Suspended license in Delaware: points, other causes, and how to reinstate
In Delaware, the first points threshold is 8 points within 2 years: Advisory letter from the Division of Motor Vehicles. A Defensive Driving Course removes 3 points, The course remains valid for three years from the completion date. The fee to reinstate after a suspension that is not alcohol-related is $50.
A DUI is only one of the ways a license gets suspended. Points from ordinary tickets, an unpaid ticket, a lapse in insurance, unpaid child support or a missed court date each carry their own suspension and their own path back. The rules below are the ones the Delaware Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles states, each quoted from its page or from the statute.
How the points system works
Most states assign points to moving violations and suspend the license when the total inside a set window crosses a threshold. The threshold, the window and how long each violation keeps counting are all set by the state.
The Driver Improvement Problem Driver Program, governed by Division Policy Regulation 2208, assesses points for convictions under the Delaware Point System and progressively imposes sanctions as calculated points accumulate in a 24-month period: an advisory letter at 8 points, a required behavior modification/attitudinal-driving course (or 2-month suspension) at 12, and mandatory suspensions of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months at 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 points.
| Points | Within | Consequence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 points | 2 years | Advisory letter from the Division of Motor Vehicles | dmv.de.gov |
| 12 points | 2 years | Behavior modification/attitudinal-driving course within 90 days of notification, or a mandatory 2-month suspension on failure to comply or at the driver's preference | dmv.de.gov |
| 14 points | 2 years | Mandatory 4-month license suspension; a behavior modification/attitudinal driving course completed within the previous two years is required for reinstatement | dmv.de.gov |
| 16 points | 2 years | Mandatory 6-month license suspension with the same course requirement | dmv.de.gov |
| 18 points | 2 years | Mandatory 8-month license suspension with the same course requirement | dmv.de.gov |
| 20 points | 2 years | Mandatory 10-month license suspension with the same course requirement | dmv.de.gov |
| 22 points | 2 years | Mandatory 12-month license suspension with the same course requirement | dmv.de.gov |
Points period stated by the agency: 2 years. Calculated points count at full value for the first 12 months from the violation date and at half value for the next 12 months; all actions are based on total calculated points within a 24-month period. The defensive driving credit does not change the overall point values used for employment and insurance review.
“8 The Division of Motor Vehicles sends the driver an advisory letter.”
“Calculated points are credited at full point value for the first 12 months from the date of violation. After the initial 12 months have expired, the calculated points will be credited at one-half point value for the next 12 months.”
| Violation | Points |
|---|---|
| Speeding 1 – 9 miles per hour (mph) over posted limit | 2 |
| Speeding 10 – 14 mph over posted limit | 4 |
| Speeding 15 – 19 mph over posted limit | 5 |
| Speeding 20 mph or more over posted limit | 5 |
| Reckless Driving | 6 |
| Disregarding Stop Sign or Red Light | 3 |
Check points or the driving record: dmv.de.gov
The statute: 21 Del. C. § 2733
“§ 2733. Discretionary suspension or revocation of license or driving privileges. (a) The Department may immediately suspend the license and driving privileges or both of any person without hearing and without receiving a record of conviction of such person of”
Traffic school and point reduction
| Course | Defensive Driving Course |
|---|---|
| Effect | Removes or prevents points |
| Points removed | 3 |
| How often | The course remains valid for three years from the completion date. |
Completing an approved Defensive Driving Course gives a three-point credit that the Division may use when calculating driver penalties. The credit applies only to future violations in certain circumstances, does not remove or reduce existing points, and does not lower the overall point values used for employment and insurance review. The course also qualifies for a 10 percent discount on a portion of auto insurance for three years (15 percent for a timely refresher). A separate behavior modification/attitudinal-driving course is required at 12 points and for reinstatement after a points suspension.
“The three-point credit is only applied to future violations, in certain circumstances, and does not remove or reduce existing DMV points. The course remains valid for three years from the completion date.”
Other reasons a license is suspended, and what ends each one
These are the causes the licensing agency itself lists on its suspension pages, with what it requires to lift each one. Court-imposed suspensions and DUI suspensions are covered on the state's DUI pages.
| Cause | What the agency states | To reinstate | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excessive Points or Serious Speeding Violations | Suspension is mandatory under the Problem Driver Program at 14 or more calculated points (4 to 12 months), and a course or 2-month suspension applies at 12 points. | Complete a behavior modification/attitudinal driving course within the previous two years and pay the reinstatement fee for a suspended license. | $50 |
| Serious speeding (25 mph or more over the limit) | A conviction for 25 mph over the posted limit brings a one-month suspension, increasing one month for each additional 5 mph; at 25-29 mph over the driver may elect the behavior modification course instead, and 30 mph or more over makes the suspension mandatory. Driving 50 mph or more over, or 100 mph on a highway, brings a one-year suspension. | Serve the suspension (or complete the course where permitted) and pay the reinstatement fee; the one-year suspension requires the behavior modification course within the previous two years. | $50 |
| Failing to answer a court summons in any state | The Division suspends the license of a Delaware resident who fails to answer a court summons in any state. | Resolve the summons with the court and pay the reinstatement fee. | $50 |
| Driving an uninsured motor vehicle | Driving an uninsured motor vehicle is listed among the licensing violations for which the Division suspends a license. | Pay the reinstatement fee for a suspended license. | $50 |
| Failure to pay Child Support | A person who owes $1,000 or more in arrears or retroactive support and is 30 or more days delinquent on a Family Court or Division of Child Support Enforcement order may be suspended under 13 Del. C. § 516. | Obtain a release from the requesting agency, delivered to the Division of Motor Vehicles, and pay the reinstatement fee. | $50 |
| Incompetent to drive for serious medical or mental conditions | The Division suspends the license of a resident it has reason to believe is incompetent to drive because of serious medical or mental conditions; the Medical department handles these cases. | — | — |
| Fictitious, suspended, revoked or borrowed driver's license | Use of a fictitious, suspended, revoked or borrowed license, loaning a license, giving a false name or address on an application, or altering a license are listed licensing violations that lead to suspension. | — | $50 |
Source quotes for each cause
Excessive Points or Serious Speeding Violations
“Has committed any offense for which a license suspension is mandatory Excessive Points or Serious Speeding Violations.”
