What you need to renew online in Mississippi
You can renew your Mississippi driver license online through the Department of Public Safety website if your license is not expired by more than one year and you meet a few other conditions. The online process takes about 10 minutes, costs $31.50, and you'll receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Before you start, gather your current driver license number and a valid payment method — Mississippi accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. You'll also need an email address where you can receive your confirmation.
The online renewal is available only if your license was not suspended or revoked, you have no medical restrictions that changed, and your address on file is current. If any of these don't explore to you, you'll need to renew in person at a Driver License Station instead.
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi's online renewal works only if your license expired within the last year and has no suspensions, revocations, or changed medical restrictions.
- The process happens on the Department of Public Safety website and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
- You pay $31.50 by credit or debit card at the time of renewal.
- Your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days; you can continue driving on your current license until it arrives.
- If you need to update your address, change your name, or add medical restrictions, you must renew in person at a Driver License Station.
Step-by-step process on the DPS website
Go to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website and look for the Driver License Services section. Click on "Renew Your Driver License Online" — this link takes you to the renewal portal.
Enter your driver license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you the information on file. Review it carefully to make sure your name, address, and date of birth are correct. If anything is wrong, stop here and renew in person instead, because the online system cannot make changes.
Confirm that you meet the renewal conditions: your license is not suspended or revoked, you have no new medical restrictions, and your address is current. Check the box confirming you meet these conditions, then proceed to payment.
Enter your payment information. Mississippi accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The fee is $31.50. After payment processes, you'll see a confirmation number on screen — write this down or take a screenshot. You'll also receive a confirmation email.
What happens after you submit your renewal
Once your payment goes through, your renewal is complete. You don't need to do anything else. The Department of Public Safety will print your new license and mail it to the address on file.
Your new license typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days, though it can take longer during busy periods. You can continue to drive on your current license while you wait — it remains valid until the new one arrives. If you need to drive out of state before your new license arrives, your confirmation email serves as proof of renewal.
If your new license doesn't arrive within two weeks, contact the Department of Public Safety at 601-987-1500 to check the status. Have your confirmation number ready.
When you must renew in person instead
The online system cannot handle certain situations, and you'll need to visit a Driver License Station in person. If your license is expired by more than one year, you cannot renew online — you must go in person.
You also must renew in person if you need to change your address, update your name, add or remove medical restrictions, change your organ donor status, or add a REAL ID designation. If your license was suspended or revoked, you cannot use the online system either.
To find a Driver License Station near you, use the location finder on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website. Bring your current license, proof of residency (a recent utility bill or lease works), and payment. The in-person renewal fee is the same as online: $31.50.
Common reasons the online system rejects your renewal
The most common reason renewal fails is that your license is expired by more than one year. Mississippi's online system only works for licenses that lapsed within the past year. If yours is older than that, you'll see an error message telling you to renew in person.
Another frequent issue is an address mismatch. If the address you're trying to use doesn't match what's in the system, the renewal won't go through. You can update your address online through the Department of Public Safety website separately, then try your renewal again. Or you can renew in person and update your address at the same time.
If your license has any kind of suspension or revocation on it, the system will reject the online renewal. This includes suspensions for unpaid traffic fines, child support issues, or medical reasons. You'll need to resolve the suspension first, then renew in person or try online again once it's cleared.
Payment and what your renewal costs
The online renewal fee is $31.50, paid by credit or debit card. Mississippi accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. The payment is processed when ready when you submit your renewal, and you'll see the charge on your card statement within one to three business days.
This fee covers the new license itself and the mailing cost. There are no additional fees for online renewal compared to renewing in person — both cost $31.50. If you need to add a REAL ID designation or make other changes, those may have different fees, but the basic renewal is the same price either way.
If your payment is declined, check that your card information is entered correctly and that you have sufficient funds. If the problem persists, try a different card or renew in person instead.
How to track your new license after renewal
After you complete your online renewal, you'll receive a confirmation email with your confirmation number. Keep this email — it's your proof that you renewed. If you need to show proof of renewal before your physical license arrives, this email and confirmation number are sufficient.
The Department of Public Safety does not offer a tracking system for licenses in the mail. Your new license should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If it doesn't arrive within two weeks, call the Department of Public Safety at 601-987-1500 with your confirmation number, and they can check whether it was mailed and investigate any delays.
If your license arrives damaged or with incorrect information, contact the Department of Public Safety when ready. You may be able to get a replacement without paying the full renewal fee again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my license online if it's already expired?
You can renew online if your license expired within the last year. If it's been expired longer than that, you must renew in person at a Driver License Station. Bring your expired license, proof of residency, and payment.
What if I moved and need to update my address?
The online renewal system cannot change your address. You can update your address separately on the Department of Public Safety website, then try your renewal again. Or renew in person and update your address at the same time.
Do I need a REAL ID to renew online?
No. You can renew online without a REAL ID. If you want to add REAL ID to your new license, you must renew in person and bring the required documents (passport, birth certificate, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number).
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew online?
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue driving on your current license until the new one arrives. If it doesn't arrive within two weeks, call 601-987-1500 with your confirmation number.
What if my payment doesn't go through?
Check that your card number, expiration date, and CVV are entered correctly. Make sure your card has sufficient funds and is not blocked by your bank. If the problem continues, try a different card or renew in person at a Driver License Station instead.