Category: Delaware

Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Delaware Driving Privilege Card (DPC) is a driver license for Delaware residents who can’t prove lawful presence in the United States. It lets you drive legally, but only in Delaware, and it is not valid as identification. To get one you need fingerprinting with the State Bureau of Identification, proof you filed Delaware taxes for the previous two years, the DMV tests, and a road exam after a waiting period on the DPC permit (at least 10 days on the DMV’s DPC page; the July 2026 manual sets 30 days for Class D road exams, so check with the DMV). This guide explains who qualifies and each step.

Key facts (Delaware DMV, checked November 2026)

• For foreign Delaware residents who can’t show legal presence in the U.S. U.S. citizens and anyone with valid legal presence documents can’t apply.
• Driving in Delaware only. Not valid for identification.
• The card says “Driving Privilege Only” and “Not Valid for Identification”.
• Valid 4 years. The July 2026 manual lists a $20 fee.
• Steps: State Bureau of Identification (SBI) fingerprinting, then a Division of Revenue tax filing certificate, then the DMV.
• Hold the DPC permit for at least 10 days before the road exam (DMV DPC page). The July 2026 manual sets 30 days for Class D road exams, so confirm the wait when you book.
• DMV DPC help line: 1-877-477-7117.

Who can get a Delaware Driving Privilege Card?

• You live in Delaware.
• You are a foreign national who can’t produce documents proving legal presence in the U.S.
• You have filed Delaware taxes for the previous two years.
• You can pass the vision, knowledge and road exams.

The DPC was created by Senate Bill 59 (2015) and the DMV began processing applications in January 2016. If you have lawful presence, apply for a standard license instead. See the Delaware learner driver guide.

How to get a Driving Privilege Card in Delaware, step by step

1. Book an SBI appointment online. Since September 11, 2023, you must schedule online before visiting the State Bureau of Identification. The DMV’s DPC page gives the booking site and the service code to enter. SBI collects fingerprints, checks your identification and gives you a receipt with a date to appear at the DMV on or after.
2. Get a Certification of Filing Compliance from the Delaware Division of Revenue. It confirms you filed Delaware taxes for the previous two years. Get it on the Division of Revenue website, or call 302-577-8200 for an appointment. It shows your name, the tax years, your ITIN or SSN and a document locator code.
3. Go to the DMV with all your documents, originals or certified copies (list below).
4. Pass the vision screening and knowledge exam. These may be done on this first visit. See the Delaware knowledge test guide.
5. Receive your DPC permit and practice with a properly licensed driver over 21.
6. Take the road exam, no sooner than 10 days after getting the permit under the DMV’s DPC page. The July 2026 manual says 30 days for Class D road exams, so check with the DMV when you book. See the Delaware road test guide.

Documents for a Delaware DPC

What	Accepted documents
SBI receipt	Receipt with your name, date of birth and SBI receipt number. The DMV verifies it with SBI.
Tax filing proof	Division of Revenue Certification of Filing Compliance covering the previous two years
Name and date of birth (one)	Valid, unexpired foreign passport; valid, unexpired consular ID card from your country; or, for Mexico, the IFE voter card (Credencial para Votar)
Residency (two)	From separate sources, showing your physical address, postmarked within 60 days. Examples: utility bill, bank record, rental agreement, insurance policy, employment record.
Name change (if any)	All marriage, court or divorce documents linking your names
Under 18	Also an original birth certificate plus a translated copy

Consular cards on the manual’s list include those from Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala and Mexico, and the DMV says the list can change. Foreign-language documents need a professional English translation attached to the original. Photocopied, altered or expired documents are refused.

Driving on a DPC permit and card

• DPC learner permit: you can drive a Class D vehicle only with a properly licensed driver over 21.
• Teens 16 and 17: the GDL rules apply. That means driver education, a sponsor, and the Level One permit limits (see Delaware GDL rules). The GDL program accepts the DPC document list for DPC applicants.
• All Delaware traffic laws apply to DPC holders, including insurance requirements and the phone ban.
• Delaware only: the DPC is issued for driving in Delaware. Don’t assume another state will accept it.

Common questions

Can I use a Delaware DPC as ID?

No. It is printed “Not Valid for Identification” and is for driving only.

Can I drive in other states with a Delaware DPC?

The DMV says the DPC is valid for driving purposes only within Delaware.

Do I need a Social Security number?

No. The tax certificate can show an ITIN instead. If you are eligible for an SSN, the DMV asks for proof.

How long is a Driving Privilege Card valid?

4 years. A standard Class D license lasts 8.

I have a license from another state. Can I get a DPC?

You must surrender your other state’s license when you apply, and you still go through every DPC step.

Are there scams around the DPC?

The DMV’s DPC page carries a scam warning. Apply only through SBI, the Division of Revenue and the DMV, and call 1-877-477-7117 with questions.

Back to the Delaware learner driver guide.

Sources

• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Driving Privilege Card (DPC)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver License” (dmv.de.gov)

Photo: Mark Stebnicki, Pexels

The Delaware DMV road test takes about 30 minutes. You must show parallel parking, a three-point turn, backing 50 feet, merging, lane changes, turns and right-of-way, plus a vehicle safety check and knowing the controls. The July 2026 manual says you can take it 30 days after passing the knowledge exam (the DMV road test web page still says 10), on any weekday except Wednesday. This guide is for drivers testing at the DMV, mainly adults 18 and older. Teens on the GDL route usually take their road test with their driver education teacher.

Key facts (Delaware DMV, checked November 2026)

• Earliest test: 30 days after you pass the knowledge exam, per the July 2026 manual. The DMV road test page still says 10 days, so confirm when you book.
• Test days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. No road tests on Wednesday.
• Book online with My Road Test (under Online Services on the DMV website) or by phone.
• You bring the car. It must be registered, insured, safe, clear of cargo and at least half full of gas.
• Fail any part and you wait before retesting: at least 30 days in the July 2026 manual, 10 days on the DMV road test page. Check with the DMV when you rebook.
• You must pass within the 12 months your learner’s permit is valid.

What you must demonstrate on the Delaware road test

The DMV says it won’t ask you to do anything illegal or unsafe, and won’t play tricks. You will be asked to:

Skill	What to get right
Inspect vehicle for safety	Check lights, signals, brakes, mirrors and wipers beforehand. The manual lists these as common inspection failures, and the examiner checks the car before you start.
Know vehicle controls	Be ready to use the headlights, wipers, hazards and horn without searching for them.
Respond to signs, signals and markings	Full stops at stop signs and red lights, behind the stop line or crosswalk.
Parallel parking	Finish no more than 12 inches from the curb, in park, with the brake set.
Three-point turn	Turn sharp left almost to the curb, back right almost to the other curb, then pull away in the opposite direction.
Back 50 feet	Look back over your shoulder, go slowly and stay straight.
Right and left turns	Signal 300 feet ahead, use the correct lane, and yield to pedestrians.
Change lanes	Mirror, signal, shoulder check for the blind spot, then move.
Use right-of-way rules	At intersections, crosswalks and four-way stops.
Maintain proper speed	At or under the limit, and slower in bad conditions.
Merge with traffic	Match the traffic speed and find a gap.
Follow and overtake vehicles	Keep at least a 3-second gap and pass only where it’s legal.
Be overtaken	Keep right and don’t speed up while someone passes you.
Enter intersections	Only enter if you can clear it without stopping inside.

