Connecticut driving law, answered
Every answer here comes from Connecticut Driver's Manual and, where the manual is silent, the Connecticut General Statutes: Chapter 246, Part I: Definitions, Chapter 246, Part III (§§ 14-12 to 14-50b): Registration and Licenses, Chapter 246, Part V: Equipment, Chapter 246, Part VI: Jurisdiction and Procedure, Chapter 246, Part VII: General Provisions, Chapter 247: Uniform Motor Vehicle Certificate of Title and Antitheft Act, Chapter 248: Vehicle Highway Use, Chapter 249, Part I: Traffic Control, Sections 38a-335 and 38a-371: Minimum Coverages and Mandatory Security, Section 30-89: Purchase or Possession of Liquor by a Minor, Sections 53a-56b, 53a-57 and 53a-60d: Crimes with a Motor Vehicle, with the page or the section it is in.
Statutes fetched on 7 October 2026; manuals fetched on 14 September 2026. How the answers are made
How far from a fire hydrant must you park?
Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. A hose has to reach the hydrant from the truck, and a car in the way costs minutes a fire does not give.
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. • Within 25 feet of a pedestrian safety zone. • Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?
(b) No vehicle shall be permitted to remain parked within twenty-five feet of an intersection or an approach to a marked crosswalk, except (1) within ten feet of such intersection or marked crosswalk if such intersection or marked crosswalk has a curb extension treatment with a width equal to or greater than the width of the parking lane, or (2) if there is an available parking space that was established on or before October 1, 2022. No vehicle shall be permitted to remain parked within twenty-five feet of a stop sign caused to be erected by the traffic authority in accordance with the provisions of section 14-301, except where permitted by the traffic authority of the city of New Haven at the intersection of one-way streets located in and comprised entirely of highways under the jurisdiction of the city of New Haven.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-251(b)
As of 7 Oct 2026
May you park in or near an intersection?
Do not park in an intersection, on a crosswalk or sidewalk, on a bridge or overpass, in a tunnel or underpass, on the wrong side of the street, or on railroad tracks. Each of these is a place where a parked car forces someone else out into traffic to get past it.
Some parking restrictions are indicated by colored curb markings. Do not park: • In an intersection. • On a crosswalk or sidewalk.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?
Do not park within 25 feet of a stop sign. A car parked at the sign hides it, and hides the traffic the driver at the sign is trying to see.
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.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How close to the curb must you park?
Do not park more than one foot from the curb. A car standing further out narrows the lane for everyone passing it, including the cyclist squeezing by.
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. • Within 25 feet of a pedestrian safety zone. • Within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. • More than one foot from the curb.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
You must stop for a school bus stopped with its red lights flashing, whether it is on your side of the road, the opposite side, or at an intersection you are approaching. Children cross in front of and behind the bus, and a car coming the other way is the one that does not see them.
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.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?
(a) No driver of a vehicle other than one on official business relating to the emergency shall follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred feet or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-296b(a)
As of 7 Oct 2026
When must you turn on your headlights?
If you turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights; in Connecticut it is the law. Rain that is heavy enough for wipers is heavy enough to hide your car from the driver coming the other way.
Remember, if you turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights. It's the law.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?
Whenever a motor vehicle is being operated on a roadway or shoulder adjacent thereto during the times specified in subsection (a) of section 14-96a, the driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, directed high enough and of sufficient intensity to reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle, subject to the following requirements and limitations: (1) Whenever a driver of a vehicle approaches an oncoming vehicle within five hundred feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into the eyes of the oncoming driver. The lowermost distribution of light, or composite beam, specified in subsection (b) of section 14-96t shall be dimmed to avoid glare at all times, regardless of road contour and loading. (2) Whenever the driver of a vehicle approaches another vehicle from the rear, within three hundred feet, such driver shall use a distribution of light permissible under sections 14-96a to 14-96aa, inclusive, other than the uppermost distribution of light specified in subsection (a) of section 14-96t. Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-96u
As of 7 Oct 2026
Who must wear a seat belt?
In Connecticut it is illegal to drive or to ride as a passenger without wearing a safety belt. The belt is what keeps you behind the wheel in a crash, and a driver thrown sideways is steering nothing.
In Connecticut, it is illegal to drive or to be a passenger without wearing a safety belt.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When must a child ride in a car seat?
