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The state of Delaware requires residents to register and title their vehicles. Here is a step-by-step guide for registering your vehicle in Delaware.

Residents New to the State of Delaware

Once individuals establish residency in Delaware, they have 60 days to apply for a Delaware vehicle registration certificate with the DE DMV. New Delaware residents must title and register their vehicle in person at their local DMV office.

Before registering a vehicle, residents new to Delaware need to submit the following documentation to their local DE DMV office:

  • Proof of a passed vehicle inspection
  • Proof of a valid Delaware auto insurance policy
  • The insurance coverage for the vehicle must meet the following DE state minimums:
    • Bodily injury for one person: $25,000
    • Bodily injury for one or more persons: $25,000
  • Damage or destruction to property: $10,000

Once the vehicle passes inspection, a safety technician will provide a Certificate of Title Application (Form MV-212) that Delaware residents complete and submit, in person, to their local DE DMV office.

When these tasks are complete, new residents of Delaware can apply for a car registration certificate.

To do so, visit residents can visit their local DMV office with the following documentation:

  • Proof of a valid Delaware auto insurance policy
  •  A completed Certificate of Title Application (Form MV-212).
    •  (This titling documentation is to print online. An inspection safety technician will provide this document to Delaware residents after their vehicle passes the state’s inspection.)
  • The vehicle’s out-of-state title.
  • A valid Delaware driver’s license
  •  Payment for all registration and titling fees in Delaware (see “Vehicle Registration Fees” below).

DE residents have the option to register their vehicle for 1 year or 2 years.

Registering a Vehicle in Delaware

Delaware residents must have an active Delaware auto insurance policy to register their vehicle.

Vehicles Purchased from a Dealer

Delaware residents who purchase a vehicle from a dealership, don’t have to stress over the title and registration process for their new vehicle because the dealer often submits the paperwork for titling and registering the vehicle.

Residents need to confirm this fact before leaving the dealership. New Delaware passenger vehicles that have never been titled or registered may qualify for a registration that extends longer than traditional registrations.

Vehicles Purchased from a Private Party

Residents of Delaware have 30 days of the purchase date to register their vehicle with the state. Prior to applying, the vehicle must pass a vehicle inspection.

Once the vehicle passes inspection, residents of Delaware can visit their local Delaware DMV office and present:

  • Proof of an active Delaware auto insurance policy
  • A valid Delaware driver’s license.
  • The vehicle’s signed-over title.
  • Payment for all fees (see “Vehicle Registration Fees” below).

Delaware residents have the option to register their vehicle for 1 year or 2 years, depending on the model of the vehicle.

Vehicles Purchased Out-of-State

Delaware residents who purchase a vehicle out-of-state must meet the same requirements for registering the vehicle just as if they purchased it in-state.

Delaware residents must:

  • Buy a car insurance policy from an auto insurance provider who is licensed to operate in the state of Delaware.
  • Complete a vehicle inspection (an inspection technician will give residents a Certificate of Title Application (Form MV-212) after the vehicle passes inspection)
  • If the current out-of-state registration for the vehicle has expired residents can purchase a 5-day temporary tag from the DE DMV. This temporary tag allows individuals to drive the vehicle into the state and take it to get an inspection.

To purchase a temporary tag, Delaware residents can go to any DE DMV office and present:

  •  Proof of a valid Delaware auto insurance policy
  •  Bill of Sale or vehicle title.
  •  Vehicle identification number (VIN).
  •  Vehicle make, model, and year.
  •  Payment to cover the $20 temporary tag fee.

Transferring a Car Registration

To transfer your registration residents of the state of Delaware can visit their local DE DMV office and present:

  • The titles for both vehicles that individuals want to transfer registration between.
  • Provide odometer disclosures for both vehicles on their respective titles.
  • Individuals must sign and print their name on the vehicle title they will be transferring their registration to.
  • Pay all required title and registration fees.

Vehicle Registration Fees

The cost to register a vehicle in the state of Delaware are as follows:

  •  Vehicle registration fee per year: $40.
  •  Duplicate license plates with sticker: $10.
  •  Duplicate plates without sticker: $5.
  •  Duplicate Delaware car registration card: $10.
  •  Vehicle inspection: Free.

Delaware Vehicle Inspections

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires vehicles to endure regularly scheduled vehicle inspections, which consists of two parts:

  •      A safety test.
  •      An emissions and smog check

Delaware residents who are registering their vehicle for the first time, need to complete a vehicle inspection. There are exceptions for DE vehicles that are currently registered in the state based on factors such as:

  •  The year of the vehicle.
  •  The date of the last inspection

Registering a Motorcycle in Delaware

Residents of Delaware who intend on exploring the First State on top of a motorcycle need to apply for a Delaware motorcycle endorsement.

New residents have 60 days to transfer their out-of-state license to a Delaware license with a motorcycle endorsement through the DE Division of Motor Vehicles.