How to parallel park the Delaware manual way

1. Check your mirror. If someone is close behind, don’t stop suddenly. Signal.
2. Stop with your rear bumper level with the back of the car in front of the space.
3. Back slowly, turning the wheel right to aim at the front of the car behind.
4. When your front clears the car ahead, turn sharply left and keep backing slowly.
5. Straighten up and pull forward to center the car, no more than 12 inches from the curb.
6. Put it in park, set the brake and turn off the engine.

To leave, signal, check traffic and steer toward the open lane.

How to book the Delaware road test

• Online: the DMV website, then Online Services, then My Road Test.
• By phone: call the office where you want to test.

DMV office	Address	Road test phone
Wilmington	2230 Hessler Boulevard, New Castle, DE 19720	(302) 434-3220
Delaware City	2101 Mid County Drive, New Castle, DE 19720	(302) 832-5176
Dover	303 Transportation Circle, Dover, DE 19903	(302) 744-2515
Georgetown	23737 DuPont Blvd., Georgetown, DE 19947	(302) 853-1003

What to bring to the Delaware road test

• Your valid learner’s permit.
• A licensed driver aged 21 or older and their valid license. They must stay on site so they can drive the car home if you don’t pass.
• The car’s valid registration card (and the trailer’s, if you’re towing one).
• A valid insurance card for the car, original or electronic.

Delaware rules for the road test car

• It must be within the license class you’re applying for, registered, insured and able to pass the examiner’s safety check.
• No debris or cargo inside.
• At least half a tank of gas, or the test may be rescheduled.
• Parking assist features must be turned off. Intelligent Parking Assist can’t be used.
• No smoking, no cell phone use and no music during the test.

Teen road tests in Delaware

Under the GDL law, a teen’s written and road skills tests can be given by the DMV or by a driver education teacher. In practice the GDL handout says teens pass both with their driver education teacher, and the DMV examines minors with disabilities. The teacher then certifies you as qualified. Teens practice to the same skills list, so this checklist still applies. See Delaware driver’s ed and the Blue Certificate and Delaware GDL rules.

If you fail the Delaware road test

• Wait at least 30 days (July 2026 manual; the DMV web page says 10), then check with the DMV and book again.
• Practice the parts you got wrong. The national list of common reasons people fail the driving test is a good checklist.
• Keep track of your permit date. Miss the 12-month window and you reapply and redo every test.

Common questions

Can I take the Delaware road test on a Wednesday?

No. Road exams run every weekday except Wednesday.

How long is the Delaware road test?

About 30 minutes of normal driving.

Is parallel parking on the Delaware road test?

Parallel parking is on the DMV road test page’s list, but the July 2026 manual’s list leaves it out. Practice it anyway. The three-point turn and backing 50 feet are on both lists.

Can I use a backup camera or self-parking feature?

Self-parking is not allowed. Intelligent Parking Assist must be switched off for the test. Ask your examiner whether you may use a backup camera. Being seen looking over your shoulder is the safe habit.

Who has to come with me?

A licensed driver aged 21 or older, unless you can already legally drive alone in Delaware. They must stay until the test is over.

How soon after the permit can I take the road test?

30 days after passing the knowledge exam under the July 2026 manual. The DMV road test page still says 10 days, so check when you book.

How other states compare: US road test by state. Back to the Delaware learner driver guide, or prepare with the Delaware knowledge test guide.

Sources

• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Rules of the Road Test and Road Test” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Apply for License (Over 18)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver Licensing handout” (services.dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware General Assembly, “Delaware Code Title 21, Section 2710” (delcode.delaware.gov)

Photo: Niagara, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Delaware DMV knowledge test has two parts: a highway sign and signal test, then a rules of the road test. Both come from the Delaware Driver Manual. You also need to pass a vision screening. Pass all three and you get a Class D learner’s permit. This guide is for adults and anyone else who tests at the DMV. Most teens under 18 take their written test with their driver education teacher instead.

Key facts (Delaware DMV, checked November 2026)

• Vision: 20/40 or better, with or without glasses. Between 20/40 and 20/50, you may be limited to daylight driving.
• Questions: the DMV sample test page says 32 questions with 26 correct to pass. The DMV FAQ says 30 questions with 24 correct. Either way, you need about 80%.
• Learner’s permit: valid 12 months, and you must pass all exams within that time.
• Road test: no sooner than 30 days after passing the knowledge exam under the July 2026 manual (the DMV road test web page still says 10 days).
• Fee: $50 for a Class D license, which includes the permit (from October 10, 2025).
• Audio tests with headphones are available on request.

Who takes the knowledge test at the Delaware DMV?

• First-time drivers 18 or older who don’t use the GDL program.
• Driving Privilege Card applicants.
• Drivers licensed in another country or a U.S. territory. Germany, Taiwan and France are exempt for a Class D license.
• Drivers whose Class D privileges have been cancelled, expired, suspended or revoked for over a year. Over 5 years, you also retake the road test.
• Teens moving to Delaware with an out-of-state license.

Teens under 18 on the GDL route: your driver education teacher gives the written and road tests. At the DMV you only need the eye screening. The DMV tests minors who need a specialized evaluation because of a disability. See Delaware driver’s ed and the Blue Certificate.

How many questions are on the Delaware permit test?

The two DMV pages give different numbers:

DMV page	Questions	Correct answers to pass
Sample Written Test page	32	26
General FAQ page	30	24

Prepare to get at least 26 right and you are covered either way. The DMV’s free sample test (10 questions) is on its website and the DelDOT mobile app. It shows the style of question, not every question you’ll get.

Part 1: the highway sign and signal test

You identify signs by shape, color or symbol alone, with the words removed. You also explain what signs, signals and pavement markings mean. The manual’s examples:

• Shapes: the stop, yield and school sign shapes.
• Signal colors: red means stop, yellow means prepare to stop, green means proceed with caution.
• Symbols: keep right, no U-turn, no right turn.

Also learn that work zone warning signs are usually orange, and that black-on-yellow speed signs are advisory, not legal limits. Speed limit signs are black on white. Full system: US road signs by shape and color.

Part 2: the rules of the road test

These questions cover Delaware traffic law and safe driving. The manual names these sample topics: the speed limit on two-lane roads, what to do at a flashing red signal, when not to pass, how to handle a skid, and how far from a fire hydrant you can park. These are the Delaware figures to know cold:

Topic	Delaware answer
Two-lane road speed limit	50 mph unless posted
Other default limits	School zone 20, business or residential 25, divided or 4+ lane roads 55, Route 1 and I-495 65 mph
Flashing red light	Same as a stop sign: full stop, go when safe
Flashing yellow light	Slow down and proceed with caution
Dark signal	Slow down and prepare to yield to vehicles in or approaching the intersection
Fire hydrant	Don’t park within 15 feet
Crosswalk at an intersection	Don’t park within 20 feet
Stop sign, signal or flashing beacon	Don’t park within 30 feet
Railroad crossing	Don’t park within 50 feet
Signal before turning	300 feet
Passing a cyclist	At least 3 feet
Headlights	On from sunset to sunrise, below 1,000 feet visibility, and with wipers on; dim within 500 feet of oncoming traffic, 200 feet behind another car
Downhill parking	Turn front wheels toward the curb or road edge
Uphill parking with a curb	Turn front wheels away from the curb
Yellow center lines	Solid line on your side means no passing; double solid means neither side passes
Stopped school bus, red lights	Stop from both directions unless you are across a road with 4 or more lanes
Under-21 alcohol limit	0.02 BAC (adults 0.08)
Crash reporting	Report to police for any injury, or $500+ apparent damage on a public highway

The 10 sample questions also cover yielding on left turns, four-way stops, bridges freezing first, making room for merging traffic, low beams in fog and following distance in bad weather. See four-way stops explained and speed limits and the basic speed law.

