Delaware
Vehicle Resource Center
Known for its beautiful beaches and rich history, Delaware is a beloved state that's home to more than 773,000 licensed drivers, according to the Delaware State Police. Each of those drivers must maintain a Driver's License, and many also maintain vehicles that they own. Being a vehicle owner and driver comes with countless legal requirements that can feel overwhelming to keep track of.
Ownership and Maintenance
Caring for vehicles requires regular work. As a vehicle owner, it's essential to maintain insurance coverage, keep up with regular inspections, handle registration requirements, and more. These regular maintenance items are essential for legally owning a vehicle. Such are the tasks that are covered here:
Every two years, each vehicle registered in Delaware must undergo both safety and emissions inspections. There is no cost to having the vehicle inspected, but it's essential to schedule an appointment ahead of time because the inspection facilities are often very busy. Try to schedule with a local inspection center well before the inspection expires to ensure the vehicle remains legal to drive.
New Vehicles Do Not Require Emissions Inspections for 7 Years
For the first seven years of owning a new vehicle, no emissions inspections are required. Instead, only safety inspections are necessary. This doesn't change the process, but the inspections are often completed more quickly.
Every vehicle owner in the state of Delaware must maintain active liability insurance on their vehicle. This means investing in a policy that offers the right coverage levels and getting that policy from an in-state insurance provider.
The Minimum Coverage Values
To meet insurance coverage requirements, the policy must provide the following coverage limits at a minimum:
The policy must also have personal injury protection coverage in the following amounts.
Only policies that meet those limits are accepted as valid policies in Delaware. Vehicle owners can protect themselves from most lawsuits as well as legal trouble by maintaining valid insurance that meets these limits, and some car owners opt to raise their limits for greater protection and peace of mind.
More insurance information can be found on the Delaware DMV's Insurance page.
Delaware vehicle owners must renew their vehicle registration every year for the first seven years of the vehicle's life and then every two years for older vehicles. The renewal process can be started up to 90 days before the registration expires, and registration renewals can be completed by mail or in person.
The Delaware DMV sends reminders out to every vehicle owner in the state 90, 60, and 30 days before the registration expires if the owner is on the notification list. Drivers who do not receive email and text notifications can add themselves to the service by visiting this signup page.
Renew By Mail
Each year, a registration renewal is due, and the DMV sends out a packet in the mail. The packet has the information that's required to go through a full registration renewal. Owners can fill out the forms, supply payment, and send the packet back to renew without ever going to the DMV. For drivers who do not wish to renew by mail, the same process can be completed in person at a DMV location.
Renew at the DMV
Owners can renew in person at a DMV by bringing the paperwork that's sent in the mail. Bring along the necessary documents and present them along with payment to a worker at the DMV to renew registration in person. It's important to bring an odometer reading as well as proof of liability insurance for a successful renewal.
Learn more about Delaware's Registration renewal process via the Delaware DMV webpage.
Every eight years, Delaware license holders must renew their driver's licenses. The renewal process is straightforward and can be completed online for those eligible and at the DMV for everyone.
Drivers can renew their license up to six months before the license expires. When renewing, drivers must turn in their old license, and they will receive a temporary instead.
Drivers are asked to complete a license renewal application, which may require proof of residency if they have moved since their last license renewal. Some drivers are required to take an eye screening, and there are instances where drivers are required to take the written exam or the road test before their license can be renewed.
Special requirements should be listed on the renewal reminder for the license when it comes in. Reminders typically arrive 30 days before the license needs to be renewed. Get more information about the license renewal process via the Delaware government website.
Upgrading to a Real ID License
Any drivers who plan to upgrade to a Real ID license will have to renew in person and supply additional identification information. Use the following Delaware Government Real ID information page to determine which documents are required to upgrade successfully.
Registration Renewal
Drivers must pay a flat fee of $40.00 per year to renew their registration if their vehicle is under 5,000 pounds. Vehicles over 5,000 pounds are treated as commercial and cost $40 per year plus an additional $18 for every additional 1,000 pounds. There is a $20 late fee for any renewals after the registration expiration date.
Driver's License Renewal
To renew a standard driver's license in Delaware costs about $40. It's important to note that any license renewed after its expiration date comes with an additional $10 late fee. Get more specifics about license fees here.
Buying & Selling
Follow these simple steps when buying or selling a vehicle in Delaware to keep everything legal and stay protected:
Cancel Insurance
The liability insurance policy that's on the vehicle will not be useful once the buyer has ownership. It's best to cancel the policy as soon as possible once the vehicle has been sold.
Remove the License Plates
Always remove the license plates before allowing the buyer to take the vehicle away. The plates can be transferred to a different vehicle or returned to the DMV and discontinued. Either way, the original license plates should not be passed to the buyer.
Get a Bill of Sale
Acquire and fill out a Bill of Sale that has information about the buyer and seller, as well as information regarding the vehicle. Make two copies of the Bill of Sale and give one to the buyer while retaining the other. If both parties sign the Bill of Sale, it's a useful document that helps prove the vehicle was sold.
