How to get a driver's license in Delaware
This page explains, step by step, how to get a Delaware driver license for a regular car and which documents to bring. It is based on the website of the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and on the Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026). It describes the rules as of October 6, 2026. The DMV’s pages and the manual do not always say the same thing, so where they differ this guide leaves the point out or points you to the DMV page. Requirements change, so check the Delaware DMV website before you go. This site is independent and is not the Delaware DMV.
Independent educational site · not affiliated with any government agency or DMV
Checked against the official sources on 2026-10-06. Requirements can change: always confirm with Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before you go.
How it works
Who does what
The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues driver licenses. If you operate a motor vehicle on public roads in Delaware you must have a driver license and carry it with you. You apply in person at the DMV in Delaware City, Dover, Georgetown or Wilmington.
Source: [1]
The Class D license
The Class D operator’s license covers passenger cars, station wagons, pickup trucks, utility vehicles and most panel trucks. It is valid for any single motor vehicle, and a trailer, with a gross vehicle weight rating of not more than 26,000 pounds. This guide covers the Class D license, the permits that lead to it, the Driving Privilege Card and the ID card.
Source: [1]
A permit comes first
First-time applicants start with a learner’s permit. If you are 18 or older, the learner’s permit lets you drive the class of vehicle you want a license for. The Class D learner permit lets you operate a Class D vehicle only when you are accompanied by a properly licensed driver. The manual and the DMV’s pages set that driver’s age at 21 but word it differently (“at least 21” and “over 21”), so check with the DMV if your supervisor is exactly 21. If you are under 18, the Graduated Driver License (GDL) program applies. Its Level One Learner’s Permit allows the same vehicles as a Class D license, but under the GDL restrictions. The next sections explain both paths.
Licenses this guide does not cover
This guide does not explain commercial or motorcycle licensing in detail. The DMV publishes a separate Delaware Commercial Driver Manual that covers the requirements, procedures and testing for a commercial driver license (CDL). A person who operates a motorcycle, motorbike or other two- or three-wheeled motor-driven vehicle on the highways must have a driver license with a motorcycle endorsement. After you pass the motorcycle knowledge exam, you get a motorcycle permit that is valid for six months and can be extended once for six more months. If you are under 18 and want a motorcycle endorsement, a parent or legal guardian must sign the application and you must complete the approved Motorcycle Rider Education Program.
Who may not be licensed
The DMV cannot issue you a license if:
- you are less than the required age for that license or endorsement;
- you are under 18 and have not completed a Delaware Department of Education approved course in driver education;
- you are under 18 and cannot get the required signature of consent on your application (usually a parent, court-appointed custodian or guardian);
- you do not understand road signs in English;
- your license or driving privileges are suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction;
- you are not a bona fide Delaware resident;
- you are physically or mentally unable to drive safely (if you are subject to loss of consciousness from a disease of the central nervous system, you must give the DMV a written certification from your licensed practitioner that the condition is under sufficient control for you to drive safely);
- you are determined to be a habitual drunkard or addicted to the use of narcotic drugs;
- you cannot prove legal presence in the United States and do not meet the requirements for a Driving Privilege Card;
- your personal information (for example dates of birth, names, Social Security numbers, U.S. entry dates or addresses) differs from the information held by other agencies.
Who does not need a Delaware license
Non-resident operators over the age of 16 who are currently licensed in their home state or country do not need a Delaware license, but the license must be in their possession. Members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are serving on active duty, and their dependents, do not need one if they have a valid driver license from their state of domicile.
Source: [1]
The Driver Manual
The Delaware Driver Manual is listed on the DMV’s Forms & Manuals page in English and in Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean and Spanish editions. The manual says that unless you know the information in it, you cannot pass the knowledge exams.
If you are under 18: permit, practice, license
Who the GDL program is for
The Graduated Driver License (GDL) program is for anyone seeking a license who is at least 16 and under 18, or who is under 22 and receiving special education services under an active Individualized Education Program (IEP). Taking part is optional for anyone who is 18 or older.