Getting your Class D learner’s permit in Delaware

1. Go to a DMV office (Delaware City, Dover, Georgetown or Wilmington) with your identity, Social Security and two Delaware residency documents.
2. Pay the fee. Payment is due when you apply.
3. Pass the eye screening and both knowledge tests.
4. Get your learner’s permit, valid for 12 months.

Permit rules (18 and older):

• Drive only with a licensed driver aged 21 or older sitting beside you.
• The DMV says no more than 2 other passengers.
• Drive only the class of vehicle shown on the permit.
• If you don’t pass the road test within the 12 months, you reapply and redo all the testing.

Next step: what the Delaware road test checks.

How to study for the Delaware knowledge test

• Read Sections Two (license rules, DUI) and Four (rules of the road) of the manual closely. The DMV says you can’t pass unless you know the manual.
• Learn every number in the table above. Delaware-specific figures are the easiest marks to lose.
• Practice naming signs from their shape and color alone.
• Take the DMV sample test, then check every answer against the manual.
• If you have a disability and need an accommodation, call your DMV office to book before you go.

Common questions

How many questions do I need right on the Delaware permit test?

The DMV sample test page says 26 of 32. The DMV FAQ says 24 of 30. Aim for 26 or more.

Is the Delaware knowledge test available in other formats?

The manual says audio tests with headphones are available on request. Ask your DMV office which test languages are available.

Do 16-year-olds take the knowledge test at the DMV?

Not usually. On the GDL route, your driver education teacher gives the written test as part of the course. At the DMV you bring the Blue Certificate and pass the eye screening.

Is the sample test the real test?

No. The DMV says the 10 sample questions don’t include every question on the actual exam.

What if my eyesight is between 20/40 and 20/50?

The DMV may let you drive in daylight only. If you need glasses to pass, your license will be marked so you can’t legally drive without them.

How long is the Delaware learner’s permit valid?

12 months from issue. You must pass the road test in that time or start again.

Compare other states: US permit test by state. Back to the Delaware learner driver guide.

Sources

• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Sample Written Test” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Frequently Asked Questions: General” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Drivers License Examination” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Apply for License (Over 18)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver Licensing handout” (services.dmv.de.gov)
• State of Delaware News, “DMV Fees Increase in October 2025” (news.delaware.gov)

Photo: Acroterion, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Delaware, teens can start driving at 16 on a Level One Learner’s Permit, but only after passing a Department of Education approved driver education course and earning the Blue Certificate. After 12 months of valid driving on that permit, it converts automatically to a full Class D license, at 17 at the earliest. Adults 18 and older can skip the teen program: pass the vision and knowledge tests at the DMV, then a road test after a waiting period (30 days in the July 2026 manual; the DMV road test web page still says 10). This guide sets out both routes, the fees, and what the Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026) covers.

Key facts (Delaware DMV, checked November 2026)

• Youngest age for a Level One Learner’s Permit: 16 (up to 22 for students with an active IEP).
• Driver education is required for everyone under 18.
• Teen permit: first 6 months fully supervised with 50 practice hours (10 at night), then solo driving from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Full Class D license: automatic after 12 months on the permit, earliest at 17.
• Adults: road test no sooner than 30 days after passing the knowledge exam, per the July 2026 manual. The DMV road test web page still says 10 days, so confirm when you book.
• Fee: $50 for a Class D license, which includes the learner’s permit (new fee from October 10, 2025).
• Road tests run every weekday except Wednesday.

How teens get a driver’s license in Delaware

1. Take driver education. Most students take it free at high school. The course is at least 44 class hours and ends with the Blue Certificate. Your driver education teacher gives you the written and road tests. See Delaware driver’s ed and the Blue Certificate.
2. Go to the DMV with your sponsor. Bring the Blue Certificate, proof of identity, legal presence and Social Security number, and two proofs of Delaware residency. You can skip the residency proofs if your sponsor is a licensed Delaware driver living at your address. Your sponsor (usually a parent) signs the application in front of DMV staff.
3. Pass the eye screening and pay the fee. You receive the Level One Learner’s Permit.
4. Months 1 to 6: supervised at all times. Log 50 hours, including 10 at night. Your sponsor certifies the hours.
5. Months 7 to 12: limited solo driving. You can drive alone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with no more than one passenger.
6. Month 12: automatic Class D license. The permit converts with no extra DMV test, as long as you are at least 17 and your sponsor has not withdrawn. Any suspension time is added on.

Full rules, exceptions and penalties: Delaware graduated driver license rules for teens.

How adults (18 and older) get a Delaware license

1. Apply in person at a DMV office in Delaware City, Dover, Georgetown or Wilmington with your identity, Social Security and residency documents.
2. Pass the eye screening and the knowledge exam (road signs and rules of the road). See the Delaware DMV knowledge test guide.
3. Pay the fee. You get a learner’s permit valid for 12 months.
4. Practice with a licensed driver who is at least 21 and sits beside you. The DMV says no more than 2 other passengers.
5. Book and pass the road test, at least 30 days after the knowledge exam (July 2026 manual; the DMV web page still says 10) and within the 12 months. See the Delaware road test guide.

If you are 18 or older you can still choose the GDL program instead of the DMV tests. Most adults don’t.

Teen route vs adult route

Step	Age 16 or 17 (GDL)	Age 18 or older
Driver education	Required (Blue Certificate)	Not required
Who tests you	Driver education teacher (written and road)	DMV (vision, knowledge, road)
Sponsor signature	Required	Not needed
Supervisor	Parent, guardian or sponsor-approved driver, 25+, Class D held 5+ years	Licensed driver aged 21+
Practice hours	50, including 10 at night	No set number
Earliest unsupervised driving	After 6 months, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. only	After passing the road test
Full license	Automatic after 12 months (age 17+)	On passing the road test

Delaware driver license fees (as of November 2026)

Item	Fee
Class D license, 8 years (includes the learner’s permit)	$50 (from October 10, 2025)
Driving Privilege Card, 4 years	$20 (July 2026 manual)
Vehicle safety inspection, Delaware residents	No charge
Vehicle document fee when titling	5.25% of the price or NADA value (from October 1, 2025)

The July 2026 manual lists $50, but some DMV web pages still show the old $40 figure. The DMV’s October 2025 fee notice raised it to $50. Check the DMV fees page before you go. The DMV takes cash, check, money order and major cards.

Documents you need at the Delaware DMV

• One proof of identity and legal presence: for example a certified U.S. birth certificate with a raised seal or a valid U.S. passport. If you are under 18, the document must show your parent’s name.
• Proof of Social Security number if you are eligible: Social Security card, W-2, 1099 or a pay stub with the full number.
• Two proofs of Delaware residency from separate sources, showing your physical address and postmarked within 60 days. Examples: utility bill, bank statement, rental agreement.

No photocopies. A compliant (REAL ID) card has a gold star. More: REAL ID and your first US driver’s license.

Other routes to a Delaware license

• Moving to Delaware: apply within 60 days of becoming a resident. Tests are normally waived if your license from another state is valid. See transferring an out-of-state license to Delaware.
• No lawful presence: the Driving Privilege Card lets you drive in Delaware only. See Delaware Driving Privilege Card explained.

What the Delaware Driver Manual covers

Both permit tests come from the Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026). Here are its sections and the Delaware rules worth memorizing from each.

