Delaware DMV · Permit Test Prep
Delaware DMV Practice Test 2026
Updated for 2026 · Sourced from the official Delaware handbook
The Delaware DMV knowledge test is a 32-question multiple-choice exam drawn from the official Delaware Driver Manual, covering traffic signs, rules of the road, and safe-driving practices. You need 80% (26 of 32) to pass, and Delaware does not publish an official time limit for the test. Most teen drivers reach the exam through Delaware's Graduated Driver License (GDL) program, which adds supervised-driving hours, a night curfew, and passenger limits that trip up a lot of first-timers. Work through the real, manual-sourced practice questions below, then download DMV Ace for 1,000+ more Delaware-specific questions, progress tracking, and a full explanation on every answer.
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Topics covered on the Delaware DMV written test
The 32 questions on the real Delaware test are drawn from these chapters of the official Delaware Driver Handbook.
Traffic Signs and Signals
Regulatory, warning, and guide signs; traffic lights, flashing signals, and right-turn-on-red rules.
Pavement Markings and Rules of the Road
Solid and broken center lines, lane markings, turning, signaling, and keeping to the right.
Speed Limits and Following Distance
Default residential limits, interstate maximums, and safe following distance in Delaware.
Right-of-Way and Intersections
Four-way stops, uncontrolled intersections, U-turn rules, and yielding at junctions.
Sharing the Road
School buses, pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcycles, and large trucks.
Adverse Conditions and Visibility
Driving in fog, rain, and darkness, using headlights correctly, and handling skids.
Alcohol, Drugs, and Distracted Driving
BAC limits, Delaware's zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21, and the handheld phone ban.
Parking, Crashes, and Emergencies
Parking on hills, no-parking zones, yielding to emergency vehicles, and crash-reporting duties.
Practice Questions
12 free Delaware DMV practice questions
Real Delaware-specific questions sourced from the official Delaware Driver Handbook. Read each one, pick your answer, then check the explanation.
Question 1 · Traffic Signs & Signals
When may a driver legally make a right turn on a red light in Delaware?
- AAfter coming to a complete stop and yielding to all traffic and pedestrians✓ Correct
- BWhenever no traffic is approaching from the left
- COnly when a sign specifically permits it
Why: A right turn on red is permitted after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and all other traffic, unless a sign prohibits the turn.
Source: Delaware Driver Handbook, page 44 · Traffic Signals
Question 2 · DUI Laws
What is the legal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for drivers age 21 and older in Delaware?
- A0.08%✓ Correct
- B0.10%
- C0.05%
Why: It is illegal to drive with a BAC of 0.08% or higher for drivers 21 and over. Delaware's DUI law also provides for lesser charges at lower BAC levels if impairment is observed.
Source: Delaware Driver Handbook, page 80 · Alcohol and Driving
Question 3 · Speed Limits
What is the maximum speed limit for most Delaware interstates?
- A65 mph unless a lower limit is posted✓ Correct
- B70 mph statewide
- C55 mph on all Delaware highways
Why: The maximum speed limit on most Delaware interstates is 65 mph. Lower limits may be posted in urban areas or construction zones, and all posted limits must be obeyed.
Source: Delaware Driver Handbook, page 38 · Speed Limits
Question 4 · Parking Rules
When parking uphill on a street with a curb, how should you position your front wheels?
- ATurn the wheels away from the curb (to the left)✓ Correct
- BTurn the wheels toward the curb (to the right)
- CKeep the wheels straight and rely on the parking brake
Why: When parking uphill with a curb, turn your front wheels to the left (away from the curb). If the vehicle rolls backward, the curb will catch the front tire and stop it from rolling into traffic.
Source: Delaware Driver Handbook, page 66 · Parking on Hills
Question 5 · General Rules
What does a double solid yellow center line on a two-lane road mean?
- APassing is prohibited in both directions✓ Correct
- BPassing is permitted when the way ahead is clear
- COnly vehicles turning left may cross the center line
Why: Double solid yellow center lines mean passing is prohibited from both directions. You may cross them only to make a left turn into a driveway or road when it is safe to do so.
Source: Delaware Driver Handbook, page 32 · Pavement Markings
Question 6 · Lane Changes & Passing
When is it legal to pass another vehicle on the right in Delaware?
- AWhen the vehicle ahead is making or signaling a left turn and a usable lane is open on the right✓ Correct
- BWhenever traffic is moving slowly
- COnly on highways with three or more lanes
Why: Passing on the right is permitted only when the vehicle ahead is making or about to make a left turn, and there is a usable lane on the right. Never leave the paved portion of the road to pass.
Source: Delaware Driver Handbook, page 55 · Passing
Question 7 · Accidents & Emergencies
If you are involved in a crash that results in injury or death, you must immediately notify:
- AYour insurance company only
- BThe nearest police authority✓ Correct
- CThe Delaware DMV within 24 hours
Why: Any crash involving injury or death requires you to immediately notify the nearest law enforcement authority.
Question 8 · Driver Readiness
When may you legally use a cell phone while driving in Delaware?
- AOnly when using a hands-free device✓ Correct
- BOnly at red lights or stop signs
- CNever — all cell phone use while driving is prohibited
Why: Handheld cell phone use while driving is prohibited. Drivers may only use a phone in hands-free mode while operating a vehicle, and GDL permit holders may not use any device at all.
Question 9 · Weather & Visibility
When driving in fog, you should use:
- AHigh beam headlights to see farther ahead
- BLow beam headlights or fog lights to reduce glare✓ Correct
- CHazard lights to warn other drivers of your presence
Why: In fog you should use low beam headlights or fog lights. High beams reflect off the fog and reduce visibility further.