Research the Vehicle Purchase
Always begin by researching what the vehicle has and getting to know its history. This is simple to do with help from a VIN report or a license plate report from GoodCar. These reports provide instant data on owner history, title brands, open recalls, accident history, and detailed vehicle specifications and possible features. A quick report search makes it easy to see whether a vehicle is worth purchasing or not.
Obtain the Original Title
Always get the original title when purchasing a vehicle. Make certain there is no lien on the title, and get the seller to fill out the back of the title so it's ready when registering the vehicle. The original title is required to title and register the vehicle in the buyer's name. Make sure all the data is filled out on the back of the title, including the odometer reading, purchase price, and the date of the purchase.
Register and Title the Vehicle
After obtaining the title and insuring the vehicle, it's time to go to the Delaware DMV and title and register the vehicle. Provide the original title, driver's license, proof of insurance, and money for all the fees to finalize the process. It's simple to register and title a vehicle as long as the title is properly filled out by the original owner.
Title the Vehicle
There is a $35 fee to title a vehicle without any liens and $55 for a vehicle with a lien.
Register the Vehicle
The registration costs $40 per year when dealing with the DMV. This price does not include the taxes that are required on top of the fees.
Taxes
Buyers are expected to pay 4.5% in sales tax on the purchase price of the vehicle. The taxes also take into account the actual value of the vehicle, and the amount due might be more than expected if the purchase price was much lower than the estimated value of the vehicle.
Laws and Regulations
Delaware maintains strict laws designed to protect drivers throughout the state. Each vehicle owner and licensed driver is expected to understand the state's driving laws.
All passengers and drivers in vehicles are required by law to buckle properly. For adults and children ages eight and up, this means buckling with a standard lap and shoulder belt. If someone is unbuckled, the driver will receive a $25 fine as well as court fees that can raise the total cost to more than $80.
Nobody Under 12 Years Old In Front
Under the Delaware seatbelt laws, passengers under 12 must remain in the rear seats whenever possible. Any front seat with an airbag is unsafe for passengers under 5'5" and under 12 years of age.
Car Seat Regulations
All children under eight years old are required by law to be seated in a child safety seat. They should be seated based on the requirements below.
For more specifics about seatbelt laws or car seat regulations, see the Delaware Code page here.
Delaware has strict DUI laws with penalties that include a $550 to $1,500 fine, up to a year of jail time, and up to two years' revocation of license for a driver caught operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.
Every Delaware resident who purchases a new vehicle is protected by the state's Lemon law. This law protects buyers from obtaining new vehicles with significant safety defects or problems that seriously impact the value of the vehicle.
Only vehicles that have been in operation for less than a year or vehicles within the original manufacturer's warranty are protected by this law.
Under the state's Lemon law, vehicle owners are required to notify the manufacturer that the vehicle is suffering from a serious defect. The manufacturer has the right to attempt to fix the defect before being impacted by the Lemon law. The law only goes into effect if the same issue is repaired unsuccessfully four or more times. The vehicle can also be designated a lemon if it is in the shop for warranty repairs for more than 30 days during all the combined repairs. If the vehicle meets these conditions, it can be designated as a lemon, and the manufacturer will be required to replace it or refund it.
Get more specifics about the Delaware Lemon Law from this Delaware legal webpage.
Useful Things to Know
Being a Delaware driver and vehicle owner requires having extensive knowledge of state regulations and laws. Things do not have to be overwhelming, however. The information above, along with the resources below, should help most vehicle owners meet their obligations and be successful in their endeavors.
Locate the Most Convenient Charging Stations
Electric vehicles need to be recharged regularly. Most EV owners recharge at home, but there are times when it's essential to recharge while away from home. During those times, it's important to have access to a recharging station. There are many EV recharging stations in Delaware, but they can be difficult to locate if you don't know where to look. Use this lookup tool to find nearby EV charging stations: Delaware EV Charging Stations Locator
DMV Locations
Locate a nearby DMV using this locator map: Delaware DMV Locator Map
Delaware Car Crash Statistics
In 2022, more than 27,830 car accidents were reported, and an estimated 165 individuals died while nearly 8,000 were injured. Accidents occur regularly in the state, and there are some key trends that can help individuals understand how they can keep themselves safe while out on the road. To see the complete picture, check Delaware car crash statistics on GoodCar.
Access the Delaware Driver Manual
Students and current drivers can see the most common laws and driving advice inside the Delaware Driver Manual. Access the manual online conveniently for this information immediately: Delaware Driver Manual Online
Delaware Resources
Get the Latest Delaware Vehicle Information with GoodCar
Delaware vehicle owners owe it to themselves to have the most up-to-date information about state laws, maintenance requirements, recalls, and more. Refer to this useful resource for residents looking for help and GoodCar's VIN Check and license plate lookup tools for help getting additional information about specific vehicles.