Source: [1]
Complete driver education
A person under 18 cannot be licensed without completing a Delaware Department of Education approved driver education course. You must present a Delaware Driver Education Certificate (Blue/White Certificate) as proof that you passed a certified Delaware driver education course. The DMV’s teen-driving site says a Level 1 Learner’s Permit is issued to applicants 16 years of age up to 18 who completed an approved driver education course, passed a written and road test given by a driver education instructor, were certified by the instructor as qualified for licensing (blue certificate) and have a sponsor to sign the application. The same site describes a Driver Education Learner’s Permit, issued to applicants who have reached 16 and have the instructor’s recommendation (white certificate) and a sponsor to sign. If you took a course in another state, the Department of Education must approve your out-of-state course and/or license, and you must present that approval to the DMV.
Choose a sponsor
Every GDL application must be signed by a sponsor. The sponsor is jointly liable with you for any damages resulting from your negligence, decides whether you can handle the responsibility of driving, and decides who may supervise you. The sponsor must sign your application in the presence of a Division licensing employee. The manual lists sponsors in order of preference, starting with either parent when both parents live together in Delaware and the minor lives with both. A legal guardian or court-appointed custodian can also be the sponsor. A stepparent cannot be the sponsor unless you are adopted or the stepparent is appointed your guardian. The sponsor may withdraw the endorsement at any time until you turn 18 (or, for an IEP applicant, until you finish 12 months of the program). That cancels any valid driving privileges.
Apply at the DMV
You apply in person at a DMV office. You must pass an eye screen at the time of application. Bring your sponsor and:
- documents proving your identity, legal presence, Social Security number (if you are eligible) and two proofs of Delaware residency; the two proofs of residency are waived if your sponsor is a licensed Delaware driver who lives at your address;
- a document naming your parent(s) or legal guardian(s), such as a birth certificate or court document;
- the Delaware Driver Education Certificate (Blue/White Certificate).
- If you need specialized evaluation, training or equipment to drive because of a physical or mental disability, the driver education teacher identifies you and the Division tests you.
Source: [1]
The first six months: supervised driving
For the first six months after your Level One Learner’s Permit is issued, you must be supervised at all times. Your sponsor must certify that you have driven 50 hours, 10 of them at night. The DMV’s Parent’s Supervised Driving Program says the certification goes to the Department of Education after the first six months and before any unsupervised driving is permitted. The program also says parents or guardians must make sure the teen completes no less than 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night, and that the hours can be driven with the parent or guardian or with any authorized supervising driver. A Parent Orientation Program is available online for parents and sponsors of new teen drivers in Delaware.
The second six months
After the first six months, you may drive unsupervised between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. you may drive only when supervised, with a few exceptions. The next section lists the rules.
Source: [1]
Your Class D license
A Level One Learner’s Permit holder who is under 18 may obtain a Class D operator’s license when they successfully complete the 12-month GDL program. The manual says the permit converts automatically to a Class D license once you have completed a full 12 months of valid driving authority. The DMV’s Parent’s Supervised Driving Program says the unrestricted Class D license requires the holder to be at least 17 and credited with 12 months of Delaware Level One Learner’s Permit experience, and that such a license holder may drive unsupervised at any time. Time when your driving privilege was suspended, revoked, canceled, denied or surrendered does not count toward the 12 months. An equal period of additional driving experience is added to the end of the original 12 months, and you must undergo complete testing. A GDL permit holder who is 18 or older may complete the 12-month program or choose to take the eye, written and road skills exams at the DMV.
Rules for young drivers
Level One Learner’s Permit rules
While you hold a Level One Learner’s Permit:
- The permit must be in your possession when you drive.
- You and all passengers must wear a safety belt or be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat while the vehicle is in motion.
- You may not operate a motor vehicle while using a cellular telephone, text messaging device or similar electronic device.
Source: [1]
Passengers
During the first 12 months of valid driving authority, no passengers other than an adult supervisor and one other passenger may be in the vehicle. Immediate members of your family are exempt from this passenger rule as long as the adult supervisor is in the car. During the second six months, when no supervisor is present, only one other passenger besides you may be in the vehicle.
