Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte
Delaware speeding ticket points depend on how far over the limit you were: 2 points for 1-9 mph over, 4 for 10-14, 5 for 15-19 and 5 for 20 or more mph over. A first ticket for 1-14 mph over within any 3 years adds no points when it is paid through the Voluntary Assessment Center or by mail-in, but only for Class D license holders. Speeding 25 mph or more over can also bring a suspension under Regulation 2208, section 4.7.
Key Facts
- Point values: 2, 4, 5 or 5 points, based on mph over the limit. See points by mph over.
- First-ticket rule: some first tickets for 1-14 mph over carry no points. See the first-ticket rule.
- CDL holders: “CDL holders will receive points,” even on a first ticket. See CDL holders.
- Serious speeding: 25 mph over brings a 1-month suspension, and more for higher speeds. See serious speeding.
- Out of state: a Delaware driver’s conviction in another state is posted with Delaware points. See out-of-state tickets.
- Course credit: the 3-point credit “does not decrease your overall point values.” See the course credit.
Delaware Speeding Ticket Points by MPH Over
Delaware scores speeding by how many miles per hour (mph) you were over the limit. The values come from Regulation 2208, section 4.1. The DMV Point and Speed System page lists the same values.
The table adds a column for the first-ticket rule. That rule applies only to a Class D license holder’s first ticket for 1-14 mph over within 3 years, paid through the VAC or by mail-in.
| MPH over the limit | Points on conviction | First ticket in 3 years, paid by VAC or mail-in (Class D) | CDL holder |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-9 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 10-14 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 15-19 | 5 | 5 (rule does not apply) | 5 |
| 20 or more | 5, and suspension rules may apply | 5 (rule does not apply) | 5 |
The DMV list marks speeding at 20 or more mph over with a note. It says the violation “May result in additional actions including suspension.”
The full chart for every violation type lives in our Delaware point system guide.
The First-Ticket Rule: No Points for Some Tickets
Regulation 2208, section 4.2.1, gives a break for one kind of ticket. A conviction for 1-14 mph over “will not be assessed points for the first violation within any three (3) year period.”
All of these conditions must be met:
- The speed was 1 to 14 mph over the limit.
- It is the first such violation within any 3-year period.
- The ticket was paid through the Voluntary Assessment Center (VAC) or as a guilty mail-in.
- The driver holds a Class D license. The DMV page says the rule “Only applies to Class D license holders.”
Paying still has a legal effect. Under 21 Del. C. 709(i)(1), payment “is an admission of guilt, a waiver of the right to a hearing, and a complete satisfaction of the violation.”
The conviction itself is still reported to the DMV.
Who Assigns the Points
The DMV assigns points, not the court. The JP Court traffic FAQ says, “The Court does not assess points.”
The court decides the ticket, and the DMV then applies Regulation 2208 to the conviction. Under probation before judgment (PBJ), the JP Court FAQ says “there is no conviction and no points are assessed.”
PBJ has limits under 11 Del. C. 4218: it is not available to CDL holders charged with a motor vehicle offense, or to a person granted PBJ for an offense under the same title within five years of the current offense.
Whether any option fits your case is a question for the court on your ticket or a Delaware attorney.
CDL Holders
Commercial drivers do not get the first-ticket break. The DMV Point and Speed System page says, “CDL holders will receive points.”
Federal law points the same way. Under 49 CFR 384.226, a state “must not mask, defer imposition of judgment, or allow an individual to enter into a diversion program” that would keep a CDL holder’s conviction off the record.
PBJ is also closed to CDL holders charged with a motor vehicle offense under 11 Del. C. 4218.
How Long Speeding Points Count
Speeding points do not count the same forever. Under Regulation 2208, section 4.13, they count at full value for 12 months from the violation date. They count at half value for the next 12 months.
For example, a 5-point conviction counts 2.5 points in months 13 to 24. The DMV only acts on convictions within the 24-month period after the offense date. Our guide on how long points stay on a Delaware license covers the timing.
Serious Speeding Rules
Some speeds bring DMV action on their own. Regulation 2208, section 4.7, sets these steps:
- 20 to 24 mph over: an advisory letter, if you have fewer than 12 calculated points.
- 25 mph over: a 1-month suspension, plus 1 month for each additional 5 mph.
- 25 to 29 mph over: the Behavior Modification course may be taken instead of the suspension.
- 30 mph or more over: the suspension is mandatory, per the DMV Driver Improvement FAQ.
- 50 mph or more over, or 100 mph or more: a 1-year suspension.
These rules sit on top of the point values. Our guide on how many points suspend a Delaware license covers the full list of DMV actions.
Where Speeding Points Can Lead
Speeding points add to every other conviction in the 24-month window. Under Regulation 2208, section 4.6, the DMV acts at set totals:
- 8 calculated points: an advisory letter.
- 12 calculated points: a Behavior Modification course within 90 days, or a 2-month suspension.
- 14 points or more: a mandatory suspension.
As an example, three convictions for 15-19 mph over add up to 15 points while each still counts at full value. That total is past the 14-point line.
Delaware Speeding Ticket Points Out of State
Out-of-state speeding tickets raise two different questions. One is about Delaware drivers ticketed in another state. The other is about drivers from other states ticketed in Delaware.
A Delaware Driver Ticketed in Another State
Regulation 2208, section 4.4, covers this case. A Delaware driver’s out-of-state conviction is posted to the Delaware record. Points are assessed “as though the offense was committed in this State.”
For example, under that rule a 10-14 mph over conviction would be assessed at the Delaware value for that speed, 4 points. That example uses the Delaware value from section 4.1.
