License Plate Roundup: Delaware

Welcome back to License Plate Roundup—the series where we hit every state, one by one, to see what residents are displaying on their rigs. Every state has a standard-issue design, a solid stack of specialty plates, and usually a few that truly stand out. These plates say a lot more about a place than you might think—what it's proud of, what it's trying to fund, and what it wants you to consider while stuck in traffic on the highway.​

This time around, we're diving into Delaware. It's the second-smallest state in the country, made up of just three counties, and was the very first to ratify the U.S. Constitution—a brag Delaware hasn't let anyone forget since 1787, and one it's had stamped on its plates since 2002.​

Delawareans also take their license plates remarkably seriously. In fact, the state boasts one of the coolest plate cultures in the nation, complete with black-and-white porcelain tags that look right at home on an antique Model A, and ultra-rare low-number registrations that regularly trade hands for the price of a brand-new truck.​

Here is a breakdown of the history, the coolest designs, our personal favorites, and the accessories you need to mount them securely.

Before checking out the plates, let's cover some quick background. This section details how Delaware came to be, what makes it famous, and where that "First State" moniker comes from—all of which shows up directly on the plates.

Delaware's first permanent European settlement dates to March 29, 1638, when Swedish colonists established Fort Christina at what is now Wilmington.​

The path from there to statehood ran through more hands than most states. Control of Fort Christina passed through several hands—first to the Dutch in 1655 and then to the English in 1664. 1776 marked independence—on June 15, the Delaware Assembly voted to break with both Great Britain and Pennsylvania, becoming an independent state. On December 7, 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.​

That last milestone is the big one for license plates. Delaware crossed the finish line first—beating Pennsylvania by five days—and hasn't stopped showing off about it since.

Being first, primarily. But a few other things come close:​

Delaware is the country's corporate capital. Roughly two-thirds of Fortune 500 companies are incorporated in Delaware, drawn by business-friendly laws and the Court of Chancery. This court handles corporate disputes without juries and has built up more than two centuries of case law. A famous stretch of Wilmington office space serves as the registered address for hundreds of thousands of companies.​

Delaware is also one of only five states with no state sales tax, which makes it a destination for shoppers from neighboring states.​

Beyond being the corporate capital, Delaware is also known as the “Chemical Capital” because of its industrial roots. DuPont was founded here in 1802. Teflon, GORE-TEX, and Victrola all trace back to Delaware industry. While the Victrola talking machine wasn’t invented in Delaware, the company’s founder—Eldridge Reeves Johnson—was born in Wilmington. ​

Lastly, Delaware is known for its small scale. It’s the second-smallest state by area, and houses just three counties—New Castle, Kent, and Sussex—the fewest of any state.

Delaware has a few nicknames, but the standout is “The First State.” It was officially adopted on May 23, 2002, honoring Delaware as the first of the original thirteen colonies to ratify the Constitution on December 7, 1787.​

That nickname proudly sits on standard Delaware plates, and it's the big reason the overall design has remained so timeless and consistent. When your entire identity is being first, you don't need to overhaul your design every couple of years.

The standard-issue Delaware plate rocks a simple blue-and-gold look with "The First State" running across the bottom, keeping things about as clean and restrained as state tags get. No cluttered mountain ranges, scenic slogans, or gradient sunsets—just classic colors and a bold flex.​

Where Delaware gets really fun is its specialty plate program. The DMV splits specialty tags into two distinct categories, which is handy to know when shopping around:​

Background plates support specific causes and feature graphics distinct from the standard blue and gold. Anyone can pick one up online, by mail, or at any DMV office, and most can be personalized as vanity plates. You'll pay a one-time fee, which covers a $15 DMV admin fee, with the rest going straight to the sponsoring organization.​

Organizational plates are reserved for active or former members of specific groups—like civic organizations, universities, and military branches. Eligibility rules apply, and because the sponsoring group controls the plate numbers, availability can be pretty limited.​

Quick heads-up if you're trying to launch a fresh design—Delaware requires a one-time $200 setup fee to establish any new specialty plate under Section 2140 of Title 21 of the Delaware Code. Keep that line item in mind if your group is planning one.

Specialty graphics are only part of the fun. Delaware has a few deep-rooted plate traditions you won't find anywhere else in North America.