Section	Delaware points to know
One: Introduction and fees	Definitions (Blue Certificate, three-point turn), online services, fee table
Two: Driver license information	Documents, GDL, transfers, license classes, the driver examination (vision, signs, rules, road test), points, DUI and the 0.02 zero tolerance rule for under 21
Three: Equipment, titles, registration and insurance	Headlight rules, window tint, studded tires, insurance minimums, inspection
Four: Rules of the road	Signals, signs, work zones, phone law, move over, school buses, parking, speed limits, other road users
Five: Driving skills and safety	Following distance, night driving, defensive driving, emergencies, crashes

Delaware rules of the road: the numbers in the manual

Rule	Delaware figure
Speed limits (unless posted)	School zones 20 mph; business and residential districts 25 mph; two-lane roads 50 mph; divided or 4+ lane roads 55 mph; Route 1 and I-495 65 mph
Work zones	Speeding fines are doubled
Signaling	Signal 300 feet before you turn, stop or change lanes
Passing a bicycle	At least 3 feet; change lanes on multi-lane roads when possible
Headlights	Sunset to sunrise, when you can’t see 1,000 feet, and whenever wipers are on; dim within 500 feet of oncoming traffic and 200 feet when following
Following distance	At least 3 seconds; 4 seconds on slippery roads and in other risky conditions
Parallel parking	Within 12 inches of the curb
No parking within	15 feet of a hydrant; 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection; 30 feet of a stop sign, signal or flashing beacon; 50 feet of a railroad crossing
Red light	Right on red after a full stop unless a sign or red arrow prohibits it; left on red only from one-way into one-way
School bus with red lights	Both directions stop, unless you are on the opposite side of a road with 4 or more lanes
Phones	Hand-held use and texting banned for all drivers; GDL drivers can’t use any phone, even hands-free
Alcohol	0.08 BAC for adults; 0.02 for drivers under 21
Studded tires	Legal October 15 to April 15 only
Move over	For a stopped emergency vehicle, DelDOT truck, tow truck, or any stopped vehicle showing hazard lights, flares or cones: change lanes away from it if you safely can, otherwise slow to a safe speed
Roundabouts	Slow to 10 to 15 mph on the approach, yield to pedestrians and to traffic already circling, and don’t stop or pass once inside
Pedestrians	Stop for anyone crossing in a marked or unmarked crosswalk, and never pass a car stopped to let someone cross
Passing a stopped school bus	$115 to $230 fine (or 30 to 60 days in jail) and a 1-month suspension for a first offense; 6 points
Child seats	Rear-facing seat under age 2 and 30 pounds; harnessed seat under age 4 and 40 pounds; booster until its maker’s limit; then a seat belt in every seat to age 16. Under 12 or under 5 feet 5 inches should not ride in front
Reporting a crash to police	Any injury or death, or apparent property damage of $500 or more on a public highway

National explainers: school bus stopping laws, move over laws, zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21.

Insuring and registering a car in Delaware

• Minimum liability insurance: $25,000 for one person injured, $50,000 for two or more, $10,000 property damage, plus Personal Injury Protection of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per crash.
• Driving uninsured: a fine of $1,500 to $2,000 and a 6-month license suspension for a first offense.
• Inspection: done at the four DMV locations, free for residents. Lights, brakes, mirrors and wipers commonly fail.
• Under 18: a title application needs a parent, guardian or court-appointed custodian to sign.
• Change of address: tell the DMV within 30 days.

Insurance basics: car insurance for new drivers.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to drive in Delaware?

16 for a Level One Learner’s Permit, with driver education completed. You can drive unsupervised during the day from 6 months into the permit. You get the full Class D license at 17 at the earliest.

Is driver’s ed required in Delaware?

Yes, if you are under 18. The DMV can’t license anyone under 18 who hasn’t passed a Department of Education approved driver education course.

Do Delaware teens take the road test at the DMV?

Usually not. The driver education teacher gives the written and road tests. The DMV tests minors who need a specialized evaluation because of a disability.

Do I have to go back to the DMV after 12 months on the GDL permit?

No. The permit converts automatically to a Class D license after 12 months of valid driving, unless it was suspended or your sponsor withdrew.

Can I take the Delaware road test on a Wednesday?

No. The DMV gives road tests every weekday except Wednesday.

How do Delaware license points work?

Points count at full value for 12 months and half value for the next 12. Speeding 1 to 9 mph over costs 2 points, 10 to 14 mph 4 points, 15 mph or more 5 points; running a stop sign or red light 3; reckless or aggressive driving 6. At 8 points you get an advisory letter, at 12 you must take a behavior modification course (or take a 2-month suspension), and from 14 points suspensions start at 4 months. Speeding 25 mph or more over the limit brings a suspension of its own.

Do I have to report a medical condition to the Delaware DMV?

You must declare any condition that could affect safe driving when you apply or renew, and the DMV can ask for a favorable report from your doctor, in some cases every year. The July 2026 manual says doctors have not been required to report patients since August 2024, though they are encouraged to.

How long is a Delaware license valid?

New Class D licenses are issued for 8 years, unless your authorized stay in the U.S. is shorter.

Can I drive in Delaware on a license from another state?

Yes, as a visitor. Once you become a resident, you have 60 days to get a Delaware license.

More on how US states compare: learning to drive in the USA and US graduated driver licensing compared.

Sources

• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver License” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Apply for License (Over 18)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Rules of the Road Test and Road Test” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Guidelines for New Residents” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver Licensing handout” (services.dmv.de.gov)
• State of Delaware News, “DMV Fees Increase in October 2025” (news.delaware.gov)
• Delaware General Assembly, “Delaware Code Title 21, Section 2710” (delcode.delaware.gov)
• Delaware Department of Education, “14 DE Admin. Code 540 Driver Education” (regulations.delaware.gov)

Photo: Kej605, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you move to Delaware with a valid license from another state, you have 60 days after becoming a resident to swap it for a Delaware license. Adults usually just need documents and an eye screening, because the written and road tests are normally waived. Drivers under 18 must meet Delaware’s driver education rule and pass DMV tests. Licenses from other countries usually mean both tests, unless you hold one from Germany, Taiwan or France. This guide covers each case, plus exchange students and registering your car.

Key facts (Delaware DMV, checked November 2026)

• Deadline: apply within 60 days of becoming a Delaware resident.
• Fee: $50 for an 8-year Class D license (from October 10, 2025).
• Adults from another state: eye screening; written and road tests normally waived if your license is valid.
• Under 18: approved driver education, plus written, road and eye tests at the DMV and a sponsor signature.
• Other countries: knowledge and road tests, except Germany, Taiwan and France (Class D only).
• Cars: title and register within 60 days too.

Transferring a license to Delaware at 18 or older

What to bring

• Your out-of-state license, which you surrender. If you don’t have it, bring a current certified copy of your driving record.
• Proof of citizenship or legal presence, such as a certified birth certificate or passport.
• Proof of Social Security number.
• Two proofs of Delaware residency from separate sources, showing your physical address and postmarked within the last 60 days.
• Name change documents if your name differs across documents.

What happens at the DMV

1. Apply in person in Delaware City, Dover, Georgetown or Wilmington.
2. Sign the application and a surrender agreement.
3. Pass the eye screening (20/40 minimum).
4. The DMV may give written and road tests, but normally waives them for a valid license.
5. Pay the fee. With the right documents you get a federally compliant (REAL ID) license.

Suspended, revoked or restricted licenses can’t be transferred until the outstanding actions are cleared. Motorcycle endorsements transfer for an extra fee. Taxi and limousine endorsements don’t transfer.

