Transportation – New Canaan Answer Book

How many cars are registered in New Canaan?

According to the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, there were 20,661 vehicles registered in town between October 2007 and October 2008.

 

How many miles of roads are there in New Canaan?

There are 123 miles of town roads. 

 

Who maintains town roads?

The town highway department, 139 Lakeview Avenue, maintains all town roads, while the state department of transportation oversees state highways, which are Routes 106, 123, and 124. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.. 

 

To whom do I complain about a pothole?

If it’s a town road, call the highway department at 594-3704. If it’s a state road, call the department of transportation at 389-3020. If you’re not sure who has jurisdiction, call the town. When calling, have the house number and nearest intersection. You may also fax information to the town at 594-3706. 

 

What are the typical speed limits in town?

Most local roads have speed limits of 25 miles per hour. More traveled roads reach 35 miles per hour. 

 

What’s the fine for speeding?

All fines for motor vehicle infractions and violations are set by the state and published in a booklet available in most public libraries, police departments, and DMV offices. It is also available online at jud.ct.gov/Publications/Infractions/infractions.pdf. 

Speeding tickets for cars going over 55 miles per hour range from $123 for going one to nine mph over the posted limit to $211 for 23 mph and over the posted limit. Fines are higher for construction, utility, and school zones. Traveling unreasonably fast pertains to cars going under 56 mph. The fines in this bracket range from $103 for one to nine mph over the posted limit to $191 for 23 or more mph over the limit, again with greater penalties for construction, utility and school zones. 

 

What’s the fine for passing a school bus?

Passing a standing school bus will cost you a hefty $460, and that’s for a first offense. 

 

Who is in charge of parking in town?

The New Canaan Parking Bureau is at 77 Main Street. The office is in the lower level of town hall, and is open from 8:30 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. The phone number is 594-3040. 

 

Where can I park in town?

Free parking is allowed on most downtown streets for varying amounts of time, which are posted. There are municipal lots scattered throughout town. Depending on location, two-, three-, four-, six-, eight- and 12-hour spaces are available. You must use quarters. There are meters at Talmadge Hill where you can get 12 hours for 12 quarters. Parking lot details are outlined on the parking authority’s pages on the town Web site, newcanaan.info. Permit spaces may be used free by anyone after 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except in the Park Street lot and town hall lot. 

Permits for lots in town are available to business owners and employees. 

 

Is there free municipal parking?

There is free parking on New Canaan streets within time limits, mostly one to two hours. 

There is free parking in the commuter lots on weekends and holidays. All metered spaces in municipal lots (except in the Morse Court lot on Saturday) are free on weekends and legal holidays. 

 

Is overnight parking allowed?

All-night parking (any vehicle parked for half an hour or more between 1:00 a.m. and 6 a.m.) on any street in New Canaan is prohibited from mid-November to mid-April. All-night parking is allowed in the Locust Avenue lot. Regular enforcement resumes at 8:30 a.m. 

 

What is the fine for illegal parking?

Parking violations range from $15 for offenses such as overtime parking or parking more than 12 inches from the curb, to $20 for parking in a no-parking zone or taking up two spaces, $30 for parking in a permit space without a permit, to $50 for double parking or obstructing a fire hydrant or crosswalk. Illegally parking in a handicap or fire zone will cost $75. Unpaid fines are doubled after 14 days. Accumulation of five or more unpaid fines may result in getting “the boot” or towed. 

 

How do I get a permit to park at the train?

New Canaan commuters may fill out an application in the parking office or download it from the town Web site. When a space opens up, the next person on the list will be notified. 

Annual permit parking fees effective July 1, 2008

Lumberyard Lot $492; Richmond Hill Lot $384

Talmadge Hill Lot $396; Park Street Lot $372

Locust Avenue Lot $360; Center School Lot $100

 

What is a day pass?

A day pass enables you to park in any town-owned permit lot (except town hall lot) for a day. In general, a maximum of two day passes may be used per week. A maximum of three day passes per week may be purchased at the parking bureau office for $6 each. There is no expiration date. 

 

Where can I get a handicap permit to park?

You may apply for a permit or disability plates at the Department of Motor Vehicles on Main Avenue in Norwalk, or the satellite office at 888 Washington Boulevard in Stamford. Applicants must provide proof of disability with form B-225. 

 

Where is the closest motor vehicle department?

The nearest motor vehicle department office is in Norwalk at 540 Main Avenue. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday; and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. There are no safety inspections or VIN verifications. The nearest inspection facilities are in Hamden. 

