Key points
First DUI license loss: 12 months under .15, 18 months at .15 to .19, and 24 months at .20 or more or for refusal.
Source: Handbook p. 56
“12 months for BAC less than .15 or for drugs. • 18 months for BAC between .15 and .19. • 24 months for BAC .20 or greater or refusal to submit to a chemical test.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56A first DUI also brings a $500.00 to $1,500.00 fine and/or up to 12 months in prison.
Source: Handbook p. 56
“Fine: $500.00 to $1,500.00 and/or • Sentence: Imprisonment for up to 12 months.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56A second DUI: $750.00 to $2,500.00 fine and at least 60 days, up to 18 months, in prison.
Source: Handbook p. 57
“Fine: $750.00 to $2,500.00 and • Sentence: Imprisonment for a minimum of 60 days and up to 18 months.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 57A third DUI is a Class G felony with 1 to 2 years in prison.
Source: Handbook p. 57
“Third DUI Offense: Class G Felony- occurring any time after two prior offenses. • Fine: Up to $5,000.00 and • Sentence: Imprisonment not less than one year nor more than two years.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 57After a DUI arrest the officer issues a 15 day temporary license, and you have 15 days to request a hearing.
Source: Handbook p. 55
“The officer will then issue a 15-day temporary license. The driver will have 15 days to request an administrative hearing.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 55Under the First Offender Election, a driver with an IID license must keep the device for 4 months.
Source: Handbook p. 56
“must remain on the IID for four months from the date the IID license was issued.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 56Under 21, drinking and driving brings a 2 month revocation for a first offense.
Source: Handbook p. 54
“anyone under the age of 21 years, who drives, operates, or has actual physical control of a vehicle, an off-highway vehicle, or a moped while consuming or after having consumed alcoholic beverages, shall have their driver license revoked for a period of two months for the first offense”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54Underage possession or drinking brings a $100 fine for a first offense.
Source: Handbook p. 54
“shall be fined $100 for the 1st offense and not less than $200 nor more than $500 for each subsequent offense.”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54A juvenile's license is revoked after a DUI until they turn 21.
Source: Handbook p. 54
“to revoke the license and/or driving privilege of any juvenile until such time as they are legally permitted to drink alcoholic beverages (21 years old).”
Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 54
Numbers to know
| Number | What it means | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| 12 / 18 / 24 months | first DUI license loss by BAC band | Handbook p. 56 |
| .15 / .19 / .20 | BAC bands that set first offense license loss | Handbook p. 56 |
| $500.00 to $1,500.00 | first DUI fine | Handbook p. 56 |
| 12 months | maximum prison for a first DUI | Handbook p. 56 |
| $750.00 to $2,500.00, 60 days to 18 months | second DUI fine and prison | Handbook p. 57 |
| 1 to 2 years | prison for a third DUI, a Class G felony | Handbook p. 57 |
| 15 days | temporary license and time to request a hearing | Handbook p. 55 |
| 4 months | minimum time on the ignition interlock in the first offender program | Handbook p. 56 |
| 2 months | zero tolerance revocation for a first underage offense | Handbook p. 54 |
| $100 | fine for a first underage possession or drinking offense | Handbook p. 54 |
| 21 | age until which a juvenile's license stays revoked after a DUI | Handbook p. 54 |
3 questions from the Delaware practice test
1. For a first Delaware DUI offense with a BAC between .15 and .19, how long is the DMV license loss?
- 18 months
- 12 months
- 24 months
- 36 months
Show answer
18 months. For a first offense, Delaware's DMV penalty is 18 months when the BAC falls between .15 and .19. The 12-month period applies to a BAC below .15 or drugs, while 24 months applies to .20 or greater or a chemical-test refusal. The 36-month choice belongs to a different offense tier and is not the first-offense figure in this range. Compare both the offense number and BAC band before selecting a penalty.
2. What court fine range is listed for a first DUI offense in Delaware?
- $100 to $300
- $500 to $1,500
- $750 to $2,500
- $5,000 to $15,000
Show answer
$500 to $1,500. The first-offense court sanction includes a fine from $500 to $1,500, along with possible imprisonment of up to 12 months. The $100 to $300 range is associated with a different driving offense, and $750 to $2,500 is listed for a second DUI offense. The largest range is not the first-offense court figure. The cue is the word court: this question asks about the fine sanction, separate from DMV license loss.
3. How does Delaware classify a third DUI offense occurring after two prior offenses?
- Civil offense only
- Class E felony
- Class C felony
- Class G felony
Show answer
Class G felony. Delaware identifies a third DUI offense after two prior offenses as a Class G felony. Class E is used for a fourth or fifth DUI in the manual, while Class C is associated with a seventh or greater offense. Calling the conduct civil only ignores the criminal classification and the listed penalties. The concrete cue is the sequence: third offense follows two priors, placing it in the Class G category.
Practice this topic
Lock it in with alcohol and dui questions from the free Delaware practice test. Every answer comes with a plain English explanation.
Source: the Delaware Driver Manual, Section Two: Driver License Information. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.