Delaware Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator 2026

Use our Delaware Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator to estimate your exact costs. Updated 2026 rates for all vehicle types.

How Much is Registration in Delaware? – Detailed Fee Tables

Base Registration Fees by Vehicle Type (Per Year)

Vehicle Type	Weight Range	Annual Base Fee	Notes
Passenger Car/SUV	Up to 5,000 lbs	$40.00	Most common vehicles
Passenger Car/SUV	5,001 – 6,000 lbs	$58.00	Add $18 per 1,000 lbs
Passenger Car/SUV	6,001 – 7,000 lbs	$76.00	Add $18 per 1,000 lbs
Truck/Commercial	Up to 5,000 lbs	$40.00	Base commercial rate
Truck/Commercial	5,001 – 10,000 lbs	$40 + $18/1,000 lbs	Weight-based calculation
Motorcycle	All weights	$15.00	Flat annual fee
Trailer	0 – 1,000 lbs	$15.00	Lightweight trailers
Trailer	1,001 – 2,000 lbs	$20.00	Medium trailers
Trailer	2,001 – 5,000 lbs	$40.00	Standard trailers
Trailer	Over 5,000 lbs	$40 + $18/1,000 lbs	Heavy trailers

Alternative Fuel Vehicle Surcharges (Annual – Effective Oct 2025)

Fuel Type	Weight Class	Annual Surcharge	Total w/ Base Fee
Electric (EV)	Under 6,000 lbs	$110	$150
Electric (EV)	6,001 – 10,000 lbs	$150	$190+
Electric (EV)	10,001 – 26,000 lbs	$260	$300+
Electric (EV)	Over 26,000 lbs	$900	$940+
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)	Under 6,000 lbs	$85	$125
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)	6,001 – 10,000 lbs	$115	$155+
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)	10,001 – 26,000 lbs	$200	$240+
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)	Over 26,000 lbs	$600	$640+
Hybrid	Under 6,000 lbs	$60	$100
Hybrid	6,001 – 10,000 lbs	$80	$120+
Hybrid	10,001 – 26,000 lbs	$140	$180+
Hybrid	Over 26,000 lbs	$480	$520+
Gas/Diesel	All weights	$0	Base fee only

Note: These surcharges were implemented through House Bill 164 to offset declining fuel tax revenues as alternative fuel vehicles don’t contribute to gas tax funding for road maintenance.

Document Fee (Title Fee) – 5.25% of Vehicle Value

Vehicle Value	Document Fee (5.25%)	Minimum Fee
$10,000	$525.00	–
$15,000	$787.50	–
$20,000	$1,050.00	–
$25,000	$1,312.50	–
$30,000	$1,575.00	–
$35,000	$1,837.50	–
$40,000	$2,100.00	–
$50,000	$2,625.00	–
Under $153	–	$8.00

Calculation: Document Fee = (Purchase Price – Trade-In Value) × 0.0525

Example: $35,000 vehicle with $5,000 trade-in = ($35,000 – $5,000) × 0.0525 = $1,575

This fee increased from 4.25% to 5.25% on October 1, 2025.

Additional Transaction Fees

Fee Type	Amount	When Applied
Title Fee (No Lien)	$35.00	New vehicle, no financing
Title Fee (With Lien)	$55.00	Financed/leased vehicle
Temporary Tag	$20.00	New purchase, 5-day validity
Plate Transfer Fee	$20.00	Transferring existing plates
Duplicate Registration	$10.00	Lost/damaged registration card
Duplicate Decal	$5.00	Lost/damaged registration sticker
Duplicate Plate (with decal)	$10.00	Lost/stolen license plate
Vanity Plate	$40.00	Custom plate (annual)
Late Renewal Fee	$20.00	Registration expired >30 days

Multi-Year Registration Cost Examples

Registration Period	Base Vehicle ($40/yr)	EV under 6k lbs	Hybrid under 6k lbs	PHEV under 6k lbs
1 Year	$40	$150	$100	$125
2 Years	$80	$300	$200	$250
3 Years	$120	$450	$300	$375
4 Years	$160	$600	$400	$500
5 Years	$200	$750	$500	$625

Note: Delaware allows registration for up to 5 years in advance, which can save trips to DMV but requires full payment upfront.

Complete Cost Examples – New Vehicle Purchase

Vehicle Details	Registration (1yr)	Surcharge	Doc Fee (5.25%)	Title	Temp Tag	Total
Gas Car – $25,000, 3,500 lbs	$40	$0	$1,312.50	$35	$20	$1,407.50
Gas SUV – $40,000, 5,500 lbs	$58	$0	$2,100.00	$35	$20	$2,213.00
Tesla Model 3 – $35,000, 4,000 lbs	$40	$110	$1,837.50	$35	$20	$2,042.50
Hybrid SUV – $45,000, 4,800 lbs	$40	$60	$2,362.50	$35	$20	$2,517.50
PHEV – $50,000, 5,200 lbs	$58	$85	$2,625.00	$35	$20	$2,823.00
Heavy EV Truck – $70,000, 8,000 lbs	$94	$150	$3,675.00	$35	$20	$3,974.00

