Road test (road exam)
A DMV examiner rides with you for about 30 minutes of normal driving in a vehicle you provide, after a basic vehicle safety inspection. You are asked to show skills such as parallel parking, a three-point turn, backing 50 feet, turns, lane changes and merging. Delaware does not publish its scoring method or a list of automatic failures.
Checked October 4, 2026 against official Delaware Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles sources. Tap a numbered chip to read the exact wording.
The DMV road test is mainly for applicants 18 and older (and those who opt out of the Graduated Driver License program). Teens 16-17 in the GDL program instead present a Delaware Driver Education Certificate showing they passed a certified driver education course. You may take the Class D road test 10 days after passing the knowledge exam. Road tests are by appointment, every weekday except Wednesday. Official source 1dmv.de.gov“Participation in the GDL program is optional for any person who is 18 years of age or older. If opting out of the GDL program requirements, no sponsor is needed and an eye, knowledge, and road skills exam will be required at DMV.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 2dmv.de.gov“You are eligible to take a Class D or motorcycle road test 10 days after you pass the knowledge exam. Road exams are given on every weekday, except Wednesday.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
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The examiner checks your car before you drive. If it fails, you usually can’t take the test that day.
Not published. The DMV says only that you drive about 30 minutes doing things usual in normal driving, that you will not be asked to do anything unlawful or unsafe, and that no tricks will be played on you. Official source 2dmv.de.gov“You will be required to drive for approximately 30 minutes and do such things as are usual in normal driving. You will not be asked to do anything that is contrary to the motor vehicle laws or safe driving practices. No tricks will be played on you.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
We found no official list of automatic failures for Delaware. Treat any dangerous action, a crash, or breaking a traffic law as likely to fail the test.
Steps and scoring come from Delaware Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles’s own materials, in their words where possible. Where a state publishes no steps, we say so rather than guess.
The examiner conducts a basic vehicle safety inspection before the test, and you must show you can inspect the vehicle for safety and know the vehicle controls.
Not officially described by DMV.
Listed among the things you may be asked to show. Scoring criteria are not published.
Not officially described by DMV.
Listed among the things you may be asked to show. Scoring criteria are not published.
Listed among the things you may be asked to show. Scoring criteria are not published.
Not officially described by DMV.
Listed as 'make right and left turns'. Scoring criteria are not published.
Not officially described by DMV.
Listed as 'make right and left turns'. Scoring criteria are not published.
Not officially described by DMV.
Listed among the things you may be asked to show. Scoring criteria are not published.
Not officially described by DMV.
Listed as 'merge with traffic'. The DMV does not say whether this is on a freeway. Scoring criteria are not published.
Not officially described by DMV.
Listed as 'enter intersections', along with right-of-way rules and responding to signs, signals and pavement markings. Scoring criteria are not published.
Not officially described by DMV.
Respond correctly to road signs, traffic signals and pavement markings. Official source 2dmv.de.gov“Respond to road signs, traffic signals and pavement markings Parallel parking Three point turn Make right and left turns Change lanes Use right-of-way rules Maintain proper speed Back 50 feet”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Use right-of-way rules. Official source 2dmv.de.gov“Respond to road signs, traffic signals and pavement markings Parallel parking Three point turn Make right and left turns Change lanes Use right-of-way rules Maintain proper speed Back 50 feet”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Maintain proper speed. Official source 2dmv.de.gov“Respond to road signs, traffic signals and pavement markings Parallel parking Three point turn Make right and left turns Change lanes Use right-of-way rules Maintain proper speed Back 50 feet”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Follow and overtake other vehicles safely, and handle being overtaken. Official source 2dmv.de.gov“Merge with traffic Follow and overtake vehicles Enter intersections Be overtaken Inspect vehicle for safety Know vehicle controls”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
If you fail any part of the road exam, wait at least ten days before retesting. Missing a scheduled appointment may cost a $25 no-show fee. No official source found states a retest fee or an attempt limit. Official source 2dmv.de.gov“If you fail any part of the road exam, you should prepare yourself thoroughly to take it again at a later date. You must wait at least ten days before taking the exam or exams again.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026Official source 3dmv.de.gov“If you are late, you will be required to reschedule. A $25 no-show fee may be charged if you fail to appear for your scheduled appointment.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
Didn’t pass? What to do next, including the Delaware permit (knowledge) test retake rules.
