The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) told us that you can buy and own a car at age 16 however when you are less than 18 years of age, your application for a certificate of title must be signed by your father, mother, guardian, or court-appointed custodian granting consent to the application. You should contact the DE DMV and/or a dealership to see if there is also extra paperwork, where a parent or guardian must sign with you, for buying a car.

According to the DE DMV, the first step in obtaining a Delaware vehicle title/registration is to establish your (the owner(s)) financial responsibility. This is done by purchasing a liability insurance policy from a company licensed by the Delaware Insurance Commissioner to operate in Delaware. The minimum coverage is:

• $15,000 for bodily injury or death of one person in any one accident.
• $30,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more persons in any one accident.
• $10,000 for injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident.

The Delaware DMV requires verification that the car to be registered is properly insured and to get car insurance most insurance companies require you to have a parent or guardian to sign on the insurance policy with you if you are a minor. So as a 16 year old you may be able to buy and title a car and get insurance to register it with the DE DMV however you will need to do so with consent from a parent or guardian to sign with you on legal documents and contracts such as the insurance policy and title application.

The second step in obtaining a Delaware vehicle title/registration is to have your motor vehicle inspected at one of the offices of the Division of Motor Vehicles. Certificate of Title and proof of insurance must be presented at the time of the inspection.

The third step in obtaining a vehicle registration is to make application for a Delaware title and registration.

The DE DMV also wanted us to remind you that the registration certificate and proof of liability insurance must accompany the motor vehicle whenever it is operated. The license plate (tag) must be affixed to the rear of the vehicle in the designated position and must bear the sticker showing year and month of expiration on the lower right corner of the plate.

When you own and register a car in Delaware your registration expires at midnight on the day of the month indicated on the sticker. There is no grace period.

For more information on how to register and title a car, and to see if there are any special documents needed to purchase a vehicle as a teen that is under the age of 18, contact the DE Division of Motor Vehicles directly. To get information on young drivers car insurance needs, click here.