What You Need Before You Start
Delaware lets you renew your driver's license online if your license is still valid or expired no more than five years ago. You will need your current Delaware driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid email address. The process takes about 10 minutes, and you will receive your renewed license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Not everyone can renew online. You cannot use the online system if your license has been suspended or revoked, if you need to change your name or address, if you are over 79 years old, or if your vision or medical status has changed since your last renewal. You also cannot renew online if you are a commercial driver's license (CDL) holder. If any of these explore to you, you will need to visit a Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles office in person.
Your license must not be expired by more than five years. If it has been longer than that, the online renewal will not work, and you will need to explore for a new license at a DMV office instead.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your Delaware license is current or expired no more than five years ago, and you have no suspensions, revocations, or medical changes.
- The online renewal costs $70 and takes about 10 minutes; your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days.
- You will need your license number, Social Security number, and a valid email address to start the process on the Delaware DMV website.
- If your license is suspended, revoked, or you are over 79, you must renew in person at a Delaware DMV office instead.
Step-by-Step Online Renewal Process
Go to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles website and select the online renewal option. You will be taken to a find portal where you enter your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and ask you to confirm your personal information — name, date of birth, address, and phone number. Review this carefully and correct anything that is wrong before you move forward.
Next, you will answer questions about your vision, medical history, and whether you have any traffic violations or criminal convictions since your last renewal. Answer honestly; false statements on a license renewal can result in criminal charges. You will also choose whether you want a standard license or a REAL ID-compliant license. A REAL ID license costs the same and is required for federal air travel and entry to federal buildings starting in 2025.
After you confirm all your information, you will pay the $70 renewal fee using a debit or credit card. Delaware accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Once payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number and a receipt. Save both — you may need the confirmation number if you have questions about your order.
What Happens After You Pay
Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file in the DMV system. Standard processing takes 7 to 10 business days from the date you complete the online renewal. If you need your license sooner, you cannot expedite an online renewal; you would have needed to renew in person at a DMV office and pay for expedited service there.
You can continue to drive on your current license while you wait for the renewed one to arrive. Your current license remains valid until it expires, even after you have submitted the online renewal. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or turn it in at a DMV office.
If your new license does not arrive within 14 business days, contact the Delaware DMV at 302-744-2500. Have your confirmation number ready. The DMV can check the status of your order and remail it if there was a delivery problem.
When You Cannot Renew Online
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew online. You must visit a DMV office and resolve the suspension or revocation before you can get a new license. Suspensions are often due to unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or unpaid child support. Revocations are more serious and usually result from DUI convictions or accumulating too many points. Contact the Delaware DMV before you visit to find out what you need to bring to clear the suspension or revocation.
If you are 79 or older, Delaware requires you to renew in person so the DMV can assess your vision and driving ability. This is a safety requirement and cannot be waived. You will need to pass a vision test and may be asked to take a driving test depending on your age and medical history.
If you have had a name change since your last renewal, you must renew in person and bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. The same applies if you need to change your address; while the online system asks you to confirm your address, it does not allow you to change it. If your address has changed, you must update it in person or by mail before you can renew online.
Medical or Vision Changes
If your vision has gotten worse, you have been diagnosed with a new medical condition, or you are taking medication that affects your ability to drive, you cannot renew online. The online system asks whether your vision or medical status has changed, and if you answer yes, it will not allow you to proceed. You must visit a DMV office and may be asked to provide a medical report from your doctor or pass a vision test.
Some conditions — such as seizure disorders, severe arthritis, or certain heart conditions — may require a doctor's statement before the DMV will renew your license. If you are unsure whether your condition requires a statement, call the Delaware DMV at 302-744-2500 and describe your situation. They can tell you what documentation you need before you visit.
REAL ID Compliance and Your Renewed License
When you renew online, you can choose between a standard Delaware driver's license and a REAL ID-compliant license. Both cost $70 and both are valid for five years. The REAL ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and meets federal standards for identification at airports and federal buildings.
If you choose the standard license and later need a REAL ID, you will have to renew again in person and bring documents that prove your identity, Social Security number, and Delaware residency. It is usually easier to get the REAL ID when you renew, even if you do not need it when ready, because the online process is faster and you avoid an extra trip to the DMV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license expired more than five years ago?
No. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you must explore for a new license in person at a Delaware DMV office. You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Delaware residency. The process is longer and more involved than a renewal.
What if I move out of state after I renew online but before my new license arrives?
Contact the Delaware DMV with your confirmation number and provide your new out-of-state address. They can update your mailing address and send the license there. If you do not notify them and the license is returned as undeliverable, you will need to contact the DMV to have it remailed or pick it up in person at a Delaware office.
Do I need a REAL ID if I only drive in Delaware?
REAL ID is only required if you fly domestically or enter a federal building. If you never fly and do not need to enter federal facilities, a standard Delaware driver's license is sufficient. However, REAL ID costs the same and lasts just as long, so many people get it to avoid renewing again later.
What if the online system says I cannot renew?
The system will reject your renewal if your license is suspended, revoked, expired more than five years ago, or if you indicate a medical or vision change. It will also reject you if you are over 79. In any of these cases, you must visit a Delaware DMV office in person. Call 302-744-2500 to find out what documents to bring.
Can I renew online if I have a commercial driver's license?
No. CDL holders must renew in person at a Delaware DMV office. You will need to pass a medical examination and a knowledge test, and you may need to take a driving test depending on your endorsements and violations. The process takes longer than a standard license renewal.