Registration FAQs

Registering your vehicle is required of all Delaware residents who want to drive their vehicles on the road. However, you don't have to be a new Delaware resident to have a question or two about the process.

DMV.ORG has outlined the most common Registration and Titling procedures, but you may find that you have questions regarding more specific situations. Take advantage of our FAQs, and refer to Delaware's Vehicle Services FAQs.

How do I get a duplicate title?

You'll need to complete Form MV213 and submit it, with a $25 fee and your driver's license number, by mail to:

• State of Delaware

• Division of Motor Vehicles

• P.O. Box 698

• Dover, DE 19903

How do I get a duplicate registration?

Get a duplicate registration card at your local DMV office. Be sure to take your driver's license and tag number with you. The fee for a duplicate card is $2.

How do I get replacement tags?

If you need a new tag because yours was stolen, you'll first need to file a police report. Then, take that report with you to the local DMV office to apply for a replacement. You'll be given a temporary tag until the new ones are mailed. The cost for a duplicate tag with validation stickers is $6.

It's been a couple of months since I registered my vehicle, and I still haven't received my paperwork in the mail. What should I do?

When renewing your registration by mail, you should receive the renewal certificate back within two weeks. If you don’t receive it by that time, call your local DMV to see if your renewal has been processed. If it has not, the DMV recommends that you then check with your bank to determine whether your payment has cleared. You will then need to visit the DMV in person to pick up a replacement renewal. If your registration is late, regardless of the circumstances, you will pay a $10 late fee.

When you buy a vehicle from a dealership, you will be given temporary tags valid for 60 days. If you have not received your permanent tags through the mail within that 60 days, call the dealership to inquire.

If you buy a vehicle from an individual, all paperwork will be handled at the local DMV office the day you register.

Does the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) handle all of my boat registration needs?

The DNREC will handle the boat registration process, but your boat trailer must undergo the registration process at the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

My car has failed the emissions test five times. How long must this vicious cycle go on?

Once your car has failed the emissions test two or more times, even though you've made all required repairs, you can apply for a waiver; however, a waiver will not be granted for you car if it fails safety inspections and fuel system tests.

Delaware provides an online outline of conditions for waivers.

I was caught driving without insurance―this is the second time in two years! What will happen to me?

After the first offense, every time you are caught driving without insurance during a three-year period you will be fined at least $3,000 and your license will be suspended for six months.

Aside from dealing with a salvaged vehicle, are there any other times when I have to provide an odometer reading?

Yes. You must provide an odometer reading every time you apply for a new title, as well as during registration renewal and ownership transfer.

I need to get my truck titled, but I can't make it to the DMV. Can my son take everything for me?

Conveniently, yes―as long as you meet all the titling requirements.

May I renew the registration of a non-operational vehicle?

Delaware doesn't issue non-operational vehicle registrations. But if your vehicle is under six years old, you won't need to get it safety inspected, so you can still renew its registration, even if it's non-operable. This isn't a likely scenario, though.

If your car is older than six years, then it must be operable and pass a safety inspection, so you wouldn't be able to renew a non-operable older vehicle registration at all.

I’ve heard the IRS honors a tax deduction that has to do with my vehicle registration fees. Is this true?

Yes. The scoop is that the IRS counts a vehicle registration fee that's based on your vehicle's value as a personal property tax, which is deductible. This is true even if your state calls the fee a "registration fee" or a "vehicle use fee." Check out page 146 of the IRS's Publication 17 for more details.

But before you start entering your registration fees on line 7 of the 1040A form, double check to make sure your state calculates the car registration fee based on the car's value. For example, if your state charges you 1% of the car's value each year as a vehicle fee, and you pay $100 based on your car's value ($10,000), then you can deduct $100. If your state charges you for 1% of the car's value, plus a bunch of other miscellaneous fees, then you can still only deduct the $100. The fees might be itemized on your vehicle registration card or registration renewal form.

Other states ignore the car's value and charge only based on the vehicle weight; in those cases, you can't take the deduction.

If you aren't sure about whether the state charges this fee or you can't find the fee, contact your local motor-vehicle office. If you have questions about taking the deduction, call a tax professional or the IRS.