Delaware lets drivers run authentic black-and-white porcelain or stainless-steel plates—an awesome throwback to the state's early 20th-century tags with gold or white lettering over black. These plates look killer on vintage builds and surprisingly slick on modern trucks, too.​

Keep in mind these aren't just novelty replicas from an online shop. The Delaware Historic Plate Company is the official authorized vendor, though you can also order qualifying numbers directly through the DMV. Anything bought elsewhere is considered illegal and can land you a hefty fine, so make sure you source yours legitimately.

This is the part that always blows out-of-state folks away. Because Delaware has issued sequential registration numbers since the dawn of the automobile, low-number tags have become massive status symbols—privately traded, handed down through generations, and auctioned off for huge money.​

The lower your number, the higher its value. Single- and double-digit tags have actually sold for wild sums that could easily buy a fully loaded custom truck. It's a fun quirk of a small state with deep roots, which is why you'll occasionally spot an everyday driver in Wilmington proudly displaying a two-digit plate like a piece of fine jewelry.

This one is definitely worth spotlighting. Delaware is offering a sharp blue, white, and red semiquincentennial plate celebrating 250 years since 1776—when the colonies declared independence and Delaware broke away.​

You can grab one online or by mail for a one-time $50 fee. With 2026 marking the big 250th anniversary, expect to see plenty of these popping up on the road.

Most background plates allow personalized vanity text, letting you pair a customized message with a cause you care about. Organizational plates are the exception here, as the sponsoring group handles all numbering assignments directly.

We sorted through Delaware's entire background lineup and picked out eight standout plates. Some made the cut for awesome artwork, others for the great causes they support, and a few because they showcase local Delaware pride in a way a generic nature plate never could—take a look at some of RealTruck’s favorites.

One-time fee of $95.​

Delaware has 25 miles of Atlantic coastline and much more shoreline along the Delaware Bay and its inland bays. Hence, a fishing plate here isn't just decorative—it represents a true lifestyle. The program promotes both freshwater and saltwater fishing and funds fisheries research, habitat restoration, and fish stocking.​

It's the most expensive plate on our list at $95, and it's also the one where you can see where the money goes. Stocked ponds and healthy bay habitat are a direct return on the fee. The program runs in two designs—a freshwater version and a saltwater version—so you can fly whichever matches your preferred fishing.​

Why we picked it: Functional philanthropy. If you tow a boat, this is the plate that should be on the truck pulling it.

Initial fee of $50, plus an annual $35 registration fee on top of normal registration.​

This one supports the Greenwings Delaware Ducks Unlimited Fund, which puts on Youth and Conservation Day for Ducks Unlimited's youth members, known as Greenwings.​

It's structured differently from most of the list, featuring a recurring annual fee rather than one-and-done. This means it generates ongoing funding rather than a single contribution. Worth understanding before you order, and worth it if waterfowl conservation is something you care about year to year. This plate has to be purchased in person at a DMV location.​

Why we picked it: Youth conservation programming is how the next generation of hunters and conservationists gets made, and the recurring structure actually funds it.

One-time fee of $50.

Proceeds benefit the Delaware Farmland Preservation Fund, administered by the Delaware Agricultural Lands Preservation Foundation.​

Delaware sits between Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, which means farmland here is under constant development pressure. The fund buys preservation easements to keep farms working. For a state this small, holding onto agricultural land is genuinely difficult.​

Why we picked it: Sussex County agriculture is a real part of Delaware's economy, and this plate funds what keeps it from becoming subdivisions.

One-time fee of $50.​

Benefits the Keep Delaware Beautiful Fund, which supports beautification work and litter reduction statewide.​

It's the least glamorous cause on the list and one of the most practical. Roadside litter is a problem every state has and few states fund adequately.​

Why we picked it: if you drive Delaware's roads, you benefit directly. Hard to argue with that math.

Initial fee of $50, plus a $25 annual renewal on top of registration renewal.​

Proceeds go to the Delaware Ornithological Society Fund.​

This is the most Delaware-specific plate on the list. Delaware Bay is one of the most important shorebird stopovers in the Western Hemisphere—red knots and other species time their migration to arrive exactly when horseshoe crabs are spawning, feeding on the eggs to fuel the next leg of a flight that can run from South America to the Arctic. The bay isn't a nice-to-have on that route—it's a critical link.​

Why we picked it: This plate funds something genuinely globally significant that happens to occur on Delaware's shoreline every spring. Purchase in person at any DMV location.

One-time fee of $50.​

Benefits pollinator habitat creation and conservation.​

Pollinator decline affects agriculture directly, which ties this one back to the farmland plate above. Habitat creation—roadside plantings, field margins, native species—is among the more measurable interventions available.​

Why we picked it: The design is one of the better-looking plates in the lineup, and the cause ties directly to the state's farm economy.

