Delaware is one of many states that has a Graduated Driver's Licensing law in place. Although teens can get their learner’s permit at age 16 in Delaware, they’ll have to wait a full year for an unrestricted license.

The process of getting a Delaware driver’s license is an exciting one, but it can also be stressful, especially for a teenager. One complication is that each state has different rules regarding what age you can get your license, so your experience might differ from someone you know.

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What is the driving age in Delaware?

Aspiring drivers can get the

GDL process

started by acquiring a learner’s permit as soon as they turn 16. Assuming you follow all of the steps correctly, you can become the proud owner of an unrestricted driver’s license as soon as you turn 17.

What is the Graduated Drivers License law in Delaware?

One fact that states continue to reckon with is that young drivers are much more likely to end up in motor accidents than older drivers. Motor accidents are the second leading cause of death among young drivers, according to the

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC).

The Graduated Drivers License law has been implemented by many states as a way of reducing harm to young drivers. Under GDL law, teenage drivers must go through much more rigorous driver education before having access to an unrestricted license.

The GDL law in Delaware breaks down into three phases:

Supervised driving: During the first six months that you have your learner’s permit you can only drive while accompanied by an adult that’s 25 or older who has a driver's license.

Unsupervised driving: After six months and some supervised driving experience, you’ll be allowed to drive on your own during the day.

Unrestricted license: After one year of driving using your learner’s permit, it will upgrade into a regular license.

Keep in mind that the GDL law only applies to you if you’re under the age of 18. Older individuals looking to acquire their license in Delaware will be able to do so without going through all three of the phases listed above.

MORE: How to find young driver car insurance

How to get your learner’s permit in Delaware

Before getting your learner’s permit in Delaware, you’ll need A Delaware Driver Education Certificate (also known as a “Blue Certificate”). You can get one of these certificates by passing a driver’s education program. The high school in your district will likely offer this program and you can enroll even if you are homeschooled.

Assuming you’ve got your Blue Certificate and have reached the age of 16, it’s time to

head to the DMV

. Along with your Blue Certificate, you should also bring:

Your birth certificate

Your passport

Your Social Security card

Assuming you have all the necessary documents, the only thing left for you to do is pay the $40 application fee and pass your vision test. Make sure to bring your glasses to the DMV if you are someone who wears them.

Learner’s permit restrictions

When you get your learner's permit in Delaware you might notice that it looks just like a regular license, but don’t let the appearance fool you. Your permit is exactly that, and you’ll only be allowed to drive under direct supervision.

To be specific, you’ll need someone 25 or older who has had their license for five or more years to be in the car with you whenever you are behind the wheel.

What happens to my permit after six months?

During the first six months that you have your learner’s permit, you need to record 60 hours of supervised driving experience. 10 of those hours have to occur at night. Once that’s done, you’ll move into GDL’s unsupervised driving phase.

You don’t need to apply for a new permit after six months. Assuming you’ve followed all the rules, you’ll now be allowed to drive in a car unsupervised. The only exception is nighttime, as you still need supervision when driving between the hours of 10 pm to 6 am.

There are some exceptions to the nighttime driving rule, specifically when it comes to coming and going from school or work.

MORE: How to choose the best car insurance for a teenager

How to get a regular driver's license in Delaware

Worried you’ll have to make another trip to the DMV? Worry no longer! Assuming you’ve followed the GDL guidelines without any issues or suspensions, your learner’s permit will transition into a regular driver's license a full year after you receive it.

This means that you can be just 17 with an unrestricted driver's license. This is made possible by the many hours of driving you’ll put in during your driver’s ed course and throughout the GDL program.

The major change that comes at the one-year mark is that your license is no longer restricted at night. You can freely drive between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am, even if you aren’t coming or going from work or school.

MORE:

The 10 most common ways to get a suspended license in Delaware

How to save on car insurance in Delaware

If you’re on your way toward getting a driver’s license in Delaware, the thought of buying a car might not be far off. If you’d prefer to spend your time picking the best car rather than finding cheap coverage for it, Jerry may be able to help.

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FAQ

Can you drive in Delaware at 16?

If you’re 16 and have completed a driver’s ed program, you’ll be able to get a learner’s permit in Delaware. The permit will require you to drive under direct supervision for the first six months and remain supervised while driving at night for another six months.

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