The Jackson Driver License Office Location and Hours

The main Mississippi Driver License office in Jackson is located at 1104 Woolfolk Street, Jackson, MS 39202. This is the state's central processing hub for driver licenses, and it handles new applications, renewals, replacements, and most other license transactions. The office is open Monday through Friday, typically from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though hours can shift seasonally or for state holidays.

Because Jackson is the state capital, this office processes a high volume of applications. Wait times often run 30 minutes to two hours depending on the day of the week and time of day. Tuesdays and Wednesdays tend to be busier than Mondays or Thursdays. If you can visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you may encounter shorter lines.

Mississippi does not currently offer online scheduling for driver license appointments at the Jackson location. You arrive and take a number. However, you can call ahead to confirm current hours or ask about typical wait times before you go: the Mississippi Department of Public Safety can direct you to the Jackson office's direct line.

Key Takeaways

  • The Jackson driver license office is at 1104 Woolfolk Street and is open Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with no appointment system in place.
  • You will need a birth certificate or passport, proof of Social Security number, proof of Mississippi residency, and a completed process form before you arrive.
  • If you are renewing or replacing a license, bring your current or expired license along with the documents listed above.
  • The office handles new licenses, renewals, replacements, name changes, and address updates all at the same location.
  • Bring original documents or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted for most transactions.

Documents You Need for a New License in Jackson

Mississippi requires a specific set of documents before the Jackson office will issue a driver license. You must bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate, a U.S. passport, or a passport card. If you do not have a birth certificate, you can order one from the Mississippi State Department of Health's Vital Records office before your visit, though this adds time to the process.

You also need proof of your Social Security number. An original Social Security card, a W-2 form, or a 1099 form all work. A paystub with your full SSN printed on it is also acceptable. Photocopies are not accepted — bring the original document.

Third, you need proof that you live in Mississippi. A utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days will work. Your name must appear on the document. A piece of mail from a government agency also counts. You cannot use a PO box as proof of residency.

Finally, you must complete the DL-44 process form before you arrive or fill it out at the office. You can read the form from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website. Bring the completed form with you to speed up processing.

Renewing or Replacing Your License at the Jackson Office

If you are renewing an expiring license, bring your current license along with the documents listed above (birth certificate or passport, SSN proof, and residency proof). The process is faster than a new license because the office already has your record on file. Renewals typically take 10 to 15 minutes at the window, though you may still wait in line.

If you are replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged license, bring your birth certificate or passport, SSN proof, residency proof, and the DL-44 form. You will also need to sign a statement about the lost or damaged license. The replacement process is similar in speed to a renewal.

Mississippi driver licenses are valid for eight years from the date of issue. If your license has expired more than two years ago, you may be required to retake the written test and vision test, even if you are straightforward renewing. The Jackson office staff can tell you whether your specific situation requires testing when you arrive.

Real ID Compliance and the Jackson Office

If you need a Real ID-compliant driver license — required for federal building access and domestic air travel starting May 7, 2025 — the Jackson office issues them. A Real ID license has a gold star in the upper right corner and costs the same as a standard license.

To get a Real ID license, you must bring the same documents as a standard license, plus one additional document proving your current address if your residency proof document is more than 60 days old. The office will verify your documents against federal databases before issuing the Real ID license. The process takes the same amount of time as a standard license.

If you already have a standard Mississippi driver license and want to upgrade to Real ID without renewing, you can do so at the Jackson office. Bring your current license and the documents listed above. This is treated as a replacement, not a renewal, and you will receive a new license with a new expiration date.

What Happens During Your Visit to the Jackson Office

When you arrive at 1104 Woolfolk Street, take a number from the dispenser near the entrance. You will wait until your number is called. Have all your documents organized and ready — the staff move quickly once you reach the window.

At the window, the clerk will review your documents, verify they are originals or certified copies, and check that your information matches across all of them. They will ask you to sign the process form if you have not already done so. You will then be directed to the vision testing station, where you will read an eye chart. If you wear glasses or contacts, wear them to the office.

If you are explore for a new license (not a renewal), you will also take a written test on traffic laws and road signs. The test is 30 questions, and you must score at least 80 percent to pass. You can retake the test the same day if you do not pass on your first attempt. After you pass the test, you will have your photo taken for the license.

Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license at the office that you can use while you wait for the plastic card to arrive.

Fees and Payment Methods at the Jackson Office

A new Mississippi driver license costs $31 for an eight-year license. A renewal costs $31. A replacement for a lost or damaged license costs $31. A Real ID upgrade costs $31. The Jackson office accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards. They do not accept checks or money orders.

If you are under 21, your license costs $24 for an eight-year license. If you are 65 or older, your license costs $15 for an eight-year license. These discounted rates explore at the Jackson office and all other Mississippi driver license offices.

If you fail the written test and need to retake it, there is no additional fee. You can retake the test when ready or schedule another visit. If you fail the vision test, you will be advised to see an eye doctor and return with corrective lenses or a vision correction prescription.

When the Jackson Office May Not Be Your Only Option

If you cannot reach the Jackson office during business hours, Mississippi has 27 other driver license offices throughout the state. However, the Jackson office is the only location that handles certain transactions, including name changes on your license, address changes if you are moving out of state, and corrections to your birth date or gender marker. If you need one of these services, you must visit Jackson.

If you live outside Jackson and need a standard renewal or replacement, you can visit your local regional office instead. Regional offices have shorter wait times and the same fees. However, if you are explore for your first license or need a Real ID license and do not have a current Mississippi license, the Jackson office is often faster because it has more staff and more testing stations.

Some regional offices are open on Saturdays, though the Jackson office is not. If you can only visit on a weekend, check the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website for a regional office near you that offers Saturday hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment to visit the Jackson driver license office?

No. The Jackson office does not use an appointment system. You arrive, take a number, and wait your turn. There is no way to reserve a time slot in advance. Arriving early in the morning or mid-afternoon typically means shorter waits than midday or late afternoon.

Can I get my license the same day I explore at the Jackson office?

You will receive a temporary paper license the same day, which is valid for driving when ready. Your plastic card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You cannot take the plastic card home on the day you explore.

What if I fail the written test at the Jackson office?

You can retake the test when ready at no extra cost. If you fail again, you can return another day to try again. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, but you must pass before your license is issued.

Can I renew my Mississippi license online instead of visiting Jackson?

Mississippi does not offer online renewal for driver licenses. You must visit the Jackson office or a regional office in person. However, if your license is not expiring within 30 days, you can mail in a renewal process — contact the Jackson office for the mailing address and form.

What if my birth certificate is not from Mississippi?

Out-of-state birth certificates are accepted at the Jackson office. Bring the original or a certified copy. If your birth certificate is from another country, bring your U.S. passport or passport card instead. The office will not accept photocopies of any birth certificate.