Drivers License/Identification Cards

Senate Bill 59 was passed by the 148th General Assembly in June 2015. The Bill authorizes and allows the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue a Driving Privilege Card (DPC) to undocumented Delaware residents of any nationality. The DPC will NOT be considered a valid form of identification.

The Delaware DPC will be considered a valid driver license that the Delaware DMV issues for driving purposes only within the state of Delaware. The DPC is only available to foreign Delaware residents who are unable to produce legal presence within the United States and meet certain eligibility requirements. The fee for the DPC is and will be valid for a period of 4 years. The Driving Privilege Permit and Card will bear the distinct verbiage "Driving Privilege Only" and "Not Valid for Identification" on its face.

**U.S. Citizens and persons with valid legal presence documents are not eligible for a Driving Privilege Card.**

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To acquire a Delaware DPC there are several steps applicants must take to complete the process.

All eligible applicants must schedule an appointment with the Delaware State Bureau of Identification (SIB) to begin the DPC process. SBI will collect fingerprints and validate identification.

NOTE: Effective September 11, 2023, you will need to schedule an appointment online prior to proceeding to SBI. Please use the below link to schedule your ten-minute appointment.

When prompted enter SERVICE CODE 27S424. CLICK HERE for more information

Applicants must also collect a Certification of Filing Compliance document from the Division of Revenue confirming they have filed Delaware taxes for the previous two years. Applicants should visit the Division of Revenue website at www.revenue.delaware.gov to immediately collect the Certification of Filing Compliance document or call the Division of Revenue's office at 302-577-8200 to schedule an appointment to obtain one. This document will contain the applicants name and date of birth, years taxes were filed, Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) or Social Security Number (SSN), and a document locator code.

Once those steps are finished, applicants must then appear in person at the DMV.

When applicants arrive at DMV to apply for a DPC, they must be prepared and have all required documents, which must be in their original or certified form. Photocopied, altered, or expired documents will not be accepted. Documents in foreign languages must be translated into English by a professional translator and accompany the original foreign language document. DMV will verify, scan and store images of all presented documents. A vision screening and knowledge exam may be conducted during this initial visit. Once applicants have passed the knowledge exam, a permit will be provided, and a road exam will be scheduled for a future date. All applicants must hold their permit for at least 10 days before a road exam is given.

Questions can be answered by calling 1-877-477-7117.

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Delaware Driving Privilege Card (DPC)

Customers applying for a Delaware Driving Privilege Card (DPC) must provide at the time of their appointment:

• SBI Receipt
• Division of Revenue's Certification of Filing Compliance document
• Valid proof of name and date of birth
• Valid proof of any/all name change(s) if applicable
• Two separate valid proofs of Delaware residency

Use the following guidelines of acceptable documents to help you determine the documents needed at your scheduled appointment when applying for a Driving Privilege Card.

*U.S. Citizens and persons with valid legal presence are not eligible to apply for a DPC*

Provide the following document from State Bureau of Identification (SBI):
(Photocopied, Expired, or Altered document will not be accepted)

Receipt from SBI containing:

• Name and date of birth
• SBI Receipt

*Will be verified with SBI at DMV upon application*

Provide ONE of the following valid documents
(Photocopied, Expired, or Altered documents will not accepted)

Foreign Document that is valid, approved by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and electronically verified by DMV:

• Valid, unexpired Foreign Passport
• Valid, unexpired consular identification document issued by your country of citizenship *Alternate approved Document for Mexico*
• Mexican Federal Electoral Card (Instituto Federal Electoral (IFE) Credencial para Votar) *Minors must also have an original and translated copy of their birth certificate in addition to one of the documents listed above*
  

• Valid marriage license / civil union certificate - must be issued by a government entity with a raised seal. Marriage certificates signed by clergy are not accepted.
• Court ordered name change document
• Finalized divorce decree stating your legal name. (A divorce decree may be used as authority to resume previous name only if it contains the new name and the previous name and permits return to the previous name.)

*Documents must be translated into English by a professional translator*

Certification of Filing Compliance document from the Division of Revenue containing:

• Your (and your spouse and/or dependents) name
• Year taxes were filed
• Yours (and/or your dependents) ITIN/SSN
• Division of Revenue Document Locator Code

*Will be verified with Division of Revenue at DMV upon application*

Provide TWO of the following for proof of Delaware residency: (Photocopies, printout of bills, non-business letters/cards will not be accepted)

• Utility Bills
• Credit Card Statement
• Auto or Life Insurance policies
• Bank Account Records
• Employment Records
• Rental Agreements
• U.S. Postal Service change of address confirmation form/postmarked with forwarding address label
• Other non-personal mail postmarked within the last 60 days

*Mail must have been delivered by the USPS and be postmarked or received within the last 60 days. (UPS/FedEx/DHL not accepted). Each of the two proofs of residency must be from separate sources and must display the person's physical address, not a P.O. box*

Accepted Valid Consular Cards (Photocopied, Expired, or Altered documents will not be accepted) *Please note this list is subject to change*

Driving Privilege Card (DPC) FAQ's

Q. What is a Driving Privilege Card (DPC)?

A. The Delaware Driving Privilege Card (DPC) is a valid driver license that the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues for driving purposes only . It is not to be considered a valid form of identification.

