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Delaware

Practice tests like the Delaware driver’s license renewal test prepare you for the written exam. So, take them! Below are tests like the Delaware permit practice test; what you need to get your Delaware driver’s license on the first try!

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Just Moved? Renewing your License? Practice here!
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Teens! Get your practice permit test here!
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Delaware DMV Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying For Your Delaware Driver's License
  • Applying for Your Delaware License
  • Preparing For Your DE Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your DE Permit Test
  • Renewing Your DE License
  • Taking Your DE Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your DE Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to Delaware or Just Visiting?
If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

Yes. Delaware uses a graduated driver's license (GDL) program, which gives you certain driving privileges over a period of time.

If you're 16 or 17 and driving on your learner's permit, you must:

  • Have your permit in the vehicle at all times.
  • NOT use a cell phone or other communication device while driving.
  • Have a fully-licensed adult supervisor, who is at least 25 years old, in the car for the first 6 months.
    • Only one other passenger allowed, unless members of your immediate family.

If you're 16 or 17 and driving on your Unsupervised Level 1 learner's permit, you'll be able to drive unsupervised, but you may NOT:

  • Drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. UNLESS going to:
    • Church.
    • School.
    • Work.
  • Have more than 1 passenger in the car, unless also accompanied by a licensed adult 25 or older.

Once you turn 18, all restrictions on your license are lifted.

What happens after I pass my DE road test?

After you pass your Delaware road test, you'll be granted your full Class D driver's license.

However, if you're under 18 and using Delaware's Graduated Driver's License system, it's not necessary to take a road test to earn your full license.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

During the first six months of holding your permit, you'll have to drive with:

  • A fully-licensed passenger who's at least 25 years old.
  • Only one additional passenger, unless they're members of your immediate family.

During the second six months of holding your permit, you will be able to drive unsupervised, but NOT:

  • Have more than 1 passenger, unless a licensed adult 25 or older is present.
  • Drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. unless going to:
    • School.
    • Work.
    • Church.

Can I choose where I have my photo taken for my driver's license?

No. Your photo will be taken at whichever DE DMV office you go to when you're issued your permit.

Once I get my DE permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

Once you get your Delaware instruction permit, you will be able to drive with anyone who is at least 25 years old and fully licensed.

What are the auto insurance requirements for Delaware drivers?

Delaware requires all motorists are required to carry:

  • Bodily injury liability insurance that covers at least:
    • $25,000 per person.
    • $50,000 per accident.
  • Property damage liability coverage for at least $10,000.
  • Underinsured motorist bodily injury coverage, for at least:
    • $25,000 per person.
    • $50,000 per accident.

How To Get A Delaware Driver’s License

Driving is a wonderful privilege, but it’s by no means a right. In order to legally drive in Delaware, you’ll have to prove yourself to the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Still, that process looks slightly different, depending on your age, and what type of vehicle you want to drive.

Delaware Graduated Driver’s License (Age 16-17)

Delaware employs a Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) system that you can use if you’re applying for a first-time license and:

  • Under 18 years old.

OR

  • Under 22 years old and receiving special education services as part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

The GDL process has several steps, each giving you slightly more responsibilities on your way to your full Class D driver’s license. And the first step is getting your Delaware learner’s permit.

Supervised Level 1 Learner’s Permit

Before you start the licensing process at all in Delaware, you’ll have to:

Once that’s done, schedule an appointment with your closest DMV office and:

  • Bring proof of your:
    • Identity and age.
    • Delaware residency.
    • Legal status in the United States.
    • Social Security number.
  • Bring your Driver’s Ed completion certificate.
  • Pass a vision exam.
  • Pay the driver’s license fee.

At this point, your parent or guardian will have to sign paperwork officially vouching to “sponsor” your permit. This sponsor will have the legal right to:

  • Vouch for your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.
  • Determine whether you can move on in the licensing process.
  • Withdraw their sponsorship at any time before you turn 18.
    • Can withdraw any time in the first 12 months for IEP participants.

