Laws and Benefits for Veterans and Military Drivers in Delaware
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The State of Delaware offers a number of benefits and privileges to those Americans who have either served in a branch of the armed forces in the past or are currently serving in the military.
Benefits of registering a car
The state of Delaware is waiving registration and license fees for any vehicle owned by a disabled veteran who is eligible for adaptive equipment such as power steering, power brakes, special equipment to help the person get in and out of the vehicle, etc.
Veteran driver's license badge
Delaware veterans are eligible to receive the U.S. Veteran title on their driver's license. This allows veterans to receive benefits from local businesses and other organizations without having to carry a DD 214. While non-obvious visitors are allowed to apply for this title, pre-registration is preferred. Information on hours and locations can be found here.
Military badges
Delaware offers the following commemorative military plates:
- American Legion
- Delaware Veterans
- American veterans with disabilities
- Disabled American Veterans with Disabled Parking Rights
- Golden Star family
- Honoring Veterans
- Veteran of the Korean War
- Missing
- National guard
- Operation Enduring Freedom
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
- Pearl Harbor Survivor
- Prisoner of war
- Purple Heart
- Reserve forces
- Submarine Service
- Veterans of a foreign war
- Vietnam Veteran
- Retired (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard)
- Air Medal
- Air Force Commendation Medal
- Army Commendation Medal
- Bronze star
- Distinguished Flying Cross
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Navy Commendation Medal
- Navy Cross
- Silver Star
Special license plates require a $10 fee plus standard registration fees. Proof of eligibility may be required in the form of a military ID and/or DD 214 or documents from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Applications for most plates can be found here.
Waiver of military skills exam
Since 2011, states have been allowed to waive the driving skills portion of the CDL exam for certain military or veterans with commercial driving experience thanks to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Administration. If you meet certain criteria, you may be eligible for a CDL simply by passing a written exam. Among other things, you must have two or more years of driving experience comparable to commercial vehicles, and this experience must have taken place within a year prior to your discharge or application if you are still an active member of the military.
If you have been convicted of certain motor vehicle offenses (such as committing a felony while using a motor vehicle, drunk driving, or leaving the scene of an accident), you may not be eligible, so be sure to read the provisions in the app. link below. All 50 states, plus Washington, DC, are currently participating in the Military Eligibility Exam Waiver Program, making it easier than ever for military personnel and veterans to enter civilian life.
Military personnel with qualifying experience can download and print the waiver here. Even if you are eligible not to take the driving test, you must still pass the written CDL test.
Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012
If you live in Delaware (permanently or temporarily) and it is not your home state, this law will make it easier for you to get a CDL there. Active duty military personnel, including members of the Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve, are now eligible for commercial driver's licenses outside their country of origin.
Driver's license and registration renewal during deployment
If you are out of state when your driver's license is due for renewal, the Delaware DMV may accept your renewal by mail. If circumstances do not allow you to renew in a timely manner, DMV will waive the late renewal fee for you and your family if you provide evidence that you were out of state at the time of expiration. This evidence could be your military ID along with your orders or a statement on the letterhead of the Armed Forces signed by an officer. A complete list of information required for renewal by mail is available here.
Residents on active duty who are outside the 250-mile radius of a DMV DE office will be required to submit an out-of-state verification form along with confirmation from a mechanic or dealer, a copy of your DE driver's license and insurance card, and required fees to the address, specified in the form.
Driver's license and vehicle registration of non-resident military personnel
Non-resident military personnel stationed in Delaware may retain their driver's license and vehicle registration as long as they are current and valid.
Active or veteran service members can read more on the State Automotive Division website here.