Transferring a license to Delaware under 18

If you are 16 or 17 with a license from another state, you still have 60 days to get a Delaware license. The steps:

1. Get your driver education approved. The Delaware Department of Education checks that your out-of-state course matches Delaware’s. Send your documents to the Department of Education driver education office in Dover (telephone 302-857-3320) and bring the approval to the DMV.
2. Bring a sponsor, usually a parent, to sign the application.
3. Pass the DMV’s written test, road test and eye screening.

How long you’ve held your out-of-state license	What you can get
Less than 12 months	A Delaware Level One Learner’s Permit, with GDL rules applying
Over 12 months	Possibly a Class D license after meeting all testing requirements

The live DMV under-18 page also says “over 18 months” in one line. Confirm your case with the DMV before you go. If you end up on the Level One permit, see Delaware GDL rules. For tests: Delaware knowledge test and Delaware road test.

Moving to Delaware from another country

• Visitors over 16 can drive in Delaware on a valid home-country or U.S. territory license kept with them.
• Once you become a resident, you have 60 days to apply for a Delaware license.
• You must pass both the knowledge and road exams.
• Exception: Delaware’s reciprocity agreements exempt license holders from Germany, Taiwan (Republic of China) and France from both tests, for a Class D license only. Endorsements are not included.
• You may keep your foreign license.
• Non-citizens must bring immigration documents the DMV can verify electronically. Your license can’t last longer than your authorized stay.

More on foreign licenses in the US: driving in the US on a foreign license.

Exchange students in Delaware

After completing approved driver education, an exchange student can apply for a Level One Learner’s Permit. Bring:

• a typed, notarized statement from a parent giving permission
• if under 18, the host family’s signature on the application; they take on liability for the driver
• a certified birth certificate in English and proof of legal presence
• a Social Security number, if eligible
• the driver education certificate, if under 18

The DMV page also says an exchange student on an active IEP can apply over 18 but under 22. The fee is listed as $40 on that page. The October 2025 fee change set the license fee at $50.

Military members and families

Active-duty U.S. military members and their dependents with a valid license from their home state don’t need a Delaware license. The DMV’s new-resident guide says they have until 60 days after leaving the service to get a Delaware license and registration.

Registering your car in Delaware after a move

1. Insurance: buy a Delaware policy with at least $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury, $10,000 property damage, and Personal Injury Protection of $15,000/$30,000.
2. Inspection: at a DMV location, free for residents.
3. Title and register within 60 days. Surrender your out-of-state title. If there’s a lien, the DMV gives you a form for the lienholder.
4. Document fee: 5.25% of the value (from October 1, 2025), unless you show you paid a sales or similar tax to another state within 90 days before registering.

Penalty for not switching in time

Delaware law fines new residents who don’t get a Delaware license within 60 days: $25 to $100 for a first offense. Later offenses carry $50 to $200 or 10 to 30 days in jail, or both.

Common questions

How long do I have to get a Delaware license after moving?

60 days after you become a resident. The same deadline applies to titling and registering your vehicle.

Do I have to retake the driving test in Delaware?

Usually not, if you are 18 or older with a valid license from another state. The DMV can still give tests. Under 18s and most foreign license holders must test.

Can I keep my old license?

Not a license from another state: you surrender it. A license from another country you may keep.

I have a learner’s permit from another state. Can I use it in Delaware?

Delaware’s transfer pages cover licenses, not permits. Ask the DMV, and see driving with a learner’s permit in another state.

What if my old license is suspended?

You can’t transfer it until the suspension or revocation is cleared.

National overview: moving to a new state. Documents: REAL ID explained. Back to the Delaware learner driver guide.

Sources

• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “New Resident Transfer License (Over 18)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “New Resident Transfer License (Under 18)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Licenses for Exchange Students” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Guidelines for New Residents” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026)” (dmv.de.gov)
• State of Delaware News, “DMV Fees Increase in October 2025” (news.delaware.gov)
• Delaware General Assembly, “Delaware Code Title 21, Sections 2704 to 2706” (delcode.delaware.gov)

Photo: Brett A, Pexels

Delaware requires everyone under 18 to pass a Department of Education approved driver education course before the DMV will issue a learner’s permit. Passing earns the Driver Education Certificate, usually called the Blue Certificate (sometimes the White Certificate). The course is at least 44 class hours. Students at Delaware public and nonpublic schools get it free once. This guide covers who offers it, what it includes, the 50-hour practice certification and how out-of-state courses are handled.

Key facts (Delaware Department of Education and DMV, checked November 2026)

• Required for all permit applicants under 18. For students with an active IEP, the GDL program runs to age 22.
• Minimum course: 44 class hours. That’s 30 hours in the classroom, 7 hours behind the wheel and 7 hours observing in the car.
• Each class hour is at least 45 minutes.
• Free one time for Delaware resident students at public or nonpublic schools, including private schools and homeschools.
• Public and private high schools with 25 or more 10th graders must offer driver education.
• The driver education teacher gives your written and road tests and certifies you as qualified.
• After 6 months on the permit, 50 practice hours (10 at night) are certified to the approved program.

What is the Delaware Blue Certificate?

It’s the Driver Education Certificate you get for passing a Department of Education approved driver education course. It must meet all Department of Education criteria to be valid. You take it to the DMV, with your sponsor and your identity and residency documents, to apply for the GDL Level One Learner’s Permit. Without it, the DMV can’t license anyone under 18.

What’s in the Delaware driver education course?

Part	Minimum
Classroom instruction	30 class hours (at least 1,350 minutes)
Behind-the-wheel instruction	7 class hours (at least 315 minutes)
Observation in the car	7 hours
Total	44 class hours

• Simulators: can replace up to 3 hours of behind-the-wheel time, at 4 simulator hours for each hour replaced.
• Off-street driving ranges: can replace up to 3 hours, at 2 range hours for each hour replaced.
• Limit: together, simulator and range time can’t replace more than half of the 7 behind-the-wheel hours, and can’t cut classroom time.
• Curriculum: teachers use the statewide Department of Education curriculum.
• Grading: pass or fail. Schools may award a quarter credit toward graduation as an elective.

Where to take driver’s ed in Delaware

Program	Who it’s for	Cost
High school driver education	Public and private high schools with 25+ 10th graders must offer it	Free, one time, for Delaware resident students
Summer driver education (June 10 to August 31)	Delaware residents at out-of-state schools as 10th graders; students at small private schools; homeschooled students; other cases the Secretary approves	Free, but each request needs Department of Education approval
Adult driver education	Anyone, through a local school district in each county, including students who failed their first course	Fee set by the Department of Education

Districts tell public and nonpublic high schools where the nearest summer program is by May 1 each year. Ask your school counselor or district office about dates and how to sign up.

Students with an IEP

• The IEP team, working with the driver education teacher, can adapt the course. Options include multiple attempts, waiting until 11th or 12th grade, splitting the course across two semesters, and specialized instruction.
• The regulation gives IEP students until age 21 to complete driver education certification.
• IEP students who retake the course after failing don’t pay a fee.
• Students who need specialized evaluation, training or equipment are identified by the driver education teacher and tested by the DMV.

Testing through driver education

Under Delaware law, a teen applying for the Level One permit must pass a written test and a road skills test. These are given by the DMV or by a driver education teacher, and the teacher then certifies you as qualified. The DMV’s GDL handout says teens pass all written and road tests with their driver education teacher. So when you arrive at the DMV with your Blue Certificate, you mainly need the eye screening and your documents. The skills you’ll be tested on match the DMV list in the Delaware road test guide, and the written content matches the Delaware knowledge test.