Source: [1]
Who can supervise you
The supervisor must be a properly licensed parent, guardian or licensed driver, approved by your sponsor, who is at least 25 years old and has held a Class D license for at least 5 years. The supervising driver must sit beside you in the front seat while the vehicle is moving, and no one else may be in the front seat.
Source: [1]
When you may drive alone
For the first six months you must be supervised at all times. After that you may drive unsupervised between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. you may drive only when supervised. The exception is travel without supervision directly to and from church activities, work activities and your school activities on school property.
Source: [1]
If you break the rules
A person who violates the Level One Learner’s Permit restrictions is treated as driving without a license, which results in a license suspension that is longer for each later offense. The DMV’s pages give different suspension lengths for some of these violations, so this guide gives no numbers. Check the DMV’s Graduated Driver License page.
Drivers under 21 and alcohol
Under Delaware’s Zero Tolerance Law, if you are under 21, as little as one drink can make it illegal for you to drive. A violation leads to a license revocation of 2 months for a first offense and of not less than 6 months or more than 12 months for each later offense.
Source: [18]
If you are 18 or older
Start with a learner’s permit
First-time applicants over 18 first get a Temporary Instruction Permit, called a learner’s permit. It lets you drive the class of vehicle you want a license for. It is issued after you pass the eye screening and the knowledge exams. A Class D and CDL learner’s permit is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance, and you must pass all exams within twelve months.
Rules while you hold the permit
While you are learning to drive with the permit:
- You must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is qualified to drive the class of vehicle you are training in and who is actually seated beside you. The manual and the DMV’s pages set this driver’s age at 21 but word it differently (“at least 21” and “over 21”), so check with the DMV if your supervisor is exactly 21.
- The DMV’s adult-permit page says no more than 2 other passengers may be in the vehicle.
- You can operate only the type and class of vehicle described on the permit.
- Failing to follow these restrictions may result in your license being suspended.
The road exam
To get your license you must take a road exam. If you do not pass it within the twelve-month period, you must reapply for the learner’s permit and complete all required testing. The DMV requires a minimum wait between passing the knowledge exam and taking the road exam. The manual and the DMV’s web pages give different lengths of time, so check the current wait with the DMV when you schedule.
How to apply
You must apply in person at the DMV in Delaware City, Dover, Georgetown or Wilmington. Every driver must pass an eye-screening examination. Some applicants may be referred to an eye doctor or physician for additional medical exams if they have a medical or mental condition that may interfere with safe driving. Every applicant is subject to a written (knowledge) and road skills test. All drivers must sign a driver license application and a surrender agreement. By applying for a Delaware license or ID card, you agree that the licenses and ID cards other states issued you are surrendered and cancelled. If you no longer have your out-of-state license, see “Moving to Delaware” for what to bring instead.
If your driving privileges lapsed
If your Class D driving privileges have been cancelled, denied, disqualified, expired, revoked and/or suspended for over one year, you must take the vision and Class D knowledge exam and then reapply for Class D driving privileges. If it has been over 5 years, you must reapply for your Class D license and take the vision, knowledge and road exams.
Source: [1]
If your information does not match
The DMV does not issue a license when your personal information differs from the information held by other agencies, such as different dates of birth, names, Social Security numbers, U.S. entry dates or addresses.
Source: [12]
Moving to Delaware
The 60-day rule
If you move into Delaware from another state, you must apply for a Delaware driver license within 60 days after becoming a resident. By applying for or keeping a Delaware license or ID card, you agree that all other state-issued licenses and ID cards issued to you are surrendered and cancelled.
What to bring
Bring your previously issued out-of-state driver license, or a current certified copy of your driving record. Also bring proof of legal presence, such as a birth certificate or passport, proof of your Social Security number and two proofs of Delaware residency. If you do not have your valid out-of-state license, you need a certified copy of your driving record. You sign an application and a surrender agreement form and pass an eye screening.
