Delaware License Plate

Plate Design

First State (Standard)

Delaware standard license plate: blue background with gold plate numbers, Delaware in gold text across the top, and The First State along the bottom

Delaware's standard plate stands out from the crowd with a bold navy blue background and gold lettering — a color combination that mirrors the state flag. "Delaware" runs across the top and "The First State" along the bottom, a proud reference to Delaware being the first state to ratify the US Constitution in 1787. The dark background makes it one of the more distinctive plates on the East Coast.

How Rare Is It on the Road Trip Game?

Uncommon. Delaware is the second-smallest state and has a modest population, so its plates are relatively scarce outside the Mid-Atlantic region. Spotting one west of the Mississippi is a genuine achievement.

Spotting Tip

I-95 through Wilmington is your best hunting ground — it's the main corridor connecting Delaware to Philadelphia and the rest of the Northeast. Delaware is also a popular corporate domicile, so business travelers on the East Coast occasionally carry DE plates.

Fun Fact

Delaware has no sales tax, which makes it a shopping destination for residents of neighboring states — and means its highways see more out-of-state traffic than you might expect for such a small state.