A child under age 2, or weighing less than 30 pounds whatever their age, rides in a rear-facing car seat or a rear-facing convertible seat with a five-point harness. A baby's neck cannot hold its head in a frontal crash. Facing backward spreads that force across the whole back.
Under age 2, or weighing less than 30 pounds, regardless of age Rear-facing-only car seat or rear facing convertible seat with a 5-point harness
As of 14 Sep 2026
What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?
(a) Operation while under the influence or while having an elevated blood alcohol content. Definitions. No person shall operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both. A person commits the offense of operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both if such person operates a motor vehicle (1) while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any drug or both, or (2) while such person has an elevated blood alcohol content. For the purposes of this section, “elevated blood alcohol content” means a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is eight-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, except that if such person is operating a commercial motor vehicle, “elevated blood alcohol content” means a ratio of alcohol in the blood of such person that is four-hundredths of one per cent or more of alcohol, by weight, and “motor vehicle” includes a snowmobile and all-terrain vehicle, as those terms are defined in section 14-379. For purposes of this section, section 14-227b and section 14-227c, (A) “advanced roadside impaired driving enforcement” means a program developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration with the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Technical Advisory Panel, which focuses on impaired driving enforcement education for police officers, or any successor to such program; (B) “drug influence evaluation” means an evaluation developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the International Association of Chiefs of Police that is conducted by a drug recognition expert to determine the level of a person's impairment from the use of drugs and the drug category causing such impairment; (C) “drug recognition expert” means a person certified by the International Association of Chiefs of Police as having met all requirements of the International Drug Evaluation and Classification Program; and (D) “nontestimonial portion of a drug influence evaluation” means a drug influence evaluation conducted by a drug recognition expert that does not include a verbal interview with the subject.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(a)
As of 7 Oct 2026
What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?
A Connecticut driver under 21 is subject to zero tolerance: penalties apply for driving with any measurable alcohol in the blood, defined as two hundredths of one percent or more, on public roads and on private property. There is no allowance to work with under 21, and private property is covered as well as the public road.
In addition, if you are under 21 years of age, you are subject to “zero tolerance.” The law provides penalties for driving with any measurable amount of alcohol in your blood, defined as two hundredths of one percent (.02%) or more on both public roads and private property.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?
Whatever your age, refusing to take a test suspends your operator's license for at least 45 days. Refusing does not leave the state without a penalty, so there is nothing to gain by declining the test.
Regardless of age, if you refuse to take a test, your operator's license will be suspended for at least 45 days.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you use a handheld phone while driving?
Hand-held cell phones and mobile electronic devices may not be used while driving on any public highway in Connecticut. A phone in the hand takes one hand off the wheel and most of the mind off the road at the same time.
Hand-held cell phones or mobile electronic devices may not be used while operating a motor vehicle on any public highway.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you text while driving?
(b) (1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection and subsections (c) and (d) of this section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle upon a highway, as defined in section 14-1, while using a hand-held mobile telephone to engage in a call or while using a mobile electronic device. An operator of a motor vehicle who types, sends or reads a text message with a hand-held mobile telephone or mobile electronic device while operating a motor vehicle shall be in violation of this section, except that if such operator is driving a commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, such operator shall be charged with a violation of subsection (e) of this section.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-296aa(b)
As of 7 Oct 2026
How far before a turn must you signal?
(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-242(b)
As of 7 Oct 2026
May you turn right on a red light?
In Connecticut you may turn right at a red light after stopping, unless a traffic sign prohibits it. The stop is the condition, not a formality. The sign is what takes the turn away entirely.
You may turn right at a red light after stopping, unless it is prohibited by a traffic sign.
As of 14 Sep 2026
May you turn left on a red light onto a one-way street?
(3) Red alone: Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal alone shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and remain standing until the next indication is shown; provided, on or after July 1, 1979, vehicular traffic traveling in the travel lane nearest the right hand curb or other defined edge of the roadway, unless a sign approved by the Office of the State Traffic Administration has been erected in the appropriate place prohibiting this movement, may cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn onto a two-way street or onto another one-way street on which all the traffic is moving to such vehicle's right after such vehicle has stopped as required in this subdivision and yielded the right-of-way to pedestrians within an adjacent crosswalk and to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. Pedestrians facing a steady red signal alone, except when directed by separate pedestrian-control signals, shall not enter the roadway.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-299(b)(3)
As of 7 Oct 2026
Where are U-turns not allowed?