Once your sponsor has signed the paperwork, you’ll be issued your Supervised Level 1 Learner’s Permit. While practicing on this permit, you must:

  • Have your permit in the vehicle at all times.
  • NOT use a cell phone or other communication device while driving.
  • Have a fully-licensed adult supervisor, who is at least 25 years old, in the car for the first 6 months.
    • Only one other passenger allowed, unless members of your immediate family.

You can drive on this license for up to 12 months, or choose to upgrade to an Unsupervised Level 1 Learner’s Permit after 6 months.

Unsupervised Level 1 Learner’s Permit

To transition to this step, you’ll have to report to the Delaware Department of Education after 6 months and bring a driving log, signed by your sponsor, showing:

  • 50 hours of driving practice.
  • 10 hours of night driving practice.

As long as your driving record is also clean at this point, you’ll then be issued your Level 1 Unsupervised Learner’s Permit. You can drive on your own with this permit, but you may NOT:

  • Drive between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. UNLESS going to:
    • Church.
    • School.
    • Work.
  • Have more than 1 passenger in the car, unless also accompanied by a licensed adult 25 or older.

Class D Driver’s License

As long as your record is still clean, you’ll automatically be eligible for your driver’s license 12 months after beginning the GDL process.

Go to the Delaware DMV to take your photo and have your license upgraded, and don’t forget to bring:

  • Your permit.
  • A parent or guardian to sign paperwork, if you’re under 18 years old.

You’ll no longer have driving restrictions at this point. Congratulations!

Driver’s License (Age 18+)

If you’re applying for a first-time license in Delaware and you’re 18 or older, you’ll take a more traditional track toward earning your driving privilege, but you’ll still need to earn a learner’s permit before getting your license.

Learner’s Permit

First, schedule an appointment with the Division of Motor Vehicles to take your written knowledge test. At this appointment, you’ll also have to:

After the above is complete, and you successfully pass the written exam, you’ll be issued your learner’s permit.

While driving on this permit, you’ll have to be accompanied by a fully-licensed passenger who’s at least 21 years old.

You can practice on your permit for as long as 6 months, but you’ll have to hold it for at least 10 days before you can take the driving skills exam.

Class D Driver’s License

To upgrade to your full Class D license, you’ll have to pass the driving skills exam.

Schedule an appointment with a participating DMV office, and bring:

  • Your current, valid learner’s permit.
  • Valid insurance and registration cards for the car you’ll be testing in.
  • The driver’s license fee.

Once you pass the driving skills test, you’ll be issued your full Class D license, with no restrictions. Congratulations!

Transferring an Out-of-State License

Welcome to Delaware! You have 60 days after moving to transfer your out-of-state license.

The process is simple. Just schedule an appointment with the DE DMV, and bring:

  • Your current, valid license.

OR

  • A certified copy of your driving record.

You’ll also need to:

The state will then issue your DE driver’s license. This credential will be good for 8 years.

Delaware Commercial Driver’s License

If you want to drive a commercial vehicle in Delaware, the process is slightly more involved.

Before you can begin, you’ll need to:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Already have a Delaware driver’s license.

To qualify under federal rules, you’ll also need to pass a medical exam before you can begin the commercial driver’s license (CDL) process.

Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

The first official step toward getting your CDL is getting your CLP – commercial learner’s permit.

To do so, schedule an appointment with a participating Division of Motor Vehicles office and bring:

  • Your current, valid driver’s license.
  • Your medical exam clearance.
  • The DE CLP fee.

At this appointment, you’ll also have to pass the written exam to earn your CLP.

Once the above is complete, you’ll be issued your commercial learner’s permit. While practicing on your permit, you’ll also need to be accompanied at all times by a CDL-holding passenger who’s at least 21 years old.

You can practice on this for as long as 6 months, and renew the credential once, for an additional 6 months, by paying another CLP fee.

After at least 14 days have passed, you’ll be eligible to take your driving skills exam to earn your CDL.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

Commercial driver’s license skills exams are appointment-only. Make sure to arrive with:

  • Your current, valid CLP.
  • Up-to-date insurance and registration cards for the vehicle you take the test in.
  • The current, valid CDL of your accompanying passenger.
    • Must be at least 21 years old.
  • The Delaware CDL fee.

