Title and registration rules — Delaware Permit Test

If you are under 18, your application for a certificate of title must be signed by your father, mother, guardian or court-appointed custodian granting consent.

A teenager could otherwise take on a car and its debts without any adult knowing.

If you are less than 18 years of age, your application for a certificate of title must be signed by your father, mother, guardian, or court-appointed custodian (with legal documentation) granting consent to the application.

Before renewing a registration you must show the vehicle has adequate liability insurance and has passed the state safety inspection and emission test.

Renewing without a check would keep an uninsured or unsafe car on the road for years.

Prior to registration renewal you must present proof that the vehicle is covered by adequate liability insurance and have passed the State's vehicle safety inspection and emission test.

You may have your vehicle inspected any time within 90 days before the registration expires, and no time is lost by renewing early.

A driver who waits until the last day risks a failed item and an expired tag.

You may have your vehicle inspected any time 90 days prior to the expiration date of the registration.

Trailers weighing 4,000 pounds or less do not require re-inspection before registration renewal.

Hauling a small trailer to inspection every renewal would add lines for no safety gain the law asks for.

Trailers weighing 4,000 pounds or less do not require re-inspection prior to renewal of the registration.

If you change your name, you have 30 days to apply for a new registration card and title, and the change must be made on your driver license first.

A title in a name that matches no license makes it hard to prove who owns the car.

If you change your name, you have thirty (30) days in which to apply for a new registration card and title.

Delaware residents temporarily living more than 200 miles out of state, such as military personnel and college students, may renew their registration by mail.

A student far away at school would otherwise have to drive home just to keep the car legal.

Delaware residents who are temporarily residing more than 200 miles out of state may renew their registration by mail.

Who must sign a Delaware title application for an applicant under 18?

A parent, guardian or custodian. A teenager could otherwise take on a car and its debts without any adult knowing. Delaware Driver Manual, p.67: “If you are less than 18 years of age, your application for a certificate of title must be signed by your father, mother, guardian, or court-appointed custodian (with legal documentation) granting consent to the application.”