Where to renew your license in Hattiesburg
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver License Bureau office in Hattiesburg is located at 6 Kimbrel Avenue, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. This is the only location in Hattiesburg where you can renew in person. You can also renew by mail or online, depending on your situation — not all drivers are may be able to access for every method.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on state holidays. There is no appointment system; you walk in and take a number. Wait times vary but are often longest on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. If you go early in the morning or late in the afternoon, you may wait less than an hour.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew in person at 6 Kimbrel Avenue in Hattiesburg, by mail if your license is not suspended, or online through the Mississippi DPS website if you meet age and expiration requirements.
- You will need your current driver's license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of Social Security number or an ITIN.
- A standard renewal costs $31 for a four-year license or $49 for an eight-year license; Real ID compliant licenses cost $5 more.
- In-person renewal takes about 30 minutes once you reach the window; mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days after the office receives your packet.
- If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew by mail or online and must resolve the suspension before renewing in person.
What documents you need to bring
Bring your current driver's license — the office will not process a renewal without it. You also need one document proving your current address. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail with your name and address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days.
You must also prove your Social Security number. Bring your Social Security card, W-2 form, 1099 form, or a tax return. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can bring an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) card or letter from the IRS instead. A birth certificate alone is not enough for this step.
If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a certified copy of the document that changed it — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are renewing a Real ID license, you will also need a certified birth certificate or passport.
Renewing by mail or online instead of in person
You can renew by mail if your license is not suspended, revoked, or expired for more than one year. Mail your current license, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and a photocopy of your proof of residency to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver License Bureau, P.O. Box 958, Jackson, MS 39205. Include a note with your name and date of birth. The office will mail your new license back to you within 7 to 10 business days after they receive your packet.
Online renewal is available through the Mississippi DPS website if you are between 21 and 69 years old, your license expires within the next 180 days, and you have not had a license suspension or revocation in the past five years. You will need your current license number, date of birth, and a valid credit or debit card. The new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days.
Do not use mail or online renewal if your address has changed, you want to change your name, or you need a Real ID license for the first time. Those situations require an in-person visit.
Real ID compliance and what it costs
A Real ID is a federal standard for driver's licenses that allows you to use your license as identification for domestic flights and entry to federal buildings. Mississippi began issuing Real ID licenses in 2009, but they are not automatic — you must ask for one when you renew. A Real ID license costs $5 more than a standard license: $36 for four years or $54 for eight years.
To get a Real ID license, you must renew in person and bring a certified birth certificate or valid passport in addition to your other documents. If you already have a Real ID license, your new license will be Real ID compliant automatically when you renew, and you do not need to bring extra documents.
Starting May 7, 2025, a Real ID license will be required to board a domestic flight or enter a federal building. If you do not have one and do not plan to fly or enter federal facilities, a standard license is still valid for driving and most other purposes.
License suspension and what it means for renewal
If your license is suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it. You must first contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to find out why it is suspended and what you need to do to lift the suspension. Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, a DUI conviction, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations.
Once you have resolved the reason for the suspension — paid the fine, completed a required course, or satisfied the court order — you can renew in person at the Hattiesburg office. Bring proof that you have resolved the issue, such as a receipt showing payment or a letter from the court. The office will check the system and process your renewal if the suspension has been cleared.
Renewal fees and payment methods
A standard four-year driver's license costs $31. An eight-year license costs $49. A Real ID license costs $5 more: $36 for four years or $54 for eight years. These are the only fees; there are no additional charges for renewal.
At the Hattiesburg office, you can pay with cash, check, or debit card. The office does not accept credit cards. If you are renewing by mail, send a check or money order. If you are renewing online, use a valid credit or debit card.
What happens after you renew
If you renew in person, you will receive a temporary paper license at the window that is valid for 30 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed. Your permanent license will arrive within 7 to 10 business days at the address on file. Do not throw away the temporary license until your permanent one arrives.
If you renew by mail or online, you will not receive a temporary license. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within 7 to 10 business days. During this time, your old license is still valid for driving.
Your new license will be valid for either four or eight years from the date of issue, depending on which term you chose. The expiration date will be printed on the front of the card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?
No, you cannot renew by mail or online if your license has been expired for more than one year. You must renew in person at the Hattiesburg office. Bring all required documents and be prepared to retake the vision test and written exam if the office requires it.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
No, the Hattiesburg office does not use an appointment system. Walk in during business hours, take a number, and wait your turn. Wait times are usually shorter in the early morning or late afternoon.
What if my address changed since my last license?
You must renew in person if your address has changed. Bring your current license and a document proving your new address dated within the last 60 days. The office will update your address in the system and issue a new license with the correct information.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket?
An outstanding ticket alone does not prevent renewal. However, if the ticket resulted in a suspension or if you owe a fine that triggered a suspension, you must resolve that first. Contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety or the court that issued the ticket to find out your status.
How long is my temporary paper license valid?
Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. Your permanent license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days, but if it does not, the temporary license covers you until it arrives. Keep the temporary license with you while driving.