The 50-hour sponsor certification

• For the first 6 months on the Level One permit you must always be supervised.
• Your parent or guardian certifies 50 hours of driving, including 10 at night.
• The signed form goes to the Department of Education approved program at the end of the 6 months.
• Only after that can you drive unsupervised between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Full stage rules: Delaware graduated driver license rules for teens.

Took driver’s ed in another state?

The Delaware Department of Education must approve an out-of-state course before the DMV accepts it. The manual tells you to send your certificate to the Department of Education, Education Associate Driver Education and Private School Services, Collette Education Resource Center, 35 Commerce Way, Suite 1, Dover, DE 19904 (telephone 302-857-3320). Delaware law also asks for a certified copy of your high school transcript showing the course. Moving with a license already? See transferring an out-of-state license to Delaware.

Common questions

Is driver’s ed mandatory in Delaware?

Yes, for anyone under 18. Adults 18 and older can test at the DMV without it.

How many hours is driver’s ed in Delaware?

At least 44 class hours: 30 classroom, 7 behind the wheel and 7 observation.

Is driver’s ed free in Delaware?

Yes, once, for Delaware resident students at public or nonpublic schools, including homeschool. Adult programs and retakes after a failed course charge a fee (IEP students excepted).

What if I lose my Blue Certificate?

The Department of Education keeps final grades for seven years. Contact the Department of Education driver education office about a replacement before your DMV visit.

Can I take driver’s ed online in Delaware?

The regulation requires classroom hours and in-car instruction from a driver education teacher using the statewide curriculum. It doesn’t describe an online-only option. Check with the Department of Education before paying for any online course.

Do homeschooled students get free driver’s ed?

Yes. Nonpublic students, including homeschoolers, are entitled to free driver education once, and homeschoolers are listed for the free summer program.

Back to the Delaware learner driver guide.

Sources

• Delaware Department of Education, “14 DE Admin. Code 540 Driver Education” (regulations.delaware.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver License” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver Licensing handout” (services.dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware General Assembly, “Delaware Code Title 21, Section 2710” (delcode.delaware.gov)
• Delaware Office of Highway Safety, “How Do Teens Get a License in Delaware?” (ohs.delaware.gov)

Photo: formulanone from Huntsville, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Delaware’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) program covers every new driver aged 16 or 17, and students with an active IEP up to 22. It has one permit and two stages. For the first 6 months you drive only with a supervisor and log 50 hours. For the next 6 months you can drive alone from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. with one passenger at most. After 12 months the permit becomes a full Class D license automatically. This guide is for teens and the parents who sponsor them.

Key facts (Delaware DMV and Delaware Code, checked November 2026)

• Start: age 16, with a Blue Certificate from approved driver education.
• Supervisor: a licensed parent or guardian, or a sponsor-approved licensed driver, aged 25 or older with a Class D license held for at least 5 years.
• Practice: 50 hours, including 10 at night, certified by your parent or guardian after month 6.
• Night limit (months 7 to 12): no solo driving 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., except direct trips to or from church, work or school.
• Passengers: your supervisor plus one other passenger for all 12 months, unless the extras are immediate family and the supervisor is in the car.
• Phones: no cell phone or electronic device use at all while driving, not even hands-free.
• Breaking the rules: 2-month suspension for a first offense, 4 months for each one after.

Delaware GDL stages at a glance

Stage	When	Driving alone?	Passengers
Level One permit, supervised	Months 1 to 6	Never	Supervisor in the front seat plus 1 other (more if immediate family)
Level One permit, limited solo	Months 7 to 12	6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; at night only for church, work or school trips	Alone: 1 passenger. With supervisor: supervisor plus 1 (more if immediate family)
Class D license	After 12 months, age 17+	Any time	No GDL limit

Who can sponsor a Delaware GDL driver?

Every GDL application needs a sponsor. The DMV takes sponsors in this order:

1. Either parent, if both live together in Delaware and you live with both.
2. The parent you live with. If you live with neither and have no Delaware guardian, either parent living in Delaware.
3. A legal guardian or court-appointed custodian.
4. Another suitable adult accepted by the Chief of Driver Services.

Parents are checked against your birth certificate. A step-parent can only sponsor if they have adopted you or been appointed your guardian.

What sponsoring means:

• The sponsor is jointly liable for damages caused by the teen’s negligence.
• The sponsor decides who else may supervise.
• The sponsor can withdraw at any time until the teen turns 18 (for an IEP student over 18, until the 12-month program ends), which cancels the teen’s driving privileges.

Supervisor rules: who can ride with a Delaware permit driver?

• A properly licensed parent or guardian, or a licensed driver approved by the sponsor.
• Aged at least 25, and has held a Class D license for at least 5 years.
• Must sit in the front passenger seat. Nobody else may sit in the front.

Some DMV pages mention a supervisor “over 21”. That is the rule for the adult (18+) learner’s permit. For GDL drivers, the law and the GDL page both say 25 with 5 years of Class D experience.

The 50-hour certification

During the first 6 months your parent or guardian certifies that you drove 50 hours, including 10 at night. At the end of month 6 the form goes to the Department of Education, either through your approved driver education program or by email to the department’s GDL driving log address shown in the manual. Keep a log as you go. The national comparison is in supervised driving hours by state.

Night driving: what time can a Delaware teen drive alone?

From month 7, you can drive unsupervised between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. you need a supervisor, except when going directly to or from:

• church activities
• work activities
• school activities on school property (school events held elsewhere don’t count)

Volunteer firefighters and ambulance attendants have a limited exception for emergency, training and official trips. They need written permission from their chief or captain, carried with the permit.

Passenger limits for Delaware GDL drivers

• For the whole 12 months, no more than your adult supervisor plus one other passenger.
• Immediate family don’t count toward that limit, but only while the adult supervisor is in the car.
• Driving alone in months 7 to 12, you may carry one passenger.
• You and every passenger under 18 must wear a seat belt or use the right child seat or booster.

Phones and GDL drivers

Every Delaware driver is banned from hand-held phone use and texting. GDL drivers go further: no cell phone or similar device at all, hands-free included. The only legal time to use your phone is when you’ve stopped somewhere off the lanes of travel. More: hands-free and texting laws.

Penalties for breaking Delaware GDL rules

• Breaking a Level One permit restriction counts as driving without a license.
• First offense: 2-month suspension. Each later offense: 4 months.
• Suspended time doesn’t count toward your 12 months. It’s added to the end, and you must then undergo complete testing.
• Alcohol: under Delaware’s zero tolerance law, a driver under 21 who has been drinking loses their license for 2 months for a first offense and 6 to 12 months after that. See zero tolerance laws for drivers under 21.

Getting your full Class D license

You qualify at 17 or older, after 12 months of valid driving on the Level One permit, as long as your sponsor hasn’t withdrawn and you aren’t suspended. The permit converts automatically. The law says the DMV notifies you by mail when you’re eligible. You don’t take another road test. Your sponsor can still withdraw until you turn 18.

Common questions

How many passengers can a Delaware GDL driver carry?

One, besides the supervisor, for the full 12 months. Immediate family are allowed beyond that only while the adult supervisor is in the car.

What time can a Delaware teen drive alone?

From month 7, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Later than that only for direct trips to or from church, work or school activities on school property.

Can my older brother supervise me?

Only if he is licensed, at least 25, has held a Class D license for 5 years and is approved by your sponsor.

Can I use GPS on my phone?

The law bans GDL drivers from using a cell phone or similar device while driving, and the manual says that includes hands-free. Set your route before you move, or pull off the road to change it.

