What it costs to reinstate your Mississippi driver's license
Mississippi charges a reinstatement fee to restore your driving privileges after your license has been suspended or revoked. The fee amount depends on why your license was suspended — different violations carry different costs.
For most suspensions related to traffic violations or unpaid fines, the reinstatement fee is $100. If your suspension was due to a DUI or other serious offense, the fee may be higher. Some suspensions triggered by medical reasons or administrative issues have their own fee schedules. You will need to contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety directly or check your suspension notice to learn the exact amount you owe, since the reason for suspension determines the cost.
The reinstatement fee is separate from any other money you may owe — such as unpaid traffic fines, court costs, or child support arrears. You must resolve those debts before the state will process your reinstatement, even after you pay the reinstatement fee itself.
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi's reinstatement fee is typically $100, but the exact amount depends on why your license was suspended.
- You must pay all outstanding fines, court costs, and other debts before the state will reinstate your license, even if you pay the reinstatement fee.
- You can pay the reinstatement fee in person at a Mississippi Department of Public Safety office or by mail.
- After you pay all required fees and debts, reinstatement usually takes a few business days to process.
How to find out your exact reinstatement fee
Your suspension notice should list the reason for suspension and may include the fee amount. If you no longer have that notice, you can contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety directly at their main office or a local driver's license office. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready when you call.
You can also visit a driver's license office in person and ask staff to look up your suspension record. They will tell you the fee, the reason for suspension, and whether you have any other debts that must be paid before reinstatement can happen. This in-person route often takes less time than calling, since staff can answer follow-up questions on the spot.
Paying the reinstatement fee
You have two main ways to pay: in person at a Mississippi Department of Public Safety office, or by mail. If you pay in person, bring a check or money order made out to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Some offices accept cash, but calling ahead to confirm is wise.
To pay by mail, write a check or money order for the reinstatement fee and mail it to the address listed on your suspension notice or provided by the Department of Public Safety when you call. Include a letter with your name, date of birth, driver's license number, and the reason for suspension so staff can match your payment to your record. Mail payments take longer to process — typically one to two weeks — so plan ahead if you need your license quickly.
Do not send cash by mail. Always use a check or money order that can be tracked.
What happens after you pay
Once the Department of Public Safety receives and processes your payment, your license reinstatement usually takes a few business days. You will receive a new physical license in the mail within one to two weeks. Until it arrives, you may be issued a temporary driving permit that you can use when ready.
If you paid in person, ask the staff member whether you receive a temporary permit on the spot or whether you need to wait for the new license to arrive by mail. Policies vary by office location.
When you owe money beyond the reinstatement fee
If you have unpaid traffic fines, court costs, child support arrears, or other outstanding debts, the state will not reinstate your license until those are paid. The reinstatement fee alone is not enough. You must settle all debts first.
If you are unsure what debts you owe, the Department of Public Safety can tell you during the same call or visit where you ask about the reinstatement fee. Some debts may be owed to the court rather than the state, so staff may direct you to contact a specific court to pay those amounts. Once all debts are cleared, you can then pay the reinstatement fee and proceed with the reinstatement process.
Reinstatement for suspensions due to unpaid child support
If your license was suspended because of unpaid child support, you must contact the Mississippi Department of Human Services or the court handling your case to arrange payment or a payment plan. straightforward paying the reinstatement fee to the Department of Public Safety will not restore your license in this situation.
Once you have made arrangements with the child support agency or court — whether that means paying in full or setting up a payment schedule — they will notify the Department of Public Safety that the suspension can be lifted. You may still owe the reinstatement fee after that, depending on your case. Contact the child support agency first to understand the full process for your situation.
Reinstatement for medical or administrative suspensions
Some licenses are suspended for medical reasons — such as a doctor reporting that you are not safe to drive — or for administrative reasons like failing to renew your license on time. These suspensions have different reinstatement processes than traffic-related suspensions.
For medical suspensions, you may need to provide a letter from a doctor stating you are fit to drive, or you may need to pass a vision or medical exam. For administrative suspensions, you may straightforward need to renew your license and pay any associated fees. Contact the Department of Public Safety to learn which documents or exams your specific suspension requires before you can reinstate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?
Not with your suspended license. If you pay in person, ask whether you receive a temporary permit that day. If you pay by mail, you cannot legally drive until your new license arrives or the state issues a temporary permit. Driving on a suspended license carries serious penalties.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety to ask whether a payment plan is available. Some offices may work with you, though this is not may provide. You can also ask about the status of any fines or debts you owe — sometimes negotiating those first makes the reinstatement fee more manageable.
How long does reinstatement take if I pay by mail?
Processing typically takes one to two weeks after the Department of Public Safety receives your payment. Your new physical license arrives in the mail within one to two weeks after that. In total, expect three to four weeks from the time you mail your payment to the time you hold your new license.
Do I need to take a driving test to reinstate my license?
For most traffic-related suspensions, no driving test is required — you only need to pay the reinstatement fee and any outstanding debts. However, if your suspension was medical-related or if you were suspended for a serious offense like DUI, additional requirements may explore. The Department of Public Safety will tell you what is needed for your specific case.
What if my license was suspended in another state?
Mississippi can only reinstate a license it issued. If your license was suspended in another state, you must contact that state's Department of Motor Vehicles. However, if you hold a Mississippi license and another state has placed a hold on it, Mississippi may not reinstate until that hold is lifted.