How To Register a Car In Delaware
If you just moved to Delaware, you’ll need to get a vehicle inspection first, then proceed with titling and registration at the DMV.
Written by Melanie Krieps Mergen
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle
If you just relocated to Delaware, you’ll need to register your vehicle in the state—which will require your vehicle to pass an inspection first.
When renewing your Delaware vehicle registration, you may or may not be subject to a vehicle inspection, depending on what you drive. If you’re wondering what you need to get the process underway—and avoid any applicable late fees—
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How to register a car in Delaware
The process of registering a vehicle in Delaware is relatively straightforward—you mostly just need to know what documents you need and how much you’ll need to pay for titling and/or registration fees. Here’s a look at what you can expect on both counts.
If you just moved to Delaware
If you just recently moved to Delaware, or you’re planning to do so soon, you’ll need to make sure your car is re-registered in your new home state. From start to finish, every step of the registration process can be taken care of at any of the state’s four
Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) locations
.The first thing you’ll need to do to get your vehicle registered in your new home state is to pass a vehicle inspection. Most vehicles will need to be inspected in Delaware when being titled for the first time. A general vehicle inspection will consist of a safety inspection and an emissions inspection.
Once you’ve gotten your inspection out of the way, you can title and register your vehicle with the DMV. You’ll need to bring:
- Proof of identification
- Two forms of proof of residency, if you don’t have a Delaware driver’s license yet
- An MV35 form, if your vehicle has a lien (you’ll need to send this to your lienholder to request they send the title to Delaware)
- A passed vehicle inspection
- Payment for registration and title fees
Titling fees cost $55 if your vehicle has a lienholder and $35 if it doesn’t. The annual registration fee is $40, but most vehicles can be registered for a two-year period, which would bring the cost to $80. There’s also a document fee of 4.25% of the vehicle’s NADA trade-in value or purchase price—whichever is greater.
After you get your vehicle registered, keep in mind that if you move to a new state in the future, you’ll be required to
return your Delaware plates to the DMV
.If you just bought a car
Of course, you’ll also have to take care of a first-time registration every time you buy a new set of wheels. If you bought your vehicle new and your dealer provides you with a MV212A form—the Delaware application for title—you shouldn’t have to worry about taking care of a vehicle inspection.
How much insurance coverage do you need in Delaware?
As a Delaware resident, you’ll need to have a minimum amount of liability coverage, as required by state law. Minimum car insurance coverage requirements in Delaware include:
- At least $25,000 per person ofbodily injury liability coverage
- At least $50,000 per accident of bodily injury liability coverage
- At least $10,000 per accident ofproperty damage liability coverage
This coverage will help cover costs for others’ property damage and/or injuries if you’re ever found at fault for an accident—but it won’t cover damage to your own vehicle. That’s why it’s almost always a good idea to consider additional coverages, like
collision insurance
and comprehensive coverage
. How to renew your Delaware vehicle registration
After being registered for the first time in Delaware, most vehicles can be renewed every two years with a passing inspection, but vehicles that are six years old can receive a one-year renewal without a passing inspection.
Passenger vehicles under 10,000 pounds that are seven model years old or newer can forgo inspection requirements in most cases, but there may be some exceptions.
As your registration renewal deadline for your vehicle approaches, the DMV will send you renewal notices 30, 60 and 90 days ahead of the expiration date if you’re signed up for
eNotifications
. Conveniently, renewing your registration at the DMV can be done through its
registration renewal drive-through service
. But before doing so, your vehicle will need to pass your inspection if it’s required.You’ll need to provide:
- Proof of minimum liability coverage
- Your vehicle’s odometer reading
- Valid driver’s license
- Current registration
- Payment for your registration renewal
If you’ve missed your registration period, you’ll have to pay an extra $20 late renewal fee. You’ll also need to fill out a
temporary permit for inspection and registration renewal
to legally make your trip to the DMV.How to replace a lost registration sticker or license plate
If you have the unfortunate experience of losing your license plate and/or registration sticker, you can order a duplicate plate and sticker at any DMV location for $10.
While you can reorder the same license plate number, it’s recommended that you get a new one in case someone else is using your old one. The DMV will need to have your title and see your proof of car insurance to get you a new plate number.
Registering a vehicle can be complicated—if you need assistance or clarification at any point in the process, you can always
contact your local DMV
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Find insurance savingsHow to save on auto insurance in Delaware
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FAQs
What are the requirements to register a vehicle in Delaware?
Generally, you’ll need your vehicle title, proof of minimum liability coverage, your vehicle’s odometer reading, a valid driver’s license, current registration, a passed vehicle inspection, and payment for your registration renewal to register your vehicle in Delaware.
How much does it take to register a car in Delaware?
The cost to register a car in Delaware may depend on what type of vehicle you drive, but in most cases, there is an annual registration fee of $40. For passenger vehicles over 5,000 pounds, a fee of $6.40 will be added for every thousand pounds. You can review what other fees might apply to you via the
Delaware DMV website
.What is the cost to register a truck in Delaware?
How much it costs to register a truck in Delaware will depend on its weight. The base registration fee is $40 per year, and for passenger vehicles over 1,000 pounds, $6.40 will be added for every extra thousand pounds.
Who is exempt from registering their vehicle in Delaware?
While vehicle registration is still required, non-profit organizations in Delaware are exempt from paying vehicle registration fees—but the 4.25% document fee still applies.
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