Driving with a suspended license in Mississippi is a crime, and the penalties increase sharply if you are caught a second or third time

A suspended license means the state of Mississippi has temporarily taken away your right to drive. If you drive anyway, you are breaking the law. The first offense is a misdemeanor, which means you can face jail time, fines, and a longer suspension. A second offense within five years becomes a more serious charge with steeper penalties. The court does not care why you were driving — whether you were going to work, the store, or an emergency — so the safest choice is always to find another way to get where you need to go.

Your license suspension in Mississippi comes from a specific cause: unpaid traffic tickets, a DUI conviction, accumulating too many points from violations, failure to pay child support, or a medical condition the state believes makes you unsafe to drive. Understanding which one applies to you matters, because the way you get your license back depends on it.

Key Takeaways

  • Driving with a suspended license is a misdemeanor in Mississippi on a first offense, with possible jail time up to 90 days and fines up to $500.
  • A second offense within five years becomes a felony, carrying up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000.
  • Your vehicle can be impounded, and you will have to pay towing and storage fees to get it back.
  • The reason for your suspension determines how you restore your license — unpaid tickets, DUI convictions, and point accumulation each have different paths.
  • Driving with a suspended license does not automatically restore it; you must take action to address the underlying reason for the suspension.

Criminal penalties for a first offense

If you are stopped while driving with a suspended license for the first time, you face a misdemeanor charge. Mississippi law allows the court to sentence you to up to 90 days in jail, fine you up to $500, or both. You will also receive a criminal record for this offense, which can affect future job applications, housing, and other background checks.

The actual sentence depends on the judge, your driving history, and the reason your license was suspended in the first place. A judge may be more lenient if your suspension was due to unpaid fines you are now addressing, or stricter if you ignored multiple warnings. The fine itself is separate from any fines you already owe for the original violation that caused the suspension.

What happens on a second or subsequent offense

A second offense within five years of the first becomes a felony in Mississippi. This is a serious escalation. You can face up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000. A felony conviction carries long-term consequences beyond the when ready sentence: you may lose voting rights, face difficulty finding employment, and have trouble renting housing.

A third offense within five years is also a felony with the same penalties. The five-year window resets, so if your first offense was five years and one day ago, a new violation starts a fresh five-year period. Keep track of the date of any prior conviction if you have one.

Vehicle impoundment and towing costs

When you are stopped, police can impound your vehicle. This means they take it and hold it at a towing facility. You will have to pay the towing fee (typically $100 to $300 depending on distance) and daily storage fees (usually $20 to $50 per day) to get your car back. These costs add up quickly, especially if your case takes weeks to resolve.

To retrieve your vehicle, you will need to show proof that you have the right to claim it — usually the title or registration in your name — and pay all accumulated fees in full. If you cannot pay, the towing company can eventually sell the vehicle to cover the costs. This is separate from any court fines or jail time you may face.

How to find out why your license is suspended

Before you can fix the problem, you need to know the reason. Contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver License Bureau, at 601-987-1212 or visit their office in Jackson. You can also check online through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website if you have your driver's license number and date of birth. They will tell you the specific reason and what you must do to restore your license.

Common reasons include unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court for a ticket, a DUI conviction, accumulating 12 or more points within three years, or failure to pay child support. Each reason has a different path to restoration, so getting the exact reason is the first step.

Restoring your license after suspension

The steps depend on why your license was suspended. If it was unpaid fines, you must pay them in full to the court that issued the ticket. If it was failure to appear in court, you must appear and resolve the case. If it was a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse program and install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. If it was points accumulation, you must wait out the suspension period (usually one to three years depending on how many points) and then request reinstatement.

Once you have completed the required action, contact the Driver License Bureau again to request reinstatement. There is a reinstatement fee, typically around $100 to $150, which you must pay before your license is restored. The bureau will tell you the exact amount when you call. Allow several business days for processing after you submit payment and documentation.

Alternatives to driving while suspended

The safest option is to arrange rides with someone who has a valid license. Ask family, friends, or coworkers for help. If that is not possible, use a taxi, rideshare service like Uber or Lyft, or public transportation if available in your area. Some cities in Mississippi have bus systems; check your local transit authority's website.

If you need to drive for work and your suspension is recent, talk to your employer about temporary schedule changes or remote work options while you resolve the suspension. Many employers will work with you if you explain the situation honestly. The cost of a few rideshares is far less than the cost of a criminal conviction, impounded vehicle, and jail time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a hardship license to drive to work?

Mississippi does not issue hardship or work licenses for suspended licenses. Your only legal option is to use another form of transportation. Some states offer this, but Mississippi does not, so you cannot drive even for essential purposes like work or medical appointments.

What if I did not know my license was suspended?

Lack of knowledge is not a legal defense. Mississippi assumes you received notice through the mail or court documents. If you moved and did not update your address with the Driver License Bureau, that is still your responsibility. The safest approach is to check your license status before every drive if you have any unpaid tickets or court cases pending.

Will the suspension go away on its own after a certain time?

No. A suspension stays in effect until you take action to restore your license. The only exception is if your suspension was for points accumulation — after the suspension period ends (one to three years), you can request reinstatement. For other reasons like unpaid fines or DUI, you must actively resolve the underlying issue.

Can I get the criminal record expunged if I am convicted?

Mississippi law allows expungement in some cases, but not for all driving with suspended license convictions. You would need to speak with a criminal defense attorney about whether your specific situation qualifies. Expungement is not automatic and requires a court petition.

What if I was driving someone else's car?

It does not matter whose car you were driving. The law prohibits you from driving any vehicle while your license is suspended. The owner of the car can also face penalties for allowing you to drive, so you put them at legal risk as well.