There is also a satellite office at the Stamford Government Center, 888 Washington Boulevard, Stamford, open from 8 to 4:30 on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday. The office offers limited services including license and registration renewals, replacement of lost plates, and handicapped parking permits. 

For more information, call 800-842-8222, or access the DMV Web site at ct.gov/dmv. 

 

Do I have to get my car inspected regularly?

A safety inspection is no longer required for passenger vehicles. Any vehicle from out of state must have an emissions test and VIN verification before being registered. 

 

Is there an emissions testing program?

Yes. You will be notified by mail of your test days. Vehicles must be tested every other year. New vehicles less than four years old or more than 25 years old are exempt. If you do not have your vehicle tested, it does not pass, or has not been granter a waiver, DMV will not renew your registration. 

The nearest testing stations are A/C Auto body of New Canaan (966-1818) 182 Main Street; New Canaan Ave Service (846-0777) 87 New Canaan Avenue, Norwalk; and Wilton Mobil (762-8108) 46 Danbury Road. For information and other testing stations, call 1-888-828-8399 or visit online at ctemissions.com. 

 

How soon after I move into the state do I need a Connecticut driver’s license?

A new state license is required within 30 days. You do not need to pass a Connecticut driver’s test if you already possess a valid driver’s license from another state. 

You must re-register your car within 60 days. This requires visiting a full-service DMV branch for VIN verification. Call 800-842-8222 for details. 

 

Are there any driving schools?

Yes. In town there is Lewis School of Driving, 28 Cross Street (972-0242/lewisschoolofdriving.com) and in Stamford, High Ridge Driving School, 992 High Ridge Road (329-3030/highridgedrivingschool.com).  

 

At what age may a person begin driving?

A student must be 16 years old to take driving lessons. For those under 18 who do not attend a state-licensed driving school or driver’s education program, a Home Training Certificate must be issued at least one month before the driver’s exam. There is a mandatory eight-hour program covering safe driving practices, plus a two-hour parent/legal guardian training.  Call 800-842-8222 for more information. 

Drivers 16 and 17 years old are subject to graduated licensing regarding passengers. Under new laws that went into effect August 1, 2008, for the first six months after receiving a license, the driver may not have more than one passenger, who must be a parent, legal guardian, driving instructor, or one person at least 20 years old who has had a license at least four consecutive years. During the second six months after getting a license, the driver may only have as passengers those mentioned above or members of the immediate family. The teen may always drive alone. For information, visit ct.gov/dmv. 

 

Are there any other restrictions on teen drivers?

Yes. A new state law (as of August 2008)  prohibits teens under the age of 18 from driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless the teen is traveling for employment,school, religious activities or medical necessity.

 

What is the law regarding driving and cell phone use?

A state law bans the use of hand-held cell phones by adult drivers. It bans all cell phone use by teen drivers — 16 and 17 years old — except to call 911 or other emergency numbers. 

 

Who must wear seat belts?

Drivers and front-seat passengers, and all rear seat passengers 4 to 16 years old, must wear seat belts when riding in a motor vehicle. 

Car seats are required for children younger than four or less than 40 pounds. A violation is punishable by a $75 fine. Children, four or older or more than 40 pounds, may use seat belts although booster seats are recommended. 

 

What rights do pedestrians have?

Pedestrians have the right of way in crosswalks. There is a crosswalk at every intersection, even if it is not marked by painted lines. Drivers must slow or stop and grant the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing at a marked or unmarked crosswalk. If the walkway is regulated with a Walk/Don’t Walk light, pedestrians must wait for the Walk sign. 

 

What should I do if I see a flashing blue light on a vehicle?

Flashing blue lights may only be used by volunteer firefighters on their way to an emergency. As with police vehicles, fire trucks, or ambulances, you must yield to these vehicles. 

 

What should I do if a horse and rider are on the road?

Horseback riders are protected by the rules of the road. They must ride single file near the right edge of the road. When approaching a horse on a public road, you must reduce your speed or stop, if necessary, to avoid striking, endangering, or frightening the horse. When approaching a horse being ridden or led along a road, you must drive at a reasonable speed and stay a reasonable distance. It is illegal to sound your horn when approaching or passing a horse. 

 

What rights do bicyclists have on the road?

In Connecticut a bicycle has the same rights and responsibilities as a car on the road. A bicyclist may use the left lane when turning, and when a road is too narrow for cars and bikes to ride side by side, the bicyclist may ride near the center of the lane. Drivers must yield to bicyclists in a bicycle lane or on a sidewalk before turning across the bicycle lane or sidewalk. Failure to yield right-of-way to a bicyclist will result in a fine being doubled. 

