Whether you want to sport the classic gold on dark blue or support animal welfare with a special plate, there are many Delaware license plates for you to consider.

License plates can be more than just an identification number—they can open the door to self-expression or be an opportunity to support a cause you care about. Delaware is one of the few states to take license plate design truly to heart, so you’re in luck!

We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about license plates in the Diamond State: what they are, your many customization options, and how you can get a classic Delaware license plate of your own.

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What are Delaware license plates and why do I need them?

Essentially, license plates are like ID tags for your car. If you’re in an accident or need to track down your stolen vehicle, your license plate will connect your information with your vehicle.

Each state has its own laws, designs, and numbering systems for license plates. Delaware, for example, uses a 123456 format, whereas many larger states use seven-character formats like ABC-1234 or AB-12345. Delaware plates that start with “S” are state-owned, and “CY” refers to county-owned vehicles. Firetrucks will also have unique white plates with red numbers beginning with “EV.”

As of 2022, Delaware plates are issued by the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Drivers are only required to display rear plates on standard passenger vehicles.

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What are the car insurance laws in Delaware?

What license plates does Delaware have?

Delaware license plates fall into five main categories:

Special Plates

support specific causes or organizations like animal welfare or the Stop Child Abuse plate.

College Plates

show your school spirit with one of these college plates.

Military Plates

come in three categories: service, retired military, and veteran.

Vanity Plates

are great if you’re looking for something totally unique—all you have to do is check the eligibility requirements.

Delaware Black Tag Program

allows you to go old school with a historic black and white license plate with your current license plate number.

Special license plates

Stop Child Abuse Plate: You can support the Protecting Delaware's Children Fund for an initial fee of $50 and a renewal fee of $40.

Animal Welfare License Plate: The one-time fee of $50.00 goes towards low-cost dog and cat spaying and neutering, and sheltering unwanted stray dogs and cats.

Environmental Plates: For a one-time fee of $50.00, help fund various environmental projects.

Agricultural Farmland Preservation License Plate: The $50 fee goes toward the Delaware Farmland Preservation Fund, which the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation uses.

Delaware Equine Council License Plate: This special plate supports the equine industry in Delaware like 4-H equestrian activities, equine welfare issues, and various breed and discipline activities.

Keep Delaware Beautiful License Plate: The $50 fee for this special plate goes to the "Keep Delaware Beautiful Fund," whose mission is to beautify the state and help reduce litter.

Organizational Plates: Different groups or organizations can apply for their own special plate. Contact your local DMV to apply.

Pro tip: for a more comprehensive list, check out the
DMV website
.

College plates

Whether you stayed local and attended Delaware State University or went out-of-state somewhere like Virginia Tech or Penn State, you can represent your school in Delaware with one of their special

College Plates

Military plates

Service: Honor your time in the military with a special plate dedicated to your service during

Operation Desert Storm

World War II

, the

Vietnam War

, and more.

Retired Military: Get one of the five retired military plates:

, or

United States Airforce

Valor: These plates are an opportunity to honor valor, whether it be a

Bronze Star

or a

Navy Cross

Vanity plates

If you want a completely unique license plate, a vanity plate is the way to go. It is an additional $40 a year, but with the

Vanity Plate Search and Reservation

, setting up your vanity plate online is easier than ever.

Visit the

DMV website

for everything you need to know about creating a vanity plate that meets all rules and regulations.

Delaware Black Tag Program

Delaware is home to some very special—and valuable—license plates. Some old low-digit plates in circulation can fetch quite a high price. The plate number “6” was bought for $675,000 at an auction in 2008. Delaware also has some of the country’s oldest plate designs, dating all the way back to 1959.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of illegal black and white plates in Delaware. To acquire one legally, you need to use the

Delaware Black Tag Program

. Learn about the different restrictions and important information on their website before getting your porcelain or stainless steel Delaware black license plate.

MORE: Title transfer in Delaware

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How do I get a Delaware license plate?

It depends on your situation. If you bought your vehicle from a dealership, they will usually submit the title and vehicle registration paperwork for you. Before you leave the lot, confirm that they have it all covered.

If you are purchasing a vehicle from a private party, you must register it within 30 days of purchase. Before you apply, your new car will need to pass a vehicle inspection.

Once it has passed, visit your local DMV with:

Proof of

Delaware auto insurance

A Delaware driver's license

The vehicle's signed-over title

Payment for all fees

From there, you can choose to register your vehicle for one or two years, depending on the model.

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Car inspection in Delaware

How to customize your car insurance for savings in Delaware

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FAQs

How do I get a black license plate in Delaware?

You can get one of Delaware’s classic black and white plates through the

Delaware Black Tag Program

. Once you’ve checked to make sure your license plate number meets their

restrictions

, they will make a reproduction of a historic black and white license plate with your number on it. You’ll need to supply a photocopy of the valid registration card with your license plate number.

Did Joe Biden have a Delaware plate that said “the big guy”?

No. The meme in circulation is of Joe Biden in his old Corvette, but the license plate has since been photoshopped. Delaware license plates cannot exceed seven characters, so he could not have had a vanity plate from Delaware reading THEBIGGUY.

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