Points, suspensions and serious speeding

Key points

1. Reinstating a suspended license costs $50.00; a revoked license costs $200.00.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “A fee of $50.00 must be paid to reinstate a suspended license; a $200.00 fee is charged to reinstate a revoked license.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 44

2. The DMV may act against a driver with 8 or more points in two years.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “The Division may take administrative action against a driver who acquires 8 or more points within a two year period.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 47

3. At 12 points you must complete a behavior modification course within 90 days, or face a 2 month suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “12 Driver must complete a behavior modification/attitudinaldriving course within 90 days after notification (unless extended by DMV). Failure to comply or upon preference of the driver, mandatory 2-month suspension will be imposed.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 47

4. At 14 points the suspension is a mandatory 4 months.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “14 Mandatory 4-month license suspension. To become eligible for reinstatement, the driver must complete”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 47

5. Driving 25 mph over the limit brings a one month suspension, one more month for each additional 5 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “The driver will be suspended for one month when convicted of driving 25 mph over the posted speed limit. The length of suspension will increase by one month for each additional five mph over the initial 25-mph threshold.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 48

6. Driving 50 mph or more over the limit, or 100 mph on a highway, brings a one year suspension.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “One-year suspension when convicted of driving 50 mph or more over the posted speed limit or driving 100 mph on a highway.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 48

7. Driving during a suspension extends it by a like period, up to one year.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “A conviction for driving during suspension or revocation shall extend the period of suspension or revocation for a like period, up to one year.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 49

8. A driver declared a habitual offender may have their license revoked for up to five years.

   Source: Handbook p. 45

   “After an accumulation of certain types of traffic violation convictions, the driver may be declared a habitual offender and their license may be revoked for up to five years.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 45

9. A first aggressive driving offense brings a $100.00 to $300.00 fine, plus a required course within 90 days.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “Offenders will be fined between $100.00 and $300.00 for the first offense. Additionally, offenders are required to complete a behavioral modification/attitudinal-driving course within 90 days after the conviction for aggressive driving.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 49

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Delaware practice test

1. 1. What does it cost to reinstate a revoked Delaware license compared with a suspended one?

   1. Nothing for either
   2. $50 for both
   3. $500 for both
   4. $200 for a revoked license and $50 for a suspended license
   Show answer

   $200 for a revoked license and $50 for a suspended license. A fee of $50 must be paid to reinstate a suspended license, and a $200 fee is charged to reinstate a revoked license, and you may be required to complete the knowledge, road and eye screening tests before reinstatement. Revocation is the more serious action and follows offenses such as DUI, and the period varies with the offense. Habitual offenders may lose the license for up to five years.

2. 2. What happens to a Delaware suspension when a driver is convicted of driving during it?

   1. Nothing additional
   2. It is reduced by half
   3. It is extended for a like period, up to one year, with no driving authority during the balance
   4. It becomes permanent
   Show answer

   It is extended for a like period, up to one year, with no driving authority during the balance. A conviction for driving during suspension or revocation extends the period of suspension or revocation for a like period, up to one year, and no driving authority is permitted during the balance of the initial period and the extension. Any driving authority previously issued by the Division must be surrendered. Driving while suspended therefore lengthens the time without a license instead of shortening it, and it never makes the suspension permanent or cuts it in half.

3. 3. A Delaware driver reaches 12 calculated points. What does the Problem Driver Program require?

   1. An advisory letter only
   2. A mandatory 12-month suspension
   3. Retaking the road test
   4. Complete a behavior modification course within 90 days after notification
   Show answer

   Complete a behavior modification course within 90 days after notification. At 12 calculated points the driver must complete a behavior modification/attitudinal driving course within 90 days after notification, unless DMV extends it. Failing to comply, or choosing not to take the course, brings a mandatory 2-month suspension. The advisory letter is the 8 point step, and a 12-month suspension is the 22 point step. A road retest is not part of the 12 point action.

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.