Delaware Learner's Permit Driving Restrictions: Passengers, Curfew, and Cell Phone Rules

No. You cannot drive alone with a Delaware learner's permit at any time. A licensed supervisor must be in the front.

Can I drive alone with a learner's permit in Delaware?

No. You cannot drive alone with a Delaware learner's permit at any time. A licensed supervisor must be in the front passenger seat whenever you are behind the wheel.

Delaware Learner's Permit Driving Privileges: Roads, Hours, and Conditions

A learner's permit allows you to operate a vehicle on all public roads for practice, including freeways, provided a qualified supervisor is present. You must follow all permit driving rules and limitations. The permit costs $40. See full GDL restrictions at dmv.de.gov.

Supervision and Passenger Restrictions

• Supervisor for Drivers Under 18: Must be a licensed parent, guardian, or approved driver aged 25+ with a Class D license for 5+ years.
• Supervisor for Drivers 18+: Must be a licensed driver aged 21+.
• Front Seat Only: The supervisor must always sit in the front passenger seat.

Passenger restrictions by age:

• Under 18 (First 6 Months): Carry supervisor and no more than one additional passenger. Immediate family members are exempt if the parent/guardian supervises.
• Under 18 (Months 7-12, Unsupervised): Supervisor and 1 additional passenger, except immediate family if parent/guardian supervises. Unsupervised: driver plus 1 passenger only.
• Age 18+: Must have a supervisor aged 21+; no specific additional passenger limit under adult Class D rules.

Can you drive with friends in the car? Yes, but within the strict passenger limits above. A Newark teen lost his permit for 2 months after being caught leaving Christiana Mall with two extra friends in the car during his first year. Download the GDL application form for sponsor sign-off rules.

Time, Place, and Activity Restrictions

Driving at Night and Curfew Rules

• Under 18 (First 6 Months): Drive at night only with your supervisor. Must log 10 hours of night practice.
• Under 18 (Months 7-12): A curfew applies from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Driving during these hours requires a supervisor, except for work, school, or church activities with documentation.
• Age 18+: No night driving restrictions; practice at any hour with your supervisor.

Freeway and Highway Driving

Drive on the freeway with a learner's permit in Delaware immediately, it is legal. Build skill on slower roads like US-13 before attempting I-95 merges.

Driving to School Rules

For the first 6 months, you must have a supervisor to drive to school. After moving to Phase 2, you may drive to school alone between 6:00 AM and 10:00 PM with only one passenger. You cannot drop your supervisor off and continue alone, a Dover teen received a 2-month suspension for doing exactly this.

Cell Phone and Other Restrictions

• Cell Phone Ban: Permit holders cannot use cellular devices while driving. Violation results in a 2-month suspension for the first offense.
• Drive-thrus and parking lots: Moving a car in a driveway or parking lot is considered driving, your supervisor must be present.

Submit your 50-hour log to the Department of Education; get the form via the DMV teen driving page. Three non-negotiable rules for all Delaware permit holders:

• No cell phone use while driving. Only allowed if fully pulled off the road and stopped.
• All occupants must wear a seatbelt at all times while in motion.
• Physical permit must be in your possession every time you drive.

Use the official practice log for your 50-hour certification, illegible or incomplete logs submitted to the Department of Education are commonly rejected, delaying Phase 2 advancement by weeks.

Penalties and Practical Guidance

Violation	Penalty (First Offense)
Driving Without Supervision	2-month license suspension, $50-$200 fine
Passenger Limit Violation	2-month suspension, ~$25-$115 fine
Cell Phone Use	2-month suspension (first offense); 3-month suspension (subsequent offenses)

Suspension time does not count toward your required holding period. Verify your supervisor's license is valid, current, and has the correct address before any DMV road test to avoid immediate rejection and rescheduling.

See Delaware permit driving restrictions and penalty details at shoro.ai. For Delaware learner's permit curfew, passenger, and cell phone restrictions is covered in the Delaware learner's permit guide at shoro.ai.