Delaware Teen Conditional License

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

A Delaware teen who has held a Class D Learner's Permit for at least 6 months without traffic convictions, completed driver education, and logged 50 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) can apply for the Class D Conditional License at age 16 years 6 months. The Conditional License is the second tier of Delaware's graduated driver licensing system. It allows independent driving with several time and passenger restrictions designed to keep new drivers out of the highest-risk situations.

Eligibility

To apply for a Delaware Conditional License, the teen must:

Be at least 16 years 6 months old on the day of the road test.
Have held a Delaware Learner's Permit for at least 6 months without any traffic convictions.
Have completed a state-approved driver education program.
Have logged 50 hours of supervised driving including 10 hours at night, with the parent/guardian's signature on the Behind-the-Wheel Log.
Pass a vision screening at the Delaware DMV office.
Pass the in-vehicle road test administered by a Delaware DMV examiner.

Conditional License restrictions

The Delaware Conditional License is valid until the teen turns 18, but it carries several restrictions through the first 12 months and beyond:

Nighttime curfew: no driving between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed parent/guardian, on the way to or from work or school, or in a documented emergency.
Passenger limit: no passengers other than immediate family members (siblings, parents, spouses) for the first 6 months. After 6 months, no more than one non-family passenger unless a licensed parent or guardian is in the front seat.
Cell phone ban: no use of a mobile phone or any electronic device while driving, including hands-free, for any driver under 18.
Seatbelts: required for every occupant; the teen driver is responsible for verifying compliance before the vehicle moves.
Zero-tolerance alcohol: any detectable BAC results in a license suspension and triggers the underage DUI rules.

Curfew exceptions

The 10 p.m.-6 a.m. nighttime restriction has narrow statutory exceptions:

Driving directly to or from a job, with documentation from the employer in the vehicle.
Driving directly to or from a school-sanctioned event, with documentation from the school.
A documented medical, fire, or police emergency.
Driving with the parent or guardian (who must be a licensed driver) in the front seat.

Delaware police officers are trained to verify the documentation; teens stopped after curfew without it can be cited and lose driving privileges.

Violations during the conditional period

A traffic conviction during the conditional period extends the conditional period and adds points to the driver record. Multiple convictions can result in suspension of driving privileges. Any DUI conviction, alcohol-related violation, reckless driving, or use of a cell phone while driving carries enhanced penalties for under-18 drivers under 21 Del. C. §2734 and related sections.

Graduating to a full Class D license

A Delaware Conditional License holder can apply for an unrestricted Class D license:

At age 16 years 10 months if the teen has held the Conditional License for at least 4 months without traffic convictions.
At age 17 automatically when the conditional period ends, regardless of traffic record.

The teen visits any Delaware DMV office and surrenders the Conditional License; in exchange they receive the full Class D card. There is no additional road test at this stage if the teen has had no convictions. See Delaware driver's license for the underlying Class D rules.

Insurance during the conditional period

Delaware requires every registered vehicle to carry minimum 25/50/10 liability with $15,000 PIP. The teen must be listed as an operator on the family policy, which typically increases the premium 20-40% during the conditional period and first three years of full licensure. See Delaware car insurance for full requirements and rate factors.