Driver training rules in Delaware

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Delaware for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Required under 18: DOE-approved course of 30 hours classroom, 7 hours behind-the-wheel and 7 hours in-car observation.source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	50 hours, 10 at night, certified by sponsor during first 6 months (supervised at all times); 12-month GDL program before Class D.source 2
New adult drivers	None stated. GDL is optional at 18+; adults take eye, knowledge and road skills exams at DMV (2024 manual).source 3
Who licenses driving schools	Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles licenses commercial driver training schools and instructors (21 Del. C. ch. 83; 2 Del. Admin. C. 2218).source 4 · source 1
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	DMV lists federal ELDT (theory and BTW from a registered provider) before the skills test; no added state hours listed.source 5
CDL schools: state license	Yes. Any driving school charging tuition is a 'commercial driver training school' and needs a DMV license (21 Del. C. ch. 83; 2 Del. Admin. C. 2218).source 6 · source 4
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	Rule 2218 sets 10 classroom + 6 behind-the-wheel hours for any licensed drivers' school; not truck-specific (official archive copy, undated).source 7
CDL schools: instructor rules	Yes. Instructors need a DMV instructor license (21 Del. C. 8304); truck-school instructors must show USDOT certification and tractor-trailer experience or training.source 6 · source 7
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Exempt if the employer trains only its own employees without charge (21 Del. C. 8307).source 6
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No. Rule 2218 hours apply to licensed schools; a free employees-only program is exempt from ch. 83.source 6
Carriers: instructor rules	No. Instructor licensing is under ch. 83, which does not apply to free employees-only programs. Federal 380.605 applies.source 6
New school bus drivers	New drivers attend the DDOE 12-hour basic school bus driver class and complete DDOE online Theory instruction, then federal ELDT behind-the-wheel with a certified trainer and at least 2 hours driving a bus with pupils after the S endorsement (14 DE Admin. Code 1150; DDOE new driver steps).source 8 · source 9
School bus refresher	At least 4 hours annual district/charter in-service each fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).source 10

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Delaware, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Delaware

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://education.delaware.gov/families/k12/driver-education-families/
2. https://dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/drivers_license/index.shtml?dc=dr_lic_grad_dl
3. https://dmv.de.gov/forms/driver_serv_forms/pdfs/J102083_DMV_Manual_2024_06_Web.pdf
4. https://dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/driving_courses/index.shtml?dc=dr_crs_CDL
5. https://dmv.de.gov/DriverServices/drivers_license/CDL/index.shtml?dc=eldt
6. https://www.delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c083/index.html
7. https://archive.regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title2/2000/2200/Driver/2218.shtml
8. https://regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title14/1100/1150.shtml
9. https://education.delaware.gov/educators/school-operations/school-transportation/bus-contractors-drivers/
10. https://archive.regulations.delaware.gov/AdminCode/title14/1100/1150.shtml

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