The Delaware Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is launching its annual low-tag lottery, beginning on Nov. 6.
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, and will continue every day through Thursday, November 2. You may register only once per driver license or identification card.
The event gives participants the chance to get a coveted five-digit license plate that can cost more than $1,000 on the open market. Low-number tag sales can run in the six-figures.
The frenzy over low-numbered tags has been heightened by a near-doubling of the state’s population over the past three decades and more families owning multiple vehicles.
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., select tag type PV.
On Monday, November 6, through Friday, November 10, 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 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. Daily winning lottery codes will be posted at dmv.de.gov/taglottery and accessible from our social media sites: facebook.com/DMVDelawareand 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
Dover DMV
November 7
Georgetown DMV
November 9
Wilmington DMV
November 9
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.
Upon completing their title work, all winners will receive a standard blue and gold license plate. 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.
More rules
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. Due to unforeseen circumstances, DMV reserves the right to modify the tag number as assigned.
