Where to go for your driver's license in Tupelo

In Tupelo, you get your driver's license at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver License Bureau. The main office is located at 1900 East Main Street, Tupelo, MS 38804. This is the only location in Tupelo where you can take the written test, vision test, and photo for a new license or renewal.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on state holidays. You cannot renew online in Mississippi, so you will need to visit in person. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times vary depending on the day and time you arrive. Mornings and early afternoons tend to be less crowded than late afternoons.

Key Takeaways

  • The Tupelo Driver License Bureau is at 1900 East Main Street and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • You must bring a valid form of identification, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency to get or renew a license.
  • A new driver's license costs $24.00 and is valid for four years; a renewal costs $24.00 for the same four-year period.
  • If you are renewing an expiring license, you can do so up to one year before it expires or up to six months after it expires.
  • First-time drivers must pass a written test and a driving test; renewals do not require either test unless your license was suspended or revoked.

Documents you need to bring

Bring three types of documents: proof of identity, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address in Mississippi. For identity, bring your current driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. If you do not have any of these, you can bring a certified birth certificate or a Tribal ID.

For Social Security proof, bring your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a tax return, or a 1099 form. For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current Tupelo address. The document must be dated within the last 60 days. If you have recently moved and do not have a utility bill yet, a lease or mortgage statement works as long as it shows your new address.

If you are under 18, you will also need a parent or guardian to sign a consent form at the office. Bring the parent or guardian's ID as well.

Getting a new license if you have never had one

If you are getting your first driver's license, you must pass both a written test and a driving test. The written test covers road signs, traffic laws, and safe driving practices. You can study using the Mississippi Driver's Manual, which is available free on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website or at the Tupelo office.

After you pass the written test, you will receive a learner's permit that is valid for one year. With a learner's permit, you can drive only when a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old is in the front seat with you. You must hold the learner's permit for at least 14 days before you can take the driving test.

The driving test takes about 20 minutes. You will drive with an examiner who watches how you handle the vehicle, follow traffic laws, and respond to road conditions. You must bring a vehicle that is registered, insured, and in safe working condition. Once you pass the driving test, you receive your full driver's license.

Renewing an expiring or expired license

You can renew your license up to one year before it expires or up to six months after it expires. If your license expired more than six months ago, you must explore for a new license instead of renewing, which means taking the written and driving tests again.

When you renew, bring your current license along with proof of residency. You do not need to take any tests unless your license was suspended or revoked. The renewal process takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days.

If you are renewing and your address has changed, tell the clerk at the office. They will update your address in the system, and your new license will be mailed to your new address.

Cost and how long your license lasts

A new driver's license costs $24.00 and is valid for four years from the date it is issued. A renewal also costs $24.00 and extends your license for another four years. Mississippi does not charge different fees based on age, so the cost is the same whether you are 16 or 65.

Your license will show an expiration date printed on the front. You can continue to drive until that date, but you cannot legally drive after it expires. If you need your license before the standard 7 to 10 business days, you can request a temporary paper license at the office, which is valid for 30 days while you wait for your permanent card to arrive.

What to do if your license is suspended or revoked

If your license has been suspended or revoked, you cannot legally drive. Suspensions usually result from unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or accumulating too many points from traffic violations. Revocations are more serious and usually result from DUI convictions or repeated violations.

To find out the status of your license, call the Mississippi Department of Public Safety at 601-987-1500 or visit the office in person. The staff can tell you why your license was suspended or revoked and what you must do to restore it. This may include paying fines, completing a defensive driving course, or waiting out a suspension period. Once the suspension or revocation is lifted, you can renew your license at the Tupelo office.

Changing your name or address on your license

If you have changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or legal name change, you must update your license. Bring your current license, proof of your new name (such as a marriage certificate or court order), and proof of residency. The fee is the same as a renewal: $24.00.

If you have moved to a new address in Mississippi, you can update it when you renew your license. If you do not want to wait for renewal, you can visit the Tupelo office and request an address change. This does not cost extra and takes about 10 minutes. Your new license with the updated address will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license by mail or online?

No. Mississippi does not offer mail-in or online renewal. You must visit the Tupelo Driver License Bureau in person to renew your license, even if you are renewing a license that has not expired yet.

What if I fail the written or driving test?

You can retake the test the same day or return another day. There is no additional fee to retake either test. Most people pass on their second or third attempt. You can study the Mississippi Driver's Manual between attempts.

How long does it take to get my license on the day I explore?

If you are getting a new license, you will take the written test and driving test on the same day, which takes about one to two hours total including wait time. If you pass both tests, you receive a temporary paper license that day and your permanent card by mail within 7 to 10 business days. For renewals, the process takes 15 to 20 minutes.

What if I lose my license or it is damaged?

Visit the Tupelo office and request a replacement. Bring your ID and proof of residency. The fee is $24.00, the same as a renewal. You will receive a temporary paper license that day and your replacement card by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Do I need an appointment, or can I just walk in?

Walk-ins are accepted at the Tupelo office. You do not need an appointment. However, wait times vary by day and time. If you want to avoid a long wait, go early in the morning or mid-week rather than late afternoon or Friday.