Documents and information you must bring to renew in Mississippi

To renew your Mississippi driver's license, you need to bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your Mississippi residency. The Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MDPS) will not process your renewal without these three things. If your current license is lost or damaged, bring a state ID card or passport instead of the license itself.

Proof of Social Security number can be your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return. Proof of residency must show your current address and can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. A government check or tax return with your address also works. Bring the original document or a certified copy — photocopies alone are not accepted.

If your name has changed since your last license was issued, bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. This is required even if you changed your name years ago and are straightforward renewing.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring your current Mississippi driver's license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address dated within the last 60 days.
  • If your name has changed since your last license, bring a certified copy of the marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order that documents the change.
  • You can renew in person at any MDPS Driver License Examination Station, by mail if your license is not expiring within 30 days, or online through the MDPS website if you meet certain conditions.
  • The renewal fee is $31.50 for a four-year license or $42 for an eight-year license, and you must pass a vision screening if renewing in person.
  • Processing times vary: in-person renewals are usually completed the same day, mail renewals take two to three weeks, and online renewals take five to seven business days.

In-person renewal at a Driver License Examination Station

Walk into any MDPS Driver License Examination Station with your documents and you can renew the same day. Stations are located in all 82 Mississippi counties. You will take a new photograph, pass a vision screening, and pay the renewal fee. Bring your glasses or contacts if you use them for driving — the vision test uses your corrected vision if you normally wear correction.

Bring a completed process for Driving Privilege (Form 78-002), which you can read from the MDPS website or fill out at the station. The station staff can help you complete it if you arrive without it. You do not need an appointment at most stations, but some counties now require one. Call the station in your county before you go, or check the MDPS website for the current policy in your area.

The vision screening is the main reason to renew in person rather than by mail or online. If you fail the vision test, the station staff will tell you what to do next — usually you will need to see an eye doctor and bring a vision report back to the station. This can add weeks to your renewal if you do not plan for it.

Mail renewal for licenses not expiring soon

You can renew by mail only if your current license does not expire within the next 30 days. Mail your current license, the completed process for Driving Privilege form, proof of Social Security number, proof of residency, and the renewal fee to the MDPS address listed on the form. Do not mail your original Social Security card — send a copy or use a W-2 or tax return instead.

Processing takes two to three weeks from the date MDPS receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail at the address you listed on your process. If you need your license sooner, do not use the mail route — go in person instead. Mail renewal is slower but saves you a trip to the station and a vision screening if your vision has not changed.

Keep a copy of everything you mail, and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery. If your renewal does not arrive within four weeks, contact the MDPS to check the status of your process.

Online renewal through the MDPS website

Mississippi allows online renewal through the MDPS website if you meet specific conditions. Your current license must not be expiring within 30 days, you must have a valid email address on file, and you must not have any medical or vision restrictions on your license. You also cannot renew online if your name has changed since your last license.

Log into the MDPS online portal with your driver's license number and date of birth. Answer questions about your address, physical description, and any changes to your information. Upload a digital photograph or use the camera on your device to take a new one. Pay the renewal fee with a debit or credit card. The MDPS will mail your new license to your address within five to seven business days.

Online renewal is the fastest option if you are not in a hurry to receive your license and you meet all the conditions. You avoid the vision screening and the trip to the station, but you also cannot correct any errors in your record until your new license arrives. Review your information carefully before you submit.

Renewal fees and license validity periods

A four-year Mississippi driver's license costs $31.50 to renew. An eight-year license costs $42. You choose the length when you renew. The eight-year license costs more but lasts longer, so the per-year cost is lower. Most people choose based on how often they want to renew and whether they expect their address or appearance to change significantly.

Your new license is valid starting on the date you renew, not on the expiration date of your old license. If you renew early, your old license expires on its original date, and your new license begins when ready. This means you can have a gap where both licenses are valid, or an overlap where your old license has expired but your new one has not yet arrived — plan accordingly if you need your license for identification right away.

What happens if your license is expired or expiring within 30 days

If your license has already expired or will expire within 30 days, you cannot renew by mail. You must renew in person at a Driver License Examination Station. Bring all the same documents you would bring for a regular renewal. The process is identical — you will take a photograph, pass a vision screening, and receive your new license the same day.

If your license expired more than a year ago, MDPS may require you to retake the written knowledge test and the driving skills test, depending on how long it has been. Call the station in your county to ask whether you will need to test. If you do, you will need to schedule an appointment and bring study materials. This can take several weeks to complete.

Do not drive with an expired license. Even if you have submitted a renewal process, your old license is no longer valid once the expiration date passes. If you are stopped by law enforcement, an expired license can result in a citation.

Common mistakes to avoid when renewing

The most common mistake is bringing a photocopy of your proof of residency instead of the original document or a certified copy. MDPS will reject your process and ask you to return with the original. Bring the actual utility bill, lease, or bank statement — not a copy you made at home.

Another frequent error is forgetting to bring proof of your Social Security number. Many people assume their current license is enough, but MDPS requires a separate document. Keep your Social Security card, a recent tax return, or a W-2 in your wallet so you have it when you need to renew.

If you are renewing by mail, do not mail your original Social Security card. MDPS does not need it, and you risk losing it in the mail. Send a copy, a W-2, or a tax return instead. Also, do not forget to sign the process for Driving Privilege form — an unsigned form will be returned to you.

Finally, check the expiration date on your proof of residency before you go to the station. If it is older than 60 days, bring a different document. A utility bill from six months ago will not work, even if you still live at that address.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Mississippi license if I live out of state?

No. Mississippi requires you to be a resident to hold a Mississippi driver's license. If you have moved out of state, you must obtain a license from your new state. If you still own property in Mississippi but live elsewhere, you cannot renew a Mississippi license. You will need to get a license in the state where you currently live.

What if I fail the vision screening at the station?

You will not be able to complete your renewal that day. The station staff will give you information about getting a vision exam from an eye doctor. Once you have the exam, bring the vision report back to the station. The station will then complete your renewal. This process usually takes one to two weeks depending on how quickly you can schedule an eye appointment.

Do I need to retake the written test when I renew?

No. Renewal does not require you to retake the written knowledge test or the driving skills test unless your license has been expired for more than one year. If you are renewing a current or recently expired license, you only need to bring your documents, take a new photograph, and pass the vision screening.

Can I change my address when I renew?

Yes. You can update your address on your renewal process whether you renew in person, by mail, or online. Bring proof of your new address dated within the last 60 days. Your new license will show your current address. If you have already moved, update your address before your license expires so your new license arrives at the correct location.

How long does my new license take to arrive if I renew by mail?

MDPS typically processes mail renewals within two to three weeks from the date they receive your envelope. Your new license will arrive by mail at the address on your process within that timeframe. If you need your license sooner, renew in person at a Driver License Examination Station instead — you will receive it the same day.