roadwise.Open study app

Connecticut driving lesson · Teen Driver Rules & Restrictions

New license: passenger limits for the first year

A 3-minute lesson from the Connecticut course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Teen Driver Rules & Restrictions
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
10, 33

The first year with a license is when teens crash most, and crash risk rises with every teen passenger. So for 16- and 17-year-olds, Connecticut limits passengers in two six-month stages.

Passengers allowed for newly licensed 16- and 17-year-olds

Passengers allowed for newly licensed 16- and 17-year-olds
PeriodOnly these passengers
First 6 monthsA licensed driving instructor
First 6 monthsParents or legal guardian (at least one licensed)
First 6 monthsOne person 20+, licensed 4+ yrs, no suspension in 4 yrs
Months 7 through 12All of the above plus immediate family members
Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

Parents or a legal guardian may accompany the instructor.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

During the second six months (months seven through twelve), the only additional passengers allowed are members of the driver's immediate family.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

The Teen-Parent Agreement sums it up: first six months, one supervising adult; next six months, add immediate family; no friends until you have held the license for one year.

Handbook p. 33 ↗

Know the rule

You may never carry more passengers than the number of seatbelts in the vehicle.

Handbook p. 10 ↗

Know the rule

Passenger and curfew limits don't apply to active volunteer fire, ambulance or EMS members responding to or returning from an emergency call or on duty, or to an assigned Safe Ride Program driver.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
12 months

Wait this long after licensing before a teen may drive friends

Handbook p. 33 ↗

Put it into practice

You got your license at 17 four months ago and want to drive your best friend to practice. Not allowed — during the first six months only an instructor, your parents/guardian, or one qualified adult may ride. At month eight you could drive your younger brother, but still not your friend.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

During the first six months after a 16- or 17-year-old is licensed, who may ride as a passenger?
  1. Any friend under 18
  2. Up to three friends
  3. A licensed instructor, a parent/guardian, or a qualified 20+ year-old supervisor
  4. No one under any circumstances

Answer: A licensed instructor, a parent/guardian, or a qualified 20+ year-old supervisor

During the first six months, passengers are limited to an instructor, a parent/guardian with a valid license, or a qualifying supervising adult.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
During months seven through twelve of a new 16- or 17-year-old driver's license, what additional passengers are allowed?
  1. No additional passengers are ever allowed
  2. Up to two unrelated friends
  3. Members of the driver's immediate family
  4. Any classmate from school

Answer: Members of the driver's immediate family

In the second six months, the only additional passengers allowed are members of the driver's immediate family.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
A newly licensed 17-year-old, four months into their license, wants to drive a close friend (not family) to the movies. Is this allowed?
  1. Yes, but only after 5 p.m.
  2. Yes, since four months have passed
  3. Yes, if a parent gives verbal permission
  4. No, not during the first year

Answer: No, not during the first year

Friends may not be transported until the driver has had the license for one full year.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
A 16-year-old has now held their license for exactly 13 months. May they transport an unrelated friend?
  1. Yes, the one-year limit has passed
  2. Only on weekends
  3. Only with written parental permission
  4. No, the restriction never expires

Answer: Yes, the one-year limit has passed

Friends may not be transported until the driver has had the license for one year; after that, the restriction lifts.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
Besides a licensed driving instructor, who may ride with a 16-year-old during the first six months of licensure?
  1. A family friend over 18
  2. A cousin of any age
  3. A parent or legal guardian, one of them licensed
  4. A sibling who is under 18

Answer: A parent or legal guardian, one of them licensed

During the first six months, allowed passengers include a parent or legal guardian, at least one of whom holds a valid license.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
A newly licensed 16-year-old may transport their younger sibling during the second six months of licensure.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

During months seven through twelve, immediate family members may be added as passengers.

Handbook p. 10 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Teen Driver Rules & Restrictions

All Connecticut lessons