 

Where can I get gasoline at 3:00 a.m.?

The Mobil Station at the intersection of South Avenue and Cherry Street near the center of town is open 24 hours. There are also 24-hour gasoline stations on both sides of the Merritt Parkway, north of Exit 37. 

 

Will any auto service come to your house?

The AAA Connecticut Motor Club will come to your house and tow your car if you can’t get it out of your driveway, or make minor repairs and slight adjustments, if that’s all that’s necessary to get your car started. 

You must be a AAA member to take advantage of this service. Call 800-228-1055 for more information. Ask for member services. 

 

How can I get rid of an old car?

Some charity groups accept old cars as charitable contributions. These include the American Diabetes Association (888-212-9990), the American Lung Association (800-LUNG-USA), the American Red Cross (1-877-723-6667), Boys and Girls Clubs in Connecticut (800-246-0493), Mothers Against Drunk Driving (203-386-0049), and Big Brothers Big Sisters in Connecticut (800-859-6526). Some auto wreckers will pick up an old car and take it away for free. Fire departments sometimes use old cars for training. 

 

Is there a carpooling agency nearby?

Metropool Inc. in Stamford provides commuter ride-sharing programs to corporations and individuals, as well as van-pooling. There is also a free matching service to commuters wishing to car pool. For details, call 1-800-346-3743 or visit its Web site at metropool.com. 

 

Where is the nearest train station?

The New Canaan train station is at the corner of Park and Elm Streets. It is 41.2 miles to Grand Central Terminal. The station is fully ADA accessible. It has two ticket machines on the platform. The ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 6:10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  A one-way peak ticket to New York City, bought at the station, is $12.25; off-peak is $9.25; seniors/disabled $6. A monthly ticket costs $264. Travel time to Grand Central Terminal is about 66 minutes on a through train, about 82 minutes on a local. 

 

How can I get the latest train schedules?

Timetables are available at the train station. You can also receive schedule information by calling Metro-North at 800-638-7646. Train schedules are also on Metro-North’s Web site at mta.info. 

 

Is there a taxi service?

Local taxi services include A1 Car Service (972-3888) and Eveready Cab of New Canaan (972-0677). 

 

What limousine services are in town?

Asap Livery (972-5959)

Hoyt Livery, (966-LIMO/hoytlivery.com)

Merritt Limousine, 801-9535/merrittlimo.com)

Millennium Limousine Service (966-8300/milllimo.com)

New Canaan Transportation & Livery, (966-6106)

New Canaan Private Car (966-0001)

Nyconn Limousine (966-1444/nyconnlimo.com)

Ritters Limousine Service (966-1308)

 

What airports are nearby?

Westchester Airport is used by Air Canada, AirTran Airways, American, Continental, Delta, jetBlue, Northwest, United, and U.S. Airways. The airport code is HPN. The phone number is 914-285-4850. The Web site is westchestergov.com/airport. 

La Guardia (718-533-3400) in Queens, N.Y., serves 21 airlines. The airport code is LGA. The Web site is panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/laguardia.html. 

Most international flights originate from John F. Kennedy International (718-244-4444), a bout an hour and a half away in Queens. The Web site is panynj.gov/CommutingTravel/airports/html/kennedy.html. The airport code is JFK. 

Bradley International Airport (860-292-2000/888-624-1533) is New England’s second-largest airport after Logan in Boston. It is in Windsor Locks, 12 miles north of Hartford, about an hour and 15 minutes away. Bradley serves 15 airlines including Air Canada Jazz, America West, American, American Eagle, Continental, Continental Express, Delta, Frontier Airlines, Midwest Connect, Northwest/KLM, Southwest, United Airlines, United Express, and U.S. Airways, and U.S. Airways Express. The airport code is BDL. For more information, check the Web site at bradleyairport.com. 

Tweed New Haven Airport (203-466-8833/flytweed.com) serves USAirways to Philadelphia. The airport code is HVN. 

Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Airport (203-576-7498) serves the Bridgeport area. It offers charters, flight training, and private plane services, as well as helicopter service to New York The airport code is BDR. 

 

Is there helicopter service to New York City?

Yes, US Helicopter Corporation offers a 20-minute helicopter ride from Sikorsky Airport to the Downtown Manhattan Heliport with continuing service to JFK International Airport or Newark Liberty Airport (40 minutes gate to gate). For schedule and ticket information, visit flyush.com.

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