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SPONSOR: Rep. Morrison & Sen. Pinkney
Reps. Burns, Ortega, Osienski, Kamela Smith,
Chukwuocha; Sen. Sokola
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY
HOUSE BILL NO. 164
AN ACT TO AMEND TITLES 21 AND 30 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (Three-fifths of all members
elected to each house thereof concurring therein):
1 Section 1. Amend § 101, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
2 insertions as shown by underline as follows and by redesignating accordingly:
3 § 101. Words and phrases.
4 For the purposes of this title, unless the context otherwise clearly indicates:
5 (19) “Electric motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is powered only by electric or electromagnetic
6 motors.
7 (46) “Non-plug-in electric vehicle” means a motor vehicle powered by both an internal combustion motor
8 which uses gasoline, diesel, or another fuel that is subject to the provisions of Chapter 51 of Title 30 and an electric or
9 electromagnetic motor or form of propulsion, which is recharged during the operation of the motor vehicle and is not
10 able to be recharged using a charging port and external power source, such as an electrical outlet or charging station to
11 recharge the vehicle’s batteries.
12 (54) “Other fuel vehicle” means a motor vehicle other than an electric motor vehicle, plug-in electric vehicle,
13 or non-plug-in electric vehicle, that is powered by an engine or motor which does not function solely on gasoline,
14 diesel, or other fuel subject to the provisions of Chapter 51 of Title 30. It includes a motor vehicle that operates using
15 liquified petroleum gas, propane, natural gas, ethanol, methanol, hydrogen, or another combustible fuel source.
16 (59) “Plug-in electric vehicle” means a motor vehicle powered by both an internal combustion motor which
17 uses gasoline, diesel, or another fuel that is subject to the provisions of Chapter 51 of Title 30 and an electric or
18 electromagnetic motor or form of propulsion, which is recharged using a charging port and external power source, such
19 as an electrical outlet or charging station.
20 Section 2. Amend § 2140, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
21 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
22 § 2140. Special registration plates for members of nonprofit organizations.
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23 (f) [Repealed] The nonprofit organization must pay a one-time setup fee of $200 to the Division to establish the
24 special plate.
25 Section 3. Amend § 2151, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
26 insertions as shown by underline as follows and by redesignating accordingly:
27 § 2151. Fee schedule; time of payment.
28 At the time of application for the registration of a motor vehicle and prior to the issuance of the current registration
29 plates required by this title, there shall be paid to the Department registration fees according to the following schedule:
30 (1) For the registration of any motorcycle, $15 per year; year.
31 (2) For the registration of each motor vehicle commonly used for pleasure or for the chief purpose of carrying
32 persons (except motor vehicles commonly known as passenger buses) and including station wagons, $40 per year;
33 year.
34 (3) For the registration of other motor vehicles, including those propelled by diesel engines, $40 per year if the
35 gross load weight does not exceed 5,000 pounds, and an additional $18 per year for each 1,000 pounds or fraction
36 thereof over and above 5,000 pounds. The gross load weight shall be the weight of the chassis, body, equipment and
37 maximum allowable load as specified by the application; application.
38 (4) Such vehicles as are authorized to operate or to be moved as provided by § 4504 of this title shall be
39 registered in the same manner as other vehicles. The fee for such registration shall be at the same rate required for
40 trucks and semitrailers; semitrailers.
41 (5) For the registration of any recreational vehicle or recreational trailer, the fee shall be $40 per year if the
42 gross load weight of the vehicle or trailer does not exceed 5,000 pounds, and in the event the gross load weight exceeds
43 5,000 pounds, $6.40 per year for each 1,000 pounds or fraction thereof over and above 5,000 pounds. The gross load
44 weight shall be the weight of the chassis, body, equipment and maximum allowable load as specified by the
45 application; application.
46 (6) A fee of $20, in addition to the registration fee, shall be imposed at the time of renewal of registration of a
47 motor vehicle or semitrailer if the Delaware registration has expired. This fee shall may not be imposed if the
48 registration has expired over 12 months or if a permit has been purchased for the vehicle pursuant to § 2103 of this
49 title. The fee shall may not be imposed if a transfer of ownership on the vehicle has taken place or if the motor vehicle
50 or trailer has been inspected prior to the expiration of registration; registration.
51 (7) Of each of the motorcycle registration fees collected pursuant to paragraph (1) of this section the sum of
52 $4.00 per year is appropriated to the Department of Transportation and shall be placed in a special account to be used
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53 only for the expenses incurred in the administration of the motorcycle rider education program and improved
54 motorcycle licensing procedures; procedures.
