Drivers who commit violations should prepare their wallets. With the arrival of October, several changes are coming to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) fees. Some of the changes citizens will see include a 1% increase in the fee for titling a vehicle, from 4.25% to 5.25%. The fee will be added to other measures that seek to raise approximately $107 million annually in additional revenue to fund necessary infrastructure investments in Delaware.
The modifications are part of the implementation of HB 164, passed by the Delaware General Assembly
There are curveballs ahead, and it couldn’t be more appropriate. The most important thing for citizens affected by the changes is to consult official sources to avoid making mistakes that could later prove much more costly. The modifications are part of the implementation of HB 164, passed by the Delaware General Assembly. Among the most significant changes is a $200 fee for the application of special license plates, as well as an additional fee of the same amount that will impact the annual registration of certain alternative-fuel vehicles. Each state has its own DMV, and this state is implementing some important changes starting in October, which it’s best to be aware of so no one is caught off guard. The objective of the legislation is to increase revenue for the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) by updating fees and charges in the vehicle licensing, registration, and documentation system.
The new fee schedule includes a sliding scale based on the type of alternative fuel vehicle (AFV)
As we explained earlier, there are Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) in every state, and their functions have expanded to include services such as driver improvement programs, maintaining driver records, and providing data for research and policymaking. The new fee schedule includes a sliding scale based on the type of alternative fuel vehicle (AFV). Fees are levied to keep these processes running, and in Delaware, they increase with the arrival of fall.
Thus, to give an example, electric motorcycles will pay $15 annually, while some models with four or more wheels will reach up to $900 in registration fees. According to the relevant authorities, the goal is for everyone to win, one way or another. The DMV seeks to ensure that all drivers contribute to funding road maintenance, regardless of the fuel their vehicles use. “If you have a hybrid vehicle, for example, that runs on gasoline as well, that fee becomes $60 a year for the average hybrid vehicle. For electric vehicles, for example, that fee is $100 again for a common electric vehicle that isn’t one of the larger, heavier vehicles,” said C.R. McLeo, director of community relations for the Delaware Division of Transportation.
In the long run, these fees will benefit the quality of roads
As we’ve been explaining, this price increase may seem like a major setback at first, but as experts explain, citizens will see their efforts rewarded. Along with the reduction in benefits for electric vehicles in other states, some of these DMV fee increases could discourage the adoption of sustainable vehicles, but the money will primarily go toward road maintenance and other improvements, which in turn will benefit drivers. This is how they explain the increase and the win-win situation they see from the authorities. These fees may not be good news for citizens, but in the long run they will benefit the quality of roads, which means an improvement in the quality of life for citizens.
As explained by the state, the proceeds will be transferred to the state Transportation Trust Fund, which is intended for the maintenance and expansion of transportation infrastructure in Delaware. Maintaining roads, maintaining pavement conditions, and supporting reintegration programs are the main priorities seen by those in charge of transportation in Delaware. In any case, to see all the details of the new rates, go to the official website of the State of Delaware.
