Delaware learner’s permit requirements
Everything here comes from Delaware Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Delaware doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess. Last checked September 22, 2026.
The knowledge test and your permit
- Test format
- 32 questionsSource: services.dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov
- Passing score
- 26 of 32 correct (81%)Source: services.dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov
- Time limit
- None published
- Permit and test fees
- $50 totalDelaware charges no separate knowledge-test fee; teen (Level One) and adult applicants prepay the $50 8-year Class D license fee when applying for the learner's permit.Source: services.dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov
- Minimum age for a permit
- 16 yearsGDL Level One Learner's Permit at 16 (under 18, or under 22 on an active IEP) with a Delaware Driver Education certificate and a sponsor's signature. Adults 18+ get a temporary instruction permit valid 12 months.Source: dmv.de.gov, citizen.dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov
- Supervised driving
- 50 hours (10 at night)Source: dmv.de.gov, citizen.dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov
- Hold your permit
- 6 months minimumSource: dmv.de.gov, citizen.dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov
- Take it online
- No, in personSource: services.dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov
- Vision standard
- Minimum acceptable vision 20/40 with or without glasses or contact lensesMinimum acceptable vision 20/40 with or without glasses or contact lenses; daylight-only permission may be granted for vision between 20/40 and 20/50.Source: dmv.de.gov, citizen.dmv.de.gov, dmv.de.gov
From permit to full license
Level One Learner's Permit at 16 after driver education. First 6 months: supervised at all times by a licensed driver 25+ with 5+ years of Class D licensure, seated in front; sponsor certifies 50 hours of driving including 10 at night. Second 6 months: unsupervised 6 a.m.-10 p.m., supervised 10 p.m.-6 a.m. (church/work/school exceptions). Entire first 12 months: no more than one passenger besides the supervisor (immediate family excepted with supervisor present), no cell phone/electronic device use, seat belts required. Class D license after 12 months in the GDL program. Adult applicants must wait 10 days after passing the knowledge exam before the road exam (DMV road-test and apply pages; the manual still says 30 days).
Before you go
Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Delaware Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles website: dmv.de.gov.
Sources
- https://services.dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/drivers_license/index.shtml?dc=dr_lic_written
- https://dmv.de.gov/forms/driver_serv_forms/pdfs/dr_frm_manual.pdf
- https://dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/faqs/index.shtml?dc=dr_faq_general
- https://citizen.dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/drivers_license/index.shtml?dc=dr_lic_apply
- https://dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/drivers_license/index.shtml?dc=dr_lic_road