What You Can and Cannot Do Online in Mississippi
Mississippi allows you to renew your driver's license online through the Department of Public Safety website, but only if you meet specific conditions. You can renew online if your license is not expired by more than one year, you have no medical suspensions or restrictions, and you have not had any address changes since your last renewal. If any of those conditions do not explore to you, you will need to visit a driver's license office in person.
The online renewal process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and costs $31.50 for a four-year license or $49.50 for an eight-year license. You will pay by credit or debit card. Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days after your renewal is processed.
Key Takeaways
- You can renew online only if your license expired less than one year ago, you have no medical holds, and your address has not changed.
- The online renewal costs $31.50 for four years or $49.50 for eight years and takes 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
- You will need your current or expired Mississippi driver's license number and a valid credit or debit card to pay the fee.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days; you can continue driving on your current license until it arrives.
Step-by-Step: Renewing Online
Start by going to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website and finding the driver's license renewal section. Look for the link labeled "Renew Your Driver's License Online" — this is separate from the general license services page.
When you click the renewal link, you will be asked to enter your driver's license number and date of birth. The system will pull up your current license information. Review it carefully to make sure the name, address, and other details are correct. If anything is wrong, you cannot fix it online — you will need to visit an office in person.
Next, you will choose your license term: four years or eight years. The eight-year license costs more but lasts longer. After you select your term, you will enter your payment information. Mississippi accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. Do not close your browser or navigate away during payment — wait for the confirmation screen.
Once payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation number on screen. Write this down or take a screenshot. You will also receive a confirmation email. Keep both of these until your new license arrives.
What Happens After You Submit
After you complete your online renewal, the Department of Public Safety processes your request within one to two business days. You can continue driving on your current license during this time — there is no gap in your driving privileges. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file.
If there is a problem with your renewal — for example, if the system detects a medical suspension you were not aware of — the department will contact you by phone or mail. Check your email and voicemail regularly during the first week after renewal. If you do not hear from them within a few days, your renewal is likely processing normally.
Your new license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If it does not arrive within two weeks, contact the Department of Public Safety with your confirmation number. They can check the status and reissue if needed.
When You Must Go to an Office Instead
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew online. You will need to visit a driver's license office and take the written test and vision test again. Bring your current identification, proof of residency, and your Social Security card.
If you have had an address change since your last renewal, you must renew in person. The online system cannot update your address — it only renews the license as it currently exists in the system. The same applies if you have a medical suspension or restriction on your record, or if you have changed your name.
If you are unsure whether you are may be able to access to renew online, call the Mississippi Department of Public Safety at 601-987-1500 before you attempt the online process. They can tell you in a few minutes whether your specific situation qualifies.
Finding a Driver's License Office Near You
Mississippi has driver's license offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you by visiting the Department of Public Safety website and using their office locator tool. Enter your county or city, and the tool will show you the address, phone number, and hours of operation for each office.
Most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have extended evening hours one or two days per week. A few offices are open on Saturday mornings. Call ahead to confirm hours before you go, especially if you are traveling a long distance.
Bring your current or expired license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease), and your Social Security card. If you are renewing in person, the fee is the same as online: $31.50 for four years or $49.50 for eight years. You can pay by cash, check, or card.
Common Issues and How to Solve Them
If the online system tells you that you are not may be able to access to renew online, the most common reason is that your license has been expired for more than one year. The second most common reason is an address change in the system that you may not remember making. The third is a medical suspension or restriction that was added after your last renewal.
If you get an error message during payment, do not try again when ready. Wait five minutes and try once more. If the error persists, your card may have been declined. Check with your bank to make sure there are no fraud holds or insufficient funds. Then try a different card if you have one.
If you complete the renewal but never receive a confirmation email, check your spam folder. If it is not there, log back into the renewal system with your license number and date of birth — it will show you whether your renewal was processed. If the system shows no record of your renewal, your payment may not have gone through, and you can try again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew online if my license is suspended?
No. If your license is suspended for any reason — medical, administrative, or due to a traffic violation — you cannot renew online. You must visit a driver's license office in person. The office staff will tell you what you need to do to lift the suspension before you can renew.
What if I moved to a different address since my last renewal?
You cannot renew online if your address has changed. You must go to a driver's license office in person and bring proof of your new address, such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The office will update your address and issue your new license.
How long does it take to get my new license in the mail?
Your new license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days after your renewal is processed. Processing takes 1 to 2 business days, so the total time from submission to arrival is usually 8 to 12 business days. You can drive on your current license until the new one arrives.
Can I renew online if my license has been expired for two years?
No. Online renewal is only available if your license expired less than one year ago. If it has been expired longer, you must renew in person and retake the written and vision tests. Contact your local driver's license office to schedule an appointment or find out their walk-in hours.
What if I never received my renewed license after two weeks?
Contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety with your confirmation number from your online renewal. They can check whether your license was mailed and to which address. If it was lost in the mail, they can reissue it. If there was a problem with your renewal, they will tell you what to do next.