Where to renew and what you need to bring

In Mississippi, you renew your driver license at a Driver License Issuance Station run by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. You cannot renew by mail or online — you must appear in person. The state has stations across all 82 counties, so you can visit the one nearest you rather than the one that issued your original license.

Bring your current driver license, proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and your Social Security card or a document showing your Social Security number. If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change. If you are renewing a commercial driver license (CDL), bring your current CDL and medical certification form MCSA-5871 if your medical card is expiring or expired.

The fee for a regular driver license renewal is $31.50 for a four-year license or $47.25 for an eight-year license. Payment is cash, check, or card — accepted methods vary by station, so call ahead if you prefer a specific payment type. You will receive your renewed license on the spot if you pass the vision test and have no disqualifying issues on your driving record.

Key Takeaways

  • You must renew in person at a Mississippi Driver License Issuance Station in any county — mail and online renewal are not available.
  • Bring your current license, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and your Social Security card or document with your Social Security number.
  • The renewal fee is $31.50 for four years or $47.25 for eight years, and you receive your new license when ready after passing the vision test.
  • If your name has changed, bring legal documentation of the change such as a marriage certificate or court order.
  • CDL holders must bring current medical certification (MCSA-5871 form) if their medical card is expiring or expired.

When your license expires and renewal windows

Your Mississippi driver license expiration date is printed on the front of your card. You can renew up to 180 days before that date, which gives you a six-month window to visit a station without penalty. If you renew after the expiration date, you can still renew at a station, but your license will have been invalid during the gap and you cannot legally drive.

There is no grace period in Mississippi — once your license expires, it is no longer valid for driving. If you are caught driving with an expired license, you face a traffic citation. The best practice is to renew during the 180-day window before expiration so you always have a valid license in your wallet.

Finding your nearest Driver License Issuance Station

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety maintains a list of all Driver License Issuance Stations on its official website, organized by county. Each station listing includes the street address, phone number, and hours of operation. Hours vary — some stations are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, while others have extended hours or Saturday appointments.

Call the station before you go. Wait times can range from 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the time of day and day of the week. Many stations are busiest on Fridays and the first week of each month, so visiting mid-week or mid-month often means shorter waits. Some stations allow you to schedule an appointment online through the state's system, which reserves your spot and reduces wait time.

What happens if your license is suspended or revoked

If your driving record shows a suspension or revocation, you cannot renew your license at a station. A suspension is temporary and can be lifted once you meet the conditions — paying fines, completing a defensive driving course, or serving a waiting period. A revocation is permanent unless you petition the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to reinstate your driving privileges, which requires meeting specific requirements and may involve a hearing.

Before you go to renew, you can check your driving record status online through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website or by calling the Driver License Bureau. If your record shows a suspension or revocation, the station staff will tell you what you must do to clear it before renewal is possible. Do not wait until your license expires to discover this — address it during the 180-day renewal window so you have time to resolve the issue.

Renewing a commercial driver license (CDL)

CDL renewal follows the same in-person process as a regular license, but with one additional requirement: you must have a valid medical certification. The form is MCSA-5871, issued by a certified medical examiner. If your medical card expires before or on the same date as your CDL, you must bring the new medical certification to the station when you renew.

If your medical certification has already expired, you cannot renew your CDL until you obtain a new one from a medical examiner. The state does not issue temporary CDLs while you wait for medical paperwork. Schedule your medical exam before your renewal appointment so you have the current form in hand. Medical exams cost between $75 and $150 depending on the examiner and are not covered by the state.

Vision testing and other requirements at the station

When you arrive at the station, staff will verify your documents, check your driving record, and conduct a vision test. The vision test measures how well you can see at distance and near, and whether you have adequate peripheral vision. If you wear glasses or contacts, bring them — you will be tested with the correction you normally use while driving.

If you fail the vision test, you will not receive your renewed license that day. The station will give you a form explaining what you need — usually an eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Once you have the exam results, return to the station with the vision report and you can complete your renewal. This second visit is free; you only pay the renewal fee once.

Replacing a lost or damaged license during renewal

If your current license is lost, stolen, or too damaged to read, you can still renew. Bring whatever documents you would normally bring — proof of residency, Social Security card, and any name-change documents. Tell the station staff that your license is lost or damaged. You will pay the standard renewal fee, not a replacement fee, because you are renewing rather than replacing.

The station will issue your new license on the spot. If your license was stolen, you may also want to report it to local police for your records, though this is not required by the state to renew.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license if I have unpaid traffic fines?

Unpaid fines do not automatically block renewal, but if the fine resulted in a suspension on your driving record, you cannot renew until the suspension is lifted. Contact the court that issued the fine to find out the status and what you owe. Once you pay or arrange a payment plan, the suspension is usually removed within a few business days.

What if I moved out of state and want to renew my Mississippi license?

You must renew in person at a Mississippi Driver License Issuance Station. If you no longer live in Mississippi, you will need to travel to the state to renew, or you can switch to a driver license in your new state instead. Most states will issue you a new license based on your out-of-state license without requiring a written test.

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

Walk-ins are accepted at all stations, but many stations now offer online appointment scheduling. Appointments typically fill up during peak times, so booking ahead reduces your wait. Call your local station to ask whether appointments are available and whether walk-ins are still being served on the day you plan to visit.

What if I am over 70 — are there different renewal rules?

Drivers 70 and older renew the same way as younger drivers, but your license is valid for only four years instead of eight. You pay the four-year renewal fee ($31.50) and must renew in person at a station. No written test is required unless your record shows violations or suspensions.

Can I renew early if I am about to travel?

Yes. You can renew up to 180 days before your expiration date. If you are leaving the state soon and your license expires within six months, visit a station before you travel to may support you have a valid license for the trip.