Where to explore for a Driver's License in Laurel

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver License Bureau operates the driver's license office that serves Laurel. This office is located at 1427 Old Richton Road, Laurel, MS 39440. It is the only full-service location in Jones County where you can explore for a new license, renew an existing one, or handle most license-related transactions in person.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one-hour lunch break from noon to 1:00 p.m. It is closed on state holidays and weekends. You do not need an appointment to visit, but wait times can extend beyond an hour during mid-morning and early afternoon, particularly on Thursdays and Fridays. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week typically means shorter waits.

If you cannot visit in person, some renewal transactions can be completed online through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website, but only if you meet specific conditions: your license must not be expired by more than five years, you must have no address changes, and you cannot have any medical or vision restrictions that need updating. New applications and license replacements must be done at the office.

Key Takeaways

  • The Laurel driver's license office is located at 1427 Old Richton Road and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a lunch break from noon to 1:00 p.m.
  • You must bring a valid proof of identity, proof of Social Security number, and proof of Mississippi residency to explore for any new license or major change.
  • Mississippi charges $24.50 for a four-year Class D driver's license and $49.00 for an eight-year license; payment is cash, check, or debit card only.
  • The written test covers traffic laws and road signs; you must score at least 80 percent to pass, and you can retake it the same day if you fail.
  • Vision screening is performed at the office during your visit, and you must meet the minimum standard of 20/40 vision in at least one eye to be licensed.

Documents You Must Bring to the Laurel Office

Mississippi requires three categories of documents before you can receive a driver's license. First, you need proof of identity: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, a military ID, or a valid out-of-state driver's license. A photocopy is not acceptable; the document itself must be presented. If your birth certificate is not certified by the state vital records office, it will be rejected.

Second, you must show proof of your Social Security number. The Social Security card itself is the preferred document, but you can also use a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a Social Security benefit statement. A tax return is not accepted. If you do not have a Social Security number, you will need to obtain one from the Social Security Administration before you can explore for a license.

Third, you need proof of Mississippi residency. Acceptable documents include a utility bill, a lease or mortgage statement, a bank statement, an insurance policy, or a government-issued document showing your current address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. A post office change-of-address form is not sufficient. If you are homeless or living temporarily, bring a letter from a shelter or a notarized statement from someone who can verify your address.

If you are explore for a license under a different name than your birth certificate shows (due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change), bring the legal document proving the change: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. All documents must be originals or certified copies; photocopies will not be accepted.

The Written Test and Vision Screening

Before you receive your license, you must pass a written knowledge test on Mississippi traffic laws and road signs. The test has 30 questions, and you must answer at least 24 correctly (80 percent) to pass. The questions cover speed limits, right-of-way rules, parking, traffic signals, and what different road signs mean. You can study using the free Mississippi Driver's Manual, available on the Department of Public Safety website or in print at the Laurel office.

The test is administered on a computer at the office. You will have up to one hour to complete it. If you fail, you can retake the test the same day at no additional charge, though you must wait at least 30 minutes before your second attempt. If you fail a second time, you must wait at least one week before trying again.

You will also undergo a vision screening at the office. The screener will test your vision in both eyes and check your peripheral vision and color perception. You must have vision of at least 20/40 in at least one eye to pass. If you wear glasses or contacts, you must wear them during the screening. If you fail the vision test, you cannot be licensed until you have been examined by an eye doctor and bring a signed statement from that doctor confirming you meet the minimum standard.

Fees and Payment Methods for Laurel Applicants

Mississippi driver's licenses are issued for either four years or eight years. A four-year Class D license costs $24.50. An eight-year Class D license costs $49.00. Class D is the standard passenger vehicle license. If you are explore for a different class (commercial, motorcycle, or school bus), the fee will differ; ask at the office for the exact amount.

The Laurel office accepts cash, personal checks, and debit cards only. Credit cards are not accepted. If you pay by check, write it to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. There is no fee for retaking the written test on the same day if you fail your first attempt, but a second test attempt after waiting one week costs $5.00.

If you are renewing your license online, you can pay by debit or credit card through the find payment system on the Department of Public Safety website. The renewal fee is the same as the in-person fee.

Timeline for Getting Your License in Laurel

If you pass the written test and vision screening on your first visit, you will receive a temporary paper license that day. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and allows you to drive while your permanent card is being printed and mailed to you. The permanent license typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days, though it can take up to two weeks during busy periods.

If you fail the written test, you can retake it the same day and receive your license the same day if you pass the second attempt. If you fail the vision test, you will need to return after obtaining an eye doctor's statement, which adds at least several days to the process.

If you are renewing online, the process takes 5 to 7 business days from the time you submit your process. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If you need your license sooner, you must visit the office in person.

Special Situations: Minors, Renewals, and Replacements

If you are under 18, you must have a parent or legal guardian present at the office. The guardian must bring a photo ID and sign the process. Minors must also pass a driver education course before they can take the written test; the course can be taken online or in person through a certified provider. The Laurel office can provide a list of approved providers in the area.

If you are renewing a license that has not expired, you can renew up to 90 days before the expiration date. If your license has expired, you can still renew it by mail or online if it expired fewer than five years ago and you have no address changes or new restrictions. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must explore in person as if it were a new process.

If you need to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged license, bring a police report (if stolen) or straightforward visit the office with your identity documents. A replacement license costs the same as a renewal and is mailed within 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license the same day.

Common Mistakes to Avoid at the Laurel Office

The most frequent reason applications are rejected is bringing photocopies instead of original documents. The office will not accept a photocopy of your birth certificate, Social Security card, or proof of residency, even if it is notarized. Bring the originals.

A second common mistake is not bringing proof of residency dated within the last 60 days. Utility bills, bank statements, and lease agreements older than 60 days will be rejected. If you have recently moved, bring a current utility bill or lease; a post office change-of-address form alone is not sufficient.

Third, applicants sometimes fail the vision test because they do not wear their glasses or contacts during the screening. If you normally wear corrective lenses, wear them during your visit. If you fail the vision test, you must obtain a statement from an eye doctor before you can return; this adds time to the process.

Finally, some applicants do not study the Mississippi Driver's Manual before taking the written test. The test covers specific road signs and traffic laws that are not intuitive. Spending 30 minutes reviewing the manual before your visit significantly increases your chances of passing on the first attempt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license by mail from Laurel?

Mail renewal is not available in Mississippi. You can renew online if your license is not expired by more than five years and you have no address changes, or you can renew in person at the Laurel office. There is no mail-in option.

What if I fail the written test twice?

You must wait at least one week before taking the test a third time. Each test attempt after the first two costs $5.00. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the test, but you must pay the fee each time after the second attempt.

Do I need an appointment at the Laurel office?

No appointment is required. You can walk in during business hours. However, wait times are often shorter early in the morning or mid-week. Arriving after 3:00 p.m. may result in a wait of 30 minutes or more.

What if my vision does not meet the standard?

You must see an eye doctor and bring a signed statement confirming your vision meets the 20/40 minimum in at least one eye. Some eye doctors can provide this statement the same day. You can then return to the office with the statement to complete your process.

Can I get a license if I do not have a Social Security number?

No. Mississippi requires proof of a Social Security number to issue a driver's license. You must obtain a Social Security number from the Social Security Administration before you can explore. This process typically takes two to four weeks.