The Delaware permit test has 32 questions, and you need 26 correct (81%) to pass. Official source. Page updated 2026-10-22.
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Key Delaware DMV rules and numbers
These are key rules and numbers from the Delaware handbook, a few per topic so they fit on one printed page. We favor rules that state a specific number. Every fact below comes from our free Delaware DMV practice test question bank, which has 500 questions across 9 topics, checked against the Delaware handbook (last verified 2026-09-07).
Speed limits
- Delaware's speed table lists 65 miles per hour for Route 1 and Interstate 495. (Handbook, p. 93)
- Delaware's speed table lists 50 miles per hour for two-lane roads. (Handbook, p. 93)
- Under Delaware's serious speeding rules, a driver convicted of speeding 20 to 24 mph over the posted limit is sent an advisory letter. (Handbook, p. 48)
- The suspension is one month at 25 mph over the limit and grows by one month for each additional five mph over that 25 mph threshold. (Handbook, p. 48)
- Delaware imposes a one-year suspension for driving 50 mph or more over the posted limit or for driving 100 mph on a highway. (Handbook, p. 48)
Right of way
- If you move into Delaware from another state, you must apply for a Delaware driver's license within 60 days after becoming a resident. (Handbook, p. 31)
- At a four-way stop, Delaware says the driver reaching the intersection first goes first, but only after coming to a complete stop. (Handbook, p. 88)
- A driver entering from a driveway, alley, or roadside must yield to vehicles already on the main road, stopping if necessary. (Handbook, p. 88)
- Delaware requires drivers entering a traffic circle or rotary to yield to drivers already in the circle. (Handbook, p. 88)
- Delaware requires a driver overtaking a vehicle in the same direction to yield to that vehicle, even if the vehicle slows or stops. (Handbook, p. 89)
Alcohol and DUI
- For Delaware's conclusive-evidence rule, a BAC of .08 or greater qualifies, and the same sentence mentions the presence of an illicit or recreational drug. (Handbook, p. 50)
- Delaware's zero tolerance statute mandates a license revocation for an underage driver with a .02 BAC, so .02 is the figure that applies to drivers under 21. (Handbook, p. 50)
- The manual says a minor's license may be revoked until the minor reaches age 21 after conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol. (Handbook, p. 50)
- Delaware treats the presence of any illicit or recreational drug as conclusive evidence under the same sentence that names a BAC of .08 or greater. (Handbook, p. 50)
- Delaware treats .08 or greater as conclusive evidence of being under the influence, but the law also permits a DUI charge below .08 when other evidence indicates impairment. (Handbook, p. 50)
Signals and markings
- The Delaware requirement is at least 300 feet before the intended action. (Handbook, p. 122)
- Delaware separates same-direction lanes with white markings, and the number of solid lines changes what you may do. (Handbook, p. 84)
- A flashing red light has the same meaning as a stop sign. (Handbook, p. 70)
- Reversible lanes carry traffic one way at some times and the opposite way at others, and special lights show whether you may use them. (Handbook, p. 85)
- A broken yellow line between opposing lanes permits a pass when it is safe to do so. (Handbook, p. 85)
Parking
- Parallel parking on a two-way highway requires the vehicle to be parallel to and within 12 inches of the curb or edge. (Handbook, p. 91)
- When you park on the shoulder or side of a highway from sunset to sunrise, or when light is too poor to see people or objects 1,000 feet away, you must turn on your parking lights, or the 4-way flashers if the vehicle has them. (Handbook, p. 91)
- You must not stop or park in an intersection, on a crosswalk, or within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, even if someone is left in the car, unless signs or a police officer say otherwise. (Handbook, p. 92)
- You must not stop or park within 15 feet of a fire hydrant, even if someone is left in the car, unless signs or a police officer direct otherwise. (Handbook, p. 92)
- Delaware prohibits stopping or parking within 30 feet of any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic signal, unless otherwise posted, ordered by a police officer, or needed to avoid a crash. (Handbook, p. 93)
Safe driving
- In 2020, 42,060 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States and over three million were injured. (Handbook, p. 52)
- Over the last decade, more than 7,000 people have been killed in drowsy driving related crashes. (Handbook, p. 53)
- Delaware requires headlights to be switched to low beams 500 feet before meeting another vehicle. (Handbook, p. 62)
- Delaware requires headlights, not parking lights, after sunset and before sunrise, any time you use your wipers, and any other time you cannot see beyond 1,000 feet. (Handbook, p. 62)
- Looking away from the road for 3 to 4 seconds at 55 mph means your vehicle travels the length of an entire football field without your eyes on traffic. (Handbook, p. 53)
Road signs
- The red eight-sided sign is a stop sign, and Delaware requires a complete stop. (Handbook, p. 74)
- The inverted triangle identifies a yield sign. (Handbook, p. 74)
- The sign prohibits entry into the street it marks. (Handbook, p. 75)
- Where the NO TURN ON RED sign is posted, Delaware requires you to wait until the signal turns green before proceeding or making turns. (Handbook, p. 75)
- The ONE WAY sign communicates a traffic-direction rule for the roadway. (Handbook, p. 74)
Laws and paperwork
- After the first six months of valid Level One driving authority, Delaware permits unsupervised driving from 6:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m. (Handbook, p. 30)
- A Delaware Level One Learner's Permit automatically converts to a Class D license after the holder completes a full 12 months of valid driving authority. (Handbook, p. 30)
- During the first six months after a Level One permit is issued, the sponsor must certify 50 hours of driving, including 10 hours at night. (Handbook, p. 29)
- Delaware sets minimum acceptable vision at 20/40, and the standard may be met with glasses or contact lenses. (Handbook, p. 40)
- During the entire first 12 months, Delaware allows an adult supervisor and one other passenger. (Handbook, p. 29)
Emergencies
- Delaware law says an approaching authorized emergency vehicle with a siren or qualifying flashing lights has priority. (Handbook, p. 82)
- On a multi-lane roadway, Delaware asks an approaching driver to move over one lane from the stopped vehicle until safely past it. (Handbook, p. 82)
- With ABS, the manual instructs the driver to press the brake pedal as hard as possible and keep pressing it. (Handbook, p. 138)
- When no lighted indication is visible, the Delaware manual directs an approaching driver to reduce speed and prepare to yield to vehicles that are in or approaching the intersection. (Handbook, p. 70)
- When a tire suddenly goes flat, Delaware's first instruction is to hold the steering wheel tightly and keep the vehicle going straight. (Handbook, p. 137)
Want the reasoning behind these rules? Study the handbook, chapter by chapter, in 16 short lessons quoted from the Delaware manual.
Signs
Sign shape and color carry meaning before you even read the words. A red octagon always means stop, a red-bordered triangle pointing down means yield, and yellow diamonds warn of a hazard ahead. For every sign image used in our practice test, with the exact meaning and explanation, see the full road sign glossary.
Keep studying
This cheat sheet is a summary, not a substitute for practice. Test yourself with the free Delaware DMV practice test, which explains the reasoning behind every answer, or see Delaware DMV facts and fees before test day.