Driver's license

Connecticut driver license + state ID — without SSN options for immigrants

How undocumented residents get a Connecticut Drive-Only license: the documents, the affidavit to legalize status, the 90-day residency rule, fees ($40 test / $19 permit / $36 license), and why the non-driver ID still needs an SSN. FAQs.

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The Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford.

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Connecticut driver license and state ID — guide for immigrants

Connecticut issues a Drive-Only license to undocumented residents age 16 and older who cannot establish lawful presence, in place since 2015. Instead of a tax return or ITIN, you sign an affidavit about legalizing your status. Here is exactly who qualifies, the documents, what it costs, and the one limit — the non-driver ID still needs an SSN.

Quick answer

Undocumented driver-license access: YES — the Drive-Only license (since 2015)
Social Security number required: No — instead, an affidavit to legalize status
Fees: $40 testing + $19 learner’s permit + $36 drive-only license
Card validity: 3.5–5 years (new); 3 years (renewal)
Card marking: for driving only — not valid for federal ID or voting
Non-driver state ID: still requires an SSN (or an SSA ineligibility letter)
Agency: Connecticut DMV · Phone: 860-263-5700

Who can apply

The Drive-Only license is explicitly for undocumented residents age 16+ who cannot establish lawful presence. (Someone with expired B-1/B-2 status can also get one by showing an expired I-94 or a B-1/B-2 admission stamp older than the authorized stay.) Instead of a tax-return or ITIN requirement, you sign an affidavit that you have filed, or will file, an application to legalize your status.

Documents you need

Two identity documents, at least one from the PRIMARY list:
- A foreign passport not expired more than 3 years, or
- An unexpired consular identification card (matrícula).
Secondary documents include a foreign national ID card, a valid foreign or other-state driver license with security features, or a foreign birth certificate with a raised seal.
Connecticut residency of at least 90 days, proven with two pieces of mail from two different sources.

What the card can and cannot do

The Drive-Only license is not valid for federal identification and cannot be used to vote. It is for driving only — its sole non-driving use is registering a motor vehicle. Carry your passport for federal purposes.

Important: the non-driver ID still needs an SSN

A Connecticut non-driver ID requires a Social Security number, or, if you have none, an SSA letter stating you are ineligible for one. The drive-only program does not produce a non-driver ID — the standard non-driver ID ($28, valid 7 years) is the only state ID the DMV offers.

How to apply

Schedule online — appointments are required for all drive-only services, and you sign the legalize-status affidavit when scheduling.
Pay the $40 testing fee and $19 learner’s-permit fee online when you schedule.
Bring your two identity documents (at least one primary) and your two CT residency mailings (90-day rule).
Pass the road test, then pay the $36 license fee — the DMV mails your Drive-Only license. Document questions go to 860-263-5700.

Last verified: 2026-06-28. Sources: Connecticut DMV — Get a Drive-Only License, Drive-Only License FAQs, and Get a Non-Driver ID; CGA Report 2015-R-0241.

General procedural information. DMV policies, fees, and document requirements change frequently — verify with the Connecticut DMV before visiting. Not legal or immigration advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a Connecticut driver license without an SSN or legal status?

Yes — a Drive-Only license. Connecticut’s drive-only license is explicitly for undocumented residents age 16 and older who cannot establish lawful presence. Instead of a tax-return or ITIN requirement, you sign an affidavit that you have filed, or will file, an application to legalize your status. It is for driving only.

What documents do I need?

Two identity documents, at least one from the PRIMARY list — a foreign passport not expired more than 3 years, or an unexpired consular identification card (matrícula). Secondary documents include a foreign national ID card, a valid foreign or other-state driver license with security features, or a foreign birth certificate with a raised seal. You must also have been a Connecticut resident at least 90 days, proven with two pieces of mail from two different sources.

Can I get a non-driver state ID the same way?

No. A Connecticut non-driver ID still requires a Social Security number, or, if you have none, an SSA letter stating you are ineligible for one. The drive-only program does not produce a non-driver ID — the standard non-driver ID ($28, valid 7 years) is the only state ID the DMV offers.

What does the Drive-Only license cost and how long is it valid?

Fees are $40 for testing and $19 for the learner’s permit (both paid online when you schedule), plus a $36 drive-only license fee after you pass the road test. A new drive-only license is valid 3.5 to 5 years (the term is randomly generated); renewals are valid 3 years. It is not valid for federal identification or to vote — its only non-driving use is registering a motor vehicle.

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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.