Where to Get Your Driver License in Greenville

The Washington County Driver License Office in Greenville is the only location in the county where you can obtain a new driver license, renew an existing one, or handle most license-related transactions. The office is located at 314 Main Street, Greenville, MS 38701. You cannot complete driver license business at any other DMV office in Mississippi and expect it to transfer to Washington County — you must go to this specific location.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. It is closed on state holidays and weekends. Because wait times can run 30 minutes to over an hour during peak times (typically mid-morning and early afternoon), arriving early in the day or on a Wednesday or Thursday generally means shorter waits.

You do not need an appointment to visit the office, but you should bring all required documents with you on your first visit. If you are missing documents, the staff will tell you what is needed, but you will have to return on another day to complete your transaction.

Key Takeaways

  • The Washington County Driver License Office at 314 Main Street is the only place in Greenville to obtain or renew a driver license.
  • You must bring proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residence — originals or certified copies, not photos or digital copies.
  • A new driver license costs $24.00 for a four-year license or $36.00 for an eight-year license; renewals cost the same amount.
  • Written and driving tests are required for first-time applicants; renewal applicants do not retake tests unless their license has been suspended or revoked.
  • Processing takes one business day, and your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days while you wait for the plastic card to arrive by mail.

Documents You Need for a New Driver License

Mississippi requires three categories of documents: proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current residence. Each category has specific documents that are accepted, and you must bring originals or certified copies — photocopies, photos of documents, or digital images on your phone will not be accepted.

For proof of identity, bring one of these: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID card, or a valid out-of-state driver license. If you are using a birth certificate, it must be a certified copy with the raised seal from the county or state vital records office — hospital-issued birth certificates are not accepted.

For proof of Social Security number, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return with your Social Security number on it. The document must show your full nine-digit number and your name.

For proof of residence, bring a recent utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, or a government-issued document showing your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days and show your full name and street address. A P.O. box is not accepted as proof of residence.

Fees and License Duration

A new driver license in Mississippi costs $24.00 for a four-year license or $36.00 for an eight-year license. The fee is the same whether you are obtaining your first license or renewing an expired one. Payment is cash only — the Greenville office does not accept credit cards, debit cards, or checks.

A four-year license expires on your birthday four years after issue. An eight-year license expires on your birthday eight years after issue. You can renew your license up to 12 months before it expires, so you do not have to wait until the expiration date to renew.

If your license has been suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it — you must first resolve the suspension or revocation with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The Greenville office staff can tell you the status of your license, but they cannot lift a suspension or revocation.

Written Test and Driving Test Requirements

If you are obtaining your first driver license or your license has been expired for more than two years, you must pass a written test and a driving test. The written test covers Mississippi traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. You have three attempts to pass the written test; if you fail all three, you must wait 30 days before you can take it again.

The driving test is conducted by a Mississippi Department of Public Safety examiner and takes approximately 20 minutes. You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe operating condition. The vehicle must have working brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and mirrors. If the examiner determines the vehicle is unsafe, you will not be tested that day.

If you are renewing an existing license that has not been expired for more than two years, you do not retake the written or driving test. However, if your license was suspended or revoked, you must pass both tests again before you can renew.

Renewing Your Driver License by Mail

If your license is currently valid and has not been suspended or revoked, you may renew by mail instead of visiting the office in person. To renew by mail, send a completed process for Driver License or Identification Card (Form DL-44), your current driver license, and a check or money order for the renewal fee to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver License Bureau, P.O. Box 958, Jackson, MS 39205.

Mail renewal takes approximately two to three weeks from the date the department receives your process. Your current license remains valid during this time. If you need your new license sooner, you must visit the Greenville office in person.

You cannot renew by mail if your license has been expired for more than two years, if it has been suspended or revoked, or if you need to update your address, name, or other information. In those cases, you must visit the office in person.

What Happens After You Pass Your Tests

Once you pass the written and driving tests (or if you are renewing and do not need to test), the staff will issue you a temporary paper license valid for 30 days. This temporary license has the same legal standing as a plastic license and can be used to drive when ready. Your plastic driver license will be mailed to the address you provide on your process within 7 to 10 business days.

If you do not receive your plastic license within 14 days, contact the Greenville office to report it. Do not assume it is lost — mail delays are common, especially during high-volume periods. The office can check the status of your card and reissue it if necessary, though a reissue fee may explore.

Your temporary paper license expires 30 days after issue. If your plastic license has not arrived by then, you can request an extension at the Greenville office, though you may need to show proof that you applied (such as your receipt from the day you visited).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common reason people have to return to the office is bringing photocopies or digital images instead of original documents. The staff will not accept a photo of your birth certificate or a scanned copy of your Social Security card — you must bring the physical document itself. If you do not have an original, request a certified copy from the issuing agency before you visit.

A second common mistake is bringing a document that shows a P.O. box as your address for proof of residence. Mississippi requires a street address. If you live in an apartment or rural area and do not have a street address on your utility bill, bring a lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement instead.

Third, do not assume your out-of-state license will transfer automatically. You must take the written test and driving test in Mississippi, even if you held a valid license in another state. The only exception is if you are moving to Mississippi from another state and your out-of-state license is still valid — in that case, you can renew without testing, but only within 30 days of establishing residency in Mississippi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it expired more than two years ago?

No. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must retake the written test and driving test as if you were obtaining a license for the first time. You cannot renew by mail. You must visit the Greenville office in person with all required documents and be prepared to test.

What if I lost my Social Security card and do not have a W-2 or tax return?

You can request a replacement Social Security card from the Social Security Administration office in Greenville or online at ssa.gov. This usually takes one to two weeks. Alternatively, if you have a recent tax return or W-2 with your Social Security number on it, that will work as proof of your number — you do not need the card itself.

Do I have to take the driving test in Greenville, or can I test at another office?

You must test in Washington County, which means the Greenville office. You cannot take your driving test at a different county's office and transfer the result to Greenville. If you fail the driving test, you can retake it, but you must schedule another appointment at the Greenville office.

What if my address changed after I got my license?

You must visit the Greenville office in person to update your address. You cannot change your address by mail or online. Bring your current license and proof of your new residence (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). There is no fee to update your address, but you will receive a new plastic license with the updated information.

Can I get a REAL ID license in Greenville?

Yes. A REAL ID-compliant driver license costs the same as a standard license ($24.00 for four years or $36.00 for eight years) and is required for federal air travel and entry to federal buildings as of May 7, 2025. You must bring the same documents as for a standard license, plus proof of your Social Security number and proof of residence. Ask the staff at the Greenville office if you want a REAL ID license when you explore.