Are you planning to get your Mississippi driver’s license but don’t know where to begin?
Or maybe you don’t know what your next step should be…
You’ve come to the right place.
Here, we’re going to walk you through the Mississippi driver’s license requirements. We’re going to detail every step and requirement. This way, you won’t be left with any more questions.
So are you ready to find out how to get a driver’s license in Mississippi?
Let’s begin!
How to Get A Driver’s License in Mississippi
If you start at 15 years old, then you need to complete the Mississippi Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.
The program consists of 3 stages, namely:
- Regular learner’s permit
- Intermediate license
- Regular driver’s license
Let’s go through each stage one by one.
How to Get a Regular Learner’s Permit in Mississippi
Here are the steps to getting your regular learner’s permit in Mississippi:
- On your scheduled date, submit the following documents:
- Filled out Application For Driver’s License form (NOTE: if you are 15-16 years old, this must be signed by both parents and notarized)
- Original birth certificate
- SSN card
- 2 proofs of Mississippi residency (you can use your parents’ documents)
- Proof of US citizen or legal presence
- Certificate of School Attendance signed by your school
Click here to find acceptable documents.
- Pay the $7 learner’s permit fee through cash or credit/debit card.
- Pass the computerized knowledge exam. You can prepare for this by studying driver’s ed or the Mississippi DMV Handbook.
NOTE: if you fail the exam, you can retake it the next business day. If you fail 3 times, you have to wait 30 days before you can take it again.
- Pass the vision exam.
- Receive your regular learner’s permit.
This permit is valid for 2 years.
With it, you can start practicing how to drive. However, you must always be accompanied by your parent or any licensed 21-year-old in the front seat.
How to Get an Intermediate License in Mississippi
Here are the steps to getting an intermediate license in Mississippi:
- Be at least 16 years old.
- Hold your learner’s permit for at least a year.
- Go to your local Mississippi DPS office (click here for locations) and submit the following documents:
- Valid learner’s permit
- A completed Application For Driver’s License form. (NOTE: if you are under 17 years old, you must let both your parents sign the form and have it notarized)
- Waiver of Road-Testing Affidavit signed by your parents or legal guardian
- New Certificate of School Attendance signed by your school
- SSN card
- Original birth certificate
- 2 proofs of Mississippi residency (can be your parents’)
- Proof of US citizenship or legal presence
You can find acceptable documents here.
- Get your intermediate license.
It’s as easy as that.
Now, with the intermediate license, you can finally drive unsupervised.
But wait…
There are still some restrictions. These include:
- You can only drive unsupervised between 6 am and 10 pm on Sundays and Thursdays unless you are driving to and from work.
- You can only drive unsupervised between 6 am and 11:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays unless you are driving to and from work.
Of course, if you want to drive earlier or later than the stated times, you have to be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a licensed driver at least 21 years old.
How to Get a Regular Driver’s License in Mississippi
For those that hold an intermediate license, once they turn 17 years old and have held their intermediate license for 6 months, they can upgrade to a regular driver’s license.
All they need to do is:
- Go to a local DPS office (click here for locations).
- Pay the license fee of $24 for a 4-year license or $47 for an 8-year license.
- Surrender their intermediate license.
- Get their regular driver’s license.
Congrats! You are now a fully licensed driver in Mississippi.
What if you start the whole process at 17 years old?
Then you can skip the first 2 stages and go straight to getting your regular driver’s license.
Here’s how to do it:
- On your scheduled date, submit the following:
- A completed Application for Mississippi Driver License/ID form
- Original birth certificate
- SSN card
- 2 proofs of Mississippi residency
- Legal documents (if going by a new name)
- Proof of US citizenship or legal presence
Check here for documents you can use.
- Pay the license fee:
- $24 for a 4-year license
- $47 for an 8-year license
- Pass the computerized exam.
- Pass the vision exam.
- Get your regular driver’s license.
And those are all the steps to getting a driver’s license in Mississippi.
FAQs
Got questions? Then let’s answer some of the most frequently asked ones about Mississippi driver’s license requirements.
What is a Temporary Learner’s Permit in Mississippi?
You might have heard of a temporary learner’s permit.
Maybe you’re still 14 years old and someone suggested getting one.
So what is this temporary learners’ permit?
If you want to learn how to drive even before you turn 15, you can apply to your school’s driver education program. From there, you will be given a temporary learner’s permit.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- It is only valid while you are enrolled in an approved driver’s education course
- You can only drive using a driver-education vehicle while accompanied by your instructor
Remember, you can apply for this when you turn 14 years old.
Do you have to take a driving test to get your license in Mississippi?
Good news! New drivers are no longer required to take a driving test in Mississippi.
It was first removed during the Covid-19 pandemic for safety purposes. But now, officials decided to remove it permanently.
Because of that, those below 17 years old will need to hold their learner’s permit for a year, submit a Road Test Waiver, and complete 50 hours of supervised driving practice.
Can you get your license online in Mississippi?
No, you need to visit a DPS office near you to obtain your license. But, you can renew your Mississippi driver’s license online as long as you are eligible.
How many questions are on the Mississippi driver’s test?
The Mississippi driver’s test has 30 multiple-choice questions. You need to get a score of at least 80% to pass.
What questions are on the MS permit test?
The MS permit test includes multiple-choice and ‘true or false’ questions about traffic signals, road signs, rules, and operating a vehicle safely.
To prepare yourself, you can either try out free practice tests, study a driver’s education program, or read the Mississippi DMV Handbook.
How many times are you allowed to take the permit test in Mississippi?
You are given 3 attempts to pass the Mississippi permit test. If you fail all 3, you have to wait at least 30 days before retesting.
What counts as proof of residency in Mississippi?
Proof of residency in Mississippi includes bank statement, mortgage agreement, electricity bill, and Mississippi driver’s license of your guardian/parent if under 21 years old.
How long does it take to get a Mississippi driver’s license?
Once you pass all the requirements and steps, you have to wait 7 days for your regular driver’s license to arrive via mail.
Conclusion
And that completes your guide to the Mississippi driver’s license requirements.
Compared to other states, getting your driver’s license in Mississippi is very easy, especially since you no longer need to take a driving test.
So what are you waiting for?
Now that you know everything, you can get started right away.
Good luck!