Tests and the new license
Written and road exams may be given, but they are normally waived if your license is valid. Suspended, revoked and restricted licenses cannot be transferred until the outstanding actions are cleared. With proper documentation you are issued a federally compliant driver license.
Endorsements from another state
A motorcycle endorsement from another state can be transferred for an additional fee. The commercial Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T) and Passenger (P) endorsements can also be transferred. The Taxi/Limousine (Z) endorsement cannot be transferred.
Source: [1]
Moving from another country
Sixty days after you become a Delaware resident you must apply for a Delaware driver license. Drivers from other countries may keep their foreign licenses. All drivers licensed in other countries must pass the eye, knowledge and road exams. Delaware has reciprocity agreements with a few countries that exempt those drivers from the knowledge and road exams for a Class D license only; endorsements are not included. The DMV’s pages do not list the countries in the same way, so ask the DMV whether your country is covered.
If you are 16 or 17
A person who is at least 16 and under 18 and was issued a license by another state must get a Delaware license within 60 days after becoming a Delaware resident. You must have completed an approved driver education course (the Department of Education makes sure out-of-state courses are equivalent to Delaware’s requirements), pass a written and road exam given by the DMV and pass an eye screening. The application must be signed by an approved sponsor. Depending on how long you held your out-of-state license, you may be eligible for a Class D operator’s license after meeting all testing requirements or for a Level One Learner’s Permit. The DMV’s pages give different time limits for this, so ask the DMV which applies to you.
Military members and their families
Members of the military service and their dependents are not required to get Delaware driver licenses and vehicle registration until 60 days after separation from the service. The manual says this exemption applies to members serving on active duty, and their dependents, who have a valid driver license from their state of domicile.
Your vehicle
New residents must title and register their vehicles within 60 days after becoming Delaware residents.
Source: [27]
Documents to bring
The basics
Anyone who applies for a driver license or an ID card must submit one primary document and one secondary document from the DMV’s list. A primary document must contain your full name and date of birth and must be verifiable. Proof of identity and legal presence must show your full legal name, date of birth and citizenship or legal presence in the United States, and your name must match on all documents.
Originals only
All documents must be originals or certified copies. Photocopied, expired or altered documents are not accepted. If a document is in a different language, a certified English translation may also be required.
Proof of identity and legal presence
U.S. citizens should provide a U.S. certified birth certificate, a valid, unexpired U.S. passport, a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, a Certificate of Naturalization or a Certificate of Citizenship. A U.S.-issued birth certificate must be an original or certified copy with a raised seal, issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health. Wallet cards, birth registration and hospital announcements or records are not accepted. A foreign passport must come with the appropriate INS document. The DMV’s checklist for a federally compliant license or ID asks for an original or certified birth certificate or a valid passport or immigration documents, with the correct legal name.
If you are not a U.S. citizen
Non-citizens must provide USCIS or INS immigration documents with either an Alien Registration Number or an I-94 Number that can be verified electronically through the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE system. The expiration date on your license or ID cannot be later than the period you are authorized to stay in the United States. Applicants in certain immigration statuses, or who hold invalid or expired documents, are not eligible for a Delaware-issued license or ID card even if they have established Delaware residency, but may be eligible to apply for a Delaware Driving Privilege Card. The DMV lists B-1 (visitor for business) and B-2 (visitor for pleasure, tourist) among the statuses that are not eligible. For a minor adopted and born outside the United States, proof of citizenship or legal presence must be provided even if a U.S. citizen adopted the minor.
Proof of your Social Security number
You must provide one proof of your Social Security number. Acceptable proof includes a Social Security card, a W-2 tax form, an SSA-1099 form, an SSA Non-1099 form, a pay stub with the full number or any valid Social Security Administration document with the full number. Medicare and Medicaid cards are not acceptable. Expired or altered documents are not accepted. Disclosing your Social Security number is mandatory if you are eligible. An SSA ineligibility letter is listed for people who are not eligible based on legal presence status, but it is not acceptable for a federally compliant license or ID.
