Delaware

Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
P.O. Box 698
Dover, DE 19903
(302) 744-2500 | www.dmv.de.gov

Delaware State Police
1441 N. DuPont Hwy.
Dover, DE 19901
(302) 739-5900 | www.dsp.delaware.gov

Delaware Department of Transportation
Headquarters 800 Bay Road
P.O. Box 778
Dover, DE 19903
(302) 760-2080 | www.deldot.net

The purchaser of a motor vehicle shall make an application for a new certificate of title immediately following the purchase and no later than 30 days after the purchase of the vehicle.

Every application for an original certificate of title shall be made upon the application form furnished or approved by the DOT and shall contain a full description of the motor vehicle including the name of the maker, the vehicle serial number, any distinguishing marks, whether the vehicle is new or used, and a statement of any liens or encumbrances upon the vehicle.

Upon transfer of ownership, the buyer must surrender to the DMV the seller’s endorsed certificate of ownership.  Also, an owner is able to have their motor vehicle title issued in a transfer-on-death form by including in the certificate of title a designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries so that, upon the owner’s death, the motor vehicle will be a non-probate asset that will pass to the beneficiary or beneficiaries named in the title.

Every owner of a mobile home shall apply to the DMV for a placement permit for each mobile home he or she owns within 60 days after the mobile home is acquired or moved into this state, whichever is sooner.

When a mobile home, park trailer or house trailer is sold by a Delaware licensed mobile home dealer the dealer shall be responsible for immediately submitting the application for certificate of title, related documents and all fees to the DMV for the purpose of securing a title.

The DOT shall not transfer the title of a mobile home or house trailer to a new owner until all county taxes levied by the jurisdiction in which the trailer is located have been paid in full.

The DOT shall not register or renew the registration of any motor vehicle unless and until the owner makes an application for, and is granted an official certificate of title for the vehicle.

Every owner of a motor vehicle or trailer, within 60 days after taking up residence in the state, shall apply to the DOT and obtain the registration for the vehicle.

There is no grace period for late registration.

An application for the registration of a motor vehicle shall contain the name and address of the owner, and a description of the vehicle including the make, model, type of body, the serial number of the vehicle, and whether it is new or used.

The owner of a trailer may elect to register it for a 2-year period.

A vehicle which has been registered in the state, country, or other place of which the owner is a resident, and which at all times has displayed license plates issued for any such vehicle in the place of residence of the owner, may be operated without registering the vehicle or paying any fees to the state.

The DOT shall allow registration of motor vehicles owned by individuals who are not residents of Delaware upon presentation of an affidavit by the applicant, on a form approved by the DOT, swearing or affirming that the vehicle is principally garaged in Delaware and that the applicant is the owner of at least 1 other vehicle which is registered and insured in the state of the applicant’s residence.

The DOT shall allow the registration of trailers for individuals who are not residents of the state if the individual provides documented proof of ownership of a residence in Delaware and signs a declaration indicating that the trailer will remain in Delaware at all times.

The DMV mails registration renewal notices to each vehicle owner on record approximately 90 days before a vehicle’s registration expiration date. Vehicle registrations may be renewed up to 90 days prior to their expiration date.

Emissions inspection is required for all vehicles manufactured since 1968. Motor vehicles manufactured in the past 5 model years are exempt.

OBD is utilized as part of the state emissions inspection process.

Visit the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles for more information on exhaust emission inspections.

Before the DOT registers or renews the registration of a vehicle, such vehicle shall be inspected by the DOT and determined to be safe and fit for operation and found equipped according to the law. New motor vehicle dealers are able to inspect motor vehicles 5 model years old or newer that are owned by that dealership. The inspections will only relate to safety and the vehicle identification number (VIN).

The DOT may waive all inspection requirements of vehicles no older than the last 5 model years.

At any time any authorized agent of the DOT or any police officer may, upon reasonable cause, require the owner or operator of a vehicle to stop and submit such vehicle and the equipment for a safety inspection.

The number and registration plates shall be the property of the state and shall be furnished by the DOT for each registered motor vehicle without additional cost to the owner.

The DOT shall furnish 1 reflectorized, numbered plate for each vehicle registered.

The color scheme for license plates gold on blue.

License plates are validated with stickers.

Handicapped license plates may be issued only if applicant submits proof satisfactory to the DOT.

The license plate remains with the car upon transfer of title if new owner is a Delaware resident. If vehicle is sold to a new owner outside the state of Delaware, the plate must be returned to the DMV.

