If you operate a motor vehicle on public roadways in Delaware you are required to have a driver's license, and you must carry it with you. You are required to obtain a Delaware driver's license within 60 days after becoming a bona fide Delaware resident. Delaware requires the use of Child Restraints, Seat Belts and Helmets for Motorcycle Operators.
Exemptions From Holding A Delaware Driver's License- Individuals while driving or operating a road roller, road machinery or farm tractor or implement of husbandry temporarily on a highway.
- Nonresident operators, over the age of sixteen (16) years, currently licensed in their home state or country. The license must be in the driver's possession.
- Members of the Armed Forces of the United States who are serving on active duty and any dependent of the member if they possess a valid driver license from their state of domicile.
Who May Not Be Licensed
The law does not permit the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue a driver's license when:
- You are less than the required age for a specific license or endorsement.
- You are under the age of 18 and have not completed a Delaware Department of Education approved course in driver education.
- You are under the age of 18 and cannot obtain the required signature of consent on your application (usually parent, court-appointed custodian, or guardian).
- Your license or driving privileges are suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction.
- You are not a bona fide resident of Delaware or you do not have a social security number.
- You do not understand road signs in English.
- You are physically or mentally unable to drive safely. If you are subject to losses of consciousness from diseases of the central nervous system, you must furnish the Division a written certification by your family physician that your infirmity is under sufficient control to permit you to drive a motor vehicle safely. Medical and Vision evulation forms are available.
- You are determined to be a habitual drunkard or to be addicted to the use of narcotic drugs.
- You are unable to show you are in the United States legally.
- Your personal information differs from information from other agencies (e.g., Different Dates of Birth, Different Names, Different Social Security Numbers, Different U.S. Entry Dates, Different Addresses, etc).
How Do I Get A License?
You must apply in person at one of the offices of the Division of Motor Vehicles in Wilmington, New Castle, Dover, or Georgetown.
DMV Hours & Locations.
Ineligible Immigration Status
Those applicants who are legally in the United States under the following immigration status or holding invalid or expired documents are not eligible for a Delaware-issued driver license or identification card, even if they have established residency in this State:
- Those with invalid or expired immigration or passport documents.
- Those I-94 holders without a valid INS or USCIS stamp.
- Immigration status A-1. Ambassador, public minister, career diplomatic or consular officer and dependents are ineligible, because an "A" status may only be issued a driver's license from the United States State Department.
- Immigration status A-2 for other foreign government officials or employees and dependents unless they are foreign military official and/or their dependents. Foreign military members and their dependents must provide a valid passport, I-94, visa, or assignment orders to be eligible.
- Immigration status B-1. Visitor for business.
- Immigration status B-2. Visitor for pleasure (tourist.)
- Immigration status C-1. Alien in transit through the United States.
- Immigration status C-2. Alien in transit to United Nations Headquarters district. Travel limited to 25 miles radius of Columbus Circle in New York.
- Immigration status C-3. Foreign government official coming to the United Nations, dependents, attendants, servants, or other personal employees of official in transit through United States.
- Immigration status D-1. Alien crew members.
- Immigration status G-1. Resident representative of a foreign government to an international organization, plus staff and dependents.
- Immigration status WB. Visitor for business (visa waiver program.)
- Immigration status WT. Visitor for pleasure (tourist in visa waiver (program.)
- Attached unexpired temporary I-551 visa.
- Border Crossing cards
The expiration date on driver licenses and identification cards must not exceed the period of time non-citizens are authorized in the United States. This ensures that State-issued identification documents are not valid should non-citizens overstay their authorized visit to this country. The Division will verify the source document to ensure it is genuine and unaltered and confirm by electronic means that the immigration document is valid.
Non-citizens must provide USCIS or INS immigration documents containing either an Alien Registration Number or I-94 Number which can be verified electronically through the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements System (SAVE). The applicant's legal status and authorized length of stay will be primarily determined through SAVE. The following documents can be used to determine legal status and authorized length of stay:
U.S. Citizenship - Expiration date - 5 year Drivers License or 4 year ID card
|
Permanent Resident Immigrant - Expiration date - 5 year license or 4 year ID card. Alien Registration Number mandatory. Do not issue document without SAVE verification: refer applicant to the USCIS to resolve mismatch conditions.
|
Non-immigrant/Temporary - Expiration date limited by authorized stay in U.S. Verify through SAVE. We can not issue document without SAVE vertification: refer applicant to the USCIS to resolve mismatch conditions. We will use a one year expiration date when immigration records show "indefinite" or "duration of status" for period of authorized stay. Form I-94 Number mandatory except when Alien Registration Number available (refugee, asylee, parolee).
|
Acceptable Identification Document List
Any person applying for a driver’s license (DL) or identification (ID) card is required to submit one primary document and one secondary document from the following list. A primary document must contain the full name and date of birth and must be verifiable, i.e., we must be able to contact the issuing agency to determine the authenticity of the document. Each applicant must provide their social security number, if eligible, two separate proofs of Delaware residence (i.e. rent receipt or lease and electric, telephone or other utility receipts etc.) and non-US citizens must provide proof of legal presence in the United States.
