Reinstating your driver’s license in Delaware requires a renewal form and a fee, but every case is different. Depending on why your license was suspended or revoked, you might have to complete a driving course or alcohol program, too.

The loss of your driving privileges can have a major impact on your daily life—you probably can’t wait to get back to normal. After your suspension or revocation period is over, all you have to do is apply for a standard license renewal and pay a reinstatement fee of $50 to $200. Keep in mind that you’ll also have to complete any special conditions outlined by the court.

As many ways as there are to lose your license, there are just as many to have it reinstated. That’s why the

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Jerry

has created a complete guide to reinstating your Delaware driver’s license, including applying for a hardship license in the meantime. We'll even throw in a tip for how to save on your

Delaware car insurance costs

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Why you might need a license reinstatement in Delaware

It’s common practice for the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to suspend and revoke driver’s licenses for various offenses, and the

Delaware DMV

is no different. These punishments can be used to penalize everything from a refusal to pay fines to habitually violating traffic laws. Typically, the length of the loss of driving privileges matches the severity of the offense.

If your suspension or revocation period has expired, congratulations! But don’t get behind the wheel just yet; you need to apply to have your license reinstated and pay the fee or risk suspension again.

Driving with a suspended or revoked license isn’t a good idea either; your driving ban could be extended by up to one year. And, if you’re caught driving on a highway in Delaware, the fines range from $500 to $1,000, and jail time of 30 days to six months.

If you’re not sure whether or not your license is really suspended, revoked, or eligible for renewal, you can verify its status by

checking online

MORE:

Can you get car insurance with a suspended license?

How to get a license reinstatement in Delaware

You’ll receive a Notice of Restoration in the mail when your suspension or revocation period expires. The notice will include instructions on how to reinstate your license.

Generally, you’ll need to:

Apply for a

standard driver’s license renewal

Pay a

reinstatement fee

, which you can do

online

, by phone at 302-744-2508, or in person at any

Delaware DMV location

Take any written, road, and vision tests as needed

A suspended license costs $50 to reinstate and a revoked license costs $200. However, depending on why your license was invalidated in the first place, you might need to complete additional requirements.

Here’s what you need to do in each scenario.

Outstanding fines, fees, and payments suspensions

If your driver’s license was suspended because you didn’t pay court fines, fees, or child support, you’ll need to clear your debts before you can apply for reinstatement. Secure a release form once you’ve paid the agency in question and send it to the DMV along with your forms and reinstatement payment.

School expulsions suspensions

If your driver’s license was suspended because you were expelled from school, you’ll need to wait until the expulsion period ends, you turn 19 years old, or two years pass. Ask your school district or superintendent to send a release form to the DMV. The reinstatement fee will be reduced to $25. If you’re struggling to keep your job, you might be able to apply for a

hardship license

in the meantime (see below).

Problem driver suspensions

If your driver’s license was suspended because you received 12 demerit points or more on your driving record, you’ll need to finish a driver's education course before your license can be reinstated. Serious speeding violations (25 mph or more over the speed limit) will also automatically require a course. You can browse a list of acceptable programs on the

DMV page

Driving under the influence suspensions and revocations

If your driver’s license was suspended or revoked because you were convicted of driving under the influence, you’ll need to complete a

Delaware Evaluation and Referral Program

within 30 days of being referred.

The agent who completes the evaluation will then make further recommendations for your situation. This could include:

Completing an Alcohol Education Program or First Offenders Program

Installing an ignition interlock device to test your blood alcohol content (BAC) each time you drive (if it’s your second or third conviction)

Completing a Character Background Review (if your BAC was above 0.15%)

Once you’ve met the requirements and passed your suspension or revocation period, you can follow the usual reinstatement process.

Key Takeaway Pay any outstanding fines and complete any courses as needed before applying for reinstatement online, by phone, or in person at the DMV.

MORE:

DUI laws Delaware

How to get a hardship license in Delaware

If you’re struggling with the loss of your driving privileges, you can apply for a hardship license that lets you commute to work while your license is suspended or revoked. The program isn’t open to everyone, but you can apply if:

You have fewer than two prior suspensions on your driving record

Your license was not suspended on medical grounds

Your license was not suspended due to unpaid court fines, fees, or child support payments

You haven’t been granted a previous conditional license in the past year

You haven’t received a revocation for driving under the influence or causing death or injury

You haven’t been designated a habitual offender for accumulating too many serious traffic violations

When can you apply for a hardship license?

The rules for applying for a hardship license in Delaware vary widely from case to case. Drivers under 19 can apply immediately with the right documents if their licenses were suspended due to expulsion. Drivers found using an invalid license (fake, suspended, or revoked) have to wait 60 days before applying for a work permit.

All hardship license applications require you to swear that your lack of driving privileges has caused you extreme hardship. Contact your

local DMV office

email customer service

for the form.

MORE:

High-risk car insurance: Everything you need to know

What is an SR-22 certificate?

If your driver’s license is suspended or revoked, you might have to obtain an

SR-22

from your insurance company. Also known as “SR-22 insurance,” this certificate demonstrates that you’ve met Delaware’s

car insurance laws

Usually, an SR-22 is required because you were found to be

uninsured or underinsured

. You might have been involved in an accident and exchanged details or you were selected for an insurance audit by the DMV.

Start by contacting your insurance company to request the form, then pay the fee. Getting an SR-22 isn’t expensive in itself, but your later insurance payments might be—your insurance company will very likely raise your premiums.

MORE:

How to fill out and file an SR-22

How to save money on car insurance in Delaware

DUIs

, traffic citations, and accidents can all send your insurance rates through the roof. If you want to bring them back down, you’ll need to put in some hard work. You could try taking a defensive driving course, installing an aftermarket security system, or employing

other car insurance hacks

. But, believe it or not, one of the best ways to find affordable car insurance will take only 45 seconds of your time.

After a quick signup on

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Progressive

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Allstate

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Drivers love our customer service team and their savings—on average, users save $887 per year after making the switch! With a 4.6/5-star rating, Jerry is the number one insurance app on the App Store.

“My speeding ticket raised my insurance to $310/month.
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