Applicants must pass a knowledge exam, a vision screening (20/40 visual acuity required), and a driving test for an original license.

A vision screening is required every 8 years upon renewal of license.

State has a system of graduated licensing for teen drivers.

Individuals who are at least 16 years of age and have successfully completed an approved driver education course and have passed both a written and road skills test are eligible for a learner’s permit.

A learner’s permit holder must be supervised by a licensed driver age 25 or older riding in the front passenger seat and who has held a Class D license for at least 5 years. No passengers other than the adult supervisor and 1 other passenger may be in the vehicle during the first 12 months of holding the learner’s permit (immediate family members are exempt).

After 6 months, learner’s permit holders are eligible for an intermediate license as long as they have completed 50 hours (10 at night) of supervised driving time. In the intermediate stage, teen drivers may drive unsupervised between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Intermediate stage drivers may drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. only when supervised, unless they are traveling to or from church activities, work activities, or the license holder’s school. Teen drivers may not drive with more than 1 passenger (family members exempt).

At the age of 17 and after 6 months of holding an intermediate license, a driver in the intermediate stage may apply for a Class D license.

Driver education is required for all license applicants under 18.

Delaware’s licensing processes complies with federal identification standards. An application for Driver’s license must include the name and address of the applicant; the applicant’s color photograph; a physical description of the applicant; the applicant’s signature; the date of birth; the name of the state; the date of issue of the license; and the expiration date of the license.

For an original license, a written test, eye screening, and driving test are required.

Original documents (or certified copies) are required to prove identity, legal presence in the United States, Social Security Number, Delaware residency and name change if applicable.

Non-citizens must provide immigration and naturalization documents when applying for a license.

Social security number on license is optional.

Driver’s licenses are in effect for a period of 8 years.

When an application for a license renewal is made, the driver must surrender the expired license, fill out an application, and pass a vision test.

Military personnel, their dependents, and students may renew licenses by calling (302) 744-2506 or by mail.

Military personnel and their dependents are not required to acquire Delaware driver licenses and vehicle registrations until 60 days after separation from the service.

Driver Education Learner Permit: Authorizes the holder to operate the same vehicles as a Class D license while taking an approved driver education course.

Class D Operator’s License: Authorizes license holders to operate any vehicle with a Gross Weight Rating (GWR) of less than 26,001 lbs., and cannot be designed to transport more than 15 passengers or carry hazardous material.

CDL Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a GWR of 26,001 lbs. or more, provided that the GWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 lbs.

CDL Class B: Any single vehicle with a GWR of 26,001 lbs. or more.

Endorsements and Restrictions: H — authorizes driver to carry hazardous materials; L — restricts the driver to vehicles not equipped with airbrakes; T — authorizes driving double and triple trailers; P — authorizes driving vehicle carrying passengers; N — authorizes driving tank vehicles; and X — combines both H and N endorsements.

All drivers are prohibited from text messaging and handheld cell phone use. Learner’s permit and intermediate license holders are subject to a complete ban on cell phone use. School bus drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving, except in emergencies and while parked.

The emergency phone number is 911 or #77.

Citizen band radio channel 9 is monitored for emergency calls.

No prohibition on wearing of headsets while driving.

When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle or tow truck with flashing lights, motorists traveling in the same direction are required to move to a lane not adjacent to the vehicle and reduce speed.

Seat belts are required for the driver and all passengers age 8 and older or over 65 lbs.

Violation of the seat belt law is a standard offense.

Riding in the cargo area of a pickup truck is permitted.

No child who is 65 inches or under in height or who is under age 12 shall occupy the front passenger seat of any vehicle equipped with a passenger-side airbag that has not been deliberately rendered inoperable.

Children under age 8 and under 66 lbs. must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards appropriate for the child’s weight and height.

Violations of the child restraint laws are standard offenses.

The maximum fine for the first offense for a violation of the child restraint law is $25.

Whenever any person driving a vehicle approaches a railroad grade crossing, drawbridge, or automatic signal system controlling the flow of traffic, the driver of such vehicle shall stop within 50 feet but not less than 15 feet from the nearest rail of such railroad, and shall not proceed until the driver can do so safely.

When a school bus is stopped on the roadway or shoulder and is displaying flashing lamps, the driver of any vehicle approaching the school bus from the front or from the rear shall stop before passing the bus and remain stopped until such bus begins to move or no longer has the red stop lamps activated. On roadway or roadways with 4 or more lanes, the driver approaching from the front shall not stop.

