Low-Digit Surf Fishing Tag Auction Now Live Through Dec. 7.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control will begin sales of 2024 Delaware State Parks annual passes and surf fishing permits starting at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 28.

Annual passes and surf fishing permits may be purchased at any state park office and DNREC’s Dover campus Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Passes and permits may also be purchased online at destateparks.com/Know/PassesTagsFees, with an estimated timeframe for delivery of two to three weeks.

Annual passes are a convenient way to access Delaware’s state parks throughout the entire fee season from March 1 to Nov. 30. The annual pass costs $35 for Delaware residents and $70 for non-residents. Those ages 62 and older receive a discounted rate of $18 for residents and $35 for non-residents. A $65 lifetime pass is available for Delawareans 65 and older, the Delaware Military Pass is available for $17.50, and an Assistance Program Pass is available for $10.

Delaware firefighters and emergency medical technicians can obtain an annual pass or surf fishing permit for free. Those who qualify must first obtain an application from their fire company or the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association. The completed form must be taken to a state park office to receive the pass or permit.

The daily advanced drive-on reservation program which was piloted in 2023 for peak days during the summer has become permanent. Those who wish to fish on peak weekends and holidays from Memorial Day to Labor Day, a total of 33 days, must secure a reservation for one of the seven locations where surf fishing is permitted. Peak weekend reservations for Saturday, May 25, 2024, will go on sale May 21, 2024, in the same way reservations were offered in the 2023 season. The weekend before Memorial Day will no longer be considered a peak weekend. DNREC will continue to evaluate and make improvements to the surf fishing program as needed moving forward.

Both one- and two-year annual surf fishing permits enable year-round drive-on access to Delaware State Parks multi-use beaches, including peak weekends and holidays with a reservation. For visitors not interested in visiting during peak times, off-peak permits will be available at a lower cost.

Surf fishing permit rates remains unchanged for 2024. The surf fishing permit fee for Delaware residents is $90 and $180 for out-of-state residents. Delaware residents ages 62 and older will receive a discounted rate of $80. The off-peak permit fee for Delaware residents is $70, while the fee for out-of-state residents is $140. For off-peak permits, Delaware residents 62 and older will get a discounted rate of $60.

For more information on the surf fishing program, go to www.destateparks.com/SurfTagSales.

DNREC’s annual auction of low-digit surf fishing license plates started Nov. 21 and will remain live at usgovbid.com through Thursday, Dec. 7. The online auction benefits Delaware State Parks.

Bidders will have the option to bid on 15 tags including Nos. 37, 49, 120, 244, 366, 422 and on nine “choice” categories, ranging from tags 38 to 9999. For the choice tags, the highest bidder in each range can choose an available number. The minimum bid for a low-digit surf fishing plate is $250. By state law, surf-fishing tags numbered 1 through 200 are limited to vehicles registered in Delaware.

The auction of low-numbered plates was authorized by the Delaware General Assembly in 2015 and allows the DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation to auction low-digit tags to the highest bidder.

A low-digit surf fishing tag does not allow drive-on surf fishing access — a valid surf fishing permit is still required.

For more information about the low-digit surf fishing license plate auction, visit https://destateparks.com/LowDigitTags.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) or LinkedIn.

 Media Contacts: Shauna McVey, shauna.mcvey@delaware.gov; Michael Globetti, michael.globetti@delaware.gov

E-ZPass Delaware’s Black Friday free transponder event returns Friday, November 24, 2023, and continues through Sunday, December 31, 2023. Anyone who opens a new individual account during this time will get a free transponder.

