Headlights, seat belts, phones and insurance

Key points

1. Headlights must be on after sunset, before sunrise, whenever you cannot see beyond 1000 feet, and whenever wipers are on.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “On when driving after sunset or before sunrise. • On any other time you cannot see beyond 1000 feet. • On any time you use your windshield wipers.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

2. Switch to low beams 500 feet before meeting a vehicle and within 200 feet of one you follow.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Switched to low beams 500 feet before meeting another vehicle or when within 200 feet of the vehicle you are following.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

3. All occupants must be buckled or in a child seat, and the driver gets the ticket for anyone unrestrained.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “Delaware law requires all occupants of a vehicle to be properly restrained in a seatbelt or child safety seat. Officers may pull over a vehicle if they see unbuckled occupants inside. The driver of the vehicle receives a ticket for any unrestrained or improperly restrained vehicle occupants.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

4. Children under 2 and 30 pounds ride rear facing; under 4 and 40 pounds ride in a harnessed seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 109

   “Children under age 2 AND 30 pounds to ride in a rear-facing car seat. • Children under age 4 AND 40 pounds to ride in a harnessed car seat.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 109

5. A child under 12 or under 5 feet 5 inches should not ride in the front passenger seat.

   Source: Handbook p. 109

   “A child under the age of 12 or under 5’5” should not occupy the front passenger seat of a vehicle.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 109

6. GDL drivers may not use any cell phone or electronic device while driving, even hands free.

   Source: Handbook p. 81

   “NOTE: All cell phone or electronic device use, including hands-free, is prohibited by drivers with a Graduated Driver License (GDL).”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 81

7. Minimum liability coverage is $25,000 per person, $50,000 per crash and $10,000 for property damage.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “$25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one crash. • $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one crash. • $10,000 for injury to, or destruction of, property of others in any one crash.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

8. Driving an uninsured vehicle brings a fine of $1,500.00 to $2,000.00.

   Source: Handbook p. 63

   “The penalty for operating an uninsured vehicle is a fine not less than $1,500.00 nor more than $2,000.00.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 63

9. Studded tires are legal only from October 15 to April 15.

   Source: Handbook p. 62

   “Studded Tires - Are legal from October 15 to April 15 inclusive”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 62

10. Tire tread must be at least 2/32 inch to pass inspection.

    Source: Handbook p. 64

    “Tread depth must be at least 2/32 inch measured in two adjacent treads.”
    Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 64

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Delaware practice test

1. 1. When must Delaware headlights be on because of weather?

   1. Only during snow, never during rain
   2. Only after sunset
   3. Only when fog reduces visibility below 100 feet
   4. Whenever windshield wipers are in use due to inclement weather
   Show answer

   Whenever windshield wipers are in use due to inclement weather. Delaware's equipment rule connects headlights to windshield wiper use when the wipers are operating because of inclement weather. The rule is not limited to darkness, a measured visibility distance, or snow alone. The best driving cue is simple: if weather requires the wipers, turn on the headlights as well. This makes the vehicle easier for others to see during rain or another qualifying condition. The choices based on sunset or a fixed distance add limits that are not in the manual's stated requirement.

2. 2. A Delaware officer sees an unbelted adult passenger. Who receives the ticket?

   1. The passenger only
   2. The driver
   3. The vehicle owner, even if not present
   4. No one, because adult passengers are exempt
   Show answer

   The driver. Delaware law requires every occupant to be properly restrained in a seat belt or child safety seat, and officers may pull a vehicle over if they see unbuckled occupants. The driver receives a ticket for any unrestrained or improperly restrained occupant. The passenger-only and owner choices shift the responsibility away from the driver, and adult passengers are not exempt from the belt requirement.

3. 3. What is the Delaware fine for a first offense of operating an uninsured vehicle?

   1. $1,500 to $2,000
   2. $500
   3. $100
   4. $3,000 to $4,000
   Show answer

   $1,500 to $2,000. Operating an uninsured vehicle in Delaware brings a fine of not less than $1,500 nor more than $2,000. For each later offense within three years, the fine rises to $3,000 to $4,000, which is why that choice is the repeat offense amount. Providing false proof of insurance adds a $500 fine and/or 30 days in jail. The $100 figure is the DMV's audit penalty for 1 to 30 days of lapsed coverage, a separate administrative charge.

Source: the Delaware Driver Manual, Section Three: Vehicle Equipment, Titles, Registration, and Insurance. 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.