SB233 • 2025

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF ICE AND SNOW FROM VEHICLES.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Townsend
Last action: 2026-05-19
Official status: Out of Committee 5/19/26
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill does not provide details about enforcement methods or penalties beyond those specified.

Delaware Law on Removing Ice and Snow from Vehicles

This law requires drivers to remove ice and snow from their vehicles before driving, sets penalties for violations, and adds higher fines if the snow or ice causes damage while driving.

What This Bill Does

Requires drivers to clear ice and snow from all parts of a car except the windshield before they start driving.
Imposes fines between $25 and $75 for not clearing ice and snow as required.
Doesn't allow more than one fine per day if someone doesn't follow this rule.
Adds higher fines ranging from $200 to $1,000 for non-commercial drivers and $500 to $1,500 for commercial vehicle operators if their ice or snow causes damage while driving.

Who It Names or Affects

Drivers in Delaware who need to remove ice and snow from their vehicles before operating them.
People who might get fined for not clearing ice or snow properly, or if it causes damage while driving.

Terms To Know

Civil penalty: A fine that a person has to pay when they break a law.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if someone gets fined multiple times in one day.
It doesn't say how police will enforce this rule on roads with speed limits under 25 miles per hour.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

SA 1

1 • Townsend

Passed 5/12/26

Plain English: Legislation Document SPONSOR: Sen.

Legislation Document SPONSOR: Sen.
Townsend DELAWARE STATE SENATE 153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE AMENDMENT NO.
1 TO SENATE BILL NO.
233 AMEND Senate Bill No.

Bill History

2026-05-19 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Public Safety & Homeland Security) in House with 6 On Its Merits
2026-05-13 Delaware General Assembly
Assigned to Public Safety & Homeland Security Committee in House
2026-05-12 Delaware General Assembly
Amendment SA 1 to SB 233 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
2026-05-12 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES
2026-05-05 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Environment, Energy & Transportation) in Senate with 4 Favorable, 4 On Its Merits
2026-03-20 Delaware General Assembly
Amendment SA 1 to SB 233 - Introduced and Placed With Bill
2026-01-29 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced and Assigned to Environment, Energy & Transportation Committee in Senate

Official Summary Text

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF ICE AND SNOW FROM VEHICLES.
This Act requires that accumulated snow and ice be removed from surfaces of a vehicle before it is operated and imposes a civil penalty for a violation. This Act also creates a civil penalty for each instance where snow or ice dislodges from a moving vehicle and causes property damage or physical injury but this penalty is not an exclusive remedy for property damage or physical injury.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Townsend & Sen. Huxtable & Rep. Osienski & Rep. Morrison

Sens. Hansen, Hoffner, Pettyjohn, Sokola, Sturgeon, Walsh, Wilson; Rep. D. Short

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 233

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 21 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF ICE AND SNOW FROM VEHICLES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Subchapter XI, Chapter 41, Title 21 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 4186A. Ice and snow removal from vehicles.

(a) A person operating a vehicle shall remove accumulated ice and snow from the exterior surfaces of the vehicle prior to operation.

(b) A driver who violates this subsection is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $25 and not more than $75 for each violation. Each day that a driver violates this subsection is a separate violation. A driver may not receive more than 1 penalty for a violation of this section in a 24 hour period.

(c) A driver is not required to remove ice and snow that accumulates on a vehicle, other than on the windshield, during a period when the vehicle is being continuously operated.

(d) When ice or snow dislodges from a moving vehicle and causes property damage or physical injury, the following civil penalties apply:

(

1) The driver of a non-commercial vehicle is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $200 and not more than $1,000 for each occurrence.

(2) The operator, owner, lessee, or bailee of a commercial vehicle is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $500 and not more than $1,500 for each occurrence.

(e) No motor vehicle points may be assessed against a person for failing to comply with this section, and there may be no entry made on the person’s driving record for failing to comply with this section.

(f) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, a police officer is authorized to make an administrative stop for purposes of enforcing this section, upon reasonable and articulable suspicion that a violation of this section has occurred.

(g) This section does not apply to a person operating a vehicle on a roadway with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less.

SYNOPSIS

This Act requires that accumulated snow and ice be removed from surfaces of a vehicle before it is operated and imposes a civil penalty for a violation. This Act also creates a civil penalty for each instance where snow or ice dislodges from a moving vehicle and causes property damage or physical injury but this penalty is not an exclusive remedy for property damage or physical injury.

Author: Senator Townsend