One-time fee of $50.​

Supports the University of Delaware Athletics Community and Campus Recreation Fund.

It looks like a standard college plate, but the fund supports community and campus recreation rather than just the athletic department, so it reaches beyond varsity programs.​

Why we picked it: The Blue Hens have a real following in a state with only one major university, and that concentration makes it more of a statewide identity than a school plate usually is.

One-time fee of $50.​

Supports scholarships and community events sponsored by the high school.​

A high school with its own state-issued license plate is unusual, and it says something about how Delaware's specialty program works—the barrier to getting a plate approved is low enough that a single school community can get one.​

Why we picked it: It's the most local plate in the lineup, and it funds scholarships. That's a tough combination to beat.

If you're dropping hard-earned cash on a cool plate or supporting a noble cause, make sure you mount it securely with the best gear.​

License plate frames top off your build's look while protecting plate edges from nasty chips, bends, and road salt corrosion—crucial for vintage porcelain tags or fresh custom plates. Heavy-duty chrome and sleek billet options easily match any truck styling.​

License plate brackets solve the hassle when your rig doesn't have a clean mounting spot. Whether you're fitting a front plate around an aftermarket bumper, relocating the rear tag after installing a tire carrier or heavy-duty bumper, or mounting straight to a winch plate, quality brackets get the job done without drilling extra holes into your bodywork.​

Relocation brackets specifically fix a classic lifted-truck and off-road issue—factory plate spots getting blocked or hanging down where they'll get ripped off on the trail. Moving your plate up onto the bumper or swing-out tire carrier keeps your setup completely legal and trail-ready.​

Illuminated plate hardware swaps standard mounting bolts for bright, integrated LEDs to illuminate your tag without routing awkward standalone fixtures. Since rear plate lighting is a universal legal requirement, this is a super easy fix whenever you relocate your tag.​

No matter what setup you run, keeping your plate clearly visible and legible keeps you street-legal. Always double-check local mounting guidelines before locking in your relocation setup.​

Stay tuned for next month’s License Plate Roundup feature, where we cover another state’s unique license plate designs. In the meantime, check out some of our previous entries into the LPR series, like Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Massachusetts. 

Q: How Much Does a Delaware Specialty Plate Cost?

A: Most background plates run a one-time fee of $50, which includes a $15 administration fee retained by the DMV. The Delaware Sport Fishing plate is $95. A few plates carry annual renewal fees on top of standard registration—Greenwing at $35 per year and Migratory Shorebirds at $25 per year.​

Q: What's the Difference Between Background and Organizational Plates?

A: Background plates support a cause, are open to anyone, and carry a design different from the standard blue and gold. Organizational plates are restricted to current or former members of specific groups, including military and educational organizations, and the sponsoring organization controls the plate numbers.​

Q: Can I Get a Vanity Number on a Delaware Specialty Plate?

A: On background plates, generally yes—they're issued either with your vehicle's assigned registration number or as an approved vanity plate. Organizational plates are different, since the organization controls the numbering.​

Q: Where Do I Order a Delaware Specialty Plate?

A: Most background plates can be ordered online, by mail, or at any DMV office. A few are in-person only, including Greenwing, Migratory Shorebirds, Bicycle Friendly Delaware, and Stop Child Abuse. The DMV's specialty plate page lists ordering options for each design.​

Q: Are Delaware's Black and White Plates Legal?

A: Yes, when they come from the right source. You can order black-and-white porcelain and stainless-steel plates registered to a vehicle from the Delaware Historic Plate Company, the state's authorized vendor, or at a DMV location for qualifying plates. Plates purchased from any other vendor are unauthorized and may be subject to fines.​

Q: Why Are Delaware Low-Number Plates So Valuable?

A: Scarcity plus tradition. Delaware has issued registration numbers continuously since the early automotive era, and low numbers have become collectible status symbols that trade privately and pass through families. The fewer the digits, the higher the value.​

Q: Does Delaware Require a Front License Plate?

A: Delaware issues a single plate for the rear of the vehicle, so there's no front plate requirement. If you drive into neighboring states regularly, check their rules—requirements vary, and a front plate bracket is a straightforward fix if you need one.​

Q: How Do I Start a New Delaware Specialty Plate?

A: An organization appoints a member to work with the DMV and submits an application through the state's specialty plate process. As of October 1, 2025, a one-time $200 setup fee is required to establish a new plate.