your car. It is a measurement of how much road you can actually see. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.23: “Signs or lane markings that indicate a no passing zone tell you that you cannot see far enough ahead to pass.”

What is the left-most lane intended for?

Passing slower vehicles. A lane kept clear for passing means overtaking happens in one predictable place instead of anywhere. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.23: “The left-most lane is intended for passing slower vehicles.”

Which lane does a driver turn into where nothing controls the turn?

The lane closest to the one they came from. Turning that way crosses the fewest lanes of traffic, which is the fewest chances to meet somebody. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.23: “you should turn from the lane that is closest to the direction you want to go and turn into the lane closest to the one you came from”

When may a Connecticut driver back up in a travel lane?

To parallel park or perform a three-point turn. Drivers do not expect a car to come toward them, and by the time they realize it is reversing there is no time left. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.24: “Never back a vehicle in any travel lane, it is illegal and unsafe to do so, except to parallel park or to perform a three-point or K turn.”

What is the single biggest contributor to crashes?

Failing to see what is happening. Most crashes are not a skill failure at the wheel. They are a driver who never knew the thing was there. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.24: “The single biggest contributor to crashes is failing to see what is happening.”

Which of these requires a driver to slow down?

Standing water on the road. Each of those takes away grip, and grip is what a posted speed limit quietly assumed you had. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.25: “you must slow down before a sharp curve, when the roadway is slippery, and when there is standing water on the road”

When does a driver slow for rain, snow or sleet?

At the first sign of it. The first few minutes are the worst, and waiting to feel the car slide is waiting until it is too late. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.25: “Slow down at the first sign of rain, snow, or sleet.”

Up to about what speed do most tires keep good traction on a wet road?

35 mph. The tread can only pump so much water a second. Past that speed the water wins and the tire floats. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.25: “When it is raining or the road is wet, most tires have good traction up to about 35 mph.”

What can aggressive driving evolve into?

Violent behavior known as road rage. It starts as impatience and ends somewhere neither driver intended, which is why it has its own name. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.25: “Aggressive driving, which can evolve into violent behavior known as “road rage,” can cause many serious problems on our highways, including the deaths of drivers and passengers.”

What does a driver do when another vehicle wants to pass?

Yield to the right. Holding the left lane is the single thing most likely to provoke the driver behind you. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.26: “Don't block the passing lane. Stay out of the far left lane and yield to the right for any vehicle that wants to pass.”

What is a driver distraction?

Anything that takes attention away from driving. Naming it broadly is the point. A thought counts, not only a phone. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.27: “A distraction is anything that takes your attention away from driving.”

What does fatigue do to a driver?

Impairs vision and judgment. It is treated as an impairment rather than an inconvenience, because it does the same things to a driver. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.27: “Just like alcohol and drugs, it impairs your vision and judgment.”

Which of these can affect a person's driving?

A bad cold or a stiff neck. A stiff neck stops you doing a shoulder check, and a cough closes your eyes for a moment at a time. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.28: “Many health problems – a bad cold, infection or virus can affect your driving.”

In what share of fatal traffic crashes is alcohol involved?

More than 40 percent. It is the largest single factor in fatal crashes, which is why the penalties around it are the heaviest. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.33: “Alcohol is involved in more than 40 percent of the traffic crashes in which someone is killed.”

Which drugs can affect a person's ability to drive safely?

Prescription and over-the-counter drugs alike. A drug bought without a prescription can do as much to a driver as one that needed one. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.33: “This is true of many prescription drugs, and even many over-the-counter drugs.”

Which tests may a driver arrested for DUI be asked to take?

A blood, breath or urine test. The test is the evidence the case turns on, and refusing it carries its own penalty rather than avoiding one. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.33: “you will be asked to submit to a blood, breath, or urine test, which shows your blood alcohol content (BAC)”

What does DMV do to a 16-year-old convicted of street racing?

Suspends the license or the privilege to obtain one. For a teen these are license offenses rather than ticket offenses, which is a different order of consequence. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.34: “DMV will suspend the driver's license or privilege to obtain a license of a 16- or 17-year-old for any conviction of violating a teen driving restriction, speeding, reckless driving, street racing or using a cell phone or text messaging device.”

Which offense bars a Connecticut driver under 18 from youthful offender status?

