If a Delaware officer arrested you for DUI, they likely took your license and handed you a paper one good for just 15 days. That short window is a trap most people miss: unless you request a DMV hearing in time, your driving privileges are gone automatically — a completely separate process from your criminal case in the Court of Common Pleas. You don't have to face two clocks alone. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free, around-the-clock legal information about your Delaware DUI — what the deadline means and what to do next.
Free legal information. Not legal advice. Available 24/7 across Delaware.
Do two things right now. First, find the paper temporary license the officer gave you — it is valid for only 15 days, and you have 15 days from your arrest to request an administrative hearing at any Delaware DMV (online, by mail, by fax, or in person) or your license is revoked automatically. Second, do not assume your court date covers this — the DMV revocation and the criminal charge under 21 Del. C. § 4177 run on two separate tracks. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, and we'll walk you through both clocks in plain English.
Here's what blindsides people: in Delaware, your license isn't suspended by the judge — it's revoked by the DMV, on its own track, before you ever set foot in court. When you were arrested, the officer took your plastic license and gave you a paper one good for just 15 days. Inside that window you must request an administrative hearing, or your driving privileges vanish automatically — no court date, no second chance, no notice in the mail to remind you. People focus on the criminal charge and let the DMV clock run out without realizing it was ever ticking. If you were arrested in the last two weeks, the most urgent thing you can do is call 1-844-690-0555 right now and find out exactly how many days you have left.
Legal Hotline is not a law firm or a public defender, and most civil legal-aid groups don't handle criminal DUI cases. Still, these verified Delaware resources can help you find counsel, check eligibility for help, or sort out related civil fallout. Start with a free call to 1-844-690-0555 to understand your DUI itself.
How long do I really have to save my Delaware license after a DUI arrest?
Fifteen days from the date of arrest. That's the window to request an administrative hearing at the DMV, and it's also how long your paper temporary license lasts. Miss it and revocation is automatic, with no court hearing to fall back on. If you're unsure how many days remain, call 1-844-690-0555 now — it's free and answers 24/7.
Is the DMV hearing the same as my criminal court date?
No — and that confusion costs people their licenses. The criminal case under 21 Del. C. § 4177 is heard in the Court of Common Pleas and decides guilt and penalties. The DMV administrative hearing is a separate track that decides only whether your driving privileges are revoked, and it runs first. You can win one and lose the other. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on handling both.
What is Delaware's legal BAC limit?
It's 0.08 for most drivers — at or above that, you can be convicted 'per se' even without other proof of impairment. Commercial drivers face 0.04, and drivers under 21 face a 0.02 zero-tolerance limit under § 4177L. But you can also be charged below 0.08 if an officer believes you were impaired. For what your number means in your case, call 1-844-690-0555.
What happens if I refused the breath or blood test?
Delaware's implied-consent law treats refusal seriously: an automatic license revocation of one year for a first refusal, 18 months for a second, and two years for a third — and the State can still prosecute the DUI itself. Refusal doesn't erase the charge; it adds a separate penalty. A free call to 1-844-690-0555 can explain how refusal affects both of your tracks.
Could I avoid a DUI conviction entirely as a first offender?
Possibly. Delaware's First Offender Election under § 4177B lets eligible first-timers complete evaluation, treatment, fees, and a revocation without a DUI conviction being entered — if you had no prior, weren't at 0.15 or higher, and weren't in an injury crash, among other conditions. Whether you qualify is fact-specific. Call 1-844-690-0555 free, 24/7, to get the legal information on your eligibility.
Do I have to install an ignition interlock device?
For DUI offenses, the Ignition Interlock Device Program has been mandatory in Delaware since February 1, 2015. The upside: an IID license can let you legally drive an equipped vehicle during much of the revocation period, after the required waiting period (45 days for a typical first offense). Call 1-844-690-0555 to understand how the IID path could keep you driving.
Is a Delaware DUI a felony?
A first or second DUI is a misdemeanor, but a third offense is a Class G felony carrying 1 to 2 years of incarceration with the first 3 months mandatory at Level V — no early release. Each prior offense escalates the stakes sharply. If this isn't your first DUI, the urgency to get information is higher, not lower. Call 1-844-690-0555 now.
Which court will hear my Delaware DUI case?
Most first-offense DUIs are prosecuted in the Court of Common Pleas, which sits in New Castle (Wilmington), Kent (Dover), and Sussex (Georgetown) counties. Felony DUI — a third offense or higher — is handled in Superior Court. The DMV hearing is administrative and held separately. Call 1-844-690-0555 free for information on what to expect at your location.
I'm under 21 — how is my DUI different?
Delaware's zero-tolerance law, § 4177L, makes it illegal for anyone under 21 to drive after consuming alcohol at 0.02 or more — roughly a single drink. A first violation revokes driving privileges for 2 months; subsequent ones run 6 to 12 months, plus mandatory evaluation. And if your BAC was 0.08+, you can also face the full adult § 4177 charge. Call 1-844-690-0555 for free information on which applies to you.
Can Legal Hotline represent me or get me a public defender?
No. Legal Hotline is not a law firm and not a public defender — we provide legal information, not legal advice, and the call creates no attorney-client relationship. What we can do is explain your Delaware DUI deadlines and options for free, and help you arrange a paid consultation with a Delaware-licensed DUI attorney if you want one. Start by calling 1-844-690-0555.
Does a Delaware DUI affect my immigration status?
It can. Criminal charges, including DUI, may carry immigration consequences depending on your status and the specifics, and those are governed by federal law layered on top of Delaware's process. This is exactly the kind of cross-cutting question worth raising early. Call 1-844-690-0555 — the assistant is trained on Delaware and federal law and can give you free information, in your language where available.
It's the middle of the night and I just got arrested — can I get help now?
Yes. The hotline is free and answers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no income test and no web form. Whether it's 3 a.m. after a roadside arrest or the last day of your 15-day window, you can call 1-844-690-0555 and get clear legal information about your Delaware DUI right away.
We connect Delaware drivers facing DUI charges with licensed local defense attorneys. If you practice DUI defense in New Castle, Kent, or Sussex County and want to receive matched, ready-to-talk client referrals, you can join our network. It's a straightforward way to reach people who have already taken the first step and want representation.
General legal information, not legal advice. We research every page from primary sources — legislation, the courts, and government legal-aid bodies — and check it for accuracy. Spotted something out of date? Tell us at admin@platfirm.ai.
Every day you wait, the window to save your Delaware license shrinks. The DMV won't remind you, and your court date won't cover it. Call 1-844-690-0555 right now — free, 24/7 — for clear legal information about your DUI, your deadlines, and your options under Delaware law. No web form, no income test, no wait. Legal Hotline gives information, not legal advice, and creates no attorney-client relationship — just the answers you need to act before the clock runs out.
Free legal information. Not legal advice.