Delaware General Assembly


CHAPTER 329

FORMERLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 533

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 27, TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF DRIVER'S LICENSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE (three- fifths of all members elected to each House thereof concurring therein):

Section 1. Amend §2715, Chapter 27, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by striking said Section in its entirety and in lieu thereof Insert a new §2715 to read as follows:

§2715. issuance of license every 5 years; Fee. Photograph

(a) Upon receipt of the application and a fee of $12.50 and after such examination as provided in this Chapter. the Secretary may issue, at his discretion, a motor vehicle driver's license which shall expire and be renewable on the fifth anniversary date of the birth of the applicant next following the date of its Issuance unless the birth date is February 29, in which event the license shall expire and be renewable on February 28 every fifth year.

(b) On or near the date of expiration of a motor vehicle driver's license, each licensee shall appear at one of the Department's offices and be photographed by the Department of Public Safety. Upon approval by the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, in his discretion, the requirement for this appearance may be waived if circumstances prevent the licensee from appearing on or near the time of renewal.

(c) A late fee of $1.00 shall be assessed in addition to the renewal fee for every person whose driver's license has expired.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (a), (b) and (c) of this Section, the Secretary may Issue licenses for either 4 years or 5 years during the first 4 years after this law is enacted so the number of renewals can be more evenly distributed over a 5-year period. If a license is issued for a 4-year period, the fee shall be $10.00."

Section 2. Amend §27l6, Chapter 27, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by striking said Section in its entirety and in lieu thereof insert a new §2716 to read u follows:

"§27l6. Permanent license Fees; Expiration

(a) Upon receipt of the application and a fee of $35, and upon proof that such applicant has been licensed by the Department for a period of 3 consecutive years and that such applicant Is qualified under the provisions of this Chapter, the Secretary may Issue, at his discretion, a permanent driver's license which shall not become ineffective until or tulles' otherwise revoked, cancelled or suspended as provided by law or until such license expires.

(b) Each holder of a permanent driver's license shall pay an additional fee of $1 every 5 years to the Department in payment of the cost of a photograph which will be taken by the Department. Nonpayment of this fee by the date Indicated shall automatically render the license expired.

(c) A late fee of $1 shall be assessed in addition to the renewal fee for every person whose driver's license has expired.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this Section. the Department may issue permanent licenses for either 4 or 5 years during the first 4 years after this law is enacted so the number of renewals can be more evenly distributed.

Section 3. mu Act shall become effective on January 1st following the date of its enactment into law.

Approved June 27. 1986.