Delaware to Hike Tolls Aug. 15, Raise CDL Fees in October
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Delaware starting Aug. 15 and double some commercial driver license motor vehicle fees in October to raise $107 million yearly to pay for state infrastructure investments.
The higher state Division of Motor Vehicles fees result from Gov. Matt Meyer on June 24 enacting House Bill 164 to amend the state motor vehicle law. The in the 153rd General Assembly by state Rep. Eric Morrison and co-sponsored by Sens. Marie Pinkney and David Sokola, as well as five state representatives.
The bill was based on a University of Delaware study commissioned by the Delaware Department of Transportation. A concern was declining motor fuel tax revenue and higher roadway wear by electric vehicles, which weigh more than traditional ones.
The new law imposes registration fees on owners of EVs and other alternative fuel motor vehicles to generate revenue for DelDOT. In conjunction, state Transportation Secretary Shanté Hastings signed a resolution to increase road tolls. Delaware has three main toll plazas — Newark, Biddles and Dover — as well as three automated ramps.
On Aug. 1, the public will be able to determine new toll amounts for travel on Delaware’s three toll roads and costs for vehicles with additional axles when an online toll calculator is updated with new rates.
In the meantime, DelDOT has published online a list of forthcoming changes. — from two-axle to six-axle vehicles — and are dependent on routes and weekday versus weekend travel.
Toll rates generally will continue to be lower for Delaware E-ZPass account holders than those who pay by cash, check or non-Delaware E-ZPass holders.
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For example, as of Aug. 15, the new toll rate for a six-axle vehicle with a trailer traveling on U.S. Route 301 northbound from the Delaware/Maryland line to any exit will increase by $1, to $13, for E-ZPass and by $1.20, to $14.40, for video tolling.
Commercial vehicle rates will climb for state Route 1 ramp tolls with varying rates, such as rising to 75 cents from 50 cents per axle for all E-ZPass holders and drivers paying cash.
Wide load permit vehicle tolls will increase $1, to $12, on the Interstate 95 Newark Toll Plaza and on state Route 1. Elsewhere these tolls will increase $1, to $12, for E-ZPass and go up $1.20, to $14.40, for video tolling.
On Oct. 1, the DMV will bump document fees for vehicle documents to 5.25%.
However, several DMV costs will double for truckers. Instead of charging the current $5 fees, the DMV will charge $10 for:
- A commercial learner’s permit
- CDL endorsements T, N, H
A new $10 fee will take effect to remove the following CDL restrictions: Z, E, O, M, N and L.
Oct. 1 will also usher in new annual alternative fuel vehicle registration fees applicable to more than 48,000 vehicles registered in Delaware. More information on how that fee will be collected will be available closer to the implementation date.
Delaware will have seven types of alternative fuel vehicle registration fees for various types of vehicles and weights:
- Electric motor vehicles — from $110 for those under 6,000 pounds to $900 for EVs over 26,000 pounds
- Non-plug-in EVs — $60 for weighing less than 6,000 pounds up to $480 for weights above 26,000 pounds
- Plug-in EVs — $85 for below 6,000 pounds to $600 for over 26,000 pounds
- Other fuel type vehicles — $900 for those heavier than 26,000 pounds
Truckers will see other price jumps from $48 to $55 in CDL fees for the DMV to issue new CDLs and also for renewals and transfers.
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