Pro tip: To confidently explore Mississippi's rich cultural heritage and natural beauty, adept driving is a must. Our thorough guides on operating a stick shift and parallel parking are tailored to enhance your driving. Sharpen your technique for reverse parking and three-point turns. Ensure that your mirrors are adjusted for the best rearward view. Our Online Driving Simulator is a valuable tool for practice, and international drivers should familiarize themselves with Mississippi's international driver's license guidelines.
I’m 17+ (First Timers, Learner ‘s Permit or Intermediate License Holders)It tests your knowledge of Mississippi traffic laws and safe driving rules. Study before you go with the help of free practice tests and read frequently asked questions about the test.
If you fail the test, you can retake it as early as the next business day. If you fail the test 3 times, you will have to wait at least 30 days before your next attempt.
It will check your vision. If it shows that you need glasses to drive a car, you must have your eyes checked by an eye specialist or optometrist, who will complete a vision form ( DE26). You can get the form at a DPS office.
If you are younger than 17 years of age, the intermediate license is the second step towards your full driver’s license. It allows you to drive unsupervised from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. (There are no time restrictions if going to and from work.) At all other times, you must be supervised by a parent, guardian or other licensed driver 21+ who is in the front seat.
You can find all driver license office locations here.
You can download it here. The application is not finished without your parents' notarized signatures. If your parents are divorced, the parent with custody should sign the form.
$11.00 by cash, debit or credit (no personal checks).
You must be accompanied by a licensed driver of at least 21 years of age and bring a legally licensed vehicle that has all necessary equipment to pass an inspection and proof of insurance.
If you fail the test, you will be asked to wait one full week before retaking it.
Hold your intermediate license for six months and reach the age of 16½ before upgrading it to a regular license.
You can get your first regular driver's license at the age of 16.5 if you have held your intermediate license for at least 6 months. If you have never held a license or permit, you may get your regular license at the age of 17 without applying for a learner's permit.
First timer? Start with step 1.
Learner's permit holder? Start with step 7.
Intermediate license holder? If you've turned 16.5, visit a driver license office, pay the fee of $ 9.00 and get your regular license.
It will check your vision. If it shows that you need glasses to drive a car, you must have your eyes checked by an eye specialist or optometrist, who will complete a vision form (DE26). You can get the form at a DPS office.
It tests your knowledge of Mississippi traffic laws and safe driving rules. Study before you go with the help of free practice tests and read frequently asked questions about the test.
If you fail the test, you can retake it as early as the next business day. If you fail the test 3 times, you will have to wait at least 30 days before your next attempt.
You can take it on the same day as your computerized exam. Note that you must be accompanied by a licensed driver of at least 21 years of age and bring a legally licensed vehicle that has all necessary equipment to pass an inspection as well as proof of insurance. The test will be waived if you hold a valid out of the country driver’s license along with the international license.
If you fail the test, you will be asked to wait one full week before retaking it.
Bring the following for the test:
If you don't speak English or are hearing impaired, you may bring an interpreter to accompany you during the test. No other passengers are allowed.
Before you start driving, your examiner will check
Your job is to driver safely, control the vehicle and follow the examiner's instructions. You won't be tricked or asked to do anything illegal. During the test the examiner will list your strengths and weakness on the Record of Examination. Don't be distracted by the writing. The following maneuvers will help the examiner decide if you are ready to drive independently:
The examiner will watch closely how you do the following while driving:
You will fail your exam if you
At the end of the test, your examiner will mention your errors and inform you whether you pass or fail. If you fail the test, you will be asked to wait one full week before retaking it.
Good news! You don't have to convert your valid out-of-state license if any of the following is true:
If you are moving from another state and have an out-of-state driver’s license, you must visit a driver license location and convert your license within 60 days. You don’t have to take any test apart from the vision test if your current license is valid and you have been a licensed driver for at least 6 months. If your license expired more than 30 days ago, you will be asked to take the computerized test.
You can find all the locations here.
$24.00 for the 4-year license or $47.00 for the 8-year license. Pay by cash, debit or credit (no personal checks).
It will check your vision. If it shows that you need glasses to drive a car, you must have your eyes checked by an eye specialist or optometrist, who will complete a vision form (DE26). You can get the form at a DPS office.
You must do it only if your current out-of-state license expired more than 30 days ago. Study before you go with the help of free practice tests and read frequently asked questions about the test.
If your out-of-state license has been lost, you must get an Affidavit of Inability to Surrender form from the driver license office and have your signature notarized.
Your new Mississippi driver’s license will arrive in the mail in about a week and will be valid for four years.
If you are moving to Mississippi from another country, you will have to convert to the Mississippi driver's license. All applicants must pass the computerized (knowledge) and vision exams. If you hold a valid out of country driver's license along with a valid international license, you will not have to take the road skills test. If you don't have an international license, you will be required to take the road skills test as well.
For the full step-by-step procedure, go to How to Apply for Your Regular Driver's License in Mississippi.
