Reckless Driving Delaware: Penalties, Fines and Points

Updated October 2026 · Reviewed by Billy Forte

Reckless driving Delaware penalties: a first conviction for general reckless driving carries a $100 to $300 fine, 10 to 30 days in jail, or both, plus 6 DMV points. A repeat within 3 years raises the fine and jail ranges. Driving at least 90 mph on a public roadway is a separate reckless-driving rule, with a first-offense penalty of $150 to $300, a DMV-approved traffic safety course, or both.

Key Facts

  • First offense: a $100 to $300 fine, 10 to 30 days in jail, or both. See first-offense penalties.
  • Repeat within 3 years: for general reckless driving, $300 to $1,000, 30 to 60 days in jail, or both. See repeat offenses.
  • Speed rule: 90 mph or more on a public roadway is reckless driving, even without other conduct. See the 90 mph rule.
  • Points: a conviction carries 6 points, the top value in the point chart. See points.
  • No mail-in payment: reckless driving cannot be paid by mail through the Voluntary Assessment Center. See court appearance.
  • Not the same as aggressive driving: the two have different rules and different follow-up steps. See the comparison.

Reckless Driving Delaware Penalties for a First Offense

The reckless driving law is section 4175 of Title 21 of the Delaware Code. Subsection (a) defines it as driving with “wilful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” For a first offense, section 4175(c) sets three possible outcomes:

  • A fine of not less than $100 and not more than $300
  • Jail of 10 to 30 days
  • Both a fine and jail

The statute sets a range, not one fixed amount.

Also, the Code amount is the fine only. Court costs and assessments are added on top of it. We do not give a total here.

A conviction also goes to the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The DMV then adds points under Regulation 2208. The JP Court Traffic FAQ says plainly, “The Court does not assess points.”

Repeat Offenses Within 3 Years

The penalty range climbs for a second offense of general reckless driving. Section 4175(c) sets a higher range for a later offense within 3 years of a former offense:

  • A fine of $300 to $1,000
  • Jail of 30 to 60 days
  • Both a fine and jail

The higher range applies only to a later offense within 3 years. It covers general reckless driving under subsection (a), not the 90 mph offense. Each new conviction also carries its own 6 points.

Repeat convictions can push a point total higher fast. Our guide to how many points suspend a license covers the DMV steps that follow high totals.

The 90 mph Rule

Speed alone can be reckless driving in Delaware. Under section 4175(b), driving 90 mph or more on a public roadway is also reckless driving.

The first-offense penalty for this speed rule is different. Section 4175(d) sets it at a fine of $150 to $300, a DMV-approved traffic safety course, or both. Court costs and assessments are added to any fine.

Keep the two rules apart:

  • General reckless driving: defined in subsection (a), with penalties in (c)
  • 90 mph or more: defined in subsection (b), with penalties in (d)

Delaware’s general speeding fines come from a different law, 21 Del. C. 4169. Our pillar guide on the Delaware speeding ticket explains that fine formula.

Serious Speeding Rules Apply Separately

Regulation 2208 has its own serious speeding rules in section 4.7. These are DMV actions, not court fines. They include:

  • 25 mph or more over the limit: a 1-month suspension, plus 1 more month for each additional 5 mph
  • 50 mph or more over, or 100 mph or more: a 1-year suspension
  • No occupational license for the first 3 months of that 1-year suspension

At 25 to 29 mph over, a driver may take a Behavior Modification course instead of the suspension. At 30 or more mph over, the DMV says the suspension is mandatory. Our suspension guide lists each step.

How a Delaware reckless driving charge moves from the ticket to court, the conviction and 6 points from the DMV

Points and DMV Actions

Reckless driving carries 6 points under Regulation 2208, section 4.1. The DMV Point and Speed System page lists the same value. Only a few violations share that 6-point value:

  • Reckless driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Passing a stopped school bus
  • Operation of a vehicle causing death

How Long the 6 Points Count

Points do not count the same way forever. Under Regulation 2208, section 4.13, points count at full value for 12 months from the violation date. They then count at half value for the next 12 months.

Here is simple math as an example. A 6-point reckless driving conviction counts 6 points in months 1-12. It counts 3 points in months 13-24.

The DMV acts only on convictions within the 24-month period after the offense date. Within that window, these totals matter:

  • 8 points: an advisory letter
  • 12 points: a Behavior Modification course within 90 days, or a 2-month suspension
  • 14 points and up: suspensions that start at 4 months

So one reckless conviction alone is below the 8-point line. As an example, one more 2-point ticket in the same 12 months would bring the total to 8.

Court Appearance: No Payment by Mail

Reckless driving cannot be paid by mail. The Voluntary Assessment Center (VAC) lets a driver pay a ticket instead of appearing in court.

However, 21 Del. C. 709(e) lists charges that are left out of that process, and reckless driving under section 4175 is one of them.

So a reckless driving charge needs a court appearance. Speed exhibitions are also on that list. Our guide to Delaware traffic court explains which court hears a case, how a trial request works and what an appeal needs.

The ticket instructions also give a warning for missed court dates. They say “your driving privileges may be suspended and a warrant for your arrest may be issued without further notice.” If you have questions about your own case, contact the court named on your ticket or a Delaware attorney.

Probation Before Judgment: Check the Charge First

Do not assume probation before judgment (PBJ) is available for a reckless-driving charge. 11 Del. C. 4218(a) limits eligible Title 21 offenses to those subject to voluntary assessment, plus two specifically named exceptions: sections 4166(d) and 4172.