Question 10 · Sharing the Road
What should you do when approaching a stopped school bus from the opposite direction on an undivided two-lane road?
- ASlow down and proceed past it carefully
- BStop — traffic from both directions must stop✓ Correct
- CYield only if children are visible near the road
Why: On an undivided road, traffic approaching from both directions must stop when a school bus displays flashing red lights and an extended stop arm.
Question 11 · Right of Way
At a four-way stop, two vehicles arrive at the same time from perpendicular directions. Who has the right-of-way?
- AThe vehicle traveling at a higher speed
- BThe vehicle on the left yields to the vehicle on the right✓ Correct
- CThe vehicle with more passengers
Why: When two vehicles reach a four-way stop simultaneously, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
Question 12 · Pedestrian Laws
What should you do when approaching a pedestrian in a crosswalk?
- ASpeed up to clear the crosswalk before the pedestrian reaches your lane
- BStop and yield until the pedestrian has completely crossed your lane✓ Correct
- CSlow down and pass cautiously behind the pedestrian
Why: You must stop and yield to pedestrians who are in a crosswalk, and remain stopped until they have completely cleared the lane you are using.
988+ more Delaware practice questions in the app
Download DMV Ace — FreeDelaware-specific rules to know
A few traffic rules that are particular to Delaware and frequently show up on the test.
Graduated Driver License (GDL) supervised-driving log
During the first 6 months on a Level 1 learner's permit, Delaware teens must complete a driving log of 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of which must be at night, certified by their sponsor.
GDL night-driving restriction
For the first 6 months a Level 1 permit holder must be supervised at all times. After that, between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM they may drive only when supervised, with limited exceptions for school, work, and religious activities.
GDL passenger limit
A Level 1 permit holder may carry only the adult supervisor and one other passenger. The restriction does not apply to the permit holder's immediate family when the supervisor is in the car.
Cell phone and wireless device ban
Delaware prohibits handheld phone use while driving; calls must be hands-free. Level 1 permit holders may not use any cellular telephone, text-messaging device, or similar electronic device at all while driving.
Zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21
Anyone under 21 who drives after consuming any alcohol faces license revocation for 2 months on a first offense, and 6 to 12 months for each subsequent offense — Delaware's 'just one drink' zero-tolerance rule.
How to get your Delaware driver's license
The knowledge test is one step in Delaware's licensing process. Here's how the path typically works for a new driver.
Check the age and eligibility requirements
Eligibility in Delaware: 16 for a Level 1 learner's permit (must be under 18 and complete an approved driver education course); 17 for a Class D license. Have your proof of identity, residency, and any required parental consent ready.
Study the official handbook
Read the Official Delaware Driver Manual (dmv.de.gov) and practice with DMV Ace until you're consistently scoring above 80%.
Pass the knowledge test
The Delaware written test has 32 questions, and you need 26 correct (80%) to pass. Permit/licensing fee: $40 Class D license fee (covers the learner's permit that precedes the license).
Build supervised driving experience
Hold your permit for the period Delaware requires and log supervised driving hours with a licensed adult before you schedule the road test.
Pass the road test and get licensed
After you pass the behind-the-wheel road test, Delaware issues your driver's license — often an intermediate/provisional license first for younger drivers.
Steps are a general guide — always confirm the current process with your local Delaware DMV office.
How DMV Ace prepares you for the Delaware test
1,000+ Delaware-specific questions
Every question is sourced from the official Delaware Driver Handbook — same wording style, same topic mix as the real test.
Explanations on every answer
Right or wrong, you see exactly why — with a handbook page citation so you can dig deeper.
Hard Questions module
A curated bank of the trickiest Delaware questions — the ones most testers fail. Master these and you're ready.
Smart progress tracking
See exactly which topics you've mastered and which need work. A pass-readiness score tells you when you're truly ready for the Delaware DMV.
FAQ
Delaware DMV permit test — common questions
How many questions are on the Delaware DMV permit test?
- The Delaware knowledge test has 32 multiple-choice questions for Class D applicants. You must answer at least 26 correctly (80%) to pass. Delaware does not publish an official time limit, but most testers finish well within their appointment.
What's the passing score for the Delaware permit test?
- 80% — meaning you can miss no more than 6 of the 32 questions (you need 26 correct). The threshold is the same for first-time testers and retakes.
What's the minimum age to get a learner's permit in Delaware?
- You can apply for a Level 1 learner's permit at 16 (and you must be under 18) once you have completed an approved Delaware driver education course and have a sponsor sign your application. A Class D license is available at 17 after holding the permit for 12 months.
Can I take the Delaware knowledge test online?
- No. The Delaware DMV requires the Class D knowledge test to be taken in person at a DMV lane. The Division of Motor Vehicles publishes a free online sample exam to practice with, but the official scored test is administered at a DMV office.
How many times can I retake the Delaware test if I fail?
- Delaware lets you retake the knowledge test if you do not pass. You typically need to wait and return to a DMV lane for another attempt; check with your local Delaware DMV office for any waiting period and to confirm whether an appointment is required.
How much does a Delaware permit cost?
- Delaware charges a $40 Class D license fee, which covers the learner's permit that precedes the license. You must also pass an eye screening at the time of application.
What are the Delaware GDL driving-log and night rules?
- During the first 6 months on a Level 1 permit you must log 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) and be supervised at all times. After that, you may drive between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM only when supervised, except for documented school, work, or religious activities.
What is Delaware's zero-tolerance law for young drivers?
- Under Delaware's zero-tolerance law, any driver under 21 who operates a vehicle after consuming alcohol faces a license revocation of 2 months for a first offense and 6 to 12 months for each subsequent offense — even one drink can trigger it.
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