I’m 18. Do I have to do GDL?

No. GDL is optional at 18 or older. Without it you need no sponsor, but you take the eye, knowledge and road tests at the DMV.

What does a GDL permit look like?

The law lets the DMV issue either a separate permit or a Class D license in a packet explaining the limits. The state’s teen brochure says it looks like a regular license for the first year.

Back to the Delaware learner driver guide. Compare states: US graduated driver licensing compared. Before the permit: Delaware driver’s ed and the Blue Certificate.

Sources

• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver License” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026)” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware General Assembly, “Delaware Code Title 21, Section 2710” (delcode.delaware.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver Licensing handout” (services.dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Teen Driving: Delaware Driving Laws” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Office of Highway Safety, “How Do Teens Get a License in Delaware?” (ohs.delaware.gov)

Photo: Brett A, Pexels

The Delaware DMV knowledge exam comes in two parts: a highway sign and signal test, then a rules of the road test. This practice set follows the same split, with 12 sign questions and 28 rules questions built around the figures in the Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026). Every question is original and unofficial; none is copied from the DMV.

Delaware knowledge test format

Item	What the DMV says
Parts	Signs and signals (shapes, colors and symbols with the words removed), then rules of the road
Length and pass mark	The Sample Written Test page says 32 questions, 26 to pass. The DMV FAQ says 30 questions, 24 to pass. Both work out at about 80%.
Vision	20/40 or better; between 20/40 and 20/50 you may be limited to daylight driving
Who takes it at the DMV	Mainly adults 18 and older. Most teens on the GDL route take the written test with their driver education teacher.

Aim for 26 or more correct on your own practice, so the stricter figure never catches you out. More on who tests where: the Delaware DMV knowledge test guide.

Part 1: signs and signals (questions 1 to 12)

On the real Part 1 the words are removed from the signs, so you must know each one from its shape, color or symbol alone. Read these with that in mind.

1. A sign with eight sides, words removed, means:

• A. Railroad ahead
• B. Stop
• C. Yield
• D. School crossing

Answer: B. The octagon is used only for STOP. Manual topic: Section Four, signs.

2. A downward-pointing triangle, red and white, means:

• A. Stop
• B. Do not enter
• C. No passing
• D. Yield

Answer: D. Yield signs are the only inverted triangles. Slow down and give way. Manual topic: signs by shape.

3. The school sign has which shape?

• A. Five sides (pentagon)
• B. Rectangle
• C. Diamond
• D. Round

Answer: A. The pentagon marks school zones and crossings. The manual lists stop, yield and school shapes as the ones to know. Manual topic: signs by shape.

4. A round yellow sign with an X and two Rs warns of:

• A. Reduced speed ahead
• B. A crossroad
• C. A railroad crossing ahead
• D. Road closed

Answer: C. The round advance warning sign is placed before a railroad crossing. See railroad crossings. Manual topic: signs.

5. Orange diamond-shaped signs usually mean:

• A. A hospital nearby
• B. A school zone
• C. A work zone ahead
• D. A scenic route

Answer: C. The manual says work zone warning signs are usually orange. See work zone driving rules. Manual topic: work zones.

6. A black-on-yellow sign shows a curve arrow and “30 mph”. That speed is:

• A. The speed for trucks only
• B. An advisory speed for the curve
• C. The legal speed limit
• D. A minimum speed

Answer: B. Black-on-yellow speed plates are advisory. Legal speed limit signs are black on white. Manual topic: signs.

7. A symbol sign shows a U-shaped arrow with a red circle and slash. It means:

• A. No U-turn
• B. Dead end
• C. U-turn lane ahead
• D. Winding road

Answer: A. The red circle and slash prohibit the movement shown. The manual uses no U-turn, keep right and no right turn as symbol examples. Manual topic: signs.

8. A white rectangular sign shows an arrow curving to the right of a center island. It tells you to:

• A. Merge right
• B. Exit right only
• C. Turn right at the next road
• D. Keep right of the island or divider

Answer: D. The keep right sign directs traffic to the right of an obstruction or median. Manual topic: regulatory signs.

9. A green traffic light means:

• A. Stop, then go
• B. Proceed with caution, yielding to anyone still in the intersection
• C. Go without looking
• D. Turn only

Answer: B. The manual says green means proceed with caution. Pedestrians and late cars may still be crossing. Manual topic: traffic signals.

10. In Delaware, a flashing red light means you must:

• A. Wait for it to turn green
• B. Treat it like a stop sign: stop fully, then go when safe
• C. Slow down and go through
• D. Stop only if cross traffic is coming

Answer: B. The manual lists a flashing red signal as a sample test topic: it works like a stop sign. Manual topic: traffic signals.

11. A traffic signal is completely dark because of a power cut. The Delaware manual says to:

• A. Drive through at normal speed
• B. Sound your horn and continue
• C. Treat it like a green light
• D. Slow down and prepare to yield to vehicles in or approaching the intersection

Answer: D. That is the Delaware manual’s wording for a dark signal. Go only when the way is clear. See traffic signals in the US. Manual topic: traffic signals.

12. A solid yellow line runs on your side of the center line, with a broken yellow line on the other side. You:

• A. May pass if the road looks clear
• B. Must turn left
• C. May not pass
• D. May pass only at night

Answer: C. A solid line on your side means no passing. A double solid line means neither side may pass. Manual topic: pavement markings.

Part 2: rules of the road (questions 13 to 40)

13. Unless a sign shows otherwise, what is the speed limit on a Delaware two-lane road?

• A. 45 mph
• B. 50 mph
• C. 55 mph
• D. 65 mph

Answer: B. 50 mph on two-lane roads. The manual names this as a sample test topic. See speed limits and the basic speed law.

14. What is the default speed limit in a Delaware school zone?

• A. 15 mph
• B. 20 mph
• C. 25 mph
• D. 30 mph

Answer: B. School zones are 20 mph unless posted. Business and residential districts are 25 mph.

15. On a divided highway or a road with four or more lanes, the Delaware default limit is:

• A. 45 mph
• B. 50 mph
• C. 55 mph
• D. 65 mph

Answer: C. 55 mph, unless posted. Route 1 and I-495 are 65 mph.

16. How close to a fire hydrant may you park in Delaware?

• A. No closer than 20 feet
• B. No closer than 15 feet
• C. No closer than 30 feet
• D. No closer than 10 feet

Answer: B. 15 feet. The manual gives this as a sample test topic. See US parking rules.

17. You may not park within how many feet of a stop sign, traffic signal or flashing beacon?

• A. 15 feet
• B. 20 feet
• C. 30 feet
• D. 50 feet

Answer: C. 30 feet. The other Delaware figures: 20 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection and 50 feet from a railroad crossing.

18. When parallel parking in Delaware, your wheels must be within how far of the curb?

• A. 6 inches
• B. 12 inches
• C. 18 inches
• D. 24 inches

Answer: B. Within 12 inches. See how to parallel park.

19. How far ahead must you signal before turning, stopping or changing lanes in Delaware?

• A. 50 feet
• B. 100 feet
• C. 200 feet
• D. 300 feet

Answer: D. Delaware sets 300 feet, more than many states. Manual topic: Section Four, signaling.

20. When passing a bicycle, you must leave at least:

• A. 2 feet
• B. 3 feet
• C. 5 feet
• D. 6 feet

Answer: B. At least 3 feet, and change lanes on multi-lane roads when you can. See sharing the road.

