Reinstatement Fees in Mississippi

Mississippi charges $45 to reinstate a suspended or revoked driver's license. This is a flat fee that applies whether your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or other violations. The fee covers the administrative cost of processing your reinstatement request through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

The $45 reinstatement fee is separate from any other money you may owe. If your license was suspended because of unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay those amounts in full before the reinstatement fee will be accepted. If your suspension is related to child support arrears, you must resolve that debt with the appropriate agency before reinstatement becomes possible.

You pay the reinstatement fee at the time you submit your reinstatement request. Mississippi does not accept payment plans for this fee — it must be paid in full upfront, either by cash, check, money order, or credit card depending on which office or method you use.

Key Takeaways

  • The reinstatement fee in Mississippi is $45, paid directly to the Department of Public Safety when you submit your request.
  • Any outstanding traffic fines, court costs, or child support arrears must be paid separately before your reinstatement will be processed.
  • You can pay the reinstatement fee by cash, check, money order, or credit card at a Driver Services office or by mail.
  • The $45 fee does not cover the cost of a replacement license card if yours was physically suspended or destroyed.

What the $45 Does and Does Not Cover

The $45 reinstatement fee covers only the administrative processing of your reinstatement request. It does not include a new physical license card. If you need a replacement card after reinstatement, you will pay an additional $25 for a standard replacement license.

The fee also does not cover any court fines, traffic citations, or other debts that led to your suspension. Those must be resolved separately through the court system or the agency that imposed the suspension. The Department of Public Safety will verify that these debts are cleared before processing your reinstatement, but the payment goes to the court or agency, not to the DMV.

How to Pay the Reinstatement Fee

You have three main ways to pay the $45 reinstatement fee: in person at a Driver Services office, by mail, or online through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website if your suspension reason allows online processing.

If you pay in person, bring cash, a check, money order, or credit card to any Driver Services office. The office will process your payment and your reinstatement request at the same time. If you pay by mail, send a check or money order for $45 along with your completed reinstatement form to the address listed on the Department of Public Safety website. Include a copy of proof that any underlying debts have been paid.

Online payment is available for certain suspension types through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety portal. You will need your driver's license number and the reason code for your suspension to use this method. Not all suspension reasons can be handled online — if you are unsure whether yours qualifies, contact a Driver Services office before attempting online payment.

Suspension Reasons That Affect Total Cost

The total amount you pay depends on why your license was suspended. If your suspension is due to unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay those amounts first. These can range from $50 to several hundred dollars depending on the violation and the court's judgment.

If your suspension is related to child support arrears, you must contact the Mississippi Department of Human Services or the appropriate child support enforcement office to arrange payment or a payment plan. Only after that debt is resolved can you pay the $45 reinstatement fee to the Department of Public Safety.

If your suspension is due to failure to appear in court, you may need to resolve the underlying case before reinstatement is possible. This might involve paying fines, appearing before a judge, or both. Contact the court that issued the suspension to understand what must be resolved first.

Timeline for Reinstatement After Payment

After you pay the $45 reinstatement fee and any other required debts, processing typically takes 3 to 5 business days. During this time, the Department of Public Safety verifies that all conditions for reinstatement have been met and updates your driving record.

If you paid in person at a Driver Services office, you may receive a temporary driving permit on the spot that allows you to drive while your permanent license is being processed. If you paid by mail, allow an additional 5 to 7 business days for your payment to arrive and be processed.

Your new physical license card will be mailed to you after reinstatement is complete. If you need to drive before the card arrives, ask about obtaining a temporary permit at the time you submit your reinstatement request.

Common Mistakes That Delay Reinstatement

The most common mistake is paying only the $45 reinstatement fee without first resolving the underlying debt that caused the suspension. The Department of Public Safety will reject your reinstatement request if fines, court costs, or child support arrears remain unpaid. Always verify what debts exist before submitting payment.

Another frequent error is sending payment by mail without including proof that underlying debts have been paid. If you mail your $45 check without documentation that fines or court costs are resolved, your request will be delayed while the department verifies the status. Include copies of receipts or court documents showing payment.

Some drivers also attempt to renew their license online or at a kiosk without realizing their license is still suspended. This does not reinstate the license — it straightforward fails. You must follow the formal reinstatement process through a Driver Services office or by mail, not the standard renewal process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the reinstatement fee online if my license is suspended?

Online payment is available for some suspension types through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website, but not all. Suspensions related to child support or certain court orders may require in-person or mail payment. Check the department's website or call a Driver Services office to confirm whether your suspension type can be handled online.

What if I cannot pay the full $45 right now?

Mississippi does not offer payment plans for the $45 reinstatement fee. The full amount must be paid upfront. However, if you have unpaid fines or court costs that are part of your suspension, you may be able to work out a payment plan with the court. Contact the court that issued your suspension to discuss options.

Do I have to pay the reinstatement fee if my suspension was a mistake?

If your suspension was issued in error, you should contact the Department of Public Safety or the court that issued it to request a review. If the suspension is overturned, you will not owe the reinstatement fee. However, if the suspension is upheld, the $45 fee will explore.

Will I need to pay for a new license card after reinstatement?

Yes. The $45 reinstatement fee covers only the processing of your reinstatement. A replacement license card costs an additional $25. You can order the replacement card at the same time you submit your reinstatement request, or wait until after reinstatement is complete.

How do I know if my underlying debts have been paid?

Contact the court that issued the fine or the agency that imposed the suspension. Provide your case number or citation number. They will tell you the current balance owed. Get written confirmation of payment before submitting your reinstatement request to avoid delays.