Residents must obtain a Mississippi drivers license in order to be legally authorized to operate a motor vehicle in the state. However, depending on your age and needs, you may be eligible to obtain a different MS DMV license. On the other hand, most state motorists simply need to apply for a regular Class R license with the Department of Public Safety (DPS).

When applying for a new drivers license, motorists will be required to pass certain tests and provide personal information related to their identity and residency status. Moreover, applicants who are younger than 18 years of age will also be asked to meet additional eligibility standards in comparison to motorists who are 18 years of age or older. To learn more information about how to get a drivers license in Mississippi, read the sections below.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Mississippi (17 or Older)

In order to successfully complete the Mississippi DMV drivers license process, certain steps must be followed. By learning about this procedure and its requirements, motorists are less likely to face problems when applying for driving credentials in the state.

Motorists must meet certain Mississippi drivers license requirements when applying for these types of credentials. In general, documents proving an applicant’s identity, residency status and citizenship will be made necessary for verifying a motorist’s eligibility. As such, consider the following required documents you must bring when applying for a DPS license:

1. Documents proving your Social Security Number (SSN):
   1. Social Security card
   2. W-2
   3. 1099 form
2. Documents proving your residency:
   1. Current license, DMV driving permit or ID card
   2. Letter stating your name and residential address
   3. Mail from schools
   4. Recent government-issued mail
   5. Mortgage documents
3. Documents proving your citizenship:
   1. U.S. passport
   2. Birth certificate
   3. Foreign passport with proper endorsement
   4. Certificate of citizenship
   5. Certificate of naturalization

Steps to Get a New Drivers License in Mississippi (17 or Older)

An MS drivers license with full privileges can be requested by motorists who are 17 years of age or older. The process of how to get a drivers license can begin by visiting one of the license examining offices in the state. When visiting a local office, applicants should follow these steps:

1. Provide a completed application form and required documents
2. Pass the vision screening, written knowledge exam and road skills test
   1. The vision test verifies the visual acuity of drivers. The exam can also be taken with an ophthalmologist.
   2. The written knowledge exam evaluates basic driving knowledge of applicants.
   3. The road skills test evaluates basic driving techniques of new motorists. Applicants must drive a vehicle under the supervision of a licensed evaluator. Test scores are based on driver ability to follow instructions and overall driving skill.
3. Provide an acceptable payment method for the new driving license

Getting a Mississippi Drivers License as a New Resident

New state residents often wonder where to get a drivers license in Mississippi. As a general rule, out-of-state driving credentials must be transferred to MS within the first 60 days of a motorist establishing residency in the state. To complete this task, new residents should locate the nearest DPS office with the following documents:

• Birth certificate
• Social Security card or another document that verifies an SSN
• Proof of residency

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Mississippi (Younger Than 17)

Motorists who are younger than 18 years of age are required to meet additional drivers license requirements in Mississippi. As such, young MS residents can benefit from understanding the eligibility guidelines and application steps they must undergo when applying for these credentials.

In order to meet the new drivers license eligibility standards in Mississippi, applicants will be required to provide certain personal details and paperwork to the Department of Public Safety. These documents and pieces of information include:

• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Certified birth certificate
• “Certification of School Attendance” form
• Notarized signatures of parents or guardians on a DPS license application
• Documents proving residency

In Mississippi, enrolling in a driver education course is only a requirement for drivers license applicants who are 14 years of age. As a general rule, these motorists will be authorized to practice driving while taking the driver’s ed course, thus being beneficial to residents who wish to obtain a license at a young age.

Steps to Get a New Drivers License in Mississippi (Younger Than 17)

As a general rule, motorists who are younger than 17 years of age and applying for a DPS drivers license are required to demonstrate the consent of their parents or legal guardians. Teen applicants who meet the driver’s license eligibility requirements are issued permits in the following order:

1. Learner’s permits are granted after an applicant passes the required vision screening and written knowledge test. Furthermore, the following requirements must be met:
   1. Parents or legal guardians must sign their application forms.
   2. Permits must be held for 182 days after being issued.
   3. Drivers are only allowed to operate vehicles under the supervision of a licensed motorist.
   4. Drivers must complete at least 50 hours of on-road practice, with 15 of the hours taking place at night.
2. Intermediate DPS licenses are granted after an applicant passes the road skills exam and holds a learner’s permit for the necessary amount of time. The following requirements also apply:
   1. Drivers may advance to an unrestricted MS license when they reach 18 years of age.
   2. Motorists may drive without supervision, except in special circumstances.
3. Standard, unrestricted MS driving licenses are issued to applicants when they reach 18 years of age.

Mississippi Driver’s License Costs

When applying for a new driver’s license in MS, you will be asked to provide an acceptable payment method for the applicable fees. Thus, consider the following driver’s license cost structure:

• Learner’s permit (2 years): $7
• Regular Class R license (4 years): $24
• Regular Class R license (8 years): $47
• Intermediate license: $11

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