After you pass in Delaware: restrictions and your licence

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain the night and passenger limits during months seven to 12 of the permit.
• You can say when those limits lift.
• You can describe what the sponsor can still do after you get a Class D license.
• You can list ongoing duties such as carrying your license and updating your address.

What you need to know and understand

• From month seven of the permit you may drive alone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. you need a supervisor, except going directly to or from church activities, work, or school activities on school property.
• When driving without a supervisor you may carry only one passenger.
• All phone use stays banned while you hold the permit.
• The limits lift when the permit converts to a Class D license after 12 months of valid driving, at age 17 or older.
• Your sponsor can still withdraw consent until you turn 18, which cancels your driving privileges.
• A Class D license is valid for 8 years, and you must carry it whenever you drive.

The solo phase, months seven to 12

Once your sponsor's 50-hour certification is in and you have six months of valid driving authority, you can drive without a supervisor during the day. The limits that remain are designed to keep you away from the riskiest situations for new drivers: late nights and cars full of friends.

• Night: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. only with a supervisor aged 25 or older, unless you are traveling directly to or from church activities, work, or school activities on school property.
• Passengers: only one passenger when you drive alone. With a supervisor, one passenger plus immediate family.
• Phones: no phone or electronic device use at all while driving.
• Seat belts: you and every passenger must be buckled or in the right child seat.

When the limits lift

The permit converts automatically to a Class D license after 12 months of valid driving authority if you are at least 17, your sponsor has not withdrawn consent and your privilege is not suspended. Any suspension time is added to the end, so breaking a rule pushes the date back. Once converted, you may drive unsupervised at any time.

Responsibilities that continue

Our Delaware GDL rules guide covers the permit stages in more depth.

• Your sponsor can withdraw consent until you turn 18, canceling your driving privileges.
• Zero tolerance for alcohol applies until 21.
• Points and suspensions apply to you like any other driver.
• Report an address change within 30 days and a legal name change within 30 days.
• A Class D license covers cars, pickups and similar vehicles up to 26,000 pounds that carry fewer than 16 people, including the driver.

Common mistakes

• Giving three friends a ride home in month nine. Only one passenger is allowed when you drive alone.
• Thinking a school dance at another venue counts as a school exception. It must be on your school's property.
• Assuming your Class D license cannot be taken back by your parent. The sponsor can withdraw consent until you are 18.
• Forgetting that a suspension adds time to your permit.

Test yourself: After you pass in Delaware: restrictions and your licence

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Delaware Permit Test
• Delaware Driver’s Ed and the Blue Certificate
• Delaware Driving Privilege Card