55 (8) For the registration of a motor farm trucks truck owned and used exclusively by farmers a farmer who
56 derive derives at least $1,000 of their the farmer’s annual income from the operation of their the farmer’s farm and they
57 who own owns or rent rents at least 10 acres which are actively used in the farming operation from which they the
58 farmer derive derives that income, the fee shall be is $40 per year if the gross load weight does not exceed 5,000
59 pounds, and an additional $3.80 per year for each 1,000 pounds or fraction thereof over and 46 above 5,000 pounds.
60 The gross load weight shall be is as calculated in paragraph (3) of this section, but in no case shall the required fee for
61 motor vehicles, except trailers, under this paragraph be less than $40 per year; year.
62 (9) For the registration of a farm motor vehicles, vehicle, farm vehicles, vehicle, or farm trailers trailer owned
63 and used exclusively by farmers a farmer who derive derives at least $1,000 of their the farmer’s annual income from
64 the operation of their farm and they the farmer own owns or rent rents at least 10 acres which are actively used in the
65 farming operation from which they the farmer derive derives that income income, and are operated or towed within a
66 20-mile radius of a farm owned or managed by the owner of the vehicle or trailer, there shall be is a onetime fee of
67 $10; $10.
68 (10) For the registration of trailers with a gross weight of 1,000 pounds or less the fee shall be is $15 per year;
69 if a trailer’s gross load weight exceeds 1,000 pounds there shall be an additional fee of $5.00 per year for each 1,000
70 pounds or fraction thereof over and above the 1,000 pounds up to a maximum of 2,000 pounds. The fee for the
71 registration of trailers with a gross weight exceeding 2,000 pounds shall be is as provided in paragraph (3) of this
72 section.
73 (11) The Secretary of the Department of Transportation in conjunction with the Secretary of the Department
74 of Agriculture shall promulgate such regulations as they shall deem necessary for the administration and
75 implementation of this section.
76 Section 4. Amend Chapter 21, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
77 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
78 § 2151A. Alternative fuel registration fees.
79 At the time of application for the registration of a motor vehicle and prior to the issuance of the current registration
80 plates required by this title, there shall be paid to the Department registration fees according to the following schedule:
81 (1) For the registration of an electric motor vehicle, in addition to the registration fee under § 2151 of this title,
82 a fee of $110 per year if the gross load weight is 6,000 pounds or less. The additional fee is $150 per year if the gross
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83 load weight is over 6,000 pounds and as much as 10,000 pounds. The additional fee is $260 per year if the gross load
84 weight is over 10,000 pounds and as much as 26,000 pounds. The additional fee is $900 per year if the gross load
85 weight is in excess of 26,000 pounds.
86 (2) For the registration of a plug-in electric vehicle, in addition to the registration fee specified in § 2151 of
87 this title, a fee of $85 per year if the gross load weight is 6,000 pounds or less. The additional fee is $115 per year if
88 the gross load weight is over 6,000 pounds and as much as 10,000 pounds. The additional fee is $200 per year if the
89 gross load weight is over 10,000 pounds and as much as 26,000 pounds. The additional fee is $600 per year if the gross
90 load weight is in excess of 26,000 pounds.
91 (3) For the registration of a non-plug-in electric vehicle, in addition to the registration fee specified in § 2151
92 of this title, a fee of $60 per year if the gross load weight is 6,000 pounds or less. The additional fee is $80 per year if
93 the gross load weight is over 6,000 pounds and as much as 10,000 pounds. The additional fee is $140 per year if the
94 gross load weight is over 10,000 pounds and as much as 26,000 pounds. The additional fee is $480 per year if the gross
95 load weight is in excess of 26,000 pounds.
96 (4) For the registration of an other fuel vehicle, in addition to the registration fee specified in § 2151 of this
97 title, a fee of $110 per year if the gross load weight is 6,000 pounds or less. The additional fee is $150 per year if the
98 gross load weight is over 6,000 pounds and as much as 10,000 pounds. The additional fee is $260 per year if the gross
99 load weight is over 10,000 pounds and as much as 26,000 pounds. The additional fee is $900 per year if the gross load
100 weight is in excess of 26,000 pounds.
101 Section 5. Amend § 2608, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
102 additions shown by underline as follows and by redesignating as follows:
103 § 2608. Commercial driver license qualification standards; fee.
104 (d)(2) The CLP may be issued for a period that does not exceed 1 year. Only 1 renewal or re-issuance may be
105 granted within a 1-year period. The 1-year period begins with the issuance date of the original permit. The holder of a CLP
106 may, unless otherwise disqualified, drive a commercial motor vehicle only when accompanied by the holder of a
107 commercial driver license, valid for the type of vehicle driven who occupies a seat beside the individual for the purpose of
108 giving instruction in driving the commercial motor vehicle; provided that the CLP holder may not operate a commercial
109 motor vehicle transporting hazardous materials as defined in § 2603 of this title.