Reckless driving under section 4175 is excluded from voluntary assessment by 21 Del. C. 709(e)(10). It is not one of section 4218(a)’s named exceptions. A section 4175 charge therefore does not qualify for PBJ under that provision. Ask the court or a Delaware attorney about the charge actually before the court and the options that law allows.

For a different charge that does qualify, section 4218 has further limits. These include a motor-vehicle offense charged to a CDL holder, a prior PBJ under the same title within five years of the current offense, prior-conviction restrictions and other conditions. Checking those conditions does not make an otherwise excluded charge eligible.

PBJ is also separate from taking a course. Course completion does not change the charge, create PBJ eligibility or guarantee a court outcome. Keep the court’s instructions and any DMV notice separate, and follow both.

Reckless vs Aggressive vs Careless Driving

Three Delaware laws sound alike, but each has its own penalty. The table compares first offenses.

OffenseStatuteFirst-offense penaltyPoints in Regulation 2208
Reckless driving21 Del. C. 4175$100-$300, 10-30 days in jail, or both6
Aggressive driving21 Del. C. 4175A$100-$300, 10-30 days in jail, or both6
Careless or inattentive driving21 Del. C. 4176$25-$75Not listed by name

Aggressive Driving

Aggressive driving is defined by a pattern. It means 3 or more of the listed violations in one stretch of continuous conduct. A repeat offense also brings a 30-day suspension.

The biggest difference is the course. An aggressive driving conviction requires a behavior modification course. Our guide to the Delaware Behavior Modification course explains that course and how it differs from a voluntary defensive driving course.

Careless or Inattentive Driving

Careless or inattentive driving falls under section 4176. A first offense is a fine of $25 to $75. A repeat within 3 years is $50 to $95.

Regulation 2208 does not list careless driving by name in its point chart. For that reason, we do not give it a point value here.

What We Found on the Official Pages

On the official pages we checked on October 28, 2026, three details stood out.

First, Regulation 2208 and the DMV Point and Speed System page both list reckless driving at 6 points. Second, Regulation 2208 marks aggressive driving with an asterisk. The mark means it “May result in additional actions including suspension.” The DMV page shows aggressive driving at 6 points with no asterisk.

Third, the JP Court Traffic FAQ repeats that the court does not set points. The DMV does that under Regulation 2208.

Delaware reckless driving penalties by the numbers, from the first-offense fine range to the 90 mph rule and the 24-month point window

Common Mistakes

Each item below is checked against a Delaware law, regulation or official page:

  • Expecting to pay by mail. Reckless driving is left out of the mail-in process under 21 Del. C. 709(e).
  • Treating the fine as the total. Court costs and assessments are added to the fine.
  • Mixing up reckless and aggressive driving. Aggressive driving needs 3 or more listed violations and requires a behavior modification course.
  • Assuming PBJ is available for reckless driving. Section 4175 is excluded from voluntary assessment and is not a named exception in the PBJ eligibility statute. Check the actual charge with the court or an attorney.
  • Forgetting the DMV side. Serious speeding suspensions under Regulation 2208 are separate from the court case.
  • Thinking a course clears the 6 points. No Delaware course removes or reduces existing points.

Where a Defensive Driving Course Fits

A defensive driving course approved by the Delaware DMV is a voluntary course. It does not decide or end a reckless driving case.

Under Regulation 2208, section 4.2.2, an approved course puts a 3-point credit on your record. The DMV says the credit is “only applied to future violations, in certain circumstances.” It also “does not decrease your overall point values.” It “will not be applied retroactively once an action item is in effect.”

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

What is the fine for reckless driving in Delaware?

A first offense is a fine of $100 to $300, 10 to 30 days in jail, or both. A repeat of general reckless driving within 3 years is $300 to $1,000, 30 to 60 days, or both. Court costs and assessments are added to the fine.

How many points is reckless driving in Delaware?

Reckless driving is 6 points under Regulation 2208. The points count at full value for 12 months and at half value for the next 12 months.

Is driving 90 mph reckless driving in Delaware?

Yes. Under 21 Del. C. 4175(b), driving 90 mph or more on a public roadway is also reckless driving.

A first offense is a fine of $150 to $300, a DMV-approved traffic safety course, or both.

Can I pay a reckless driving ticket online or by mail?

No. Under 21 Del. C. 709(e), reckless driving is left out of the Voluntary Assessment Center process, so the case needs a court appearance.

Is reckless driving the same as aggressive driving?

No, they are different offenses. Aggressive driving under section 4175A means 3 or more listed violations in continuous conduct. It also requires a behavior modification course, and a repeat brings a 30-day suspension.

Can you get probation before judgment for reckless driving?

A section 4175 reckless-driving charge does not meet the Title 21 eligibility rule in 11 Del. C. 4218(a): it is excluded from voluntary assessment and is not a named exception. Separate CDL, prior-PBJ and other restrictions apply to charges that otherwise qualify. Ask the court or a Delaware attorney about your actual charge.

Conclusion

Reckless driving in Delaware carries a fine, possible jail time and 6 points, and the case goes to court instead of the mail-in process. For your own case, check your ticket and talk with the court or a Delaware attorney.

For drivers who want to learn about the voluntary course, the Delaware defensive driving course at Driving Logic is coming soon. Drivers who need a course now should choose one from the DMV’s approved list.

Sources

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.