What you need to do to get your Mississippi license back

To reinstate your Mississippi driver's license, you must contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver's License Bureau, pay any reinstatement fees, and meet the specific requirements that caused your suspension or revocation in the first place. The process differs depending on why your license was suspended — whether it was for unpaid traffic tickets, DUI conviction, failure to pay child support, or another reason. You cannot straightforward renew; you must formally request reinstatement and resolve the underlying issue before the state will restore your driving privileges.

The first step is finding out exactly why your license was suspended. You can check your status by calling the DPS Driver's License Bureau at 601-987-1500 or visiting a local DPS office in person. Once you know the reason, you can take the specific steps needed to clear it.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the Mississippi DPS Driver's License Bureau by phone or in person to learn the exact reason your license was suspended or revoked.
  • You must resolve the underlying issue — such as paying traffic fines, completing a DUI program, or satisfying child support obligations — before reinstatement is possible.
  • Reinstatement fees vary by reason for suspension but typically range from $100 to $250, paid directly to DPS.
  • After you resolve the issue and pay fees, submit a reinstatement request to DPS, which usually takes one to two weeks to process.
  • If your license was suspended for medical reasons, you may need a doctor's clearance letter before reinstatement.

Find out why your license was suspended

Before you can move forward, you need the specific reason your license is no longer valid. Mississippi suspends or revokes licenses for many different reasons, and each one has its own reinstatement path. Common reasons include unpaid traffic citations, DUI or DWI conviction, failure to pay child support, failure to maintain auto insurance, accumulating too many points, or medical conditions that make you unsafe to drive.

Call the DPS Driver's License Bureau at 601-987-1500 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time). Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The staff member will tell you the exact reason for the suspension and what you must do to clear it. You can also visit any DPS office in person — there are locations in most counties — and ask for a status check on your record.

Write down the reason, any case or ticket numbers you are given, and the amount owed if money is involved. This information will guide every step that follows.

Resolve the issue that caused the suspension

Once you know why your license was suspended, you must fix that problem before DPS will reinstate you. If you owe traffic fines, you must pay them in full. If you were convicted of DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse program and install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. If you failed to pay child support, you must bring your account current or set up a payment plan through the Mississippi Department of Human Services. If you let your auto insurance lapse, you must provide proof of current coverage.

For traffic fines, contact the court that issued the ticket. The court clerk can tell you the exact amount owed and accept payment by phone, mail, or in person. Some courts accept credit cards or electronic payments; others require a check or money order. Ask for a receipt or written confirmation that the fine has been paid, as you will need this proof when you request reinstatement.

For DUI-related suspensions, contact the DPS Driver's License Bureau to learn which substance abuse program Mississippi recognizes. You must complete the program and obtain a certificate of completion. You will also need to install an ignition interlock device, which costs money and requires a certified installer. The device records whether you have consumed alcohol before starting your vehicle.

For child support issues, call the Mississippi Department of Human Services at 1-800-345-6347 or visit your local child support office. They will review your account and tell you what is owed. If you cannot pay in full when ready, ask about payment plan options.

Pay the reinstatement fee to DPS

In addition to resolving the underlying issue, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. The fee amount depends on the reason for suspension. Fees typically range from $100 to $250. Some suspensions carry a flat fee; others charge based on how long your license was suspended.

You can pay the reinstatement fee at any DPS Driver's License office by cash, check, or money order. Some offices accept credit or debit cards. Call ahead to confirm payment methods at your local office. You can also mail a check or money order to the DPS Driver's License Bureau, but include your driver's license number and the reason for suspension so they can explore the payment to your record correctly.

Keep your receipt or payment confirmation. You will need proof that you paid the fee when you submit your reinstatement request.

Submit your reinstatement request to DPS

After you have resolved the underlying issue and paid the reinstatement fee, you are ready to request reinstatement. You can do this in person at any DPS Driver's License office or by mail. In person is faster — you can often complete the request the same day and receive a temporary permit to drive while your license is being processed.

Bring the following documents: your current identification (passport, birth certificate, or state ID), proof that you resolved the issue (court receipt for paid fines, certificate of completion for DUI programs, proof of child support payment, proof of insurance, or medical clearance letter), and proof that you paid the reinstatement fee. If you are requesting reinstatement by mail, send copies of these documents along with a letter stating your name, driver's license number, and the reason for reinstatement.

Mail your request to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver's License Bureau, P.O. Box 958, Jackson, MS 39205. Include your phone number so DPS can contact you if they need additional information. Processing typically takes one to two weeks.

What happens after you request reinstatement

Once DPS receives your reinstatement request, a staff member will review your file to confirm that you have resolved the underlying issue and paid all required fees. If everything is in order, your license will be reinstated. You will receive a new physical license in the mail within one to two weeks, or you can pick it up at a DPS office if you submitted your request in person.

If DPS finds that you have not fully resolved the issue — for example, if you still owe part of a fine or have not completed a required program — they will contact you by phone or mail to tell you what is still needed. Do not assume your license is reinstated until you receive written confirmation from DPS or your new license arrives.

If your license was suspended for medical reasons, DPS may require you to pass a vision test or written exam before reinstatement. The DPS office will schedule this appointment and notify you of the date and time.

Reinstatement for specific suspension reasons

Unpaid traffic fines: Pay the court that issued the ticket, obtain a receipt, and submit it to DPS along with the reinstatement fee. This is usually the fastest path to reinstatement.

DUI or DWI conviction: Complete a state-recognized substance abuse program, obtain a certificate of completion, install an ignition interlock device, and pay the reinstatement fee. Some DUI suspensions last a minimum of six months or one year depending on whether it was a first or repeat offense. You cannot request reinstatement until that minimum period has passed.

Failure to maintain insurance: Obtain proof of current auto insurance from your insurance company and submit it to DPS along with the reinstatement fee. The proof must show that your policy is active as of the date you submit it.

Child support arrears: Contact the Mississippi Department of Human Services to bring your account current or set up a payment plan. Once you have done so, obtain written confirmation and submit it to DPS with the reinstatement fee.

Medical suspension: Obtain a letter from your doctor stating that you are medically fit to drive. The letter should address the specific condition that led to the suspension. Submit the letter to DPS along with the reinstatement fee. DPS may also require you to pass a vision or written test.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does reinstatement take?

If you submit your request in person at a DPS office, you may receive a temporary permit the same day and your permanent license within one to two weeks. If you mail your request, allow three to four weeks total for processing and delivery. The timeline depends on how quickly DPS can verify that you have resolved the underlying issue.

Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?

If you submit your request in person at a DPS office, you can receive a temporary driving permit that day, which allows you to drive while your permanent license is being processed. If you mail your request, you cannot drive legally until your license is reinstated and you receive your new license in the mail.

What if I cannot pay the reinstatement fee all at once?

Contact the DPS Driver's License Bureau at 601-987-1500 to ask about payment plan options. Some offices may work with you to set up installment payments, though this is not may provide. You must also resolve the underlying issue before reinstatement, regardless of payment arrangements.

Do I have to retake the written or driving test to get my license back?

For most suspensions, you do not need to retake tests. However, if your license was suspended for medical reasons, DPS may require a vision test or written exam. If your license expired while it was suspended, you will need to renew it, which may include retaking tests depending on how long it has been expired.

What if I moved out of state while my license was suspended?

You can still request reinstatement of your Mississippi license by mail. Send your documents to the DPS Driver's License Bureau at the address listed above. However, if you now live in another state, you may want to obtain a driver's license from that state instead, which may be simpler than reinstating your Mississippi license.