Or: How to Navigate Insurance When You Are Not Officially Licensed

The DMV of Connecticut recently announced a change in their approach when it comes to new adult drivers. Previously, new drivers over 18 weren’t required to complete a training period prior to obtaining a driver’s license. Now, any adult driver 18 and older must hold an adult learner’s permit for 3 months before taking a road test. This has been effective as of January 1, 2013.

Why Do Adults Need Learner’s Permits

While some states offer types of learner’s permit for adults, Connecticut is going to be one of the first that require it. Navigating today’s roads can be complicated and all drivers must be ready to deal with challenges faced behind the wheel. Connecticut DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey said, “Cars are more sophisticated today, traveling road can be more dangerous for inexperienced drivers and some form of a learning period is required now for those over 18, just as we have done for those under 18.” Before, many teens would wait until turning 18 to obtain a license, avoiding the learning period. Connecticut has been a leader in graduated driver licensing policies and found a gap that needed to be filled.

The Details of the Connecticut Adult Learner’s Permit

Anyone 18 and older who has not been previously licensed in another state and is seeking a new driver’s license in Connecticut must hold a learner’s permit for three months. They will need to pass a 25 question knowledge test and a vision test before the learner’s permit will be granted. They will also need to take an eight hour safe driving course at a mandated driving school. This costs $125. While holding this learner’s permit, the driver cannot be alone. You must drive with a qualified trainer which is defined as a licensed driving instructor or another individual over 20 years old who has had a driver’s license for 4+ consecutive years without suspension. For some adults, this may be a difficult aspect of the learner’s permit because it will limit the freedom of the driver.

Congratulations! You have a Learner’s Permit

Now that you’ve obtained your adult learner’s permit, you are one step closer to experiencing the privilege of solo driving. But now that you’re operating a vehicle on the open road, there are several other things you need to think about in addition to honing your driving skills. Understanding the responsibility you hold when behind the wheel is very important and realizing that certain decisions made by you can have dangerous consequences is a part of safe driving. This is not meant to scare a new driver but you should be aware of the risks associated with your newfound ability. As a driver, you are not only responsible for your own safety but your passengers and other drivers on the road with you.

A Learner’s Permit and Insurance

One of the first things you need to look into is obtaining insurance. Doing this with a learner’s permit can be a little tricky since most insurance companies require an individual be licensed before they provide insurance. This is because as a licensed individual, you have passed the state requirements to be a sufficient driver. As someone who is still learning, you are not considered experienced enough. The best way to handle getting insurance depends on your personal situation.

If you are a teen and still living at home, getting insurance may not be that hard or even necessary. You may be covered by your parents’ policy, which means that they would have to be your qualified trainer during your learner time period. Of course, to be insured under your parents’ policy, they must first have insurance. It is important that your parents check their policy to see if you need to be added during this time period. Some companies will not require that you obtain insurance as long as you are with an insured qualified driver, in this case, one or both of your parents.

Let’s say that you don’t live at home anymore. You have been on your own for a while now and finally decided to take your independence a step further by obtaining a learner’s permit. Since you cannot buy an insurance policy for yourself, you will need to speak with the main person who is going to be your qualified driver. This may be your spouse, significant other, or a roommate. Always make sure that this person meets the definitive requirements for a qualified driver. Ask them to look into their policy and see what actions they need to take to make sure that you are covered while in the car. Some states may require that you be added to the policy while others may cover you

without this measure.

But what if you are an independent woman..or man? No roommate, no spouse, no car, no worries right? If you have decided to get a driver’s license now, that might not be true. While it is hard to get car insurance without a driver’s license, the fact that you are over 16 and in an extenuating circumstance will help your cause. It is important to know that this may require some heavy research on your part. Learner’s permit policies can be quite expensive and some

insurers may not carry them. Once you have found companies that have this option, be sure to do your research to get the best price. If you already own a car and are obtaining a learner’s permit, make sure any policy you buy will cover the type of driver that will be your qualified trainer.

This can seem like a lot of overwhelming information while you are learning how to drive but it can act as a metaphor for actually driving. On the road, you are constantly going to be faced with surprises but if you equip yourself with the appropriate knowledge, you will know how to react to protect yourself and others.