Q. Who is eligible to apply for a DPC?

A. The Driving Privilege card is available to foreign Delaware residents who are unable to produce legal presence within the United States and meet certain eligibility requirements.

Q. When does Delaware's DPC go into effect?

Q. Do the DPC documents look different than a Delaware license or Identification Card?

A. Yes. The DPC permit and license will bear the distinct verbiage "Driving Privilege Only" and "Not Valid for Identification" in red on its face. The photo will be surrounded by a red box containing the verbiage "Privilege".

Q. How long is a DPC good for?

Q. What do I need to do to apply for a DPC?

A. There are several steps a DPC applicant must take prior to applying for a DPC. Please refer to the "Checklist" tab on this website for the proper application steps.

Q. Why do I have to provide my fingerprints to SBI to be eligible to apply for a DPC?

A. SBI collects your fingerprints to ensure your identity has not been compromised prior to applying for a DPC.

Q. When will the fingerprint requirements begin?

A. Beginning December 27, 2015, you may contact the Delaware State Bureau of Identification office at 302-739-2528 to schedule an appointment for fingerprint collection.

Q. Where do I go to have my fingerprints taken?

SBI'S Main Office - Kent County (by appointment only)
The office is located at 655 South Bay Road, Suite 1B, Dover, DE 19901, in the Blue Hen Corporate Center. Enter the road between Kent County Levy Court and Firestone, and then follow the fingerprint signs.

• Mondays, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• To schedule an appointment call 302-739-2528

SBI's Northern Office - New Castle County (by appointment only)
The office is located at Delaware State Police Troop 2, on Route 40, in Bear, just west of the Fox Run Shopping Center, between routes 72 and 896.

• Mon, Wed, Thurs, and Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
• Tuesday, 11:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.
• To schedule an appointment call 302-739-2528

SBI's Southern Office - Sussex County (by appointment only)
The office is in the Thurman Adams State Service Center located at 546 S. Bedford Street, Room 202, Georgetown, DE.

Hours of operation are:

• Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
• To schedule an appointment call 302-739-2528
• CASH IS NOT ACCEPTED at this location

Q. Where do I obtain a Certification of Filing Compliance to establish that I have filed two years of Delaware taxes?

A. Visit the Delaware Division of Revenue's website at www.revenue.delaware.gov or call 302-577-8200 to schedule an appointment to obtain one.

Q. Where are the Division of Revenue offices located?

A. Delaware's Division of Revenue offices are located:

New Castle County
Carvel State Office Building
820 North French Street
Wilmington, DE 19801 Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 302-577-8200
Fax: 302-577-8202

Kent County
Thomas Collins Building
540 S. DuPont Highway
Phone: 302-744-1085
Fax: 302-744-1095

Sussex County
20653 DuPont Blvd., Suite 2
Georgetown, DE 19947
Phone: 302-856-5358
Fax: 302-856-5697

Q. How do I contact my countries consulate office in the U.S.?

A. Please visit the U.S. Department of State's website for information pertaining to your countries consulate office.

Q. I am a U.S. Citizen or Delaware resident with legal presence who is unable to provide proof of identity. Can I apply for a DPC?

A. No. DPC is not available to U.S. Citizens and persons who have valid legal presence within the U.S.

Q. Can I use expired identity documents to obtain a DPC?

Q. Will I be tracked, arrested, and/or deported if I apply for a DPC?

A. No. DMV does not report DPC information to USCIS and is not in the business of deportation. DMV is only interested in licensing drivers to ensure road safety.

Q. Am I eligible to apply for a DPC if I am a dependent?

Q. What do I do if I can't find the information I need on the web site?

Q. I previously applied for and received a license under another identity. What are the steps I need to take to obtain a DPC in my proper identity?

A. If you fraudulently obtained a previous Delaware license, you will need to immediately surrender that license to the DMV. Upon surrender of the fraudulent identity license, you will be required to serve a 6 month suspension. Once your suspension period has been served there will be a reinstatement fee to the Driver Improvement Unit. Then you may be eligible to apply for a DPC under your valid identity.

Q. I am unable to read or write. Am I eligible to apply for a DPC?