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Delaware Teen Driving Guide

What parents need to know about the learn-to-drive process in Delaware: six steps, from the first class to the insurance call.

Requirements checked: October 2026, against official state licensing sources: Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

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  1. 1

    Driver’s ed in Delaware

    Requirement
    Required: an approved driver education course (high school or commercial) must be completed before the Level 1 permit. The state-approved course is 44 hours, including 30 classroom hours.

    Online driver’s ed for Delaware

    Aceable offers state-certified online courses your teen can complete at home.

    DRVN may earn a referral fee if you enroll through this link.

    Find an online driver’s ed course
  2. 2

    Get a Delaware learner’s permit

    Minimum age
    16
    The test
    Written test and road skills test given through the approved high school/driver education program (or by the DMV in special cases), plus an eye screening at the DMV.
    What to bring
    One proof of identity/legal presence showing a parent/guardian's name, proof of SSN, two proofs of Delaware residency (waived if the sponsor is a licensed Delaware driver at the same address), the Delaware Driver Education Certificate (blue/white), the sponsor's signature in front of DMV staff, and the $40 fee.
  3. 3

    Practice driving with a parent

    Supervised hours
    50 hours including 10 at night, certified by the sponsor after the first 6 months
    Time on the permit
    12 months on the Level 1 Learner's Permit (first 6 months fully supervised)

    Track every practice hour with DRVN

    Log hours and routes as you drive, follow lesson plans for each stage, and check off skills. Free.

    Get the app
  4. 4

    Pass the road test

    Minimum age
    16 years 6 months for unsupervised daytime driving on the Level 1 permit; Class D license at 17 after 12 months on the permit
    The road test
    The road skills test is part of the driver education program and given by the driver education teacher or the DMV; students needing a specialized evaluation are tested by the DMV.
  5. 5

    Know the rules for new drivers

    Restrictions
    After 6 months of the permit: unsupervised driving only 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (exceptions for church, work, school); throughout the permit year, only the supervisor plus one other passenger (immediate family exempt with supervisor); no cell phone use.
  6. 6

    Add your teen to your car insurance

    When
    Call your insurer as soon as your teen gets a permit. Some policies cover permit drivers automatically and others need them listed; rates usually rise once your teen is licensed.
    Save money
    Ask about good-student and driver-training discounts, and compare quotes before your teen gets the first license.

Checked October 2026 against official Delaware sources

Rules change. Confirm the details with Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before you go.

Meeting the requirements is only the beginning.

Your state determines when your teen is legally eligible to drive. Readiness depends on the experience, judgment, and independence they demonstrate before they drive alone.

See how to evaluate readiness

Turn the required hours into useful practice.

DRVN helps parents plan practice, track driving experience, and see what their teen still needs to work on before driving alone.

See how DRVN works

Delaware city guides

Guides for the most popular Delaware cities.

Guides for other states