New Delaware residents can visit their local DE DMV and:

  • Surrender their out-of-state license or provide a certified copy of their driving record.

Delaware residents also need to provide proof of:

  • Identity and legal presence in the United States.
  • Delaware residency (2 documents).
  • Pass the required exams:
  • Vision exam.
  • Written and road test if the new resident’s out-of-state license has expired.
  • Pay the required license and endorsement fees (see below).

For residents who are younger than 18 years old, the DE DMV will:

And

  • Have held your out-of-state license for over 1 year.

Individuals who meet these criteria must also:

  • Confirm they’ve completed a driver’s education course that is approved by the Delaware Department of Education.

Motorcycle Eligibility Requirements in Delaware

In Delaware, residents who wish to travel on the state’s highways and roadways need to apply for a motorcycle endorsement on their current Class D driver’s license.

Depending on the resident’s age, they’ll be required to follow various steps when applying for their DE motorcycle endorsement.

Individuals who are:

  • Over 18 years old can either:
  • Obtain a motorcycle learner’s permit by passing the following exams:
    • Written knowledge.
    • Road sign.
    • Vision.

Or

  • Take a Delaware state-approved motorcycle education course and waive the written and road skills tests.
    •  The vision exam is still required.

Individuals under 18 years old, need to complete a motorcycle education and get their parent’s signature to earn their motorcycle endorsement.

DE Motorcycle Permits

Unless individuals have opted to take a motorcycle education course, applicants who are 18 years old or older are required to get a Delaware motorcycle permit that is valid for 6 months before earning a DE motorcycle endorsement.

Fees for DE Motorcycle Endorsements

The fees associated with getting your Delaware motorcycle endorsement are as follows:

  • Out-of-state transfer:
  • Driver license: $40.
  • Motorcycle endorsement: $12.
  • Learner’s permit renewal: $5.
  • Endorsement is valid for 8 years: $12.

When residents of Delaware obtain a motorcycle permit, they will pay your endorsement fee at that time.

Registering a Boat in Delaware

The Division of Fish and Wildlife addresses all boat registrations in the state of Delaware.

All motorized boats that are operated by Delaware residents are required to be registered with the Division of Fish and Wildlife or an authorized sales outlet.

Delaware residents are not required to register their boat if they:

  • Own a boat that is registered in a different state.
  • Delaware is not the vessel’s current state of principal use (the vessel is ONLY docked, stowed, or used on Delaware’s waterways for no more than 60 consecutive days.)

For more information regarding boat registration in Delaware, call the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s boat registration line at (302) 739-9916.

Boat Registration in Delaware (Requirements & Procedures)

The documents required to register a boat in DE will vary depending on if the vessel was new or used when it was purchased.

Residents who purchased a new boat need to submit the following:

  • A completed Boat Registration Application (REV 2019).
  • Any of the following proof of ownership documents:
  • Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin assigned to you.
  • Builder’s Certificate assigned to you.
  • Bill of Sale
  • Payment for all applicable registration fees

Residents who purchased a used vessel can submit:

  • A completed Boat Registration Application (REV 2019).
  • The boat’s original title that’s signed by the seller.
    • (Boats that don’t have a title require DE residents to provide its original registration.)
  • A notarized bill of sale that includes a full description of the vessel, completed by the seller.
  • If the vessel was previously registered with the U.S. Coast Guard, a photocopy of the seller’s most recent Certificate of Documentation is required.
  • The lien release (if required).
  • The required registration fees.

Delaware residents can submit the above items in person at an authorized boat registration sales outlet or by mail:

Division of Fish and Wildlife
Boat Registration
89 Kings Highway
Dover, DE 19901

Delaware residents can register their boat for 1 year or 3 years.

Delaware Boat Registration Fees

The fees associated with registering your boat with the state of Delaware are:

  • Fees for 1 year of registration (depending on the boat’s length):
  • Class A (less than 16 ft): $20.
  • Class 1 (16 ft to 26 ft): $40.
  • Class 2 (26 ft to 40 ft): $60.
  • Class 3 (40 ft to 65 ft): $100.
  • Class 4 (65 ft and longer): $120.

Fees for a 3-year registration (based on the length of your boat):

  • Class A (less than 16 ft): $60.
  • Class 1 (16 ft to 26 ft): $120.
  • Class 2 (26 ft to 40 ft): $180.
  • Class 3 (40 ft to 65 ft): $300.
  • Class 4 (65 ft and longer): $360.
  • Replacement registration fee: $2.30.
  • Registration transfer fee (with a valid Delaware registration card): $3.45

Accepted Forms of Payment

DE DMV offices accept the following forms of payment:

  • Cash.
  •  Check or money order.
  • Visa
  •  MasterCard
  • Discover
  • American Express
  • Credit/debit cards.

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