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Youthful offender status shields a record. These three offenses are where Connecticut removes the shield. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.35: “Someone under the age of 18 who commits the following cannot be considered a youthful offender”

What lights does a Connecticut police vehicle use to stop a driver?

Flashing blue, or flashing blue and red. Knowing the colors is how a driver tells a real stop from someone else's emergency behind them. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.35: “Police vehicles attempting to stop drivers will do so by means of a visual, flashing blue or flashing blue and red lights, or audible signal.”

How many violations put a Connecticut driver aged 24 or younger into the retraining program?

Two or more. The threshold is lower for a young driver than an older one, because the crash risk at that age is higher. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.35: “Anyone age 24 or younger who commits two or more moving violations or suspension violations must complete the DMVcertified operator retraining program.”

What are Connecticut speed limits based on?

The design of the road and the vehicles that use it. The limit accounts for side roads and driveways you cannot see, which is why it is not a matter of how the road feels. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.36: “They are based on the design of the road and the types of vehicles that use them.”

What is the problem with driving much slower than surrounding traffic?

It makes vehicles bunch up and forces others to pass. Every pass is a chance for a crash, and a slow driver is manufacturing them one car at a time. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.36: “Going much slower than other vehicles can be just as bad as speeding.”

What does a sudden stop usually point to?

A driver who was not paying attention. A panic stop is a failure that happened several seconds earlier, when the driver was not looking far enough ahead. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.36: “Stopping suddenly is dangerous and usually points to a driver who was not paying attention.”

What does Connecticut's right-of-way law actually do?

It says who must yield. Right of way is something you give, never something you take. A driver who insists on it is the one who causes the crash. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.36: “The law says who must yield the right-of-way. It does not give anyone the right-of-way.”

Who yields when one driver turns left and another comes straight on?

The driver turning left. The oncoming driver has no reason to expect your turn, and they are covering ground while you decide. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.36: “Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming vehicles going straight.”

Who yields when a car pulls out of a driveway?

The driver entering from the driveway. Traffic on the main road is traveling at speed and has no reason to expect you. The gap is yours to find. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.37: “Drivers entering a road from a driveway, alley or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road.”

When must a driver stop for a school bus with red lights flashing?

Whether it is on their side of the road or the opposite side. Children cross in front of and behind the bus, and a car coming the other way is the one that does not see them. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.37: “You must stop for a school bus that is stopped with its red lights flashing whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side of the road, or at an intersection you are approaching.”

What controls a roundabout?

A circular island in the center. Knowing it is an intersection rather than a curve is what makes a driver look for the yield rather than the apex. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.37: “Roundabouts are intersections that are controlled by a circular island in the center.”

What does a driver check before making a U-turn?

For signs prohibiting U-turns. Legality varies by location rather than by driver judgment, and the sign is the only way to tell. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.37: “U-turns are not legal everywhere. So before you make a U-turn, check for signs prohibiting them.”

What is a driver responsible for when parking?

That the vehicle is not a hazard where it is left. A car parked around a blind curve is a wall that appears without warning, and the driver who parked it chose that. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.37: “Drivers are responsible for making sure that their vehicle is not a hazard when it is parked.”

How far from a stop sign must a Connecticut driver park?

At least 25 feet. A car parked at the sign hides it, and hides the traffic the driver at the sign is trying to see. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.37: “Some parking restrictions are indicated by colored curb markings. Do not park: • In an intersection. • On a crosswalk or sidewalk. • In a construction area if your vehicle will block traffic. • Within 25 feet of a stop sign.”

When does Connecticut law require headlights with the wipers on?

Whenever the wipers are turned on. Rain that is heavy enough for wipers is heavy enough to hide your car from the driver coming the other way. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.38: “Remember, if you turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights. It's the law.”

How much further do high beams let a driver see than low beams?

Twice as far. Twice the sight distance is twice the time to react, and on an unlit road that is the whole of your margin. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.38: “High beams let you see twice as far as low beams.”

What limits a safe speed at night?

The distance the headlights show. Darkness shortens your sight line without shortening your stopping distance, and only speed can close the gap. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.38: “You must be able to stop within the distance you can see with your headlights.”

What horn use does the manual give for a situation with no immediate danger?

