Registering and titling a vehicle in Delaware: new residents, purchases and renewals

How to title and register a vehicle in Delaware after buying it or moving from another state, including DMV inspection, insurance, the document fee, renewals and keeping your plate, from the Delaware DMV.

Guide · Delaware · Vehicle registration · Titles · updated October 29, 2026

In Delaware, vehicles are inspected, titled and registered by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), part of the Delaware Department of Transportation. The DMV runs inspection lanes at all four of its offices (Wilmington, Delaware City, Dover and Georgetown), and title and registration work is done at the same offices. This guide covers buying a vehicle, moving to Delaware with one, renewing, and what to know about inspection, insurance and plates.

Titles come first

Delaware law requires motor vehicles, trailers, motorcycles and mopeds to be titled in Delaware before they are registered. Off-highway vehicles and ATVs are registered but not titled. The DMV says all documents, such as the title application or a power of attorney, must be originals; photocopies are not accepted.

Buying from a private seller in Delaware

The DMV says the buyer must apply for a new title right after the purchase, and in no case more than 30 days after it. A penalty fee applies after 30 days. The vehicle may not be driven until a new title is issued in the buyer's name. The DMV recommends that seller and buyer complete the transfer together at a DMV office, so staff can check the paperwork.

1. The seller fills in the assignment section on the back of the Delaware title. This includes the buyer's name and address, the date of sale, the price and the odometer reading. Every owner signs if the title says "AND"; one owner can sign if it says "AND/OR".
2. The seller completes the Seller's Report of Sale and sends it to the DMV with the registration card. If the vehicle goes to a dealer, the registration card goes to the dealer instead.
3. The buyer completes the Purchaser's Application on the back of the title, plus the lien section if the vehicle is financed. Delaware titles do not need a notary.
4. The buyer brings proof of Delaware liability insurance, and a Delaware driver license or two accepted proofs of residence.

What you pay: the new-residents guide lists a title fee of $35 without a lien or $55 with one. The DMV also charges a document fee of 5.25% of the sale price or the vehicle's NADA average trade-in value, whichever is higher. Registration for a passenger vehicle is $40 a year. Since October 1, 2025, alternative fuel vehicles pay an extra yearly fee based on weight and fuel type. For example, an all-electric vehicle of 6,000 pounds or less pays $110 a year.

Buying from a dealer or out of state

The DMV says new vehicles never titled in any state do not need a DMV inspection. This applies when they are sold by a dealer who gives you a Delaware title application (Form MV212A). A licensed Delaware dealer can issue one 90-day temporary tag when it sells you a vehicle.

For a vehicle bought out of state, vehicles seven model years old or newer need a VIN verification. All other vehicles must pass inspection at a DMV lane before a Delaware title is issued. At the lane you get the title application. Bring the certificate of origin or existing title with the odometer disclosure, the dealer's bill of sale, proof of Delaware insurance and your Delaware license or other proof of residence. If the out-of-state registration has expired, the DMV can issue a 5-day temporary tag so you can drive the vehicle to Delaware. Its FAQ lists temporary tags at $20.

Moving to Delaware with a vehicle

The DMV says new residents must title and register their vehicles within 60 days of becoming a Delaware resident. The new-residents guide sets out three steps:

1. Insure the vehicle in Delaware. The DMV says insurance from other states is not accepted to title and register a vehicle. It accepts an insurance ID card (including an electronic card in your insurer's app), a valid policy, or a binder on the insurer's letterhead within 30 days of issue.
2. Have it inspected at a DMV inspection lane. All vehicles with an out-of-state title must go through inspection. The model year and weight decide whether you get a full inspection or just a VIN verification, but every vehicle gets a safety inspection. Bring the title or registration.
3. Apply for title at an office. Surrender your out-of-state title. If a lender holds it, the DMV gives you Form MV-35 to send to the lienholder. Bring the title application (MV-212) and inspection report (MV-210) from the lane, plus proof of insurance.

You pay the 5.25% document fee (at least $8), unless you show that you paid sales or a similar tax in the other state and that the vehicle was titled and registered there within the 90 days before. You receive the title, registration card and plate once everything is accepted. If there is a lien, the title is mailed to the lienholder. Military members and their dependents do not need to register in Delaware until 60 days after leaving the service.

Renewing your registration

The DMV sends renewal notices by email or automated phone call 90, 60 and 30 days before expiration if it has your contact details. You can renew up to 90 days early without losing time. You can renew online through myDMV, at an office, or at the drive-thru window at any DMV office.

• Vehicles in the six newest model years weighing less than 10,000 pounds do not need inspection. They get a renewal package so you can renew by mail.
• Vehicles that are six years old get a one-year renewal without inspection.
• All other vehicles must pass inspection first and then receive a two-year renewal.

You need valid Delaware insurance and an odometer reading. The DMV charges a $20 late fee after the registration expires, and its new-residents guide says there is no grace period.

Inspection

Inspections are free at all four DMV offices. A typical car inspection covers safety items such as tires, brakes and windows, an emissions test and a fuel system leak check. For emissions, 1968 to 1995 vehicles get an idle test. Most 1996 and newer gasoline vehicles, and 1997 and newer diesels, under 8,500 pounds get an on-board diagnostics (OBD II) check. If the vehicle fails, you get a report of the failed items. They must be fixed and the vehicle passed before a title, registration and plate are issued.

Insurance

The DMV lists minimum liability coverage of $25,000/$50,000/$10,000. It also requires Personal Injury Protection of at least $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. You must carry your insurance card. The DMV lists fines of $1,500 for a first offense and suspension of the registration for driving uninsured. Before canceling insurance on a vehicle with an active registration, you must turn in the plates.

License plates

When you sell or trade a vehicle, you can keep its plate number by putting the plate into retention at any DMV office. You can then move it to another vehicle, hold it for later or give it to someone else. If you sell a vehicle with the plate still attached and have not retained it, you lose the plate. A plate from a vehicle sold out of state can be retained online. Delaware also offers background and organizational specialty plates, which can be ordered online.

For office hours and visiting tips, see the Delaware DMV visit guide.