Beginning Tuesday, Own A Piece Of Transportation History

DMV Officials to Release Limited Number of Five-Digit License Plates

Dover -- Many Delaware residents don't give their assigned license plate number a second thought, but those in the know are always looking for the chance to get a lower number. Low number plates are coveted by Delaware drivers, but they can be hard to come by. The Delaware Department of Transportation's (DelDOT) Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is pleased to announce that beginning, Tuesday, April 19, at all four DMV locations, a limited quantity of five-digit plates will be made available to the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.

In order to receive a five-digit plate, customers will need to purchase, from the DMV location they are visiting, a black and white stainless steel or porcelain reproduction plate manufactured by the Delaware Historic Plate Company. DMV has partnered with the Delaware Historic Plate Company in an effort to provide increased customer service to Delaware citizens, while also raising revenues with 20 percent of the purchase price of the specialty plates going to the DMV. Plate numbers cannot be reserved in advance.

"We are pleased to offer this exciting and rare opportunity to our customers," said DMV Director Jennifer Cohan. "Through this first-time partnership with the Delaware Historic Plate Company, our customers have a chance to place a piece of Delaware history onto their vehicle. Five-digit tags are hard to come by and these plates will become a keepsake for families to cherish for years to come."

Important details to know if you wish to purchase a five-digit stainless steel or porcelain reproduction plate:

- In order to take advantage of the program, customers will be giving up the current license plate number registered to their vehicle.

- Customers must pay applicable transfer fees in addition to the purchase cost of the reproduction plate, currently $100 for either a stainless steel or porcelain plate.

- Customers having title to their vehicles should bring their driver's license, vehicle title, vehicle mileage, and insurance in order to complete the plate switch.

- Customers needing to obtain their title from their lien holder will need to go to the nearest DMV office and put a five-digit plate on hold. They must obtain a MV35 form from DMV and send it to their lien holder to obtain the title. The title will be mailed to DMV, who will contact the customer when it arrives. At that time, the five-digit plate can be put on the vehicle and a reproduction plate can be ordered.

- No telephone or email requests will be taken. All transactions must be completed in person at any of the DMV office locations.

For more information about this rare and exciting opportunity to own a piece of Delaware transportation history, please contact the DMV at 302-744-2503.