21. Which of these is NOT a time Delaware law requires headlights?

• A. When you cannot see 1,000 feet ahead
• B. Whenever your wipers are on
• C. Sunny midday on a dry road with clear visibility
• D. From sunset to sunrise

Answer: C. Lights are required at night, when visibility drops below 1,000 feet, and whenever wipers are on.

22. You must dim your high beams when an oncoming vehicle is within:

• A. 200 feet
• B. 300 feet
• C. 500 feet
• D. 1,000 feet

Answer: C. 500 feet for oncoming traffic, and 200 feet when you follow another vehicle. See night driving and high beams.

23. In fog, you should drive with:

• A. No lights, to avoid glare
• B. High beams
• C. Parking lights only
• D. Low beams

Answer: D. High beams reflect off fog back into your eyes. Low beams are one of the DMV’s sample question topics. See driving in snow, fog and rain.

24. What minimum following distance does the Delaware manual recommend in good conditions?

• A. 1 second
• B. 2 seconds
• C. 3 seconds
• D. 4 seconds

Answer: C. At least 3 seconds, and 4 seconds on slippery roads and in other risky conditions. See following distance.

25. In winter, which part of the road usually freezes first?

• A. Uphill sections
• B. Freshly paved roads
• C. Roads in towns
• D. Bridges and overpasses

Answer: D. Bridges lose heat from above and below, so ice forms there first. Manual topic: Section Five, driving skills and safety.

26. You park downhill next to a curb. Turn your front wheels:

• A. Straight ahead
• B. Away from the curb
• C. Toward the curb
• D. Toward the road center, then straighten

Answer: C. Downhill, wheels toward the curb or road edge. Uphill with a curb, turn them away from the curb.

27. You are turning left at a green light (no arrow). An oncoming car is coming straight through. Who has the right of way?

• A. You, if you signaled
• B. Whoever is faster
• C. The oncoming car
• D. You, because you were there first

Answer: C. Left-turning drivers yield to oncoming traffic. See left-turn yield rules.

28. Traffic is merging onto the highway from a ramp beside you. What should you do?

• A. Sound your horn
• B. Stop in your lane
• C. Make room by adjusting speed or moving over if safe
• D. Speed up to block the gap

Answer: C. Making room for merging traffic is one of the DMV’s sample topics. See freeway driving for new drivers.

29. When may you turn left on a red light in Delaware?

• A. Never
• B. Only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping
• C. Any time the road is clear
• D. Only at night

Answer: B. Right on red is allowed after a full stop unless a sign or red arrow prohibits it. Left on red is allowed only from one-way into one-way. See right on red in the US.

30. A school bus stops with red lights flashing. You are coming the other way on a two-lane road. You must:

• A. Stop only if a child is crossing
• B. Stop
• C. Slow to 10 mph and pass
• D. Continue, because only traffic behind must stop

Answer: B. In Delaware both directions stop, unless you are on the opposite side of a road with four or more lanes. See school bus stopping laws.

31. What happens to speeding fines in a Delaware work zone?

• A. They are waived for first offenses
• B. Only trucks pay more
• C. They are doubled
• D. They are the same as anywhere else

Answer: C. The manual says work zone speeding fines are doubled.

32. Your car starts to skid on a wet road. What should you do?

• A. Ease off the gas and steer where you want the car to go
• B. Turn the wheel hard the other way
• C. Slam on the brakes
• D. Accelerate out of it

Answer: A. How to handle a skid is a named sample topic. Smooth inputs let the tires grip again. See vehicle emergencies.

33. When must a crash in Delaware be reported to police?

• A. Only if the other driver asks
• B. Only if a car must be towed
• C. If anyone is hurt or killed, or there is apparent damage of $500 or more on a public highway
• D. Only if someone is taken to hospital

Answer: C. The manual sets the reporting rule at any injury or death, or $500 or more in apparent property damage. See what to do after a crash.

34. A Delaware driver under 21 breaks the law at what BAC?

• A. 0.00%
• B. 0.02%
• C. 0.05%
• D. 0.08%

Answer: B. Zero tolerance applies at 0.02 for drivers under 21. Adults are limited to 0.08. See zero tolerance laws.

35. When may studded tires be used in Delaware?

• A. October 15 to April 15
• B. Only during a snow emergency
• C. December 1 to March 1
• D. All year

Answer: A. The manual allows studded tires from October 15 to April 15 only.

36. Who may supervise a teen on a Delaware GDL Level One permit?

• A. A licensed parent, guardian or sponsor-approved driver aged 25 or older who has held a Class D license for 5 years
• B. Any passenger with a learner’s permit
• C. Any licensed driver aged 18 or older
• D. Any licensed driver aged 21 or older

Answer: A. The GDL law sets 25 and 5 years of Class D. The “21 or older” rule is for the adult learner’s permit. See Delaware GDL rules for teens.

37. How many supervised practice hours must a Delaware GDL driver complete in the first 6 months?

• A. 30, with 5 at night
• B. 40, with 10 at night
• C. 50, with 10 at night
• D. 60, with 15 at night

Answer: C. 50 hours, 10 of them at night, certified by a parent or guardian. See supervised driving hours by state.

38. From month 7 of the GDL permit, when may a Delaware teen drive alone?

• A. 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• B. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• C. 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• D. Any time

Answer: B. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., plus direct trips to or from church, work or school activities on school property.

39. A Delaware GDL driver wants to use GPS on a phone through a hands-free mount while driving. Is that allowed?

• A. Yes, after month 6
• B. No. GDL drivers may not use a cell phone or similar device at all, even hands-free
• C. Only on highways
• D. Yes, hands-free is legal for everyone

Answer: B. Every Delaware driver is banned from hand-held use. GDL drivers may not use one at all while driving. Set the route before you move. See hands-free and texting laws.

40. A Delaware GDL driver breaks a permit restriction for the first time. What is the penalty?

• A. A warning letter only
• B. A 1-year revocation
• C. A $25 fine and no suspension
• D. A 2-month suspension

Answer: D. 2 months for a first offense, 4 months for each later one. The suspended time is added to the end of the 12 months.

Check your score

Correct out of 40	Where you stand
34 to 40	Above the stricter DMV standard (26 of 32 is about 81%)
32 to 33	Borderline. Review your misses.
Under 32	Not yet. Reread Sections Two and Four of the manual.

Also check yourself on Part 1 alone: if you missed more than 2 of the 12 sign questions, drill sign shapes and colors before anything else.

Common questions

Are these the real Delaware DMV questions?

No. They are original, unofficial practice. The DMV’s free sample test has 10 questions, and the DMV says it does not include every question on the real exam.

How many questions can I miss on the Delaware permit test?

The DMV sample test page allows 6 misses (26 of 32). The FAQ also allows 6 (24 of 30). Confirm the current format at the DMV.

Do 16-year-olds take this test at the DMV?

Usually not. On the GDL route your driver education teacher gives the written and road tests. See Delaware driver’s ed and the Blue Certificate.

Can I take the test in audio form?

The manual says audio tests with headphones are available on request. Ask your DMV office about languages. See permit test accommodations.

When can I take the road test after passing?

For adults, no sooner than 30 days after the knowledge exam under the July 2026 manual (the DMV road test web page still says 10), within the 12-month life of the permit. See the Delaware road test guide and the full Delaware learner driver guide.

Where are practice tests for other states?

See US permit practice tests by state.

Sources

• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Delaware Driver Manual” (July 2026) (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Sample Written Test” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Frequently Asked Questions” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles, “Graduated Driver License” (dmv.de.gov)
• Delaware Code, “Title 21, Section 2710, Graduated driver licensing” (delcode.delaware.gov)