New Motor Vehicle Laws Take Effect Today in Connecticut

A series of new motor vehicle laws go into effect today, including a penalty of one point on the driver’s license of anyone convicted of distracted driving. These new DMV laws, which were passed in the last General Assembly session, cover a wide range of topics.

“These are important for DMV customers and citizens to know, and many help to increase safety awareness,” said DMV Commissioner Melody A. Currey.

Here's an overview of the new laws:

License Points – Operator Re-Training – Disqualification

• One point will go on the driver license record of anyone convicted of distracted driving. Fines also will be increased.
• DMV will change its policy so that two points are assessed on the driving record for convictions of violations of highway work zone safety laws. Fines also will be increased.
• Drivers convicted of going in excess of 75 mph in a work zone and commercial drivers convicted of exceeding 65 mph will be required to attend the operator retraining program. Fines will also be increased.
• For commercial driver license holders, the definition of “serious violation” will now include talking on a cell phone while operating a commercial vehicle and can lead to disqualification of the license. (Texting is already prohibited.)

• Electric vehicle registrations changed from annual to biennial.
• Snowmobile and All-Terrain Vehicle registrations are changed from March 31 to two years from the registration date.

• A highway work zone safety and driver responsibility question must be on every knowledge test.
• A question about the dangers of distracted driving, including ban on use of cell phones and electronic devices, must be on every knowledge test.

• Owners of ATVs and boats will be prohibited from registering them if they owe property tax on a motor vehicle.

• Driver education classroom information must now include highway work zone safety and driver responsibilities.
• Driving schools can increase from $125 to $150 the cost for the required eight-hour road safe-driving practices information session all license applicants must attend.