Serious speeding (25 mph or more over the limit)
“The driver will be suspended for one month when convicted of driving 25 MPH over the posted speed limit.”
Failing to answer a court summons in any state
“Failing to answer a court summons in any state”
Driving an uninsured motor vehicle
“Driving an uninsured motor vehicle”
Failure to pay Child Support
“The suspension will remain in effect until a release is obtained from the requesting agency and received by the Division of Motor Vehicles.”
Incompetent to drive for serious medical or mental conditions
“Is incompetent to drive a motor vehicle for serious medical or mental conditions.”
Fictitious, suspended, revoked or borrowed driver's license
“Use of fictitious, suspended, revoked or borrowed driver's license”
Reinstating after a non-DUI suspension
Reinstatement fee: $50. $50 to reinstate a suspended license and $200 to reinstate a revoked license; the Division may also require the written, road and eye-screen tests before reinstatement.
“A fee of $50.00 must be paid to reinstate a suspended license ; A $200.00 fee is charged to reinstate a revoked license.”
Serve the suspension period
The period of suspension varies with the offense; a conviction for driving during suspension extends it for a like period up to one year.
“The period of the suspension or revocation varies with the type of offense(s) committed.”
Complete the behavior modification/attitudinal driving course (points suspensions)
For a suspension at 14 or more points, the course must have been completed within the previous two years as of reinstatement.
“To become eligible for reinstatement, the driver must complete or have completed a behavior modification/attitudinal driving course within the previous two years, as of the time of reinstatement.”
Obtain any required release
A child-support suspension stays in effect until the requesting agency's release is received by the Division.
“The suspension will remain in effect until a release is obtained from the requesting agency and received by the Division of Motor Vehicles.”
Pay the reinstatement fee
The suspension reinstatement fee can be paid over the phone at 302.744.2509; the revocation line is 302.744.2508.
“For questions regarding license suspension or to pay your reinstatement fee over the phone you may call 302.744.2509.”
Complete any required tests
The Division may require all driver license written, road and eye-screen tests before reinstating a license.
“You may be required to complete all driver license written, road, and eye-screen tests before reinstating your license.”
Official page: dmv.de.gov
After a DUI the steps are different: how to get a license back after a DUI in Delaware.
Driving during a non-DUI suspension
Available in some cases · Occupational/Conditional License. An occupational or conditional license may be applied for under Title 2 Admin Code regulations 2208, 2210, 2211 and 2212 when there are no other holds on the license and the required waiting period without driving has been met; the violation determines any additional requirements and where the driver may drive.
“An occupational or conditional license can be applied for within accordance of Title 2 Admin Code 2208, 2210, 2211, and 2212. There shall be no other holds on the license and have met the required waiting period without driving before application can be submitted.”
For the privilege after a DUI, see driving after a DUI in Delaware.
Questions about a suspended license in Delaware
- How many points suspend a Delaware license?
- Under the DMV's Driver Improvement Problem Driver Program, 12 calculated points require a behavior modification course (or a 2-month suspension), and 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 points bring mandatory suspensions of 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months. Points count at full value for 12 months and half value for the next 12.
- Does a defensive driving course remove points in Delaware?
- No. The DMV states an approved Defensive Driving Course gives a three-point credit applied only to future violations in certain circumstances; it does not remove or reduce existing points and is valid for three years. The course also yields a 10 percent insurance discount for three years.
- What does reinstatement cost after a Delaware suspension?
- The Division of Motor Vehicles charges $50 to reinstate a suspended license and $200 to reinstate a revoked license, and may require the written, road and eye-screen tests before reinstatement.
- Can I get a work license during a Delaware points suspension?
- The DMV's suspension page states an occupational or conditional license can be applied for under Title 2 Admin Code 2208, 2210, 2211 and 2212 when there are no other holds and the required waiting period without driving has been met; the violation determines the restrictions.
Sources
- Delaware DMV – Driver Improvement: License Suspensions (causes, child support, occupational/conditional license)
- Delaware DMV – Information Regarding Violations (point system, calculated points, program actions, DDC credit, serious speeding)
- Delaware DMV – Defensive Driving Courses
- Delaware DMV – License Revocations (reinstatement fees $50/$200)
- Delaware DMV – Requesting a Copy of Your Driving Record
- 21 Del. C. ch. 27, subch. II Suspension or Revocation (incl. § 2733) – Delaware Code Online
Cite this page
Every state page quotes the statute or agency page each value comes from; when citing this page, include the verification date shown above.
WheelsBack. "Delaware license suspension, points and reinstatement rules." Verified against primary sources August 29, 2026; sources re-checked September 4, 2026. https://wheelsback.com/delaware/suspended-license/