Proof of Delaware residency
You must provide two proofs of Delaware residency. Each must come from a separate source and display a person’s physical address. Examples are utility bills, credit card statements, auto or life insurance policies, bank account records, employment records, rental agreements and other non-personal mail postmarked within the last 60 days. The DMV’s web page also lists voter registration cards, so the DMV’s lists are not word for word the same; check the current list. Mail must have been delivered by the USPS and be postmarked or received within the last 60 days (UPS, FedEx and DHL are not accepted). Photocopies or printouts of bills are not accepted, and non-business letters and cards are not accepted.
If you are under 18
If you are under 18 (or eligible for the IEP GDL program), you must present a document naming your parent(s) or legal guardian(s), such as a birth certificate or court document. The DMV’s checklist for GDL applicants also asks for:
- a parent, legal guardian or court-appointed custodian with valid identification (a legal custody order document is required);
- the original or certified copy of your birth certificate showing your parent’s name (the DMV’s checklist and the manual word this differently, so check with the DMV if only one parent is listed), in addition to immigration documentation if applicable;
- the Delaware Driver Education certificate (white or blue slip).
If your name changed
If your legal name has changed, you must provide all of the name change documents; if you have had several name changes (for example several marriages and divorces), you need all of them. A marriage license or civil union certificate must be issued by a government agency with a raised seal, and marriage certificates signed by clergy are not accepted. You must change your name with the Social Security Administration first. The DMV’s pages give different waiting times between that update and your DMV visit, so check the current wait before you go.
Selective Service
Male applicants should understand that their signature on a license or ID card application constitutes consent to be registered with the Selective Service System, if so required.
Source: [1]
REAL ID (federally compliant license or ID)
What it is
The Delaware DMV offers federally compliant driver licenses and ID cards, also called REAL ID. A compliant card has a star in the upper right corner (the manual calls it a gold star). A non-compliant card has the phrase “Not for Federal Identification” printed in the upper margin.
What it is used for
A federally compliant card can be used for domestic flights, for entering federal facilities and for other federal purposes. The DMV’s checklist says federally compliant cards are required for entering federal facilities beginning December 1, 2017 and for domestic aircraft travel beginning May 7, 2025. From May 7, 2025, everyone who flies domestically needs a federally compliant license or ID card or another valid ID approved by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Whether a card is compliant or non-compliant is used solely for federal identification, not for driving authority.
If you cannot bring the documents
Some existing customers may not want to or be able to bring the documents. If you cannot produce them, you can get a non-compliant license or ID card. A non-compliant license may be converted to compliant status at any time; see “Documents and cost” for the fee if you convert before the card expires.
Documents and cost
The DMV verifies all documents with an electronic verification system. All documents must be originals or certified copies. A compliant card costs the same as a non-compliant card, but if you upgrade a non-compliant card to a compliant one before it expires, you pay the duplicate fee; the fees page lists current fees. Existing customers present their original source documents once, at renewal. The DMV needs to see them again only if you change information on your license or ID card, such as your name, or if your immigration documents expire. For more information, the DMV’s REAL ID page gives the phone number 877.477.7117.
At the office
The four DMV offices
The DMV has four offices, and you apply in person at one of them:
- Delaware City DMV: 2101 Mid County Drive, New Castle, Delaware 19720, 302.326.5000.
- Greater Wilmington DMV: 2230 Hessler Boulevard, New Castle, Delaware 19720, 302.434.3200.
- Dover DMV: 303 Transportation Circle, Dover, Delaware 19903, 302.744.2500.
- Georgetown DMV: 23737 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown, Delaware 19947, 302.853.1000.
Hours
On Wednesdays the offices open later in the morning and close later in the evening than on the other weekdays. The DMV’s Contact page and another DMV page give slightly different closing times, so check the Contact page for the current hours before you go.
Avoiding long waits
The DMV advises trying to avoid its four offices during monthly peak periods such as the 15th and the last day of the month, and on Wednesday evenings. Waits are typically minimal on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. The DMV posts branch wait times to check before your visit. Bring all required documents so your transaction can be completed in one visit.
Source: [23]
Road test appointments
The DMV’s online services list includes a Road Test Appointment service. You can schedule a road exam with the DMV’s online My Road Test scheduler or by calling your local DMV office.