To open an account simply visit ezpassde.com and click on “sign up” or visit one of the E-ZPass locations below:

E-ZPass Service Center:
22-24 West Loockerman Street
Dover, DE 19904
Walk-in service is Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Toll Plazas:
Dover Toll Plaza
Route 1
200 Plaza Drive
Dover, Delaware 19901

Biddles Corner Toll Plaza
Route 1
2111 Dupont Highway
Middletown, DE 19709

Newark Toll Plaza
I-95 Toll Plaza
1200 Whittaker Road @ I-95
Newark, Delaware 19702
Walk-in service is Monday to Sunday 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“This is one of our favorite events,” shared the Director of the Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles Amy Anthony. “We can help save our customers some money while making their commute more convenient. I do ask all motorists, whether you are paying by cash or by transponder to please obey the posted speed limits at all toll plazas so we can keep everyone safe.”

Currently, there are 627,003 active E-ZPass transponders in Delaware. Collectively, Newark, Biddles Corner, and Dover Toll Plazas process on average 138,606 E-ZPass transactions daily. For more visit ezpassde.com or call 888-EZPassDE (888-397-2773).

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is proud to announce its new director, Amy Anthony.

Director Anthony began her tenure at the DMV in 2002 as a Motor Vehicle Specialist on the front line in our Vehicle Services section. From there, she transitioned to the front line in our Driver Services section, and shortly after was promoted to Driver License Supervisor. Since then, her various promotions included the Driver License Helpdesk Supervisor, Driver License Program Manager, Chief of Driver Services, and Deputy Director, leading her to her current role as the Director.

“We were very excited when Amy agreed to step into the role of Director of the DMV,” stated Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “Her positive energy, knowledge, and passion for the Division of which she now oversees are unparalleled. She truly cares about her team and our customers. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for the DMV.”

“Over the years I learned how much I enjoyed serving my community within my various positions but none more humbling than the one I recently accepted as the Director,” said Director Anthony. “I look forward to working with our customers in my new capacity as we explore new ideas and implement changes that will create better experiences both in person and online while continuing to ensure only safe drivers and vehicles are on our roadways.”

Director Anthony officially started her new position on September 1, 2023.

Karen Carson, who previously held the position of Chief of Driver Services, accepted the position of Deputy Director.

The DMV is responsible for serving the residents of the state in four main areas, which include Vehicle Services, Driver Services, Transportation Services, and Toll Operations.

The DMV has four motor vehicle facilities with single locations in Kent & Sussex Counties and two facilities in New Castle County. Additionally, there are three main Toll Operations sites in Dover and Biddle’s Corner for State Route 1 and in Newark for Interstate 95. The Division is responsible for collecting over $550 million in revenues annually for the Transportation Trust Fund. The revenue is generated by the hard work and dedication of 625 full-time and part-time employees with an operating budget of $39.5 million.

The Division monitors and processes over 917,000 registered vehicles, over 712,000 licensed drivers, more than 100,000 ID holders, and more than 72.1 million toll transactions each year. Details at dmv.de.gov.

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is excited to announce that its annual low-digit tag release begins on Monday, November 6, 2023. Tag-A-Palooza 2023 will feature five days of online giveaways and four in-person events.

Anyone interested in joining the online lottery to win a low-digit tag must register in advance. Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, October 23, 2023, and will continue every day through Thursday, November 2, 2023. You may register only once per driver license or identification card. To register visit dmv.de.gov/taglottery.

During the registration process, you must specify which type of tag you are interested in receiving:

PV – 5 Digit – Numbers Only (under 10,000 lbs. registered vehicle weight)
C – Commercial
PC – Passenger Car (under 10,000 lbs. registered vehicle weight)
T – Trailer (regular trailers – utility, flat-bed, or non-camping trailers)
MC – Motorcycle (above 55cc’s)
RT – Recreational Trailer (camping trailers 5,000 lbs. and over, not regular trailers – see above)
RV – Recreational Vehicle (car or truck under 5,000 lbs. or a motorhome)

If you would like to register to win a five-digit, numbers-only tag and your vehicle is under 10,000 lbs., please select tag type PV.

