New to Connecticut?
We'll Get You on the Road.
Fresh Green Light is the trusted partner for international newcomers earning their Connecticut driver's license. From your required DMV classroom course to your official road test — all under one roof.
Explore Adult ProgramsBuilt for International Drivers
Official DMV Road Test Site
Take your official Connecticut road test at any of our five locations — no trip to the DMV required. We're one of the only licensed third-party testing sites in the state.
One-Stop Process
Complete your required 8-hour classroom course, all driving lessons, and your road test with a single provider. No juggling schedules across multiple organizations.
Flexible Daytime Scheduling
In-car lessons are available during weekday daytime hours — ideal if you're on an au pair schedule or working flexible hours as you settle in.
Convenient Locations
Five locations across Fairfield County, including our Darien classroom next to the Metro-North station. Easy to reach no matter where you're based.
Connecticut License Requirements
for International Drivers
If you hold a license from outside the U.S. (other than Canada, France, or Germany), Connecticut requires you to earn your license from scratch. Here's the process.
1. Gather Your Documents
Visit a CT DMV Hub Office with your passport, visa/I-94, two proofs of CT residency, and your Social Security card (or SSA ineligibility letter). Non-English licenses require an International Driving Permit (IDP) as translation.
2. Pass the Knowledge & Vision Tests
Take the 25-question written knowledge test (20 correct answers required) and a vision screening at the DMV to receive your Learner's Permit.
3. Complete the 8-Hour Safe Driving Course
Required for all adults who have never held a CT or other U.S. state license. Fresh Green Light offers this class twice monthly at our Darien location.
4. Practice with Your Permit (90 Days Minimum)
Hold your permit for at least 90 days while practicing with a qualified trainer who is 20+ years old and has held a license for 4+ consecutive years.
5. Pass the Road Test & Get Licensed
Schedule your official DMV road test — available right here at any Fresh Green Light location. License fee is $84, paid to the state after passing.
Already have a license from Canada, France, or Germany?
You may be eligible to transfer your license directly to Connecticut without retesting. You'll need an abstract of your driving record from your home country. Contact the CT DMV for details.
Documents to Bring to the DMV
- Valid passport
- Visa documentation or I-94 record
- Two proofs of CT residency (utility bill, bank statement, lease, etc.)
- Social Security card — or SSA ineligibility letter
- International Driving Permit (if license is not in English or Spanish)
Temporary Driving on a Foreign License
If you're in CT on a visitor's visa, you may drive for up to one year with a valid foreign license plus an International Driving Permit (IDP). Obtain your IDP in your home country before you travel.
Adult Driver Packages
From your first classroom session to your official road test, we have a program tailored to where you are in the process.
- 8-hour DMV Safe Driving classroom course
- Four 2-hour in-car driving lessons (8 hrs total)
- Official CT DMV road test at FGL
- One-stop — no DMV office visit for testing
- Scheduling coordination included
- 8-hour DMV Safe Driving classroom course
- Eight hours of in-car driving lessons
- Personalized instruction for your skill level
- Flexible weekday daytime scheduling
- State-required 8-hour DMV curriculum
- Completion certificate for your road test
- Held twice monthly, Sat or Sun, 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- Darien location (steps from Metro-North)
- Two 2-hour in-car lessons (4 hrs total)
- Practice your daily commute routes
- Highway driving and parking techniques
- Adapt to right-hand traffic with confidence
Five Locations. All Licensed for Road Testing.
Every Fresh Green Light location is an authorized CT DMV third-party road testing site — a convenience most driving schools simply can't offer.
Darien
Classroom & road testing
Near Metro-NorthGreenwich
Lessons & road testing
Road Test SiteFairfield
Lessons & road testing
Road Test SiteWestport
Lessons & road testing
Road Test SiteWilton
Lessons & road testing
Road Test SiteFrequently Asked Questions
If you're visiting on a valid visa, you may drive in CT for up to one year using your foreign license paired with an International Driving Permit (IDP). If you're relocating permanently, you'll need to obtain a CT driver's license.
Only licenses from Canada, France, and Germany are eligible for direct transfer. All other international license holders must complete the full licensing process: learner's permit, 8-hour class, practice period, and road test.
Connecticut law requires all first-time adult drivers (18+) who have never held a U.S. license to complete an 8-hour Safe Driving Practices course at a licensed commercial driving school. Fresh Green Light offers this course twice monthly at our Darien location.
After obtaining your learner's permit, you must hold it for at least 90 days before taking your road test. Most students complete the full process in 3–4 months, depending on lesson scheduling and permit timing.
Fresh Green Light is licensed by the CT DMV to administer the official state road test at our locations. This means you take the exact same test you'd take at a DMV office — but in a familiar environment where you've been practicing, with no DMV wait times.
If you've never had a U.S. license, the Road Test Concierge ($975) is the most popular choice — it covers everything from classroom instruction to your road test. If you've driven extensively in your home country and just need the required class, the 8-Hour Safe Driving Class ($150) may be sufficient.
If you have been issued a Social Security number, bring your card. If you are not eligible for one, you'll need a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security Administration, which you can request at any SSA office.