Teens 16-17 (or up to 22 on an IEP) enter the Graduated Driver License program with a Delaware Driver Education Certificate from a certified driver education course instead of a DMV road test; the Level One permit converts to a Class D license after 12 months. Drivers licensed in Germany, Taiwan or France are exempt from the knowledge and road exams under reciprocity agreements. Official source 1dmv.de.gov“Must present a Delaware Driver Education Certificate (Blue/White Certificate) as proof that you passed a certified Delaware Driver Education Course.”“The GDL Level One Learner's Permit will automatically convert to a Class D license once the permit holder has completed a full 12 months of valid driving authority.”“Delaware has a reciprocity agreement with Germany, Taiwan (Republic of China) and France thereby exempting these drivers from the knowledge and road exams for a Class D license only.”Open the official page (opens in a new tab) ↗Checked October 4, 2026
A DMV examiner rides with you for about 30 minutes of normal driving in a vehicle you provide, after a basic vehicle safety inspection. You are asked to show skills such as parallel parking, a three-point turn, backing 50 feet, turns, lane changes and merging. Delaware does not publish its scoring method or a list of automatic failures. Maneuvers covered by official sources: Vehicle safety inspection and vehicle controls, Parallel parking, Three-point turn, Back 50 feet, Left turns, Right turns, Lane changes, Merging with traffic, Entering intersections.
Not published. The DMV says only that you drive about 30 minutes doing things usual in normal driving, that you will not be asked to do anything unlawful or unsafe, and that no tricks will be played on you.
Valid learner's permit; The accompanying driver's valid license (driver must be at least 21); Valid registration card for the vehicle; Valid insurance card (original or electronic) for the vehicle; and Your license or permit number when scheduling.
Properly registered, with proof of registration and liability insurance; Within the license class you are testing for, with all safety features working; Passes the examiner's basic vehicle safety inspection; At least a half tank of gas; Free of debris and cargo; Intelligent Parking Assist must be turned off or disabled; No smoking, cell phone use or music during the test; and A licensed driver must stay on site to drive the vehicle away if you do not pass.
The DMV road test is mainly for applicants 18 and older (and those who opt out of the Graduated Driver License program). Teens 16-17 in the GDL program instead present a Delaware Driver Education Certificate showing they passed a certified driver education course. You may take the Class D road test 10 days after passing the knowledge exam. Road tests are by appointment, every weekday except Wednesday.
If you fail any part of the road exam, wait at least ten days before retesting. Missing a scheduled appointment may cost a $25 no-show fee. No official source found states a retest fee or an attempt limit.
Teens 16-17 (or up to 22 on an IEP) enter the Graduated Driver License program with a Delaware Driver Education Certificate from a certified driver education course instead of a DMV road test; the Level One permit converts to a Class D license after 12 months. Drivers licensed in Germany, Taiwan or France are exempt from the knowledge and road exams under reciprocity agreements.
Delaware publishes no road test score sheet, point values or list of automatic failures; the DMV's 'Sample Driving Exam' app is a knowledge practice test, not a road test sheet. The maneuver list comes from the DMV road test page ('you will be asked to show that you know how to do such things as the following'), so maneuvers are marked required: null. Sources conflict on waiting periods: the DMV road test web page says 10 days, both for the first road test after the knowledge exam and for a retest; the Class D driver manual says 30 days for both. Neither the Delaware Code (Title 21, chapter 27) nor a published regulation sets the wait, so this page follows the DMV web page (the current agency page): 10 days. The handout and web page list items in a slightly different order; the manual omits 'Be overtaken'.
Every fact above links to one of these official pages. Checked October 4, 2026.
This guide summarizes official Delaware sources for study. It is not the test itself, and only a DMV examiner (or a tester the state licenses) can pass or fail you. Rules change; confirm with Delaware Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles before test day.