What Form You Need and Where to Get It

Connecticut's learner's permit process is form DL 259, officially called the process for Operator License or Permit. You can get it three ways: read it from the Connecticut DMV website (ct.gov/dmv), pick one up in person at any DMV branch, or request one by mail from the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, 60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161.

The form is the same whether you are explore for a learner's permit, a regular driver's license, or a Real ID compliant license. The difference is what documents you bring and which box you check on the form itself. You will mark that you want a learner's permit, not a full license.

If you read the form, print it on white paper and fill it out by hand using black or blue ink. The DMV does not accept forms filled out in pencil. If you pick one up at a branch, you can fill it there or take it home and return it completed.

Key Takeaways

  • Form DL 259 is the only process Connecticut uses for learner's permits, and you can read it, pick it up at a DMV branch, or request it by mail.
  • You must bring proof of identity, proof of Connecticut residency, and your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number when you submit the form.
  • The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, address, and driving history, and you must answer every question or the DMV will reject it.
  • You do not pay the process fee when you submit the form—you pay it at the DMV window after your process is reviewed and you pass the written test.
  • Minors under 18 must have a parent or guardian sign the form in the presence of a DMV staff member; the signature cannot be witnessed elsewhere.

Information the Form Asks For

The DL 259 form has sections for personal information, residency, and driving history. In the personal information section, write your full legal name exactly as it appears on your birth certificate or passport. Include your middle name if you have one. Write your date of birth in the format MM/DD/YYYY.

For your address, use your current Connecticut residence. If you moved within the last 30 days, list your new address. The form asks whether you have ever held a Connecticut driver's license before—answer honestly. If you have, write the license number and the date it was issued or expired.

The form also asks about traffic violations, suspensions, and revocations in any state. If you have none, write "none" or leave the space blank, depending on what the form instructs. If you do have a history, list each incident with the state, date, and type of violation. Lying on this section can result in denial or cancellation of your permit later.

Documents You Must Bring With Your Form

Connecticut requires three categories of documents when you submit your completed DL 259 form. First, you need proof of identity: a U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a school photo ID with your name and date of birth, or a state ID from another state. A school report card or library card does not count.

Second, you need proof of Connecticut residency. This can be a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a property tax bill. The document must show your name and your current Connecticut address and be dated within the last 60 days. A cell phone bill usually does not count unless it shows your address.

Third, you need your Social Security number or, if you do not have one, your Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). You do not need to bring a card—you can write the number on the form. If you do not have either, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration or the IRS stating that you are not may be able to access.

If you are under 18, your parent or legal guardian must also be present and sign the form in front of a DMV staff member. They will need to bring their own ID.

How to Fill Out Each Section Correctly

Start at the top of the form and work down. Print clearly in capital letters where the form shows capital letters in the example. Write your name, date of birth, and address first. Then move to the section asking what type of license or permit you want—check the box for "Learner's Permit."

In the section about your vision and medical history, answer each question truthfully. If you wear glasses or contacts, check "yes" for corrective lenses. If you have a medical condition that affects your ability to drive—such as seizures, severe hearing loss, or a condition that causes fainting—disclose it. The DMV may ask you to have a doctor fill out a separate medical form, but hiding a condition now can lead to denial later or to your permit being revoked.

When you reach the section about prior licenses and violations, be exact. If you have never had a license in Connecticut or any other state, write "none." If you have had violations, write the state abbreviation, the date (MM/DD/YYYY), and the type of violation—for example, "CT 03/15/2023 Speeding." Do not abbreviate the violation type in a way that is unclear.

At the bottom of the form, sign and date it. If you are under 18, do not sign yet—wait until you are at the DMV with your parent or guardian, and they will sign in your presence.

What Happens After You Submit the Form

When you bring your completed form and documents to a Connecticut DMV branch, a staff member will review everything on the spot. If something is missing or filled out incorrectly, they will tell you when ready and may ask you to correct it right there. If the form is complete and your documents are acceptable, you will move to the next step: the written test.

You will take the written test at the same DMV visit. It covers Connecticut traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You need to score at least 80 percent to pass. If you pass, you pay the learner's permit fee (the amount varies by age and type of permit) and receive your permit on the same day.

If you fail the written test, you can retake it. Connecticut allows you to retake the test the same day or schedule another appointment. You do not need to fill out a new DL 259 form for a retest—the first form covers multiple attempts within a set period.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Reject Your process

The most common mistake is leaving a section blank. The DMV will reject the form if you skip a question, even if you think it does not explore to you. If a question does not explore, write "N/A" or "none" rather than leaving it empty.

Another frequent error is writing your name differently than it appears on your identity document. If your birth certificate says "Michael James Smith" but you write "Mike Smith," the DMV may reject the form because the names do not match. Use your full legal name as it appears on your official ID.

Bringing the wrong residency document is also common. A cell phone bill, credit card statement, or insurance bill usually does not count. Stick to utility bills, lease agreements, mortgage statements, and bank statements dated within 60 days. If you are unsure whether a document will work, call the DMV branch where you plan to explore and ask before you go.

If you are under 18, forgetting to have your parent or guardian present is a deal-breaker. The form must be signed by both you and your parent or guardian in front of a DMV employee. A signature from home or from someone else does not count.

If You Need Help Reading or Understanding the Form

If English is not your first language or you have difficulty reading, you can ask a DMV staff member to help you fill out the form. You can also bring a trusted family member or friend to help you understand what each section asks. The DMV staff member will verify that you understand each answer before accepting the form.

Connecticut DMV branches have forms available in English only, but staff can explain questions verbally in English. If you need interpretation in another language, call ahead to the branch where you plan to explore and ask whether an interpreter is available or whether you should bring your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out the form online instead of printing it?

No. Connecticut requires you to submit a printed, hand-signed form DL 259. You cannot fill it out and submit it online. You must print the form, fill it out by hand, and bring it to a DMV branch in person along with your documents.

What if I do not have a Social Security number?

You can use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) instead. If you have neither, bring a letter from the Social Security Administration or the IRS stating that you are not may be able to access for a number. Write this on the form where it asks for your SSN.

Do I have to bring the original documents or can I bring copies?

You must bring original documents or certified copies. A photocopy of your birth certificate will not work unless it is certified by the vital records office. Original utility bills, lease agreements, and bank statements are acceptable. Ask the DMV branch what counts as acceptable proof before you go.

What if I made a mistake on the form after I already submitted it?

If you notice an error before the DMV staff member reviews it, tell them when ready and ask to correct it. If the error is discovered after your form is processed, contact the DMV branch where you applied and ask about correction procedures. You may need to fill out a new form.

Can my parent fill out the form for me if I am under 18?

Your parent or guardian can help you understand the questions and can be present while you fill it out, but you must write the answers yourself. Your parent or guardian signs the form after you do, not instead of you. Both signatures are required.