A Nonresident Ticketed in Delaware
Some nonresidents may pay through the VAC under 21 Del. C. 709(d). That covers residents of reciprocal states and drivers the officer deems “reliable prospects.”
If a nonresident does not pay, 21 Del. C. 709(j)(1)c says the DMV “may suspend the driving privileges in this State of a nonresident of Delaware.” The ticket instructions add that the Delaware DMV “will notify your Division of Motor Vehicles if you fail to pay by the due date.”
How another state treats a Delaware ticket is up to that state. Check with your own state’s motor vehicle agency.
Fines Are a Separate Question
Points and fines come from different rules. Points come from Regulation 2208, while fines come from 21 Del. C. 4169.
Court costs and assessments are added to the fine. The amount due is on your ticket. Our Delaware speeding ticket guide explains how the fine is set.
Does a Defensive Driving Course Change Speeding Points?
A course approved by the Delaware DMV adds a 3-point credit to your record. Under Regulation 2208, section 4.2.2, it takes effect on the date you finish the course.
The credit does not erase a speeding conviction. The DMV says it is “only applied to future violations, in certain circumstances.” It also says the credit “does not decrease your overall point values.”
The credit “will not be applied retroactively once an action item is in effect.” Our guide on getting points off a Delaware license explains how it works.
What We Found on the Official Pages
On the official pages we checked on October 28, 2026, three details stood out.
First, the DMV Point and Speed System page marks 20 or more mph over with “May result in additional actions including suspension.” Second, the same page limits the first-ticket rule with “Only applies to Class D license holders.”
Third, the JP Court traffic FAQ describes the same rule and then says “The Court does not assess points.” That line points drivers back to the DMV for point questions.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming every first ticket is point-free. The rule covers only 1-14 mph over, within 3 years, paid through the VAC or by mail-in.
- Forgetting the license class. The rule “Only applies to Class D license holders.”
- Thinking payment is not a conviction. Payment “is an admission of guilt” under 21 Del. C. 709(i)(1).
- Ignoring tickets from other states. They are posted with Delaware points under Regulation 2208, section 4.4.
- Expecting the 3-point credit to clear a ticket. It “does not decrease your overall point values.”
- Looking only at points at high speeds. At 25 mph over or more, a suspension can follow.
How Requirements Can Vary
Delaware’s point system, defensive driving course rules and insurance discount come from state law and state regulations (Regulations 2208, 2224 and 607, and section 2503 of Title 18 of the Delaware Code) and apply statewide. How your ticket is handled is up to the court on your ticket. The fines in the Delaware Code do not include court costs and assessments, so the amount due is on your ticket.
Laws, regulations and DMV fees can change. Check your ticket, any DMV letter, the Delaware DMV website and the Delaware Code before you take a course or pay a ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points is 10 over in Delaware?
Speeding 10-14 mph over is 4 points under Regulation 2208. A Class D license holder’s first such ticket in 3 years, paid through the VAC or by mail-in, carries no points.
Is a first speeding ticket in Delaware 0 points?
Only in some cases. The ticket must be for 1-14 mph over, the first within any 3 years, and paid through the VAC or by mail-in. The rule does not apply to CDL holders.
Does 20 mph over carry more points than 15 mph over?
No. Both 15-19 and 20 or more mph over carry 5 points. At 20 to 24 mph over, an advisory letter can follow if you have fewer than 12 points.
Does an out-of-state speeding ticket add points to my Delaware license?
Yes. Regulation 2208, section 4.4, posts a Delaware driver’s out-of-state conviction to the Delaware record. Points are assessed “as though the offense was committed in this State.”
What happens if a nonresident does not pay a Delaware ticket?
The DMV may suspend that driver’s Delaware driving privileges under 21 Del. C. 709(j)(1)c. The ticket instructions say the Delaware DMV “will notify your Division of Motor Vehicles if you fail to pay by the due date.”
How long do speeding points count in Delaware?
They count at full value for 12 months from the violation date and half value for the next 12. The DMV only acts on convictions within the 24-month period after the offense date.
Can one speeding ticket suspend my license?
Yes, at high speeds. Speeding 25 mph over brings a 1-month suspension, plus 1 month for each added 5 mph. At 50 or more over, or 100 mph or more, the suspension is 1 year.
Conclusion
Delaware speeding points run from 2 to 5 based on mph over, and some first tickets for 1-14 mph over carry none for Class D drivers. For your own ticket, check with the court on the ticket, the DMV or a Delaware attorney.
Drivers who want to learn about the voluntary course can see the Delaware defensive driving course at Driving Logic, which is coming soon. If you need a course now, choose one from the DMV’s approved list.
Related Articles
- Delaware Point System: How Driving Points Work
- Delaware Speeding Ticket: Fines, Points and Your Options
- How Long Do Points Stay on Your License in Delaware?
- How Many Points to Suspend License in Delaware? What Happens
The PBJ limits summarized here are not exhaustive. Prior convictions and the charge can also affect eligibility; the court decides whether PBJ is available under section 4218.
Sources
- Delaware DMV — Point and Speed System
- 2 DE Admin Code 2208 — Driver Improvement Problem Driver Program
- Delaware DMV — Driver Improvement FAQ
- Delaware Justice of the Peace Court — Traffic FAQs
- Delaware Ticket Instructions (DELJIS, PDF)
- 49 CFR § 384.226 — Prohibition on masking convictions
Billy Forte is the owner of Driving Logic, an online driver education course provider serving drivers in several U.S. states.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Delaware course rules, point values, fines and penalties depend on your ticket, court, DMV notice and case facts, and they can change. Use official Delaware DMV, Delaware Code and court sources, and consult a qualified Delaware attorney for advice about your own case.