Eligibility for Delaware License Plates
New residents must register within 60 days of moving to Delaware. 21 Del. C. § 2101(a) sets the deadline for titling and registration.
- Residency: The 60-day period begins when you establish residency in Delaware. Military personnel stationed in Delaware have 90 days from receiving orders to register, according to Delaware Administrative Code, Title 2, § 2266.
- Vehicle: Passenger cars, trucks, motorcycles, mopeds, trailers, recreational vehicles, and ATVs are subject to registration. Vehicles being titled in Delaware for the first time must be inspected at the DMV, except for new vehicles sold by a dealer with a Delaware Application for Title (Form MV212A). Titles from other states with “salvage” or “branded” status require a full safety and emissions inspection at the Delaware DMV inspection lane.
- Applicant: A valid driver’s license or state ID is required for each owner on the registration. Delaware liability insurance must be active before any registration transaction.
- License Plate Categories: Standard blue-and-gold plates are mounted only on the rear of the vehicle, per 21 Del. C. § 2126. Background specialty plates (environmental, animal welfare, farmland preservation) and organizational military plates (Purple Heart, POW, Disabled Veterans, Pearl Harbor Survivors, Gold Star Family) are available through the Delaware DMV specialty plates page. Vanity plates can be ordered at any DMV office.
How to Get a License Plate in Delaware?
All first-time registrations are done in person at one of the four Delaware DMV branches: Wilmington, Delaware City, Dover, or Georgetown. The DMV contact directory provides addresses and hours of operation.
- Bring a properly completed title or manufacturer’s certificate of origin, proof of Delaware liability insurance, and valid ID for each applicant. Private party purchases require a bill of sale and odometer disclosure.
- Vehicles older than seven model years (or over 10,000 pounds) must pass a safety and emissions inspection at the DMV inspection lane before registration. Vehicles newer than seven model years and weighing less than 10,000 pounds require only a VIN verification. The DMV inspection program is conducted free of charge.
- Pay the registration fee, title fee, and a 5.25% document fee at the DMV counter. Delaware has no sales tax; the document fee (calculated based on purchase price or NADA value, whichever is greater) serves as a transfer fee.
- License plates and a registration card are issued at the counter. Delaware assigns one rear plate for standard registrations.
Renewals are conducted annually. The DMV sends renewal reminders by email or phone 90, 60, and 30 days before expiration if you are enrolled in the eNotification program.
How Much Does a License Plate Cost in Delaware?
Registration fees are fixed and moderate; the document fee for initial titling is the main expense, as 5.25% of the vehicle’s value quickly adds up on new purchases.
- Passenger vehicles weighing 5,000 pounds or less pay $40 annually. Trucks, buses, and cargo vans over 5,000 pounds pay $40 for the first 5,000 pounds plus $18 for each additional 1,000 pounds, according to the Delaware DMV fee schedule.
- Motorcycles cost $15 annually. Mopeds: $5.
- Trailers range from $15 (up to 1,000 pounds) to $40 (2,001 to 5,000 pounds), plus $18 for each 1,000 pounds over 5,000.
- Battery electric vehicles under 6,000 pounds MGVWR pay an additional $110 annually. Plug-in hybrids under 6,000 pounds pay $85, and non-plug-in hybrids $60. Heavier alternative fuel vehicles can reach $900 annually.
- Vanity plates add $40 annually to the base registration. Background specialty plates (environmental, animal welfare, farmland preservation) have a one-time fee of $50. Most military organizational plates cost $10 to $20 one-time.
- Title without lien: $35. Title with lien: $55. Document fee: 5.25% of purchase price or NADA value (minimum $8). Late renewal penalty: $20.
Can I Get a License Plate Online in Delaware?
Delaware limits online service to registration renewals only. Initial plates, title transfers, and specialty plate orders must be completed in person. The Delaware DMV online services portal at dmv.de.gov handles renewal transactions and accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover.
All four DMV offices (Wilmington, Delaware City, Dover, Georgetown) offer drive-through renewal windows for customers paying by cash, check, or card. Bring your valid Delaware insurance card, driver’s license, current registration card, and payment.
Mail-in renewal is available for vehicles newer than six model years and weighing less than 10,000 pounds. The DMV automatically sends a renewal package; return it with payment to the address on the form. Vehicles outside this window must pass inspection before the DMV processes the renewal.
- Renewal package (sent by DMV), completed with current odometer reading.
- Payment by check or money order for the annual registration fee.
- Proof of Delaware liability insurance if the DMV system indicates a lapse.
If your vehicle qualifies for mail-in or online renewal, use one of these channels; the in-person line and drive-through handle everything the portal cannot, including initial plates and renewals requiring inspection.