The CDL test consists of three parts:

  • Pre-trip inspection.
  • Basic control skills.
  • On-road driving.

Once you successfully pass all three sections, you’ll be issued your CDL. Congratulations!

Delaware DMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

Delaware Motorcycle License

To legally drive a motorcycle in Delaware, you’ll need to add a motorcycle endorsement to your DE driver’s license.

To start the process, you must be at least 17 years old. But if you’re under 18, you MUST:

  • Earn your endorsement directly through the Division of Motor Vehicles.

AND

  • Have a parent or guardian sign the endorsement application on your behalf.

DE Motorcycle Permit

The first step toward getting your endorsement through the DMV is getting your Delaware motorcycle permit.

Permits are issued after you successfully pass your written exam. To take it, schedule an appointment with the nearest participating DMV office and:

  • Bring your current, valid DE driver’s license.
  • Pay the motorcycle permit fee.
  • Have a parent or legal guardian sign the application on your behalf, if you’re under 18.

Once the above is completed, you’ll be issued your motorcycle permit. This credential is good for 6 months, and can be renewed once, for an additional 6 months.

While driving on your permit, restrictions include:

  • No passengers allowed.
  • No driving between sunset and sunrise.
  • No driving on a federal interstate.
  • Helmets and proper eyewear required while driving.

After at least 14 days have passed, you can take your road skills test to earn your full endorsement.

Motorcycle Endorsement

To take the road skills test, schedule an appointment with the same DMV office that issued your permit, and bring:

  • Your current, valid motorcycle permit.
  • Current insurance and registration cards for the motorcycle you’re testing on.
  • The motorcycle endorsement fee.

After successfully passing the test and paying the fee, you’ll be issued your motorcycle endorsement. Congratulations!

Motorcycle Rider Education Program

If you’re 18 or older, you can also choose to earn your motorcycle endorsement by passing a motorcycle rider education program.

The process is simple. Once you successfully complete the course, go to the DMV and bring:

At that point, you’ll be issued your motorcycle endorsement.

 

Delaware CDL Requirements

Delaware Commercial Driver’s License

If you want to drive a commercial vehicle in Delaware, the process is slightly more involved.

Before you can begin, you’ll need to:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Already have a Delaware driver’s license.

To qualify under federal rules, you’ll also need to pass a medical exam before you can begin the commercial driver’s license (CDL) process.

Commercial Learner’s Permit (CLP)

The first official step toward getting your CDL is getting your CLP – commercial learner’s permit.

To do so, schedule an appointment with a participating Division of Motor Vehicles office and bring:

  • Your current, valid driver’s license.
  • Your medical exam clearance.
  • The DE CLP fee.

At this appointment, you’ll also have to pass the written exam to earn your CLP.

Once the above is complete, you’ll be issued your commercial learner’s permit. While practicing on your permit, you’ll also need to be accompanied at all times by a CDL-holding passenger who’s at least 21 years old.

You can practice on this for as long as 6 months, and renew the credential once, for an additional 6 months, by paying another CLP fee.

After at least 14 days have passed, you’ll be eligible to take your driving skills exam to earn your CDL.

Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)

Commercial driver’s license skills exams are appointment-only. Make sure to arrive with:

  • Your current, valid CLP.
  • Up-to-date insurance and registration cards for the vehicle you take the test in.
  • The current, valid CDL of your accompanying passenger.
    • Must be at least 21 years old.
  • The Delaware CDL fee.

The CDL test consists of three parts:

  • Pre-trip inspection.
  • Basic control skills.
  • On-road driving.

Once you successfully pass all three sections, you’ll be issued your CDL. Congratulations!

Delaware DMV Handbooks

Delaware CDL Handbook

Delaware CDL Handbook

Delaware CDL Handbook
Delaware Driver's License Handbook

Delaware Driver's License Handbook

Delaware Driver's License Handbook
Delaware Motorcycle Handbook

Delaware Motorcycle Handbook

Delaware Motorcycle Handbook