Delaware, like many states – like most of us – needs to tighten its purse strings. Delaware’s Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced on December 15 that the state needs to cut $55.1 million dollars from its 2009 budget. One small change that Delawareans will see is how vehicle registration renewal reminders will be sent out.
The price of a vehicle registration in Delaware for one year is $40, same as last year. You can renew a current year model car or a one year old car for up to 5 years. A two year old car for up to 4 years; a three year car for up to 3 years; and the registration for any car greater than four years old can be renewed for up to 2 years. The Delaware Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has been mailing residents a reminder of the pending expiration date of their vehicle registrations. But, starting January 1, 2009, as a budget cutting measure, Delaware will discontinue mailing reminders for cars with year models greater than four years. Delaware will move to electronic notification, giving residence the courtesy of a reminder through email or phone.
If your vehicle’s model year is four years or newer and your vehicle weighs less than 10,000 pounds, then no vehicle inspection is required. Because of that, you will receive your vehicle registration information by mail (or via email if your email address is on file), allowing you to pay by mail (or you can go to the local DMV).
Delaware residents can ensure they get the reminder by going to https://citizen.dmv.de.gov/public.ejs?command=PublicNotificationHome to register online for renewal notification. You will need your driver’s license and vehicle registration to get numbers that go on the online registration.
On the form, you will enter your first and last name, driver’s license number, and license plate number and title date, which are on the vehicle registration. You will then enter your email address twice (second time to confirm), and enter a primary and optional secondary phone number. Lastly, you will enter the four characters you see displayed on the screen for spam prevention purposes. After you click the Submit button, you will see a confirmation that includes your vehicle tag number and you are given the option to enter another vehicle if desired. Click Done when you are finished.
You will receive the electronic reminder 90, 60, and 30 days before your vehicle’s registration expiration date. You can pay up to 90 days in advance of the expiration date. To learn more about the Delaware DMV or to find the DMV closest to you, visit https://citizen.dmv.de.gov/.