Monday, November 6, 2023, through Friday, November 10, 2023, DMV will randomly select (530) PV, (55) C, (145) PC, (406) T, (381) MC, (33) RT, and (35) RV winners for each of the five days. Drawings will be held at 9:00 a.m. each day. Registration does not guarantee you will receive a low-digit tag. Registration is required to be entered into the drawing.

All online winners will receive an email confirming they won a low-digit tag. The email will include further instructions. Additionally, daily winning lottery codes will be posted at dmv.de.gov/taglottery and accessible from our social media sites: facebook.com/DMVDelaware and DelawareDMV on Instagram and X. Your lottery code can also be found in your confirmation e-mail.

For those who prefer a chance to win in person, DMV will offer four opportunities during Tag-A-Palooza 2023 starting at 8:00 am until all plates are gone on the below dates:

November 6, 2023
Dover DMV

November 7, 2023
Georgetown DMV

November 9, 2023
Wilmington DMV

November 9, 2023
Delaware City DMV

Inventory for in-person events will be on a first come first serve basis and reserved to 100 PV plates per event. Winners will receive a confirmation letter on the day of the event and instructions on when to return to DMV to pick up their new license plate.

All winners will receive a standard blue and gold license plate upon completing their title work. If their tag number qualifies and they wish to purchase a black and white or stainless-steel tag once they have completed their title work with DMV, they can do so through the Delaware Historic Plate Co. To order a qualifying black & white porcelain or stainless-steel tag, go to dhptags.com.

Both online and in-person winners will receive an email once their tag is ready for pick up at the location you selected.

DISCLAIMER: Only one registration per driver license/identification card is permitted. If more than one entry is received for an individual or entity, all additional requests will be denied. If a participant wins a low-digit tag during an in-person giveaway, their online entry will be voided. The name and driver license/identification card number used to enter the lottery must match the name and driver license/identification card that will be presented to the DMV associate at the time of the transaction. If there is a discrepancy the request will be denied. The winner must apply the new tag to their vehicle no later than February 29, 2024. There will be no extensions. Tags must be applied to a vehicle; DMV will not permit placing the tag on hold. The owner is responsible for all applicable fees. Specialty tags, background tags, stainless steel tags, and porcelain tags have additional fees. DMV reserves the right to modify the tag number as assigned due to unforeseen circumstances.

The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announces effective October 11, 2023, active duty military and their dependents may qualify for a document fee exemption.

2 Del. Admin. C. §2266 was amended to assist with the transition to a new state less strenuous on our active duty military personnel and their dependents, who are deployed to the State of Delaware.

The exemption includes the registration of a motor vehicle by a member of the military (active, reserve, or National Guard) and their dependent family members who are stationed on either a temporary or permanent basis within the State of Delaware whose vehicles are registered in their state of residence or at their previous duty assignment (to include an overseas assignment). Military members or their dependent family members must provide active duty military orders indicating a temporary or permanent change of duty station within 90 days of relocating to Delaware or within 90 days of the vehicle purchase.

“Active duty military personnel and their families often relocate multiple times during their careers in the armed forces,” Senator Eric Buckson (R-Dover) said. “Figuring out new and innovative ways to assist these individuals to more easily transition to life in Delaware is important. I applaud the Department of Transportation and Division of Motor Vehicles for recognizing this challenge and meeting it head-on.”

“Our active duty military are no strangers to relocation, adapting to new surroundings and environments. Waiving the document fee is one small thing we can do to help ease their transition,” said Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Nicole Majeski.

“The process to request an exemption is quite easy,” added Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles Amy Anthony. “As soon as you get settled, bring your active duty military orders to one of our DMV locations. If you have a family member who qualifies, they must also be listed on the orders.”

The Military Document Fee Credit should be applied at the time of titling.

For more information on the change visit dmv.de.gov. The DMV also offers various services for our Veterans including a Veteran’s Indicator that can be added to any driver license or identification card. DMV’s Heroes of the Highway program assists recently discharged military members with obtaining their Commercial Driver License.