Renewing Your Mississippi Driver License: The Basic Path

You can renew your Mississippi driver license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver License Examining Station. The method you choose depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time you have, and whether you need to update your photo. Most people renew by mail or online without taking a new photo, which is the fastest route if your current license hasn't expired yet.

Mississippi licenses are valid for eight years from the date of issue. The state will send you a renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires, but you don't have to wait for that notice to start the process. You can renew up to one year before your expiration date.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew by mail, online through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website, or in person at any Driver License Examining Station.
  • If your license is not yet expired, you can renew without taking a new photo or vision test by mail or online.
  • Mail renewal takes about two to three weeks; online renewal is faster but requires a valid credit or debit card.
  • If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person and will need to pass a vision test and written exam.
  • You will need your current license, a Social Security number, and proof of Mississippi residency to renew.

Renewing by Mail

Mail renewal is available if your license is still valid and you do not need a new photo. When the Mississippi Department of Public Safety sends your renewal notice, it will include a mail-in form and instructions. You can also request a renewal form by calling the Driver License Bureau at 601-987-1500 or visiting a Driver License Examining Station.

Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and the renewal fee. The current fee for an eight-year renewal is $31. Mail your packet to the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two to three weeks from the time the department receives your process. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file.

Keep in mind that if you have moved since your last license was issued, you should update your address before renewing. You can do this by mail at the same time you renew, or you can update your address in person at a Driver License Examining Station.

Renewing Online

Online renewal through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website is the fastest method if you are renewing before your license expires. You will need your current license number, date of birth, Social Security number, and a valid credit or debit card to pay the $31 renewal fee.

Visit the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website, navigate to the driver license section, and follow the prompts to complete your online renewal. The system will verify your information and process your payment. You will receive a confirmation number when ready. Your new license will be mailed to your address on file within one to two weeks.

Online renewal is not available if your license has expired, if you need to change your address, or if you need a new photo. In those cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

Renewing in Person at a Driver License Examining Station

You must renew in person if your license has been expired for more than two years, if you need a new photo, if you have changed your name, or if you need to update your address and cannot do so by mail. You will also need to renew in person if you are changing your license class or adding endorsements.

Bring your current license (or expired license if it has been less than two years), proof of Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or W-2 form), and proof of Mississippi residency (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). You will be asked to pass a vision test. If your license has been expired for more than two years, you will also need to pass a written exam on Mississippi traffic laws.

Driver License Examining Stations are located throughout Mississippi. You can find the station nearest you on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website. Most stations operate during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Wait times vary by location and time of day. Bring your renewal fee of $31 in cash, check, or debit card.

What Happens If Your License Has Expired

If your license expired less than two years ago, you can still renew by mail or online without taking a written exam, though you will need to renew in person if you want a new photo. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person and will need to pass both a vision test and a written exam on Mississippi traffic laws before you receive your new license.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Mississippi, even if you have already started the renewal process. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you could face a fine. If your license has been expired for a long time, renewing in person is the safest and fastest way to get back on the road legally.

Changing Your Address or Name During Renewal

If you have moved since your last license was issued, you can update your address by mail at the same time you renew, or you can update it in person at a Driver License Examining Station. If you are renewing online, you cannot change your address; you will need to renew by mail or in person instead.

If you have changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew in person. Bring your current license and a certified copy of the document that shows your name change (such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order). You will receive a new license with your updated name.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if it has been expired for more than a year?

Yes, but the process depends on how long it has been expired. If it expired less than two years ago, you can renew by mail or online. If it expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person and will need to pass a vision test and written exam on Mississippi traffic laws.

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

Mail renewal takes about two to three weeks from the time the department receives your process. Online renewal is faster, usually one to two weeks. In-person renewal is when ready; you will receive a temporary paper license on the spot and your plastic license will arrive by mail within one to two weeks.

What if I lose my license before it expires?

You will need to replace it rather than renew it. Visit a Driver License Examining Station with proof of your Social Security number and Mississippi residency. You will pay a replacement fee (different from the renewal fee) and receive a temporary license when ready. Your new plastic license will arrive by mail.

Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic tickets or fines?

Mississippi does not automatically suspend your license for unpaid traffic tickets, but some courts may request a suspension. Check with the court in the county where you received the ticket. If there is a suspension, you will need to resolve it before you can renew your license.

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

Not unless your license has expired for more than two years, you are renewing in person for another reason, or you request a new photo. If you renew by mail or online before your license expires, your current photo will be used on your new license.