WHEREAS, Delaware license plates are being fraudulently reproduced and used by unauthorized individuals to evade tolls and enforcement systems throughout the Northeast corridor; and
WHEREAS,
the misuse of these counterfeit plates results in innocent Delaware motorists receiving toll violations and enforcement actions for vehicles they do not own and infractions they did not commit; and
WHEREAS,
Delaware residents currently bear the burden of disputing each violation individually with limited support and coordination from Delaware authorities or neighboring states; and
WHEREAS,
technological solutions such as license plate recognition, toll gantry camera systems, and cross-jurisdictional vehicle type analysis could help identify fraudulent tag use and habitual offenders; and
WHEREAS,
Delaware’s transportation agencies have a responsibility to protect residents from the consequences of fraud involving state-issued credentials, including license plates; and
WHEREAS,
meaningful collaboration with transportation and enforcement authorities in neighboring states is critical to addressing this multi-jurisdictional issue as neighboring states such as Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland are also affected by this growing issue, which requires a coordinated regional response; and
WHEREAS, protecting the integrity of Delaware’s vehicle registration system and the rights of its residents is a core function of the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
NOW, THEREFORE:
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that the Delaware Department of Transportation, the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Delaware Department of Justice, the Delaware State Police, and other law enforcement agencies in Delaware shall collaborate with state transportation departments, law enforcement agencies, and other interested stakeholders in neighboring states and across the region to develop a strategy to address the growing issue of counterfeit Delaware license plates, and protect Delaware drivers from the fraudulent use of their vehicle registrations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the strategy shall detect and respond to repeated instances of toll evasion and license plate fraud, including:
1. Coordinating with other states to share violation data and toll footage involving Delaware plates.
2. Identifying patterns of repeated fraudulent use.
3. Utilizing available technology to flag inconsistencies between vehicle type and plate number.
4. Creating a centralized point of contact within DMV for Delaware residents who are victims of plate fraud.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that DelDOT and DMV shall submit a preliminary report by no later than December 1, 2025 and a final report by no later than June 30, 2026, to the General Assembly, the Governor, the Director and Librarian of the Division of Legislative Services, and the Delaware Public Archives detailing their actions, partnerships, findings, and any recommendations for legislation or resource needs to improve enforcement, data sharing, victim support, and other relevant matters.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED
that copies of this resolution
be transmitted to the Secretary of the Department of
Transportation, the Director of the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Governor, the Attorney General, and the Superintendent of the Delaware State Police.
SYNOPSIS
This Senate Concurrent Resolution requires the Delaware Department of Transportation, the Division of Motor Vehicles, the Delaware Department of Justice, the Delaware State Police, and other law enforcement agencies to collaborate with state transportation departments, law enforcement agencies, and other interested stakeholders in neighboring states and across the region to develop a strategy to address the growing issue of counterfeit Delaware license plates, and protect Delaware drivers from the fraudulent use of their vehicle registrations. The Resolution also requires the Department of Transportation and the Division of Motor Vehicles to submit a final report to the General Assembly, the Governor, the Director and Librarian of the Division of Legislative Services, and the Delaware Public Archives, no later than June 30, 2026, detailing their actions, partnerships, findings, and any recommendations for legislation or resource needs to improve enforcement, data sharing, victim support, and other relevant matters.
Author: Senator Sokola