If you need help
If you have a disability and need a special accommodation to take an exam, call and make an appointment before you come to a DMV site. Audio tests with headphones are available on request. Pets are not allowed in DMV facilities, except registered service animals.
Your photo
The DMV takes the license or ID card photo at the beginning of the issuance process. The photo must be full-faced and give an unobstructed view of your facial features. Headwear must be removed unless it is worn for religious purposes, and glasses must be removed. If you want your photo taken in private with only a DMV clerk of the same gender present, the DMV will make every attempt to accommodate you within the limits of its facilities.
Fees and payment
Fees change, so this guide gives no amounts. See the DMV’s Motor Vehicle Fees page. The DMV accepts cash, checks, money orders, VISA, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. The driver’s license fees also include the costs of the learner’s permits that come before the license.
Source: [25]
The tests
What the examination includes
The purpose of the driver examination is to find out whether you have the knowledge and driving skills to drive safely on Delaware highways. It includes vision screening, a highway sign and signal test, a rules of the road test and a road test.
Vision screening
The minimum acceptable vision for a Delaware driver license is 20/40, with or without glasses or contact lenses. If the screening shows that you need glasses or contact lenses, your license is marked so that you cannot drive legally without them. A restricted license can, for example, require you to wear glasses while driving or limit you to daylight driving.
The sign and signal test and the rules of the road test
In the highway sign and signal test you are asked to identify certain highway signs only by their shape, color or the symbols on them. You must also explain the meaning of these and other highway signs, traffic signals and pavement markings. In the rules of the road test you answer a series of questions based on Delaware’s rules of the road, motor vehicle laws and safety practices.
Source: [1]
How long the knowledge test is
The DMV’s pages give different numbers of questions and different pass marks for the Class D knowledge test, so this guide gives none. Check the DMV’s Sample Written Test and General FAQ pages for the current figures.
Practice before you go
Sample driver license examinations are available on the DMV website and on the DelDOT mobile app.
Source: [1]
If you are under 18
For the Level One Learner’s Permit, you pass a written and road test given by a driver education instructor. The DMV’s GDL handout says you pass the written and road tests with a driver education teacher.
Scheduling the road exam
Road exams are given every weekday except Wednesday. You can use the DMV’s online My Road Test scheduler or call your local DMV office.
Source: [1]
What to bring to the road exam
Bring a valid learner’s permit, the valid driver license of the accompanying driver (see the age rule under “Rules while you hold the permit”), the valid registration card for the vehicle you will use and a valid insurance card for it (original or electronic). It is your responsibility to provide the vehicle. A licensed driver must remain on site to drive the vehicle away if you do not pass.
Source: [1]
The vehicle and the rules of the exam
Make sure the vehicle has at least a half tank of gas, or the exam may be rescheduled. The examiner does a basic vehicle safety inspection before the road test begins. You must not smoke during the exam, and no cell phone use or music is allowed. Intelligent Parking Assist technology may not be used during any driving skills or road exam.
Source: [5]
What the examiner checks
You drive for about 30 minutes and do the things that are usual in normal driving. You are not asked to do anything contrary to the motor vehicle laws or safe driving practices. The DMV’s road test page also names parallel parking, maintaining proper speed and being overtaken. The manual says the exam checks that you can:
- respond to road signs, traffic signals and pavement markings;
- make a three point turn;
- make right and left turns;
- change lanes;
- use right-of-way rules;
- back 50 feet;
- merge with traffic;
- follow and overtake vehicles;
- enter intersections;
- inspect the vehicle for safety and know the vehicle controls.
If you do not pass the road exam
If you fail any part of the road exam, prepare thoroughly before you take it again later. You must wait a minimum time before taking the exam or exams again. The manual and the DMV’s road test page give different lengths of time, so check the current wait when you reschedule.
After you pass
Getting your license
The DMV says Delaware remains an over-the-counter issuance state, which means you walk out the same day with a driver license or ID card. You must carry your license with you when you drive.
