Where to renew and what documents you need

In Mississippi, you renew your driver's license through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver Services Bureau. You can renew in person at any Driver Services office, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or online through the state's website if your license is not suspended or revoked.

For an in-person renewal, bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

If you are renewing by mail, you must have a valid, unexpired license and no medical or legal holds on your record. Mail renewals take longer than in-person or online renewals, typically 7 to 10 business days after the office receives your process.

Key Takeaways

  • Mississippi allows online renewal for most drivers, which is the fastest option and requires no office visit or mailed documents.
  • In-person renewal at a Driver Services office takes about 30 minutes and is necessary if your license is suspended, revoked, or if you need to update your address or name.
  • Mail renewal is available only if your license is valid and not subject to any holds, and takes 7 to 10 business days.
  • Your license is valid for four years from the date of issue, and Mississippi sends no automatic reminder — you are responsible for tracking your expiration date.
  • If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail or online and must renew in person.

Online renewal through the Mississippi DPS website

Online renewal is the fastest and most convenient option if you are may be able to access. You can renew online if your license is not suspended or revoked, you have not had any address or name changes since your last renewal, and your license is not expired by more than one year. The process takes about 10 minutes and you can do it from home.

Go to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website, select the Driver Services section, and choose online renewal. You will need your current driver's license number, your Social Security number, and a valid payment method for the renewal fee. Mississippi charges $24 for a four-year renewal. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

If the system tells you that you are not may be able to access for online renewal, it means one of the restrictions applies — a suspension, an address change, or an expired license. In that case, you must renew in person.

In-person renewal at a Driver Services office

If you cannot renew online, you will need to visit a Driver Services office in person. Mississippi has offices in most counties; you can find the one nearest you on the DPS website. Bring your current license, proof of residency, and your Social Security card or document showing your number. If your address or name has changed, bring the document that proves the change.

The office will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your renewal on the spot. The visit usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is. You will pay the $24 renewal fee at the counter. Your new license will be mailed to your address within 7 to 10 business days, but you can request a temporary paper license to use while you wait.

If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person. The same applies if your license is suspended or revoked — the office will tell you what steps you need to take to clear the suspension before a new license can be issued.

Mail renewal for unexpired licenses

You can renew by mail only if your license is still valid (not expired), you have no address or name changes to make, and there are no holds or suspensions on your record. To renew by mail, read the renewal form from the Mississippi DPS website or call the Driver Services Bureau to request one.

Fill out the form completely, include a copy of your current license, and mail it with your payment to the address shown on the form. The renewal fee is $24. Mail your process to the Driver Services Bureau, and allow 7 to 10 business days for processing after the office receives it. The post office delivery time is not included in that estimate, so plan for 10 to 14 days total.

If you do not hear back within two weeks, contact the Driver Services Bureau to confirm that your process arrived. Mail can be delayed, and the office cannot process your renewal if the form is incomplete or the payment is missing.

What happens if your license is suspended or revoked

If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it until the suspension or revocation is lifted. Suspensions in Mississippi are usually caused by unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, unpaid child support, or medical conditions reported to the state. Revocations are more serious and are typically the result of DUI convictions or accumulating too many points on your driving record.

Before you can renew, you must resolve the underlying issue. For a suspension due to unpaid fines, you will need to pay the fines or set up a payment plan with the court. For a suspension due to failure to appear, you will need to contact the court and resolve the case. For medical suspensions, you may need to provide a doctor's statement clearing you to drive.

Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can renew in person at a Driver Services office. The office will verify that the hold has been removed before issuing your new license. If you are unsure why your license is suspended, call the Driver Services Bureau at the number on the DPS website — they can tell you the reason and what you need to do to clear it.

Renewal fees and how long your new license lasts

A standard four-year driver's license renewal costs $24 in Mississippi. This is the cost whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. Payment methods vary by renewal method: online renewal accepts credit and debit cards, mail renewal requires a check or money order, and in-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, or credit card.

Your new license will be valid for four years from the date it is issued. Mississippi does not send renewal reminders, so write your expiration date somewhere you will see it — on a calendar, in your phone, or on a note at home. Driving with an expired license is illegal, even if you have applied for a renewal and are waiting for it to arrive.

If you renew before your current license expires, your new license will still be valid for four years from the date of issue, not from the date your old license would have expired. There is no penalty for renewing early.

What to do if you lose your license before renewal

If your license is lost or stolen before it expires, you will need to get a replacement, not a renewal. A replacement costs $10 and requires an in-person visit to a Driver Services office. Bring your proof of residency and Social Security card or document showing your number. The office will issue you a temporary paper license and mail your new plastic license within 7 to 10 business days.

If your license is lost and you also need to renew it (because it is close to expiration), you can do both at the same time. The office will charge you the full renewal fee of $24 rather than the replacement fee, and your new license will be valid for four years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Mississippi license if I have moved out of state?

No. If you have moved out of Mississippi and no longer live there, you cannot renew a Mississippi license. You must get a driver's license from your new state. If you still live in Mississippi but have moved to a new address, you can renew in person and update your address at the same time.

What if my license expired more than a year ago?

You cannot renew by mail or online if your license has been expired for more than one year. You must renew in person at a Driver Services office. Bring the same documents you would for a regular in-person renewal — your expired license, proof of residency, and your Social Security card.

How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?

Your new license will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days after the office processes your renewal. This timeline does not include postal delivery time, so plan for 10 to 14 days total. If you renew in person, you can request a temporary paper license to use while you wait.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

Yes. A new photo is taken every time you renew your license, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you renew by mail, the office will use the photo from your current license. If you renew online or in person, a new photo will be taken.

What if I need my license before the new one arrives?

If you renew in person, ask the Driver Services office for a temporary paper license. This document is valid for driving while you wait for your plastic license to arrive in the mail. If you renew by mail or online, you cannot get a temporary license, so plan ahead if you need to drive before your new license arrives.