The short version
- Registration costs $40 a year for a passenger car, and most renewals cover one or two years.
- Cars in their first seven model years skip inspection. After that, you’ll pass a free safety and emissions inspection every two years before you renew.
- Renewing late adds a $20 fee, and you can renew up to 90 days early.
Delaware registrations are handled by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can renew online through myDMV if your car doesn’t need an inspection, or in person at a DMV facility, which has the inspection lanes and a drive-thru window.
Not renewing?
- Just bought a car? That’s a new registration. Our guide to Delaware temporary tags covers driving it in the meantime.
- New to Delaware? You’ll title and register your car here instead. Our guide to an out-of-state title transfer in Delaware covers the steps.
- Canceling your insurance? Turn your plates in to the DMV first, as its insurance rules require.
How Long Is a Delaware Vehicle Registration Good For?
Under 21 Del. C. § 2110, you can renew for six months, one year or two years. Cars seven model years old or newer can renew for up to 72 months, prorated by model year. The DMV’s registration page says a car that’s six years old gets a one-year renewal without inspection, and older cars get two-year renewals once they pass.
- Renewing early: You can renew, and get your car inspected, up to 90 days before your registration expires.
- Late fee: State law adds $20 once your registration has expired, under § 2151. There’s no grace period.
- Reminders: The DMV can email or call you 90, 60 and 30 days before your registration expires if you sign up for notifications.
Delaware Registration Renewal Requirements: Inspection, Insurance and Odometer
- Inspection exemption: Cars under 10,000 pounds in their six newest model years don’t need an inspection. The year a car is six years old, it gets a one-year renewal without one, so its first inspection comes a year later.
- The inspection: It covers safety and emissions, and it’s free. The lane associate asks for your registration card and odometer reading. If your car fails emissions, you’ll make repairs and come back for a free retest.
- Insurance: You need Delaware liability insurance of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $10,000 for property damage, plus personal injury protection of $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. The DMV doesn’t accept out-of-state insurance.
- Odometer: You’ll give the DMV your car’s odometer reading before you renew.
How to Renew Your Delaware Registration Online or in Person
Renew Your Delaware Registration Online Through myDMV
- Log in to myDMV and choose your vehicle. Online renewal works for cars that don’t need an inspection or were recently inspected.
- Confirm your insurance and enter the odometer reading.
- Pay, then print your new registration card.
Renew Your Delaware Registration at a DMV Inspection Lane
- Drive your car to a DMV facility in Wilmington, Delaware City, Dover or Georgetown within 90 days of your expiration date. Check the DMV’s live wait times first; it suggests Tuesday or Thursday mornings and avoiding the 15th and the last day of the month. Our guide to Delaware DMV appointments explains booking.
- Bring your registration card and proof of Delaware insurance. The lane associate will note your odometer reading.
- Once your car passes, finish the renewal at the registration counter or the drive-thru window, which takes cash, checks, debit cards and credit cards.
How Much Does It Cost to Renew a Delaware Registration?
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Passenger car registration | $40 a year |
| Two-year renewal | $80 |
| Six-month registration | $21 (half the annual fee plus $1) |
| Late renewal | $20 |
| Safety and emissions inspection | Free |
| Example: two-year renewal, three weeks after expiration | $100 ($80 registration + $20 late fee) |
The registration and late fees come from 21 Del. C. § 2151, and the six-month fee from § 2155. The DMV takes cash, checks, money orders and Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover cards. The DMV’s October 2025 fee increases raised license fees and the title document fee, but not passenger car registration.
Delaware Registration Renewal FAQs
$40 a year for a passenger car, or $80 for a two-year renewal. Renewing after your registration expires adds $20.
Not while your car is in its first seven model years and weighs under 10,000 pounds. After that, you’ll need a free safety and emissions inspection every two years, which you can get up to 90 days before your registration expires.
Yes, through myDMV, if your car doesn’t need an inspection or has recently passed one. You can print your new registration card at home.
No. The $20 late fee applies to any renewal after your registration expires, so renew before the date on your card.
The DMV can suspend your registration, and a first offense for driving without insurance carries a $1,500 fine. If you’re canceling your insurance, turn in your plates first.
Yes, if your car is more than 200 miles from the nearest DMV inspection lane. Get a safety and emissions inspection where you are, then mail the DMV’s out-of-state inspection form (MV 210) with the printouts, your fee and proof of Delaware insurance.
Update it through myDMV, which changes the address on your license and your vehicles together. Our guide to a Delaware DMV address change covers the other options.
Get your inspection done early in the 90-day window, since it’s what usually holds up a renewal. In Delaware, a passenger car costs $40 a year to register, and the inspection is free.
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