Organ and tissue donation
When you apply for or renew a driver license, you are asked whether you wish to be an organ and tissue donor. If you say yes, a red heart is displayed on your license.
Source: [1]
Next of Kin registry
Delaware’s Next of Kin registry is voluntary. It lets a holder of a valid ID or driver license designate up to two emergency contacts, a primary and a secondary.
Source: [1]
Veteran indicator
The veteran indicator may be added to your driver license or ID card free of charge during renewal or duplicate transactions.
Source: [1]
Voter registration
When you complete an application for a Delaware driver license, learner’s permit or ID card, or for a renewal, a name change or an address change, you are automatically registered to vote as Unaffiliated if you are not already registered, are of sufficient age and the DMV has confirmed your citizenship status.
Source: [1]
Medical conditions
When you apply for or renew a Delaware driver license, you must self-declare, report or show certification of any medical conditions that may interfere with your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
Source: [1]
A temporary license while out of state
A one-time temporary license may be issued to the holder of a valid Class D license who is temporarily out of state. It can extend the expiration date, replace a lost license or be issued in place of the license document. It is issued for a period not to exceed six months.
Source: [1]
Keeping your license
How long a license lasts
Driver licenses are issued for eight years, with the exception of licenses tied to an immigration length of stay, hazmat holders and Driving Privilege Card holders. It is illegal to drive if your license has expired.
Renewing
You can renew at any DMV facility and online. You may renew at any time during the 180-day (six months) period before your license expires. The DMV sends renewal reminders to each driver about 60 days before the expiration date (your birthday). To renew, you turn in your previously issued license, fill out an application and pass an eye screening. A knowledge and road exam may be given. If you moved, you may be asked for proof of residency. You may also be asked for proof of your Social Security number and/or legal presence.
Changing your address
You can submit an address change online or in person at any DMV location. After changing your Delaware address, you have thirty (30) days to notify both the Vehicle Registration and Driver’s License Sections of the DMV. The DMV’s name and address page says there is no additional fee to update your license or ID card for a new address. The manual adds that if you do not have your current license or ID card, or proof that it was stolen, you are charged the duplicate fee.
Changing your name
Within 30 days after legally changing your name, you must appear in person at the DMV to change the name on your driver license or ID card. Update your information with the Social Security Administration first. The DMV’s pages give different waiting times after that update, so check the current wait before you go.
Replacing a lost license
If your license or ID card is lost, stolen or destroyed, you may apply to the DMV for a duplicate. You can apply online or go to the DMV. If you are under 18 or have a Graduated Driver License, the sponsor who first signed for your license or ID card must be with you to authorize the duplicate.
The Driving Privilege Card
What it is
The Delaware Driving Privilege Card (DPC) is a valid driver license issued for driving only within Delaware, and it is not valid as identification. It is available only to foreign Delaware residents who cannot produce legal presence in the United States and meet certain eligibility requirements. U.S. citizens and people with valid legal presence documents are not eligible. A DPC permit is valid for 6 months and a DPC license for 4 years. The permit and card say “Driving Privilege Only” and “Not Valid for Identification.”
How to get one
The steps, in order:
- Since September 11, 2023, all eligible applicants must first schedule an appointment with the Delaware State Bureau of Identification (SBI). SBI collects fingerprints and validates identification.
- Get a Certification of Filing Compliance from the Division of Revenue, confirming that you filed Delaware taxes for the previous two years.
- Then appear in person at the DMV with all required documents in original or certified form.
- Documents in a foreign language must be translated into English by a professional translator and must come with the original document.
Documents
You must provide the SBI receipt, the Division of Revenue’s Certification of Filing Compliance document, valid proof of your name and date of birth (if you are under 18, also an original and translated copy of your birth certificate), proof of any name changes, and two separate valid proofs of Delaware residency. If you are eligible for a Social Security number, you must also provide proof of it.
Source: [1]
Tests and rules
A vision screening and knowledge exam may be given at your first DMV visit. Once you pass the knowledge exam, you get a permit and a road exam is scheduled for a later date. Every applicant is subject to a written and road skills exam. DPC holders must follow all Delaware driving laws, rules and regulations.
