License Plates of Delaware

State founded, 1776; population, 989,948; capital, Dover

Delaware issued enamel plates from 1909 to 1915; steel plates were utilized from 1916 to 1941. From 1942 to 1946 Delaware again issued enamel plates, this time with metal yearly expiry tabs. These 1941 bases are still valid (even if the vast majority seen on the road today consists of replicas of recent manufacture).

From 1948 to 1951, plates had stainless steel numbers riveted on a stainless-steel base; plates issued between 1952 and 1958 had reflective Scotchlite® numbers riveted on a stainless-steel base.

In 1959 the current gold-on-blue format was adopted, with metal expiry tags in use until 1962. In 1962 the slogan The First State (Delaware was the first state to sign the US Constitution in 1787) was added, the use of paper expiry stickers began in 1963, and from 1970 the plates have been produced by a silk-screening process (ie, no embossed or riveted numerals). Currently-issued plates now feature a beveled edge.

In 2009, and for that year only, Delaware issued an optional Centennial Plate to commemorate the first state-issued plate in 1909. The plates, available for an additional fee of US$100, feature raised gold lettering on a black background. The plates are valid indefinitely, and are re-validated using unique gold-on-black paper stickers.

Commercial plates in Delaware have traditionally used a C prefix; since about 1980 the prefix C/L has also been used.

In the early 1950’s the prefix P/C was introduced for use with station wagons, hatch-backs, etc. Additional two-letter prefixes in use include CT (construction trailer), FT (farm truck), RF (Armed Forces Reserves), RT (recreational trailer), and RV (recreational vehicle). At this time the prefixes C, C/L, P/C, FT and RV can be used with any vehicle type.

Delaware recycles and reissues its number combinations continuously. Thus, a combination such as 44866 has been issued in multiple plate formats to multiple vehicles since it was first issued in the 1930’s.

Delaware data (2014):

Total vehicles registered: 873,000

Passenger car and PC plates: 615,000

Other plates (C, C/L, FT, T, RV, LX, etc): 238,000

Personalized (“vanity”) plates: 19,600

Low-Number License Plates of Delaware

All Delaware license plates (except 1 (Governor), 2 (Lieutenant Governor) and 3 (Secretary of State)) from 4 to 999999 can be retained over many decades and can be moved to multiple vehicles. They can also be sold, usually through a private broker, to a different owner and thus moved to another owner’s vehicle. There is a burgeoning market in Delaware for transferable one-, two-, three- and four-digit tags. Sale prices can be astounding. License plate 9 was acquired by Frank Fusco’s grandfather in 1993 for US$185,000. In 2008 Anthony Fusco bought plate 6 for US$675,000. Plate 14 was purchased at auction in February, 2016 by Ray and Donna White for US$325,000. On August 19th, 2018 plate 20 was sold at auction In Rehoboth Beach, Delaware to a resident of Milford, Delaware for US$410,000. At the same auction C2521 fetched US$3,400.

Low-Number PC (Passenger/Commercial) Plates of Delaware

Introduced in the early 1950’s, and with the increasing ubiquity of expensive SUV’s, low-number PC plates have increased in popularity and price.

Low-Number FT (Farm Truck) Plates of Delaware

These plates are a relatively rare sight on Delaware roads.

Low-Number RV (Recreation Vehicle) Plates of Delaware

Originally intended for recreation vehicles and motor homes, these plates can now be used with any vehicle.

Low-Number C (Commercial) Plates of Delaware

These are seen on pick-up trucks, etc and, increasingly, on private cars. However, low-number C plates are relatively rare on Delaware roads.

Low-Number D (Dealer) Plates of Delaware

Personalized License Plates of Delaware

Personalized license plates have from one to seven characters, and are always seen on gold-on-blue bases or on gold-on-black Centennial bases (only issued in 2009). The yearly cost of a personalized license plate is US$40, which is in addition to the yearly license plate renewal fee of US$40. License plates can be renewed for either one or two years. The examples of personalized license plates displayed are solely those that represent a first name or a single or repeated letter.