(Del.) - Starting Monday, Delaware license renewals will be extended to 8 years.
A legislative update to Delaware Code Title 21 §2715(e) that became law on January 1, 2012 - directing the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to begin issuing 8-year driver license renewals to all drivers - becomes fully effective next week on Monday, December 12. The renewal cost of a license remains unchanged at $5 per year, which equates to a $40 fee for the 8-year period.
The transition to an 8-year plan began in 2012 as an effort to decrease the frequency customers would need to renew. In order to effectively transition to the 8-year license and evenly distribute customer volume, it was necessary for the DMV to renew some driver licenses for less than 8 years. In recent years the DMV had a revolving option of a 5, 6, 7, or 8 year expiration date when a customer needed a license renewal. The length of years was determined by a computer randomization program. The transition period is now complete allowing for the permanent 8-year cycle to be applied to eligible license holders.
Current licensed drivers in the state will be issued the new standard 8-year license at their next renewal, regardless of how many years they were given at their previous renewal. Exceptions to the 8-year renewal include temporary foreign nationals, hazardous material holders, and Driving Privilege Cards.
DMV Director Scott Vien explained the change, "The increasing number of licensed drivers in Delaware shows no signs of slowing down. In an effort to maintain First Class Service and continue to reduce wait times and customer volume at DMV Lanes, we made this proactive effort to more evenly distribute our customer volume over eight years. We believe this advance planning will help keep all of our customers pleased with the quick and efficient service they have come to expect when visiting the DMV."
Title 21 §2715(e) reads as follows: "Notwithstanding subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section, the Secretary may issue driver licenses for less than 8 years until December 12, 2016, so the number of renewals can be more evenly distributed over an 8-year period. … the fee shall be calculated at $5.00 per year."