How to restore your Mississippi license after suspension
To get your suspended license back in Mississippi, you must first find out why it was suspended — the reason determines what you have to do and how much it costs. Contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver License Bureau at 601-987-1500 or visit their office in Jackson to learn the specific cause and what steps are required. Most suspensions fall into a few categories: unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear in court, driving under the influence (DUI) convictions, accumulation of points, or failure to maintain insurance. Each has a different path to reinstatement.
Once you know the reason, you will need to resolve the underlying issue — pay what you owe, complete a required program, or wait out a suspension period — before DPS will restore your driving privileges. The process typically takes two to four weeks after you have met all requirements and submitted the necessary paperwork or payment to DPS.
Key Takeaways
- Call the Mississippi DPS Driver License Bureau at 601-987-1500 to find out the exact reason your license was suspended and what you must do to restore it.
- Most suspensions require you to pay outstanding fines, court costs, or restitution before DPS will consider reinstatement.
- DUI suspensions in Mississippi require completion of a substance abuse program and payment of reinstatement fees before your license can be restored.
- You must provide proof of financial responsibility (car insurance) to reinstate a license suspended for driving without insurance.
- Reinstatement typically takes two to four weeks after you have met all requirements and submitted payment or documentation to DPS.
Finding out why your license was suspended
The Mississippi DPS Driver License Bureau maintains the record of your suspension and the reason for it. Call 601-987-1500 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time) and have your driver's license number ready. The staff can tell you when ready whether your license is suspended, why, and what specific actions you need to take to restore it.
You can also visit the DPS office in person at 1104 Woolfolk Building, Jackson, MS 39201. Bring your driver's license or state ID. If you prefer to check online, the DPS website offers a license status lookup tool, though it may not provide as much detail as a phone call about what you must do next.
Resolving unpaid fines, court costs, or restitution
If your license was suspended because of unpaid traffic fines, court costs, or restitution ordered by a court, you must pay the full amount owed. Contact the court that issued the citation or judgment — the DPS can tell you which court — and ask for the exact balance due and payment methods accepted. Many Mississippi courts accept payment by phone, online, by mail, or in person.
Once you have paid in full, ask the court to notify the DPS of the payment, or request a receipt showing payment and send it to the DPS Driver License Bureau yourself. Some courts do this automatically; others require you to follow up. After DPS receives confirmation that the debt is cleared, your license will be restored within one to two weeks.
Completing a DUI suspension and reinstatement requirements
A DUI conviction in Mississippi triggers a mandatory license suspension that cannot be shortened. A first DUI offense results in a suspension of at least one year; a second offense within five years results in a suspension of at least five years. You cannot drive at all during this period, even with a restricted or hardship license, unless you meet specific conditions set by the court.
Before DPS will restore your license after a DUI suspension, you must complete a Substance Abuse Program approved by the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. The court will order which program you must attend. You will also need to pay a reinstatement fee to DPS (the amount varies but is typically $250 to $500) and provide proof of financial responsibility — an active car insurance policy in your name. Submit proof of program completion and insurance to DPS along with the reinstatement fee, and your license will be restored once all documents are verified.
Restoring a license suspended for driving without insurance
If your license was suspended because you were caught driving without insurance or failed to maintain continuous coverage, you must obtain a car insurance policy before reinstatement. Contact an insurance company and purchase a policy that meets Mississippi's minimum requirements: 25/50/25 liability coverage (25,000 dollars bodily injury per person, 50,000 dollars per accident, 25,000 dollars property damage).
Once your policy is active, ask your insurance company to file an SR-22 form with the Mississippi DPS on your behalf. This is a certificate of financial responsibility that proves to the state you now have valid insurance. Most insurance companies file the SR-22 electronically within one to three business days. After DPS receives it, your license will be restored. You will need to maintain continuous insurance coverage for at least three years; any lapse will trigger another suspension.
Handling a suspension for accumulation of points
Mississippi suspends licenses when a driver accumulates too many points from traffic violations within a set time period. The threshold depends on your age: drivers under 18 are suspended at 4 points, drivers 18 to 20 are suspended at 12 points, and drivers 21 and older are suspended at 12 points. Points stay on your record for three years from the violation date.
You cannot remove points or shorten a points-based suspension by paying a fee. Instead, you must wait out the suspension period set by DPS (typically 30 to 90 days for a first suspension) and then request reinstatement. Once the suspension period has ended, contact DPS at 601-987-1500 to confirm your may be able to access and request reinstatement. There is no fee for reinstatement after a points suspension, but you must wait the full suspension period before you can drive again.
Paying reinstatement fees and submitting documentation
Most reinstatements require a fee paid to the Mississippi DPS. The amount depends on the reason for suspension: a standard reinstatement fee is typically $100 to $150, while a DUI reinstatement fee is higher (often $250 to $500). You can pay by check, money order, or credit card. Mail payment to the DPS Driver License Bureau or pay in person at their Jackson office.
Along with payment, submit any required documentation: proof of program completion for DUI cases, an SR-22 form for insurance-related suspensions, a court receipt for paid fines, or a letter from the court confirming you have resolved the underlying issue. Keep copies of everything you send. After DPS receives and processes your payment and documents, your license will be restored within two to four weeks. You will receive a new license in the mail or can pick it up at the DPS office.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship or restricted license while my license is suspended?
Mississippi does not issue hardship or restricted licenses during a suspension. However, if you are suspended for unpaid fines or court costs, you may be able to set up a payment plan with the court, which could lead to reinstatement before the full amount is paid. Contact the court that issued the suspension to ask about payment plan options.
What if I was suspended in another state — can I drive in Mississippi?
No. Mississippi is part of the Driver License Compact, which means suspensions from other states are recognized and enforced in Mississippi. You must resolve the suspension in the state where it was issued before you can legally drive in Mississippi or any other state.
How long does reinstatement take after I have met all requirements?
After you have submitted all required documentation and payment to the Mississippi DPS, reinstatement typically takes two to four weeks. During busy periods, it may take longer. You can call DPS at 601-987-1500 to check the status of your reinstatement request.
Do I have to retake the written or driving test to get my license back?
No. Reinstatement does not require you to retake any test. You only need to resolve the reason for suspension, pay any required fees, and submit the necessary documentation. Your license will be restored to its previous status once DPS processes your reinstatement.
What happens if I drive while my license is suspended?
Driving with a suspended license in Mississippi is a criminal offense. A first offense can result in a fine of up to $500 and up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within five years carries a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail. The suspension period will also be extended, and your insurance rates will increase significantly.