110 (3) If for any reason the applicant fails to pass the required examinations during the 1-year period granted by
111 the permit, the CLP is void and the $10 fee is forfeited.
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112 Section 6. Amend § 2715, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
113 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
114 § 2715. Driver license renewal cycle; fees; photograph.
115 (a) Upon receipt of the application and a fee of $40 $50 and after such examination as provided in this chapter, the
116 Secretary may issue, at the Secretary’s discretion, a motor vehicle driver’s license which shall expire and be renewable on
117 the eighth anniversary date of the birth of the applicant next following the date of its issuance unless the birth date is
118 February 29, in which event the license shall expire and be renewable on February 28 every eighth year. A permanent
119 resident foreign national may be issued a full 8-year driver’s license. However, a driver’s license issued to a temporary
120 foreign national must be limited to the period of time that the temporary foreign national is authorized to be in the United
121 States.
122 Section 7. Amend § 2718, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
123 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
124 § 2718. Information on licenses.
125 (e) If an applicant is required to register as a sex offender pursuant to § 4120 of Title 11, as amended, for a felony
126 conviction the sentencing court shall take possession of the driver’s license and shall tender to the person being sentenced a
127 temporary license, directing that the person report to the Division of Motor Vehicle for a replacement driver’s license with
128 the following code under restrictions: Y indicating sex offender. The person shall tender to the Division of Motor Vehicle a
129 fee of $5.00 $10.00 for the replacement license. Upon a person being removed from the registration requirement, the
130 Division of Motor Vehicle shall issue a license without the sex offender code printed upon the license at no charge. The
131 sentencing court shall forward to the Division all licenses that it receives, along with a copy of the sentencing order.
132 Section 8. Amend § 2611, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
133 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
134 § 2611. Commercial driver license.
135 (h) Fees. — (1) The fee for a commercial motor vehicle driver license shall be $48 is $55 except when the
136 commercial motor vehicle driver license is endorsed for the transport of hazardous materials in which event the fee shall be
137 is $30. The fee for a non-CDL Class A or non-CDL Class B driver license shall be is $40.
138 (2) The fee for renewal of a commercial motor vehicle driver license shall be $48 is $55 except when the
139 commercial motor vehicle driver license is endorsed for the transport of hazardous materials in which event the fee
140 shall be $30. The fee for renewal of a non-CDL Class A or non-CDL Class B driver license shall be $40. is $50. A late
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141 fee of $10 shall be is assessed in addition to the renewal fee for every person whose commercial motor vehicle driver
142 license has expired.
143 (3) The fee for changing from 1 class to another class shall be is $10, if the change requires a written
144 examination or skills test. There shall be is no fee assessed if the driver wishes to change to a class of a lower weight
145 vehicle and such change is made at time of renewal of license.
146 (4) If the applicant wishes to add an endorsement after a commercial driver license has been issued, the fee for
147 adding such the endorsement shall be $5.00. is $10.00.
148 (5) [Repealed.] The fee for removal of a restriction after a commercial driver license has been issued is
149 $10.00.
150 Section 9. Amend § 2720, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
151 additions shown by underline as follows:
152 § 2720. Duplicate Replacement licenses; requirements; fee.
153 (a) In the event that any operator’s license issued under this chapter is lost or destroyed destroyed, the person to
154 whom it was issued may apply to the Department for the issuance of a duplicate or substitute license upon executing such
155 forms as may be required by the Department and upon furnishing proof satisfactory to the Department that such license has
156 been lost or destroyed. Each application for the issuance of a duplicate or substitute license under this subsection must be
157 accompanied by a fee of $20.
158 (b) In the event a name change is requested for any operator’s license issued under this chapter, the person to
159 whom it was issued may apply to the Division for the issuance of an updated license upon submitting such documentation
160 as may be required by the Division. Each application for the issuance of a replacement license must be accompanied by a
161 fee of $10.
162 (b) (c) Upon receipt of the application and the required fee, the Secretary of Transportation of this State may, at
163 the Secretary’s discretion, require an examination of such applicant in accordance with this chapter.
164 (c) (d) Each application for the issuance of a duplicate license certificate shall must be accompanied by a fee of
165 $20.
166 (d) (e) An individual who presents a valid, unexpired, Delaware personal credential card, issued under § 8915 of
167 Title 29, is exempt from any fee charged under this section for a replacement license.
168 (e) (f) An applicant is not required to pay a fee required by this section if the applicant is a child in the custody of
169 the Department of Services for Children, Youth, and Their Families or meets the requirements under § 9011A(g) of Title
170 29.
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171 Section 10. Amend § 2764, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
172 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
173 § 2764. Fee for taxicab authorization.
174 The fee for the authorization specified in § 2762 of this title shall be $3.45. is $10.00. The fee for renewals is also
175 $3.45. $10.00.
