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.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
      90 days Yes

    Ignition Interlocks

    Highly incentivized for all convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    No Yes

     

  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

    Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    Under 2 yrs or under 30 lbs in rear-facing child restraint 

    2-4 yrs or 30-40 lbs in child restraint 

    5-7 yrs or 40-60 lbs in child restraint or booster seat

    Booster seats only with a lap and shoulder belt

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    8-15 years and 60 lbs or over

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes. Primary law.

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers under 18. Primary law.

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • None

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for medical and recreational use
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    Choice of 4 or 6 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

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

     

  • Motorcyclists

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 Universal helmet law repealed 1976.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Primary

    Who Is Covered?

    8 and over

    In What Seat?

    All

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    Permitted by state law

    Red Light Cameras

    Permitted by state law

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    55 55

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65

     

  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    Nighttime Driving: 18

    Driving with Passengers: 17 years, 4 months

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    16

    4 with driver's ed

    6 without driver's ed

    		 40

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 / 4 11 p.m. - 5 a.m.

    First 6 months: no passengers except parents or instructor

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