Delaware driver's license
Get your first license in Delaware after moving to the US.
The short answer
Every first-time applicant for a Delaware Class D license must pass a road skills test.1 The fee depends on how long the license lasts, from $25.00 for five years to $50.00 for eight years.2, 3 You must bring a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old to the road test, and that driver stays on site to drive the car away if you fail.4 The DMV accepts only original, unexpired identity documents.5
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Delaware and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
| What you pay | Amount |
|---|---|
| A first Class D license, valid five years2 | $25.00 |
| A first Class D license, valid six years6 | $30.00 |
| A first Class D license, valid seven years7 | $35.00 |
| A first Class D license, valid eight years3 | $50.00 |
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
If you have temporary lawful status in the United States, the division issues a temporary or limited-term compliant or non-compliant driver license or identification card.8
Documents you need
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
If you are eligible for a Social Security number, you must give it when you apply for a new license or a renewal. The division uses the number only to run the driver license program and to identify you correctly. It is not released to businesses or private individuals, but it may be released to state agencies for their government work.11
Tests you take
Eye test
Minimum acceptable vision is 20/40, with or without glasses or contact lenses; permission for daylight-only driving may be granted if your vision is between 20/40 and 20/50.14
Drive test
If your previous license has been expired for more than 5 years, you must reapply for your Class D license and take the vision, knowledge, and road exams.15
Every first-time applicant for a Class D driver's license must pass a practical road skills test before the license can be issued.1
If your learner's permit expires, you pay the fees again and must pass a written and road skills examination given by the Division.16
A Level 1 Learner's Permit requires passing a road skills test given by the Division or by a driver education teacher.17
Drivers licensed in other countries and U.S. Territories must pass both the knowledge and road exams.18
Practice questions for the written test
The Delaware Driver Manual is the state's official study resource to prepare for the Class D driver examination.19
Official sample driver license exams are on the DMV website at https://www.dmv.de.gov/sampledlexam/sampledlexam.ejs?command=SampleDLExamHome and on the DelDOT mobile app.20
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
If you do not yet have the legal right to drive alone in Delaware, come with a licensed driver who is over 21 years old. That driver must stay on site to drive the vehicle away if you do not pass.4
The car and its insurance
When you arrive for the road test you must have a valid learner's permit, the driver license of an accompanying driver who is at least 21 years old, a valid registration card for the vehicle, and a valid insurance card (original or electronic) for the vehicle.21
You must bring a vehicle in the license class you applied for, and it must pass the examiner's basic safety inspection. The vehicle needs at least half a tank of gas and must be clean and free of cargo or debris. You must also show valid proof of registration and liability insurance, as an original or an electronic card, plus the trailer registration if a trailer is used.22
Where to go
Who gives the tests
The road skills test for a Level 1 learner permit can be given by the Division or by a driver education teacher.17
The Department of Transportation's Division of Motor Vehicles conducts driving examinations for driver's license applicants.23
Booking an appointment
Delaware takes appointments for DMV visits online at https://dmv.de.gov/public.ejs?command=PublicOnlineAppointmentsSearch.24
Office locations
You can find DMV offices on the map at dmv.de.gov/About/locations/index.shtml.25
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“The applicant must successfully pass a written examination before being issued a temporary instruction permit, and pass a practical road skills examination before being issued a Class D operator’s license.”
delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c027/sc01/index.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
- 2
“var dlcd5 = "$25.00"; // Class D (5yr)”
dmv.de.gov/CLF4/agency/js/DMVFees.jsChecked August 4, 2026
- 3
“var dlcd8 = "$50.00"; // Class D (8yr)”
dmv.de.gov/CLF4/agency/js/DMVFees.jsChecked August 4, 2026
- 4
“If you do not have a valid Class D driver license with a legal right to drive alone in Delaware, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 years of age, as described on the learner’s permit. A licensed driver MUST remain on site to drive the vehicle away in case the applicant is unsuccessful in passing the exam.”
