Laws and Benefits for Veterans and Military Drivers in Connecticut

The State of Connecticut offers a number of benefits and privileges to those Americans who have either served in a branch of the armed forces in the past or are currently serving in the military.

Vehicle registration and other exempt fees

Veterans, former POWs, or Congressional Medal of Honor recipients are exempt from paying driver's licenses and exam fees for one license period. To qualify, you must be a Connecticut resident at the time you take office and apply for benefits within two years of honorably discharged service.

In addition, any person on active duty (including the Reserve or the National Guard if called to active duty) is entitled to exemption from operator registration and license fees. You must complete Form B-276 and provide either a valid military ID or a DD 214 certifying discharge with honors. This fee waiver applies to new registrations as well as renewals.

Disabled veterans are also eligible for a license plate fee waiver if they meet DMV criteria.

Veteran driver's license badge

Residents of Connecticut can add veteran status to their driver's license or non-driver ID in the form of the American flag symbol. You must contact the Department of Veterans Affairs at least 30 days before your DMV visit. There is no additional fee to add a symbol unless you apply to add it before receiving a renewal notice from the state (in which case a $30 fee applies). There is a $3 convenience fee when applying at an AAA office.

Military badges

Connecticut offers rooms for disabled veterans, as well as various other military numbers, including:

• First Company: Governor's Food Guard
• XNUMXst Company: Governor's Cavalry Guards
• Golden Star family
• Head of Greater Harford 82nd Airborne Division
• You, Jima, are a survivor.
• Korean Association of War Veterans Inc.
• Laotian Veterans of America
• Marines. League Inc.
• Military Order of the Purple Heart
• Assoc. Connecticut National Guard (active and retired versions)
• Perl-Harbor
• XNUMXnd Company Governor's Infantry
• U.S. submarine veteran
• Veteran (car or motorcycle)

Some plates require proof of eligibility, such as documentation of participation in a specific conflict. Detailed information about special plates is available here.

Waiver of military skills exam

The Commercial Training Authorization Rule, introduced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in 2011, contains a provision that gives members of the military and veterans the option to opt-out of the CDL exam that focuses on driving skills. However, to apply for this benefit, you must meet several criteria. You must have at least two years of experience driving large military vehicles and this driving must have taken place within the year prior to your termination or application date (if you are still on duty).

You must also be able to show to your local licensing agency that you have been a safe driver, that you have not had multiple licenses other than a driver's license and a military driver's license in the last two years, that your license has not been suspended, revoked or revoked, and that you are not convicted of certain traffic violations.

Connecticut, along with all 50 other US territories, participates in the Skill Test Waiver Program. If you would like to apply, you can download and print a standard waiver here. You must still take the written CDL test.

Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012

This law is yet another attempt by the government to ease the burden on military personnel seeking to obtain a CDL. If you are in any of the five major branches of service, the Reserve, the National Guard, or the Coast Guard Auxiliary, you can apply for a CDL in the state you are in, even if it is not your home state.

Driver's license and registration renewal during deployment

Connecticut residents who transfer to work after their license expires can renew by mail if their current license has a photo. If you would like to take advantage of an operator license fee waiver, you must mail Form B-88 along with the renewal form (be sure to include both your CT address and out-of-state mailing address) to:

Department of Vehicles

License Processing Unit

60 State Street

Wethersfield, CT 06161-5041

Renewal of registration can be completed by mail. Notice will be mailed 60 days prior to the due date, and you must mail this document, along with Form B-276 (Application Fee Waiver) to the address above.

Driver's license and vehicle registration of non-resident military personnel

Connecticut recognizes the state license of residence for non-resident military personnel stationed in the state. Non-resident military personnel are also exempt from having to register their vehicles with the state.

Connecticut maintains a dedicated website as a guide to motor vehicle procedures.