Renewing your Mississippi driver license in person or by mail

You can renew your Mississippi driver license either in person at a Driver Services office or by mail, depending on your situation. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and you leave with a temporary license the same day. The mail route takes two to three weeks but requires no office visit — you send documents to Jackson and receive your new license by post.

Which route you take depends on whether your license is still valid, whether you need to change information, and whether you have a REAL ID-compliant license or a standard one. If your license expired more than two years ago, you must renew in person. If it expired within the last two years and your address and name are unchanged, mail renewal is an option.

Key Takeaways

  • In-person renewal at a Driver Services office takes about 30 minutes and costs $24 for a four-year license or $39 for an eight-year license.
  • Mail renewal requires sending your current license, a completed form, and payment to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety in Jackson, and takes two to three weeks.
  • You must renew in person if your license expired more than two years ago, if you need to change your name or address, or if you want to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant license.
  • Bring your Social Security number, proof of residency (utility bill or lease dated within 60 days), and payment when renewing in person.
  • Your temporary license is valid for 30 days and lets you drive while your permanent license is being processed.

In-person renewal at a Driver Services office

Walk into any Mississippi Driver Services office with your current license, Social Security number, and proof of your current address. Proof of residency means a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days — it must show your name and current address. Bring a debit card or check for payment; most offices do not accept cash.

Tell the clerk you are renewing. They will take your current license, scan it, take a new photo, and print a temporary license on the spot. The temporary is valid for 30 days and has the same driving privileges as your permanent license. Your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. The cost is $24 for a four-year license or $39 for an eight-year license.

If you want to change your name or address during renewal, bring the document that proves the change — a marriage certificate for a name change, or a new lease or utility bill for an address change. The office will update your record before printing your temporary.

Mail renewal when your license is current

If your license is still valid and your name and address have not changed, you can renew by mail. read the Driver License Renewal process (Form 79-R) from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website, or call your local Driver Services office and ask them to mail it to you.

Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver license and a check or money order for $24 (four-year) or $39 (eight-year) to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver Services Division, P.O. Box 958, Jackson, MS 39205. Do not send cash. Include a note with your phone number so they can contact you if something is missing.

Your new license arrives by mail in two to three weeks. During that time, your current license remains valid for driving. If you need to drive before your new license arrives and your current license expires, you will need to renew in person instead.

When you must renew in person

You cannot use mail renewal if your license expired more than two years ago. You also cannot use mail renewal if you are changing your name, address, or other information on your license. If you want to upgrade from a standard license to a REAL ID-compliant license (the kind with a gold star), you must renew in person and bring documents proving your identity and residency.

If you are renewing a commercial driver license (CDL), you must renew in person. The same applies if you are adding or removing endorsements like hazmat or passenger.

What to bring for in-person renewal

Bring your current driver license, your Social Security number (written down or memorized), and proof of your current address. Proof of address must be dated within 60 days and show your name — a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, bank statement, or government mail all work. A phone bill does not count.

If you are changing your name, bring the document that proves it: a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you are changing your address, your proof of residency serves as the address change document. Bring a debit card or check for the renewal fee; cash is not accepted at most offices.

You do not need to bring a photo ID beyond your driver license. You do not need to bring your Social Security card itself — just know your number.

Finding a Driver Services office near you

Mississippi has Driver Services offices in most counties. The main office is in Jackson, but you can renew at any location statewide. Visit the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website and search for "Driver Services offices" to find the address, phone number, and hours of the office closest to you.

Call ahead if you want to confirm they have the documents you need or if you have questions about your specific situation. Some smaller offices have limited hours, so checking before you go saves a trip.

After your renewal is processed

If you renewed in person, your temporary license is valid for 30 days. Your permanent license arrives by mail within two to three weeks. If it does not arrive within four weeks, call the Driver Services office where you renewed and give them your temporary license number.

If you renewed by mail, your current license remains valid until your new one arrives. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one — you do not need to return it. Your new license is valid for four or eight years from the date it is issued, depending on which term you paid for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No. Mississippi does not offer online driver license renewal. You must renew either in person at a Driver Services office or by mail. Some states offer online renewal, but Mississippi requires either an office visit or mailed documents.

What if my address changed but I do not have a utility bill in my name yet?

You need proof of residency dated within 60 days showing your name and address. If you just moved and have not received a utility bill yet, bring a lease or mortgage statement instead. If you cannot produce any of these, you may need to wait until a bill arrives in your name before renewing.

Do I need to take a new written test or driving test to renew?

No. Renewal is not a test. You do not take a written exam or driving exam unless your license was suspended or revoked, or unless you are adding a new endorsement like hazmat. Standard renewal requires only your current license, proof of address, and payment.

How long is my temporary license good for?

Your temporary license is valid for 30 days from the date it is printed. It has the same driving privileges as your permanent license. If your permanent license has not arrived after 30 days, contact the Driver Services office where you renewed.

What if I lost my license before I could renew it?

If your license is lost or stolen, you need to replace it rather than renew it. Contact your local Driver Services office — replacement is a different process than renewal and may have different requirements and fees.