dmv.de.gov/…/dr_frm_manual.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 5
“Please provide ONE of the following proof of identity/legal presence documents: (Photocopied, Expired, or Altered documents will not be accepted)”
dmv.de.gov/…/dr_frm_manual.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 6
“var dlcd6 = "$30.00"; // Class D (6yr)”
dmv.de.gov/CLF4/agency/js/DMVFees.jsChecked August 4, 2026
- 7
“var dlcd7 = "$35.00"; // Class D (7yr)”
dmv.de.gov/CLF4/agency/js/DMVFees.jsChecked August 4, 2026
- 8
“The division shall issue a temporary or limited-term compliant driver license or identification card, or temporary or limited-term non-compliant driver license or identification card to those persons who have temporary lawful status in the United States”
dmv.de.gov/…/DL_ID_procedures_111111.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 9
“Unexpired employment authorization document (EAD) issued by the DHS, Form I-766 or Form I-”
dmv.de.gov/…/DL_ID_procedures_111111.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 10
“Valid, unexpired United States passport;”
dmv.de.gov/…/DL_ID_procedures_111111.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 11
“Disclosure of the applicant’s social security number is mandatory if eligible. Federal law authorizes such disclosure. See 42 U.S.C. Section 405(c)(2)(1). The Division will use social security numbers solely for the administration of the driver license program to ensure accurate identification. Social security numbers will not be released to businesses or private individuals, but may be released to State agencies to carry out their governmental functions.”
dmv.de.gov/…/dr_frm_manual.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 12
“The licensee’s Social Security number is used for identification purposes and shall be maintained in the Division of Motor Vehicle’s record system.”
delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c027/sc01/index.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
- 13
“it is your responsibility to notify the Division of Motor Vehicles within 30”
dmv.de.gov/…/DL_ID_procedures_111111.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 14
“drive safely. If the screening shows that you need glasses or contact lenses, your license certificate will be marked to indicate that you cannot drive legally without them. Minimum acceptable vision for a Delaware driver's license is 20/40, with or without glasses or contact lenses. Permission for daylight only driving may be granted if your vision is between 20/40 and 20/50. CDL physical and vision requirements are contained in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (49 CFR Part 391.4). For additional information on Drive Defensively and Night Driving . Highway Sign and Signal Test You will be asked to identify certain highway signs only by their shape, color, or the symbols appearing on them. You will also have to explain the meaning of these and other highway signs, traffic sig”
dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/drivers_license/index.shtmlChecked August 1, 2026
- 15
“However, if it has been over 5 years, you must reapply for your Class D license and take the vision, knowledge, and road exams.”
dmv.de.gov/…/dr_frm_manual.pdfChecked August 4, 2026
- 16
“If the learner’s permit expires, the applicant will pay the appropriate fees and pass a written and road skills examination conducted by the Division.”
delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c027/sc01/index.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
- 17
“Passed a written test and road skills test administered by the Division or administered by a driver education teacher.”
delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c027/sc01/index.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
- 18
“All drivers licensed in other countries and U.S. Territories must pass both the knowledge and road exams.”
dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/drivers_license/index.shtmlChecked August 4, 2026
- 19
“One of the purposes of this manual is to help you prepare to take the driver examination. You should study this manual carefully. Anything which is not perfectly clear, whether contained in this manual or not, should be discussed with the driver license examiner prior to your examination.”
dmv.de.gov/…/dr_frm_manual.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 20
“Sample driver license examinations are available on the DMV website, at https://www.dmv.de.gov/sampledlexam/sampledlexam.ejs?command=SampleDLExamHome or on the DelDOT mobile app.”
dmv.de.gov/…/dr_frm_manual.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 21
“...302-744-2515 Georgetown.......302-853-1003 Wilmington.......302-434-3220 Select "My Road Test" and follow the online instructions Upon arriving for your ROAD TEST you must have the following in your possession: Valid learner's permit Valid driver license of the accompanying driver who is at least 21 years of age (excludes motorcycle skills test holders) Valid registration card for the vehicle you will be using (and trailer if applicable) Valid insurance card (original or electronic) for the vehicle you will be using You will be required to drive for approximately 30 minutes and do such things as are usual in normal driving. You will not be asked to do anything that is contrary to the motor vehicle laws or safe driving practices. No tricks will be played on you. Instead, you will be asked to show that you know how to do such things as the fo”
dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/drivers_license/index.shtmlChecked August 1, 2026
- 22
“It is your responsibility to provide the motor vehicle to be driven during the road exam. It must be properly registered and pass our safety inspection. You must provide valid proof of registration and liability insurance. Furthermore, the vehicle must be within the license class for which you have applied.”
dmv.de.gov/…/dr_frm_manual.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 23
“The Department shall examine every applicant for an operator’s license before issuing any such license, except as otherwise provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this section.”
delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c027/sc01/index.htmlChecked August 4, 2026
- 24
“https://dmv.de.gov/public.ejs?command=PublicOnlineAppointmentsSearch”
dmv.de.gov/public.ejsChecked August 4, 2026
- 25
“DMV Locations Map”
dmv.de.gov/About/locations/index.shtmlChecked July 26, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Delaware?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.