Driving Tests

Moving to Delaware? Transfer Your Out-of-State License in 60 Days

informational·how to guide·Published September 13, 2026

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

You have 60 days after you take up residence in Delaware to apply for a Delaware license, in person at a DMV office. Adults 18 and older with a valid license turn it in, pass an eye screening and pay $50 for a Class D license. The DMV may waive the written and road tests for them. Teens 16 or 17 must pass both tests.

Where these Delaware transfer rules come from

The 60-day rule and the fines come from Title 21, section 2704 of the Delaware Code. The test rules for adults and teens come from sections 2710 and 2713 of the same title, and the fee comes from section 2715. The Delaware DMV new residents guide (2026) lists the steps, and the Delaware Driver Manual (July 2026) adds details on exams, endorsements, military members and teens. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Delaware DMV (dmv.de.gov) before you drive.

What is the 60-day rule for new Delaware residents?

Every person who wants to drive in Delaware must apply for and get the proper Delaware license within 60 days after taking up residence in the state. The same 60 days apply to teens 16 or 17 who hold a license from another state. If you miss the deadline, the first offense is a fine of $25 to $100. Each later offense is a fine of $50 to $200, or 10 to 30 days in jail, or both.

Adult or teen: what changes in a Delaware license transfer

Adult or teen: what changes in a Delaware license transfer
Step	Adult (18 or older)	Teen (16 or 17)
Old license	Turn it in. If you do not have it, bring a certified copy of your driving record.	Turn in your out-of-state license.
Tests	The DMV may waive the written and road tests for a valid license. Eye screening is required.	A written test and a road test by the Delaware DMV. Eye screening is required.
Driver education	Not required.	An approved driver education course must be done.
Signature	You sign the application and a surrender agreement.	You and an approved sponsor sign the application.
What you can get	Class D license	Class D if you held your license for over 12 months. Level 1 Learner's Permit if you held it for less than 12 months.

Do adults need to take a test when they transfer a license to Delaware?

Usually not. Delaware law lets the DMV, at its discretion, issue a license with no exam to an applicant of the required age who holds a valid, unrevoked license of the same kind from another state that licenses and tests its drivers. The Driver Manual adds that the written and road exams are normally waived when your license is valid, but the DMV can still give them. Every applicant passes an eye screening. To review what the ordinary Delaware exam covers, try the practice question on the four parts of the Delaware driver exam.

How to transfer an out-of-state license to Delaware (adults)

1
Gather your documents
Bring proof of legal presence, such as a U.S. birth certificate, a passport or immigration documents, proof of your Social Security number and two proofs of Delaware residency. Add proof of a legal name change if it applies. The DMV website lists all accepted documents under "general requirements", and our guide to the DMV documents and two proofs of residency explains them.
2
Bring your old license
Turn in your out-of-state license and any out-of-state ID card. If you no longer have your valid license, bring a certified copy of your driving record.
3
Apply in person
Go to a DMV office in Delaware City, Dover, Georgetown or Wilmington.
4
Sign, screen and pay
Sign the application and the surrender agreement, pass the eye screening, and pay the $50 Class D fee. With the right documents, you get a federally compliant license.

What can stop the Delaware DMV from issuing your license

You are not a bona fide Delaware resident.
You do not understand road signs in English.
You are physically or mentally unable to drive safely.
Your personal details, such as your name, date of birth or Social Security number, do not match the records of other agencies.

How does a Delaware license transfer work for a 16 or 17 year old?

Delaware law says every person under 18 who transfers an out-of-state license must take a written and road test given by the DMV, and the teen also passes an eye screening. The teen and an approved sponsor sign the application. The sponsor is a parent, guardian, Division of Family Services case worker or court-ordered custodian who lives in Delaware. The teen must also complete approved driver education, and the Department of Education checks that an out-of-state course matches the Delaware requirements. Our guide to the Delaware driver education certificate explains the Delaware side.

Which license can a 16 or 17 year old get?

Your teen held the out-of-state license for over 12 months and finished approved driver education

Your teen is eligible to apply for a Class D license after passing the written and road skills exam given by the Delaware DMV.

Your teen held the out-of-state license for less than 12 months

Your teen is eligible to apply for a Level 1 Learner's Permit, not a Class D license, after approved driver education and the other Level 1 permit steps.

The applicant is 18 or older

Follow the adult steps above. The applicant applies for a Class D license, and the DMV may waive the tests for a valid license.

How much does it cost to transfer a license to Delaware?

The fee for a Class D license is $50, and the license is valid for 8 years. That is the amount in Delaware law, in the 2026 DMV guide and in the July 2026 Driver Manual. Older copies of the Manual still show $40. For a teen who gets a Level 1 Learner's Permit, the July 2026 Manual also lists $50, but the permit section of the law still names a $40 Class D license fee, so ask the DMV which amount applies to your teen.

Your car and your address after a move to Delaware

Title and register your vehicles within 60 days after you become a Delaware resident.
A vehicle with an out-of-state title must go through inspection at a DMV inspection lane.
Report a change of address to the DMV within 30 days. State law requires it.

Key takeaways

Apply for your Delaware license within 60 days after you take up residence. A first offense is a fine of $25 to $100.
Apply in person at a Delaware DMV office, and turn in your old license or bring a certified copy of your driving record.
Adults with a valid license: the DMV may waive the written and road tests, the eye screening is required, and the Class D fee is $50.
Teens 16 or 17: a DMV written and road test, approved driver education and a sponsor signature are required. Over 12 months on the old license leads to Class D; less than 12 months leads to a Level 1 Learner's Permit.
Next step: practice the rules of the road on the free Delaware Class D practice test.

Delaware license transfer: common questions

When does the 60-day period start in Delaware?

The 60 days start when you take up residence in Delaware, that is, when you become a bona fide Delaware resident. Use the first weeks to collect your documents, including two proofs of Delaware residency, because you must apply in person at a DMV office.

Can I transfer a suspended license to Delaware?

No. A suspended or revoked license cannot be transferred until all outstanding withdrawal actions are cleared. The Delaware DMV also cannot issue a license while your license or driving privileges are suspended or revoked in any jurisdiction. Get the suspension or revocation cleared first, then apply.

Do I need a Delaware license if I am in the military?

Not while you serve on active duty with a valid license from your state of domicile. This also applies to your dependents. After you leave the service, you and your dependents have 60 days to get a Delaware license and register your vehicles.

Does my motorcycle endorsement transfer to Delaware?

Yes. A motorcycle endorsement from another state transfers to your Delaware license for an additional fee. The commercial endorsements Tanker (N), Doubles/Triples (T) and Passenger (P) also transfer. A Hazmat (H/X) endorsement has special rules, such as a knowledge exam and a background investigation.

Can I transfer my license to Delaware online?

No. You must apply in person at one of the four Delaware DMV offices. Bring your documents and your old license, and expect to sign the application and a surrender agreement and to take an eye screening.