A light tap. The horn is a tool with two settings, and using the loud one for a minor warning wastes it. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.38: “If there is no immediate danger, a light tap on the horn should be all you need.”

Which of these needs a signal?

Merging into traffic. Other drivers plan around what you are doing now. The signal is the only notice they get of what is next. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.38: “You should use your turn signals or hand signal before you change lanes, turn, merge into traffic, or park.”

What tells the driver behind that you are slowing?

The brake lights. Early braking gives the driver behind the same warning you had, which is the difference between a stop and a rear-end crash. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.39: “Your brake lights let people know that you are slowing down.”

What is the first thing to do when a vehicle breaks down on a highway?

Get it off the road and away from traffic. Crashes happen because a driver did not see a stalled car in time. Off the road it cannot be hit at all. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.39: “Get your vehicle off the road and away from traffic if at all possible.”

What is the first thing to try when the brakes stop working?

Pump the brake pedal several times. Most brake failures leave some pressure in the system, and pumping is how you collect what is left. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.39: “Pump the brake pedal several times. This will often build up enough brake pressure to allow you to stop.”

What three options does a driver have to avoid a collision?

Stop, turn or speed up. Many drivers freeze because they think braking is the only choice. Naming three is what unsticks them. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.40: “In avoiding a collision, drivers have three options: stop, turn or speed up.”

What causes a skid?

Tires that can no longer grip the road. A skid is a speed that was already wrong, arriving late. Nothing done at the wheel afterward is as good as not skidding. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.40: “Skids are caused when the tires can no longer grip the road.”

When should a driver stop at someone else's crash?

When emergency help has not yet arrived. Extra stopped cars block the route the ambulance needs and give the traffic behind something else to hit. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.41: “Do not stop at an accident unless you are involved or if emergency help has not yet arrived.”

What does a driver do when about to be hit from the rear?

Press back against the seat and be ready to brake. The second impact is the one you can still do something about, and it is the one the brake pedal prevents. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.41: “Press yourself against the back of your seat and put your head against the head restraint.”

What does a driver do with a vehicle that can still move after a crash?

Get it off the road. A crashed car left in a lane collects the next car, which is how a two-vehicle crash becomes a five-vehicle one. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.41: “If your vehicle can move, get it off the road so that it does not block traffic or cause another crash.”

Whose names and addresses should be collected after a crash?

Everyone involved and any witnesses. Memory of a crash fades within hours, and a witness who drives off cannot be found again. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.41: “Get the names and addresses of all people involved in the accident and any witnesses, including injured persons.”

What do lines and symbols on the roadway do?

Divide lanes and control how they are used. The paint is instructions rather than decoration, and most of what a road tells you is written on its surface. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.43: “Lines and symbols on the roadway divide lanes, tell you when you may pass other vehicles or change lanes, which lanes to use for turns, where you must stop for signs or traffic signals, and define pedestrian walkways.”

What do yellow center lines separate?

Traffic moving in opposite directions. Yellow beside you means something is coming the other way, and that is the one thing you cannot share a lane with. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.43: “Center lines are yellow lines that separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions.”

Where must a vehicle stop at a marked stop line?

Before reaching the line. The stop line is drawn where the driver can still see cross traffic and where crossing pedestrians have room. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.44: “you must stop before your vehicle reaches the stop line”

How is a reserved lane identified?

By signs stating the lane is reserved for special use. The sign is the authority. A lane that merely looks empty is not a lane you may use. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.44: “Reserved lanes are marked by signs stating that the lane is reserved for special use and often have a white diamond posted at the side of the road or painted on the road surface.”

What is a shared center lane used for?

Making left turns from either direction. It is the one lane in America that cars enter from opposite directions on purpose, which is why it is only for turning. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.44: “These center lanes are reserved for making left turns (or U-turns when they are permitted), but can be used by vehicles traveling in both directions.”

How is a reversible lane usually marked?

By double-dashed yellow lines. The lane that was yours this morning belongs to oncoming traffic this evening, and nothing on the road changes but the signals. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.44: “These lanes are usually marked by double-dashed yellow lines.”

What do yellow or white diagonal stripes mark?

Fixed obstructions. The stripes are painted where something solid stands in or beside the roadway, such as a bridge pier. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.44: “Yellow or white diagonal stripes are used to mark fixed obstructions.”

