You asked for a description of the requirements in Connecticut and Massachusetts for a person moving into the state who applies for a driver's license. This report addresses requirements for standard licenses for adults; in both states there are separate requirements for minors and for applicants for commercial drivers' licenses.

CONNECTICUT

Drivers currently licensed in another state may apply for a Connecticut license at any Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) full service branch office or the Stamford, Willimantic and Winsted satellite offices, without an appointment, up to one-half hour before closing. The operator must have an out of state license that has not expired for more than 60 days. A vision test will be administered before a Connecticut license is issued. The knowledge and road tests are generally waived at the discretion of the DMV sergeant at the office.

The driver must present the current out of state license, which must be surrendered when a Connecticut license is issued, plus a certified birth certificate (hospital issued certificates are not acceptable) or valid passport. Photocopies of documents are not acceptable.  

If the driver's current license does not contain a photograph or a date of birth, he or she must present a certified birth certificate or valid passport, in addition to one form of identification from a list of acceptable forms of identification. Photocopies of documents are not acceptable. The driver must also provide a recent photograph without head wear or dark glasses, if the out of state license does not contain a photograph.

Persons holding a license from Puerto Rico or an American territory must meet the requirements described above and must also obtain an abstract of their driver record from their home territory prior to transferring their license to Connecticut.

Persons who are not U. S. citizens must show proof of their legal status in this country. Holders of a B1 or B2 visitor's visa must provide a valid U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) employment authorization card and verification of an application pending for lawful permanent residence is provided. Foreign students with an F1 visa must show USCIS document I-20 and verification of current enrollment in a Connecticut school. J1 visa holders must show USCIS document DS2019. H1B Visa holders must show a valid USCIS employment authorization card and an employee verification letter from a Connecticut employer. All applicants will be verified through USCIS for legal status before a driver's license will be issued.

If the person's out of state license expired more than 60 days before he or she applies for a Connecticut license, the person must schedule an appointment and take the driver's examination in addition to meeting the above requirements.

DMV has a podcast entitled Welcome to Connecticut -- How to Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver's License and Vehicle Registration. Additional information, including information for minors with driving permits, is also available on line at http: //www. ct. gov/dmv/cwp/view. asp?a=805&Q=244776&dmvPNavCtr=|28069|#28073.

MASSACHUSETTS

The licensing requirements in Massachusetts vary depending on whether the person has held a Massachusetts license in the previous four years. If the person had a Massachusetts license in the past four years, he or she must present a (1) social security card or valid, current U. S. or foreign passport, (2) document proving Massachusetts residency, and (3) the out of state license. If the person has not held a Massachusetts' driver's license in the past four years or never held a Massachusetts license, he or she must also present documents proving his signature and date of birth.

In both cases, if the license is from Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, or a U. S. territory, a driving record not more than 30 days old is required. If the out of state license does not have a photo, an acceptable photo ID from the list of primary and secondary documents is required. These documents include driver's licenses that have expired no more than 12 months earlier, military identification cards, and resident alien cards (“green cards”). A list of these documents is available at http: //www. mass. gov/rmv/license/primary-secondary-docs. pdf.

There are similar identification requirements for people who hold an out of state driving permit when they move into Massachusetts. Further information about the requirements for licenses and permits (including requirements for minors) is available at http: //www. mass. gov/rmv/license/3id. htm.

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