176 Section 11. Amend § 3105, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
177 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
178 § 3105. Issuance of duplicate replacement cards; fee.
179 (a) In the event that any identification card issued under this chapter is lost or destroyed, the person to whom it
180 was issued may apply to the Division for the issuance of a duplicate or substitute replacement identification card upon
181 executing such forms as may be required by the Division and upon furnishing proof satisfactory to the Division that such
182 identification card has been lost or destroyed.
183 (b) In the event a name change is requested for any identification card issued under this chapter, the person to
184 whom it was issued may apply to the Division for the issuance of an updated identification card upon submitting such
185 documentation as may be required by the Division.
186 (b) (c) Upon receipt of the application and a fee of $5.00, $10.00, the Division shall issue a duplicate replacement
187 identification card.
188 (c) (d) An individual who presents a valid, unexpired, Delaware personal credential card, issued under § 8915 of
189 Title 29, is exempt from any fee charged under this section for a duplicate replacement identification card.
190 Section 12. Amend § 6302, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
191 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
192 § 6302. License requirements.
193 (f) Fee. —
194 (1) No The application fee for a license is charged by the Department.$100.
195 (2) The license renewal fee is $50.00.
196 (3) However, all All dealerships must obtain a yearly dealer business license from the Department of Finance,
197 Division of Revenue. Wholesale dealers shall must also obtain an additional wholesale license pursuant to § 6307 of
198 this title. The business license(s) must be kept at the business location and be available for inspection by the
199 Department.
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200 Section 13. Amend § 3002, Title 30 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and
201 insertions as shown by underline as follows:
202 § 3002. Motor vehicle document fee; claims for refunds [For applicability of this section, see 80 Del. Laws, c. 77,
203 § 2].
204 (c) The document fee imposed herein shall be computed as follows:
205 (3) The document fee payable thereafter shall increase in increments of $4.25 $5.25 per each additional $100
206 of purchase price or any fraction thereof, rounded to the nearest dollar; except that the document fee thereafter for
207 mobile homes shall increase in increments of $3.75 per each additional $100 of purchase price or any fraction thereof,
208 rounded to the nearest dollar.
209 Section 14. Except as specified by Section 15 of this Act, this Act is effective on October 1, 2025.
210 Section 15. Section 13 of this Act is effective as follows:
211 (a) The document fee charged during fiscal year 2025 must be charged for all title work received by the Division
212 of Motor Vehicles prior to October 1, 2025, but not processed by the Division until after that date. This provision includes
213 mailed title work postmarked prior to October 1, but received by the Division after that date.
214 (b) Vehicles sold prior to October 1, 2025, as evidenced by a bill of sale, must be processed at the fee rate in effect
215 during fiscal year 2025.
216 (c) Notwithstanding the foregoing subsections, all titles processed on or after November 1, 2025 must be
217 processed using the fee rates made effective October 1, 2025, no matter when the vehicle was purchased.
SYNOPSIS
The Department of Transportation commissioned a study which was performed by the University of Delaware
which calculated the impact on the Transportation Trust Fund by the increase in registration of electric motor vehicles,
plug-in electric motor vehicles, non-plug-in electric motor vehicles, and other fuel motor vehicles. The Transportation Trust
fund is the source of funding for the Department to perform all road and bridge improvements in the State. This Act
assesses an additional registration fee on owners of electric motor vehicles, plug-in electric motor vehicles, non-plug-in
electric motor vehicles, and other fuel motor vehicles to make up for the declining motor fuel tax revenue impacts on the
Department, as well as the increased costs associated with these types of vehicles which are generally heavier than
traditional passenger motor vehicles with increasing roadway impacts.
This Act further increases several revenue sources in the following ways:
1) Assesses a one-time set up fee to a nonprofit organization to create a special license plate.
2) Increases the fee for issuance and renewal of a driver’s license from $40 to $50.
3) Increases the fee for a sex offender registration license replacement from $5 to $10.
4) Increases the issuance and renewal of a commercial driver’s license from $48 to $55.
5) Increases the fee for renewal of a non-commercial driver’s license Class A or B from $40 to $50.
6) Increases the fee for adding an endorsement to a commercial driver’s license from $5 to $10. A $10 fee for
removing a restriction on a commercial driver’s license is now charged.
7) Increases the fee for taxicab endorsement and renewal from $3.45 to $10.
8) Makes the fee for a duplicate identification card for a lost or destroyed identification card set at $20.
9) Makes the fee for a replacement identification card due to name change $10.
10) Increases the fee for a dealership license from $100 and $50 for renewal.
11) Increases the document from 4.25 % to 5.25%.
The effective date for these increases is generally October 1, 2025 to allow time for computer reprogramming and
effective implementation.
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This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative
Drafting Manual.
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