SCR87 • 2025

DIRECTING 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 TO COLLABORATE WITH NEIGHBORNG STATE AND REGIONAL PARTNERS TO ADDRESS THE GROWING ISSUE OF COUNTERFEIT LICENSE PLATES AND DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO PROTECT DELAWARE DRIVERS FROM FRAUDULENT USE OF THEIR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS.

Technology

Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor: Sokola
Last action: 2025-06-25
Official status: Passed 6/25/25
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not specify which technologies are used, only that available technology should be utilized.

Collaboration on Counterfeit License Plates

This resolution requires Delaware agencies to work with neighboring states and regional partners to address counterfeit license plates and protect drivers from fraud.

What This Bill Does

Requires the Delaware Department of Transportation, Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Justice, 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.
Develops a strategy to detect and respond to toll evasion and license plate fraud involving Delaware plates.
Shares violation data and toll footage between states to identify patterns of repeated fraudulent use.
Utilizes available technology to flag inconsistencies between vehicle type and plate number.
Creates a centralized point within the DMV for residents who are victims of plate fraud.

Who It Names or Affects

Delaware drivers affected by counterfeit license plates and toll violations.
State agencies in Delaware responsible for transportation, justice, and law enforcement.
Law enforcement and transportation departments in neighboring states.

Terms To Know

Counterfeit License Plates: Fake license plates that are used to evade tolls or hide illegal activities.
Toll Evasion: Avoiding payment for using roads or bridges that charge fees.

Limits and Unknowns

The resolution does not specify funding sources for the collaboration and enforcement efforts.
It is unclear how neighboring states will respond to Delaware's request for cooperation.
The effectiveness of the strategy in reducing counterfeit license plates remains uncertain.

Bill History

2025-06-25 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By House. Votes: 39 YES 1 ABSENT 1 VACANT
2025-06-18 Delaware General Assembly
Reported Out of Committee (Transportation) in House with 1 Favorable, 5 On Its Merits
2025-05-22 Delaware General Assembly
Assigned to Transportation Committee in House
2025-05-21 Delaware General Assembly
Introduced in Senate
2025-05-21 Delaware General Assembly
Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT

Official Summary Text

DIRECTING 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 TO COLLABORATE WITH NEIGHBORNG STATE AND REGIONAL PARTNERS TO ADDRESS THE GROWING ISSUE OF COUNTERFEIT LICENSE PLATES AND DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO PROTECT DELAWARE DRIVERS FROM FRAUDULENT USE OF THEIR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS.
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.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Sokola & Rep. Osienski

Sens. Hansen, Hocker, Huxtable, Pettyjohn, Townsend, Walsh; Rep. Hilovsky

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 87

DIRECTING 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 TO COLLABORATE WITH NEIGHBORNG STATE AND REGIONAL PARTNERS TO ADDRESS THE GROWING ISSUE OF COUNTERFEIT LICENSE PLATES AND DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO PROTECT DELAWARE DRIVERS FROM FRAUDULENT USE OF THEIR VEHICLE REGISTRATIONS.

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