What does a green traffic light mean?

You can go if it is safe. Green is permission rather than instruction, and that difference is what a driver who never looks first misses. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.45: “A green light means you can go if it is safe. A yellow light means caution, and a red light means stop.”

What must a driver wait for at a red light before moving ahead?

A green light and no crossing traffic. The green is not the whole permission. Crossing traffic finishing its move is still crossing traffic. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.45: “You must wait until the traffic light turns green and there is no crossing traffic before you may move ahead.”

What does a yellow traffic light require?

Stopping, if it is safe to do so. Yellow is a warning that the permission is ending, not an invitation to hurry through. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.45: “Yellow traffic lights mean the traffic light is about to change to red. You must stop if it is safe to do so.”

What does a flashing red traffic light mean?

The same as a stop sign. It is used where an intersection needs a stop at all hours but a full signal cycle is not warranted. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.45: “A flashing red traffic light means the same as a stop sign. You must come to a full stop and you may proceed when it is safe to do so.”

What does a red arrow require?

Stopping, with no movement in that direction. A red arrow is a red light for one movement only, and drivers treat it as advice far more often than a red lamp. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.45: “A red arrow means you must stop and you cannot go in the direction of the arrow.”

What activates a HAWK signal?

A pedestrian pressing a push button. It sits where there is no intersection, so a driver meets a stop signal in a place that has never had one. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.45: “High-Intensity Activated CrossWalK (HAWK) Signals A pedestrian signal activated by a push button.”

What does an eight-sided sign always mean?

Stop. Shape carries the message when the face is covered with snow or seen from behind, which is why it is unique. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.46: “The octagon (eight-sided) shape always means stop.”

What do all red signs have in common?

They are regulatory and must be obeyed. Red is the color the system reserves for rules you have no discretion about. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.47: “All red signs are regulatory signs and must be obeyed.”

What must a driver do at this sign before pulling forward?

Wait until crossing vehicles and pedestrians have cleared. The stop is only the setup. What it buys is the look, and the look is not finished until the crossing traffic is gone. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.47: “You must wait until crossing vehicles and pedestrians have cleared.”

What is ahead when a driver passes this sign?

Traffic signals. It is posted where the signal cannot be seen in time, typically beyond a crest or a bend. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.49: “Traffic signals are ahead. Slow down and prepare to stop.”

What does this sign tell a driver about the highway ahead?

It is split into two separate one-way roadways. It is the moment a road stops being two-way, and the driver who does not notice ends up on the wrong roadway. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.50: “The highway ahead is split into two separate roadways by a median or divider and each roadway is one-way. Keep right.”

What does this sign do for a driver?

Directs them to certain places. They carry no legal duty at all, which is what separates them from every other sign on the road. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.50: “These are signs that direct a motorist to certain places. They tell you where you are, what road you are on and how to get where you want to go.”

What does this sign warn a driver about?

People working on or near the roadway. Workers have no protection at all, so the sign is asking for the one thing a driver can give: slower speed. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.51: “These warn you that people are working on or near the roadway.”

What is ahead when a driver passes this sign?

A railroad crossing. It is the advance warning, put far enough back that a driver can slow before the tracks come into view. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.52: “is placed along the road before you get to a railroad crossing”

What does the manual say about beating a train across the tracks?

Never try it, at any crossing. A train is bigger and closer than it looks, and it cannot stop or steer out of your way. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.51: “Never try to beat a train across the tracks.”

Who controls traffic in a work area where there is no signal?

A person with a sign or a flag. A flagger is holding back one direction so the other can pass, and ignoring them puts two streams into one lane. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.51: “In work areas, a person with a sign or a flag may control traffic. You must obey these persons.”

What do the shape and color of a route number sign indicate?

The type of roadway. One glance at the shape tells you whether the road ahead is a freeway or a village street. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.51: “The shape and color of a route number sign indicate the type of roadway: interstate, U.S., state, city, or county road.”

What do highway message boards carry information about?

Traffic, road and weather conditions. They carry what no printed sign can: what is wrong with this road today rather than what is always true of it. Connecticut Driver's Manual, p.52: “You may see portable or permanent message boards along the highway.”

Where these come from

Every rule here is checked against Connecticut Driver's Manual, published by the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, and against the state code itself. Last checked 2026-09-16.