(d) No person shall turn a vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to, or near the crest of, a grade, where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within five hundred feet, or at any location where signs prohibiting U-turns are posted by any traffic authority.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-242(d)
As of 7 Oct 2026
What is the speed limit in a school zone?
You must obey the slower posted speed limit in a school zone or face fines. Children step out from between cars, and the lower limit is what turns that into a stop instead of a crash.
You must obey the slower posted speed limit in school zones or be subject to fines.
As of 14 Sep 2026
When may you pass another vehicle on the right?
The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only when conditions permit such movement in safety and under the following conditions: (1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or has signified the intention to make a left turn; (2) when lines of vehicles traveling in the same direction in adjoining traffic lanes have come to a stop or have reduced their speed; (3) upon a one-way street free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two or more lines of moving vehicles; (4) upon a limited access highway or parkway free from obstructions with three or more lanes provided for traffic in one direction. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the highway except where lane designations, signs, signals or markings provide for such movement. Violation of any provision of this section shall be an infraction.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-233
As of 7 Oct 2026
May you wear headphones while driving?
Do not drive with head or earphones that cover or go into both ears, because they make it too hard to hear emergency horns or sirens. A siren you cannot hear is an emergency vehicle you do not pull over for until it is already beside you.
Do not drive with head or earphones that cover or go into both ears.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How old must you be to get a learner's permit?
You must be at least 16 years old to get a Connecticut learner's permit. Sixteen is where the state starts. Applying earlier just means being turned away at the counter.
You must be at least 16 years of age.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?
An applicant 18 or older must hold a learner's permit for at least 90 days before taking a road test. Being an adult shortens the wait but does not remove it. Ninety days of supervised driving still has to happen.
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.
As of 14 Sep 2026
What hours may a provisional driver not drive?
A 16- or 17-year-old Connecticut driver may not drive between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Fatal crashes cluster at night, and a beginner is worst placed to handle one. The curfew simply keeps them off the road then.
11 p.m. to 5 a.m. – unless the teen is traveling for employment, school, religious activities, medical necessity, or if the individual is an assigned driver in the Safe Ride Program.
As of 14 Sep 2026
How many passengers may a new provisional driver carry?
For the first six months after licensing, a 16- or 17-year-old may carry no passengers except a driving instructor, a parent or legal guardian holding a valid license, or one qualified person aged 20 or over. The first six months are when a new teen driver crashes most, and other teens in the car is what makes it worse.
During the first six months the newly licensed driver may not have any passengers in the vehicle except for:
As of 14 Sep 2026
How long is your license suspended for a first drunk-driving conviction?
(g) Penalties for operation while under the influence. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, and (B) be (i) imprisoned not more than six months, forty-eight consecutive hours of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, or (ii) imprisoned not more than six months, with the execution of such sentence of imprisonment suspended entirely and a period of probation imposed requiring as a condition of such probation that such person perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the one-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j; (2) for conviction of a second violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than two years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition interlock device service center or an appointment with a probation officer; and (3) for conviction of a third and subsequent violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than three years, one year of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege permanently revoked upon such third offense, except that if such person's revocation is reversed or reduced pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-111, such person shall be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the time period prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111. For purposes of the imposition of penalties for a second or third and subsequent offense pursuant to this subsection, a conviction under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section in effect on October 1, 1981, or as amended thereafter, a conviction under the provisions of either subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, a conviction under the provisions of section 14-227m, a conviction under the provisions of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, a conviction under the provisions of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or a conviction in any other state of any offense the essential elements of which are determined by the court to be substantially the same as subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, section 14-227m, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n or section 53a-56b or 53a-60d, shall constitute a prior conviction for the same offense.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)
As of 7 Oct 2026
When must you install an ignition interlock after a drunk-driving conviction?
(g) Penalties for operation while under the influence. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, and (B) be (i) imprisoned not more than six months, forty-eight consecutive hours of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, or (ii) imprisoned not more than six months, with the execution of such sentence of imprisonment suspended entirely and a period of probation imposed requiring as a condition of such probation that such person perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the one-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j; (2) for conviction of a second violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than two years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition interlock device service center or an appointment with a probation officer; and (3) for conviction of a third and subsequent violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than three years, one year of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege permanently revoked upon such third offense, except that if such person's revocation is reversed or reduced pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-111, such person shall be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the time period prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111. For purposes of the imposition of penalties for a second or third and subsequent offense pursuant to this subsection, a conviction under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section in effect on October 1, 1981, or as amended thereafter, a conviction under the provisions of either subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, a conviction under the provisions of section 14-227m, a conviction under the provisions of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, a conviction under the provisions of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or a conviction in any other state of any offense the essential elements of which are determined by the court to be substantially the same as subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, section 14-227m, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n or section 53a-56b or 53a-60d, shall constitute a prior conviction for the same offense.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)
As of 7 Oct 2026
For how many years does a prior drunk-driving conviction count against you?