No passenger vehicle or station wagon shall be registered or operated upon any highway of the state if the bumper height exceeds 22 inches from the ground to the bottom of the bumper.

Headlights are required to be use when wipers are in use or visibility is less than 1000 feet.

Hazard light use is not permitted except to indicate a traffic hazard.

Tire chain usage is permitted for hazardous weather or other related incidents only, but may not damage the highway surface.

Studded tires are permitted October 15 to April 15.

No person shall operate any motor vehicle on any public highway, which does not conspicuously display a certificate by the manufacturer of any “after manufacture” tinting material, stating that the tinting material meets the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205.

N/A.

Radar detectors are permitted.

No person shall drive upon the highways of this state with any sign, poster, or other non-transparent material upon the front windshield, or side or rear window of the vehicle other than a certificate or other paper required to be displayed by law.

N/A.

A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only on the permanent and regular seat.

If the motorcycle is designed for passengers, it must be equipped with passenger footrests.

Every person under age 19 operating or riding on a motorcycle shall have a safety helmet and wear an eye protection approved by the DOT.

Every motorcycle shall be equipped with at least 1 and not more than 2 headlamps.

No person shall operate a motorcycle without being properly licensed, having passed an examination testing the person’s ability to operate such a vehicle safely, or without completing the Motorcycle Rider Education Program as implemented by the DOT.

Riders who take an endorsement skills test on a three-wheeled motorcycle will have a three-wheeled motorcycle restriction, in addition to the motorcycle endorsement, limiting their operation to three-wheeled motorcycles only.

No person shall drive a motorcycle on a public roadway unless the motorcycle is equipped with a muffler to prevent excessive or unusual noise.

Mopeds shall not be operated upon interstate highways.

No person shall operate a moped without having been licensed as an operator of a motor vehicle; minimum age is 16.

Regulations applicable to bicycles shall apply whenever a moped is operated upon any public road.

Mopeds shall be registered for a 3-year period.

Driving on interstate or limited access highways is not permitted.

The following safety equipment is required: helmet, headlamp, side and rear reflectors, brakes, mirror, and muffler.

Total length: 65 feet; trailer length: 40 feet; width: 102 inches; height: 13 feet 6 inches.

Every motor vehicle when operated on a highway shall be equipped with brakes adequate to control the movement, and to stop and hold such vehicle and any trailer attached thereto, including 2 separate means of applying the brakes.

Safety chain is recommended.

Every trailer shall be equipped with at least 1 tail lamp, mounted on the rear, which when lighted emits a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear.

All motor vehicles shall be equipped with a mirror placed so that the driver may readily ascertain the presence of any vehicle traveling in the same direction and overtaking the Driver’s vehicle.

No trailer carrying a gross weight of load in combination with a vehicle in excess of 4,000 lbs. shall be operated at a speed over 10 mph unless equipped with suitable brakes controlled by the operator of the towing vehicle.

No vehicle shall be driven upon any highway pulling more than 1 other vehicle.

The drawbar or other connection between any vehicle and the vehicle it is towing shall not exceed 15 feet in length.

If the connection between 2 vehicles, 1 towing the other, consists of a chain, rope, or cable, there shall be a red flag or other cloth not less than 12 inches square attached to the connection.

It shall be unlawful to ride in a house trailer being towed by another vehicle.

Crashes are required to be immediately reported when property damage exceeds $500.00.

AAA Mid-Atlantic does not offer arrest bond guarantees as part of its membership.

State has security-type law. All vehicles registered in the state are required to have the minimum liability insurance coverage of $15,000 for any 1 person injured in an accident; $30,000 for all persons injured in any 1 accident; or $10,000 for the property damage which may be done by any 1 accident.

State has add-on, no-fault insurance law. Sale mandatory. Benefits, $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident; covers medical, loss of income, loss of services, and funeral ($3,000 limit).

No limit on tort actions except benefits received cannot be used as evidence in suits for general damages. Non-residents are covered as pedestrians or guest passengers in insured vehicles.

State has non-resident service of process law.

The Secretary of the DPS may adopt such regulations and procedures as may be necessary for law enforcement weighing purposes.

Bicycle helmets are required for riders under age 18.

Drivers passing a bicycle must pass with a space of 3 feet between the motor vehicle and the bicycle, or if impossible to do so, reduce to a speed no more than 10 mph beneath the posted speed limit.

Delaware is party to the Non-Resident Violator Compact.