No,
Applying makeup while driving in Delaware violates state traffic laws under 21 Del. C. § 4177, which prohibits distracted driving behaviors. The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) explicitly lists grooming activities, including makeup application, as primary offenses under its 2024-2026 Distracted Driving Enforcement Plan. Violators face fines up to $100 for a first offense, with potential license demerit points for repeat violations.
Key Regulations for Applying Makeup While Driving in Delaware
- Primary Offense Ban (21 Del. C. § 4177): Delaware law prohibits any activity that distracts a driver, including applying makeup, under the state’s broader distracted driving statute. Law enforcement may cite drivers without additional traffic violations.
- DelDOT & OHS Enforcement Priorities (2024-2026): The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) and OHS prioritize makeup application as a high-risk distraction in their annual enforcement campaigns, aligning with national NHTSA guidelines.
- Local Ordinance Overlaps: Some municipalities, such as Wilmington, may impose additional penalties under local traffic codes, though state law preempts stricter local regulations.
Violations are adjudicated in Delaware’s Justice of the Peace Courts, where judges may impose fines or mandate distracted driving education programs. Delaware’s 2026 compliance framework further integrates distracted driving data into its traffic safety dashboard, increasing transparency for repeat offenders.