(g) Penalties for operation while under the influence. Any person who violates any provision of subsection (a) of this section shall: (1) For conviction of a first violation, (A) be fined not less than five hundred dollars or more than one thousand dollars, and (B) be (i) imprisoned not more than six months, forty-eight consecutive hours of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, or (ii) imprisoned not more than six months, with the execution of such sentence of imprisonment suspended entirely and a period of probation imposed requiring as a condition of such probation that such person perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the one-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j; (2) for conviction of a second violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than one thousand dollars or more than four thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than two years, one hundred twenty consecutive days of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege suspended for forty-five days and, as a condition for the restoration of such license, be required to install an ignition interlock device on each motor vehicle owned or operated by such person and, upon such restoration, be prohibited for the three-year period following such restoration from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, except that for the first year of such three-year period, such person's operation of a motor vehicle shall be limited to such person's transportation to or from work or school, an alcohol or drug abuse treatment program, an ignition interlock device service center or an appointment with a probation officer; and (3) for conviction of a third and subsequent violation within ten years after a prior conviction for the same offense, (A) be fined not less than two thousand dollars or more than eight thousand dollars, (B) be imprisoned not more than three years, one year of which may not be suspended or reduced in any manner, and sentenced to a period of probation requiring as a condition of such probation that such person: (i) Perform one hundred hours of community service, as defined in section 14-227e, (ii) submit to an assessment through the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch of the degree of such person's alcohol or drug abuse, and (iii) undergo a treatment program if so ordered, and (C) have such person's motor vehicle operator's license or nonresident operating privilege permanently revoked upon such third offense, except that if such person's revocation is reversed or reduced pursuant to subsection (i) of section 14-111, such person shall be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle unless such motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, approved ignition interlock device, as defined in section 14-227j, for the time period prescribed in subdivision (2) of subsection (i) of section 14-111. For purposes of the imposition of penalties for a second or third and subsequent offense pursuant to this subsection, a conviction under the provisions of subsection (a) of this section in effect on October 1, 1981, or as amended thereafter, a conviction under the provisions of either subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, a conviction under the provisions of section 14-227m, a conviction under the provisions of subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n, a conviction under the provisions of section 53a-56b or 53a-60d or a conviction in any other state of any offense the essential elements of which are determined by the court to be substantially the same as subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of this section, section 14-227m, subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 14-227n or section 53a-56b or 53a-60d, shall constitute a prior conviction for the same offense.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-227a(g)
As of 7 Oct 2026
Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?
(a) No person under eighteen years of age may (1) operate a motorcycle or a motor-driven cycle, as defined in section 14-1, or (2) be a passenger on a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle, unless such operator or passenger is wearing protective headgear of a type which conforms to the minimum specifications established in 49 CFR 571.218, as amended from time to time. Any person who violates this section shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined not less than ninety dollars.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-289g(a)
As of 7 Oct 2026
How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?
(5) The right and left side windows behind the driver and the rearmost window which shall not be mirror-like in appearance, having a substance or material in conjunction with glazing material that has a total light transmission of not less than thirty-five per cent plus or minus three per cent and a luminous reflectance of twenty-one per cent to plus or minus three per cent;
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-99g(c)(5)
As of 7 Oct 2026
How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?
When approaching or passing a bicyclist, slow down and pass only when you can leave a minimum of three feet between your vehicle and the bicycle. A bicycle moves sideways with every pedal stroke and every gust. Three feet is the margin that absorbs it.
When approaching or passing a bicyclist slow down and pass only when you are able to give a minimum of three feet distance between your vehicle and the bicycle.
As of 14 Sep 2026
Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?
(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic shall be driven in the right-hand lane available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the highway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
Connecticut law, Conn. Gen. Stat. § 14-230(b)
As of 7 Oct 2026
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