With Trade-In Example: $35,000 EV with $10,000 trade-in = ($35,000 – $10,000) × 0.0525 = $1,312.50 doc fee (saves $525)

Renewal Costs (Annual)

Vehicle Type	Registration	Surcharge	Annual Total
Gas Car (under 5k lbs)	$40	$0	$40
Gas SUV (6k lbs)	$58	$0	$58
Hybrid (under 6k lbs)	$40	$60	$100
PHEV (under 6k lbs)	$40	$85	$125
EV (under 6k lbs)	$40	$110	$150
EV (7k lbs)	$76	$150	$226
Motorcycle	$15	$0	$15
Trailer (3k lbs)	$40	$0	$40

Note: Renewals don’t include document fee or title fee – only registration and applicable surcharges.

Can I register a car in Delaware if I live out of state?

Yes, but with specific conditions. Delaware allows non-domicile vehicle registration for out-of-state residents who:

1. Garage the vehicle in Delaware – You must provide proof the vehicle is principally kept at a Delaware address
2. Maintain residency elsewhere – You need to show registration and insurance for another vehicle in your home state
3. Have a valid out-of-state driver’s license – From your state of residency
4. Provide dual documentation:
   • Copy of registration and insurance from your home state vehicle
   • Copy of driver’s license from resident state
   • Delaware insurance for the vehicle being registered
   • Two proofs of Delaware garaging address (postmarked within 60 days)
5. Pass Delaware inspection – The vehicle must pass both safety and emissions tests
6. Pay all applicable fees – Including registration, document fee, and title fees
7. Sign an affidavit – Complete Form MV680 (Non-Domiciliary Resident affidavit)

Common Use Cases:

• Seasonal residents with winter/summer homes in Delaware
• College students attending Delaware universities
• Military personnel stationed in Delaware
• Business owners with vehicles used primarily in Delaware

Important: This is legal Delaware registration for out-of-state residents with legitimate Delaware vehicle usage. This is NOT for avoiding taxes/fees in your home state – Delaware DMV verifies you maintain legal residency elsewhere.

Cost: You’ll pay the same fees as Delaware residents (registration + document fee + title + surcharges).

What is required to register a vehicle in Delaware?

Complete Requirements for Delaware Vehicle Registration:

Required Documents:

1. Proof of Ownership:
   • Certificate of Origin (new vehicles) OR
   • Out-of-state title signed over to you OR
   • Delaware title (if already titled in DE)
   • Bill of sale (if purchased from dealer)
2. Identity & Residency Proof:
   • Valid Delaware driver’s license OR
   • Two proofs of Delaware residency (utility bills, lease, mortgage statement)
3. Insurance Documentation:
   • Valid Delaware liability insurance certificate
   • Minimum coverage requirements:
     • $25,000 bodily injury per person
     • $50,000 bodily injury per accident
     • $10,000 property damage
4. Inspection Certificates:
   • Safety inspection (passed within last 60 days)
   • Emissions test (for applicable vehicles 7+ years old)
   • VIN verification (for out-of-state vehicles 7 years or newer)
5. Application Forms:
   • Form MV-212 – Certificate of Title Application
   • Odometer Disclosure Statement (if under 10 years old)
   • Lien holder information (if financed)

Physical Requirements:

Vehicle must pass inspection at Delaware DMV inspection lane
VIN verification for out-of-state purchases
Existing plates surrendered (if transferring from another state)

Financial Requirements:

You must pay:

• Registration fee ($40/year base + weight surcharges)
• Document fee (5.25% of vehicle value or trade-adjusted price)
• Title fee ($35 without lien, $55 with lien)
• Temporary tag fee ($20 if needed)
• Alternative fuel surcharge (if applicable)

Special Situations:

New Delaware Residents:

• Must register within 60 days of establishing residency
• Need Delaware driver’s license first
• Must surrender out-of-state plates
• Pay document fee on NADA value or purchase price (whichever is higher)

Out-of-State Purchase:

• Get temporary 5-day tag ($20) if current registration expired
• Must pass Delaware inspection before registration
• Present vehicle at DMV inspection lane
• Dealer may handle paperwork (verify with dealer)

Private Party Purchase:

• Must register within 30 days of purchase
• Seller must sign over title
• Both parties complete odometer disclosure
• Buyer responsible for all fees

Financed Vehicles:

• Lender information required on title application
• Higher title fee ($55 vs $35)
• Lien recorded on Delaware title

Leased Vehicles:

• Leasing company must be listed as owner
• May have dealer assistance
• Same registration requirements apply

Timeline:

• New residents: 60 days to register
• Private purchases: 30 days to register
• Inspection validity: 60 days before registration
• Temporary tags: 5 days (out-of-state) or 30 days (dealer-issued)

Where to Register:

• Any Delaware DMV office (Dover, Georgetown, Wilmington, New Castle)
• Online renewal available for existing registrations
• Mail-in renewal available (check DMV website)

FAQs

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