DE Permit Practice Test

You must be at least 16 years old to apply for a Level One Learner’s Permit in Delaware. This age applies to all first time permit applicants regardless of prior driving experience.

To apply for a permit in Delaware you must bring:

• Proof of identity (birth certificate or passport)
• Social Security card
• Two proofs of Delaware residency (showing you live in Delaware)
• Parent or guardian consent form (if under 18)
• Payment for the application fee
• Proof of completed Driver Education course (if under 18)

If you’re applying for a REAL ID compliant license, additional documentation may be required. Check the Delaware DMV website for current accepted documents.

Yes. If you’re under 18 a parent or legal guardian must:

• Sign your permit application
• Accept financial responsibility for you
• Accompany you to the DMV when applying for your permit

The application process in Delaware is as follows:

1. Fill out a Driver’s License application
2. Gather the required documents (identity, residency, etc.)
3. If under 18, complete a driver education course
4. Go to your local Delaware DMV office
5. Pass your vision test and written knowledge test
6. Pay the application fee
7. If you’re under 18, have a parent or guardian accompany you to sign the application

No, Delaware does not allow you to apply for an initial learner’s permit online. You must go to a DMV office in person.

The Delaware DMV charges a fee for a learner’s permit. This fee covers processing your application, the written test and issuing your permit. Check the Delaware DMV website for current fee information.

To get your permit in Delaware you must pass:

• A vision test to make sure you can see well enough to drive safely
• A written knowledge test with multiple-choice questions about traffic laws, road signs and safe driving practices

The Delaware permit written test has 30 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 24 questions correctly (80%) to pass.

The Delaware permit test covers:

• Traffic laws and regulations
• Road signs and signals
• Right-of-way rules
• Safe driving practices
• Penalties for violating traffic laws
• Alcohol and drug effects on driving

The best ways to prepare for your Delaware permit test:

• Study the Delaware Driver’s Manual thoroughly, available on our website at this link
• Take our free practice tests that simulate the actual permit test
• Review the test materials multiple times to ensure you understand the key concepts
• If you’re under 18, pay special attention to the material covered in your driver education course

If you fail the Delaware permit test:

• You must wait at least one day before retaking the test
• You will need to pay a retest fee for each additional attempt
• There is no limit to how many times you can take the test, but you must pay the fee each time
• It’s recommended to study thoroughly before retaking the test

With a Delaware Level One Learner’s Permit you can:

• Practice driving with a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old and has held a license for at least 5 years
• This supervising driver must sit in the front passenger seat
• Gain experience to prepare for your road test and eventual driver’s license

When driving with a Level One Learner’s Permit in Delaware you:

• Must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 25 years old and has held a license for at least 5 years
• Cannot use any electronic devices while driving
• Must ensure all occupants wear seat belts
• Cannot drive at night

In Delaware the requirements depend on your age:
If you are under 18:

• You must hold your Level One Learner’s Permit for at least 6 months before applying for a Level Two Provisional License
• You must complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice (10 hours at night)
• You must be violation-free for 12 months

If you are 18 or older:

• There is no minimum holding period; practice enough to develop safe driving skills before taking your road test

Delaware requires different driver education based on your age:

• If you are under 18: Yes, you must complete a driver education course that includes 30 hours of classroom instruction and 7 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Proof of completion is required when applying for your permit.
• If you are 18 or older: No, driver education is not required, although it is still recommended to help you become a safer driver.

In Delaware, before you get your driver’s license, the requirements depend on your age:

• If you are under 18, you must complete:
  • 30 hours of classroom instruction
  • 7 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a certified instructor
  • 50 hours of supervised driving practice (including 10 hours at night) with someone 25+ years old and a valid license
• If you are 18 or older: No formal driver education is required, though it’s still beneficial.

You can find Delaware-approved driver education programs by:

• Checking your high school’s offerings (public schools in Delaware often offer driver education)
• Visiting the Delaware DMV website for a list of licensed commercial driving schools
• Contacting the Delaware Department of Education for information about approved programs

The Delaware road test checks:

• If you can safely operate the vehicle
• If you follow traffic laws and signs
• Basic maneuvers like turns, lane changes and parking
• Awareness of other road users
• Good decision making in various traffic situations

Before you start, the DMV examiner will check your vehicle to ensure it’s safe for testing (valid registration, insurance, working lights, brakes, etc.).

You can schedule your road test in Delaware by:

• Visiting the Delaware DMV website to make an appointment
• Calling your local DMV office
• Visiting a DMV office in person to schedule your test

It’s recommended to schedule your test well in advance.

On the day of your road test in Delaware, bring:

• Your Level One Learner’s Permit
• A properly registered and insured vehicle for the test
• Proof of insurance for the vehicle
• Your completed driving log showing at least 50 hours of practice (if under 18)
• A licensed driver who is at least 25 years old with at least 5 years of driving experience
• If using a rental vehicle, your name must be on the rental contract and the contract must not exclude road tests

Common reasons for failing the Delaware road test include:

• Not checking blind spots before changing lanes
• Rolling through stop signs instead of coming to a complete stop
• Driving too fast or too slow for conditions
• Improper lane positioning or lane changes
• Not yielding to pedestrians or other vehicles
• Lack of steering control
• Poor awareness of surroundings
• Inability to parallel park

To convert your learner’s permit to a driver’s license in Delaware:
If you are under 18:

• Hold your Level One Learner’s Permit for at least 6 months
• Complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice (10 hours at night)
• Be violation-free for the last 12 consecutive months
• Pass the road test
• Pay the required fees

If you are 18 or older:

• Practice with your permit
• Schedule and pass the road test
• Pay the required fees

Delaware’s graduated licensing program for minors has these stages:

• Level One Learner’s Permit: Must be at least 16 years old, complete driver education, and practice with a licensed adult 25 or older who has held a license for at least 5 years.
• Level Two Provisional License: Must be at least 16½ years old, have held your permit for at least 6 months, complete 50 hours of practice driving, and pass the road test.
• Full License: Must be at least 17 years old and have held a Level Two Provisional License for at least 12 months without any moving violations.
• Adults 18 and older can go directly from permit to full license after passing the road test.

As a new driver under 18 in Delaware with a Level Two Provisional License, you will have these restrictions:

• No driving between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless for employment or church activities
• No more than one passenger besides immediate family members unless accompanied by a parent or guardian
• No use of cell phones or other electronic devices while driving
• All occupants must wear seat belts

These restrictions apply until you receive your full driver’s license at age 17 (provided you’ve held your Level Two License for 12 months without violations).

Delaware does not recognize out-of-state permits. If you are moving to Delaware with an out-of-state permit:

• You will need to apply for a Delaware permit
• If you’re under 18, you may need to provide proof of completion of a driver education course
• If you’re under 18, you must hold a permit for at least 6 months before scheduling your road test

You can download a copy of the Delaware Driver’s Manual here. Physical copies are also available at any DMV office.

Yes! We offer free Delaware-specific practice tests that mimic the actual permit test. These tests help you study the material and get comfortable with the test format.

For more information about the Delaware permit process:

• Visit the Delaware DMV website at dmv.delaware.gov
• Call the DMV Customer Service Center at 302-744-2500 during business hours
• Visit your local Delaware DMV office

If you lose your Delaware permit:

• You must visit a DMV office to request a replacement
• You will need to provide proof of your identity
• You will need to pay a replacement fee
• You may need to complete a new application form

A parent or guardian who signed the application for a minor can cancel their teen’s permit or license by submitting a written request to the Delaware DMV. The request should include the teen’s name, date of birth, driver’s license number, and a statement requesting cancellation.