The ID card
Who can get one
You can get a Delaware ID card if you are a Delaware resident and present the documents the DMV requires. As with a driver license, you submit one primary and one secondary document from the DMV’s list. An applicant under 18 must be accompanied by a sponsor who is the mother, father or court-appointed guardian listed on the birth certificate.
Federally compliant ID cards
The DMV offers federally compliant ID cards as well as driver licenses. The DMV’s REAL ID page says a compliant card costs the same as a non-compliant card. See the REAL ID section above.
Source: [13]
Official links
- Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) home page (dmv.de.gov)
- Driver Services: driver licenses and ID cards (dmv.de.gov)
- Graduated Driver License (under 18) (dmv.de.gov)
- Delaware Teen Driving (DMV teen driver site) (dmv.de.gov)
- The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program (PDF) (dmv.de.gov)
- Delaware Driver Manual, English (PDF, July 2026) (dmv.de.gov)
- Delaware Driver Manual, Spanish (PDF) (dmv.de.gov)
- Delaware Driver Manual, Chinese (PDF) (dmv.de.gov)
- Delaware Driver Manual, Korean (PDF) (dmv.de.gov)
- Delaware Driver Manual, Haitian Creole (PDF) (dmv.de.gov)
- Forms and manuals (dmv.de.gov)
- Sample driver license exam (DMV) (dmv.de.gov)
- General requirements (documents, immigration status) (dmv.de.gov)
- New resident transfer license (over 18) (dmv.de.gov)
- New resident transfer license (under 18) (dmv.de.gov)
- Guidelines for new residents (DMV leaflet, PDF) (dmv.de.gov)
- REAL ID / federally compliant driver license and ID card (dmv.de.gov)
- Document checklist for a federally compliant license or ID (PDF) (dmv.de.gov)
- Driving Privilege Card (DPC) (dmv.de.gov)
- Rules of the road test and road test (dmv.de.gov)
- License renewals (dmv.de.gov)
- Changing your name or address (dmv.de.gov)
- Motor vehicle fees (dmv.de.gov)
- DMV hours, contact information and the four offices (dmv.de.gov)
- DMV wait times (dmv.de.gov)
- DMV online services (including road test appointments) (dmv.de.gov)
Practice-hours log · A free log for supervised driving practice: add each session, see your total and night hours, and print it. Saved only on your device.
Ready for the knowledge test?
Practice free with questions from the Delaware driver's manual.
Sources
- Delaware Driver Manual, English, July 2026 (Section Two, Licensing, pp. 17-47; Section One p. 11) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Graduated Driver License (Under 18) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Apply for License (Over 18) - learner’s permit (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Drivers License Examination (vision screening, highway sign and signal test) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Rules of the Road Test and Road Test (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Sample Written Test (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- General FAQ’s (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Driver’s License Under 18 FAQ’s (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Driver’s License Over 18 FAQ’s (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- New Resident Transfer License (Over 18) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- New Resident Transfer License (Under 18) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- General Requirements (driver license and ID applicants) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Real ID / Federally Compliant Driver License / ID Card (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Driving Privilege Card (DPC) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- License Renewals (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Changing Your Name/Address (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Delaware Teen Driving - Tips (learner’s permit and Class D eligibility) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Delaware Teen Driving - Delaware Driving Laws (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Checklist to Obtain a Federally Compliant Driver License or Identification Card in the State of Delaware (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Graduated Driver Licensing handout (DMV, dr_frm_gdlhandout.pdf) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program (a program of the Delaware DMV, published with Safe Roads Alliance) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Contact Information (hours and the four DMV offices) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Wait Times (how to avoid long waits) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Online Services Search Listing (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Motor Vehicle Fees (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Photo Procedures (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Guidelines for New Residents (DMV leaflet, ve_frm_newresid.pdf) (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Replacement License or ID card (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Veteran Indicator on Driver License or Identification Card (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)
- Forms & Manuals Listing (dmv.de.gov) — Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.de.gov)