NOTE: False statements, attempted fraud by displaying invalid licenses, ID Cards, or documents, or misrepresentation is perjury and may result in fines and denial of licenses and services. A driver license may be suspended any time false information is found on the signed application form.
| PRIMARY DOCUMENTS | SECONDARY DOCUMENTS |
| Photo driver’s license. | All Primary Documents may be used as a secondary document |
| State/province/territory issued photo ID card | Driver’s license/ID card, expired more than one year |
| Certified microfilm/copy of driver’s license or ID card | Court order that does not contain the applicant’s date of birth |
| Certificate of birth (U.S. issued). Must be original or certified copy, have a raised seal and be issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health | Employer ID card |
INS documents, as follows
|
Health insurance card, i.e., Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Kaiser, HMO |
| Canadian Immigration Record and Visa or Record of Landing (IMM 1000) | IRS/State tax forms. W-2 NOT acceptable |
| Court order. Must contain full name, date of birth and court seal. Examples include: adoption document, name change document, gender document, etc. Does not include abstract of criminal or civil conviction | Marriage certificate/license |
| United States Military ID | Medical records from doctor/hospital |
| Valid passport, U.S. If foreign, appropriate INS document also is required | Military dependent ID |
| Military discharge/separation papers | |
| Gun permit | |
| Pilot’s license | |
| School record/transcript. Must be certified | |
| Social security card. Metal card is NOT acceptable | |
| Social insurance card (for Canadian residents only) | |
| Student ID Card. Must contain photo | |
| Vehicle title. Vehicle registration NOT acceptable | |
| Welfare card | |
| Prison release document |
| (One Document For) SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, IF ELIGIBLE | (Two Documents For) DELAWARE RESIDENCY Must include applicant’s name and residential address | NAME CHANGES |
| Social Security card or Ineligibility letter from Social Security Administration | Utility bills | Court Documents |
| Health/Social Services card | Hospital insurance card | Marriage Certificate |
| Employee’s pay check stub | Auto or Life insurance policies | |
| W-2 Form | W-2 or filed Tax Forms | |
| Tax Forms filed | Voter registration card | |
| Military Discharge Certificate (DD Form 214) | Bank account records | |
| Credit card statements | ||
| Employment records | ||
| DMV computer records | ||
| Rental agreements |
All drivers must sign a driver license application and answer the appropriate questions on that form. Those applicants who are licensed in another state must surrender their license from the other state. If eligible for a Social Security Number it must be provided.
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), in cooperation with the Social Security Administration (SSA), will use Social Security Number On-Line Verification (SSOLV) to verify Social Security numbers by matching Delaware driver license records with the records of the SSA.
Most driver's licenses will be issued for a period of five (5) years from the driver's last birthday. The fee for the five-year license is $25.00 and certain endorsements cost additional fees. If the learner's permit was valid at the time of the examination and is returned, there are no additional fees. The fee for a CDL license is $30.00. It is illegal to drive if your license has expired. The Division is required by law to collect an additional $1.15 when renewing an expired license.
Each driver must pass an eye-screening examination. Some applicants may be referred to their eye doctor or physician for additional medical tests if they have a medical or mental condition that may interfere with their ability to operate a motor vehicle safely.
Every driver license applicant is subject to a written and road skills test.
Mandatory Disclosure of Social Security NumbersDisclosure of the applicant's social security number is mandatory if eligible. Federal and state law authorizes such disclosure. See 42 U.S.C. Section 405(c)(2)(1) and 21 Del. C. Section 2718(a). The Division will use social security numbers solely for the administration of the driver's license program to ensure accurate identification. Social security numbers will not be released to business or private individuals, but may be released to state agencies to carry out their governmental functions. More information is available upon request.
Other Licensing Information:Graduated
Driver's License (Under 18)
Apply
for License (Over 18)
New Resident Transfer License (Over 18)
New Resident Transfer License (Under 18)
Commercial
Driver's License (CDL)
Permanent Licenses
Licenses for Exchange Students
Identification
Cards/Renewals
License Renewals
Motorcycle Endorsements
