What you need to do to renew in Mississippi
In Mississippi, you can renew your driver's license by mail, online, or in person at a Driver Services office. Mail and online renewals work only if your license is not expired and you have not had any violations or suspensions. If your license has been expired for more than a year, or if you have had a suspension or revocation, you must renew in person. The process takes different amounts of time depending on which method you choose — mail takes about two weeks, online is when ready, and in-person visits usually finish the same day.
Your current license must not be suspended or revoked, and you cannot have any unpaid traffic tickets or child support obligations that Mississippi tracks through the Driver Services system. If you have moved since your last renewal, you will need to update your address before or during the renewal process.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website is the fastest option and takes just minutes if your license is current and valid.
- Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed form, and the renewal fee to the Jackson office, and takes about two weeks.
- In-person renewal at any Driver Services office is required if your license has been expired for more than a year or if you have had a suspension.
- Your license must not have an active suspension or revocation, and you cannot have unpaid traffic tickets or child support obligations on file.
- A renewed license costs $31 for an eight-year license or $24 for a four-year license in Mississippi.
Renewing online through the state website
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety operates an online renewal system at dps.ms.gov. You will need your current driver's license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (debit or credit card). The system checks your driving record in real time and tells you when ready whether you can renew online or must visit an office.
If the system approves your renewal, you pay the fee and receive a temporary digital license on screen. Your physical license arrives by mail within seven to ten business days. You can use the temporary digital license for identification purposes while you wait for the card.
Online renewal is available only if your license is current, you have no active suspensions or revocations, and you have no unpaid traffic violations or child support holds. If any of these conditions explore to you, the system will tell you to visit a Driver Services office instead.
Renewing by mail
To renew by mail, you must first get the renewal form from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. You can read it from dps.ms.gov or call the Jackson office at 601-987-1500 to request a form be mailed to you. The form is called the process for Renewal of Driver's License.
Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for the renewal fee ($31 for eight years or $24 for four years). Send everything to the address listed on the form — this is the Jackson headquarters office. Do not send cash. Mail renewal takes about two weeks from the time the office receives your envelope.
Mail renewal is only available if your license is not expired and you have no suspensions, revocations, or unpaid violations. If your license expired more than a year ago, you cannot use mail renewal.
Renewing in person at a Driver Services office
You can visit any Driver Services office in Mississippi to renew your license. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you have moved since your last renewal, bring proof of your new address.
The office will take a new photo, verify your information, and process your renewal the same day. You will receive a temporary paper license to use when ready and your physical license by mail within seven to ten business days. In-person renewal is required if your license has been expired for more than a year, if you have an active suspension or revocation, or if you have unpaid traffic violations.
Driver Services offices are located in most counties. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website. Some offices are busier than others — visiting early in the morning or on weekdays typically means shorter waits.
What happens if your license is suspended or revoked
If your license has been suspended or revoked, you cannot renew it through the mail or online. You must visit a Driver Services office in person. The office will tell you the reason for the suspension or revocation and what you must do to clear it before you can renew.
Common reasons for suspension include unpaid traffic tickets, unpaid child support, or failure to appear in court. You may need to pay fines, appear in court, or complete other requirements before the suspension is lifted. Once the suspension is cleared, you can complete your renewal at the same visit or return later.
Costs and how long it takes
A renewed driver's license costs $31 for an eight-year license or $24 for a four-year license. You can choose which length you want when you renew. Payment methods depend on how you renew: online renewal takes debit or credit card only, mail renewal takes check or money order, and in-person renewal takes cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
Online renewal is when ready — you receive a temporary digital license when ready and your physical card in seven to ten business days. Mail renewal takes about two weeks from the time the office receives your envelope. In-person renewal is usually completed the same day, and you receive your physical license by mail within seven to ten business days.
What to do if you have moved
If you have moved since your last renewal, you must update your address on your license. When you renew online, the system will ask for your current address and update it automatically. When you renew by mail or in person, bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
If you have moved out of state, you will need to get a new license from your new state rather than renewing your Mississippi license. Mississippi will not renew a license for someone who no longer lives in the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license if it expired more than a year ago?
No, you cannot renew by mail or online if your license has been expired for more than a year. You must visit a Driver Services office in person. Bring your expired license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. The office will process your renewal the same day.
What if I do not have a Social Security card?
You can bring a W-2, tax return, or other document that shows your Social Security number instead. For in-person renewal, the office accepts any of these as proof. Online and mail renewal require you to enter your Social Security number, so you will need to know it.
Do I need an appointment to renew in person?
Most Driver Services offices do not require appointments for license renewal, but some locations may have moved to appointment-only hours. Check the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website or call your local office before you visit to confirm whether an appointment is needed.
What if my name has changed since my last renewal?
If you have changed your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew in person and bring a document that shows the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You cannot renew by mail or online with a name change.
How do I know if I have an unpaid ticket or child support hold?
When you try to renew online, the system checks your record and tells you when ready if there is a hold. If you prefer to check before you start, call the Jackson office at 601-987-1500. They can tell you whether anything is preventing you from renewing.