The base fine for driving on a suspended license in Mississippi

A ticket for driving with a suspended license in Mississippi carries a fine of $100 to $500 for a first offense. The exact amount depends on the reason your license was suspended, whether you knew it was suspended, and the discretion of the officer and judge handling your case.

If your license was suspended for unpaid traffic fines or child support, the fine may land toward the lower end. If it was suspended for a DUI or reckless driving conviction, the fine is typically higher. A judge can also impose jail time — up to 30 days for a first offense — though this is less common unless you have prior violations.

The fine itself is separate from any costs to reinstate your license once the suspension ends. Reinstatement fees in Mississippi range from $100 to $250 depending on the reason for suspension, and you must pay those fees directly to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety before you can legally drive again.

Key Takeaways

  • A first-offense suspended license ticket in Mississippi costs $100 to $500 in fines, with the exact amount set by a judge.
  • The reason your license was suspended — unpaid fines, DUI, child support, or medical reasons — affects where the fine falls within that range.
  • You may also face up to 30 days in jail on a first offense, though fines are more common.
  • After paying your ticket fine, you must pay a separate reinstatement fee of $100 to $250 to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety before driving legally again.
  • A second or third offense for driving on a suspended license carries higher fines and longer potential jail sentences.

How the fine changes for repeat offenses

If you receive a second ticket for driving on a suspended license within five years of the first, the fine jumps to $200 to $750, and jail time can extend to 60 days. A third offense within five years carries a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.

The five-year window matters because it determines whether the court treats your new ticket as a repeat offense or a separate first offense. If more than five years have passed since your last suspended license violation, you start over at the first-offense fine level.

What happens when you get pulled over

When an officer runs your license during a traffic stop, the suspension shows up when ready in the Mississippi Law Enforcement Information Network (MLEIN). The officer will issue you a citation on the spot, and you will receive a court date in the mail within two weeks.

You have the option to pay the fine by mail, appear in person to contest the ticket, or request a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once. If you do not respond to the citation within the timeframe listed on the ticket, the court may issue a bench warrant for your arrest, and additional fines can accumulate.

Reasons your license might be suspended in Mississippi

Mississippi suspends licenses for several reasons, and the reason affects both the fine amount and how you get your license back. The most common reasons are unpaid traffic fines, DUI convictions, accumulating too many points on your driving record, failure to pay child support, and medical conditions that make you unsafe to drive.

If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, you may be able to resolve the underlying debt and have your suspension lifted without going to court for the ticket itself. However, you still owe the ticket fine for driving while suspended — those are two separate debts.

How to find out why your license is suspended

You can check your license status through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website or by calling their Driver License Bureau at 601-987-1212. Have your driver's license number ready. They will tell you the reason for suspension and what you need to do to reinstate it.

If the suspension is for unpaid fines, you can contact the court that issued the fine to set up a payment plan. If it is for child support, contact the Mississippi Department of Human Services. If it is for a DUI, you may need to complete a substance abuse program before reinstatement is possible.

Reinstatement fees and what comes next

Once you pay your ticket fine and resolve the underlying reason for suspension, you must pay a reinstatement fee to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Standard reinstatement costs $100 for most suspensions, but suspensions related to DUI or serious violations cost $250.

You can pay the reinstatement fee online through the Department of Public Safety website, by mail, or in person at a driver license office. After payment, your license is reinstated when ready if you are paying online, or within three to five business days if paying by mail or in person. You will receive a new license in the mail within two weeks.

What to do if you received a ticket

Read the citation carefully and note the court date, location, and fine amount. You have three options: pay the fine by mail or online, appear in court to contest the ticket, or request a court date to discuss a payment plan.

If you plan to contest the ticket, you will need to show that your license was not actually suspended at the time you were pulled over — for example, if you had already paid the reinstatement fee before the stop. This is difficult to prove and rarely succeeds, so most people pay the fine. If you cannot afford the full amount, ask the court clerk about payment plans when you call or visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to work while my license is suspended?

No. Mississippi does not issue restricted or work-only licenses for suspensions. Driving for any reason while suspended is illegal and will result in a ticket. Your only legal option is to use another form of transportation until your suspension is lifted.

What if I did not know my license was suspended?

Lack of knowledge is not a legal defense in Mississippi. The court assumes you are responsible for knowing your license status. However, if you can show the suspension notice was never delivered to your address on file, you may have grounds to request a continuance while you resolve the underlying issue.

Do I have to go to court or can I just pay the fine?

You can pay the fine by mail or online without appearing in court. The citation will include instructions for payment. If you choose to pay, you are accepting responsibility and the ticket becomes part of your driving record.

Will this ticket affect my insurance rates?

Yes. A suspended license violation is a serious offense and will increase your insurance rates significantly — often by 50 percent or more for three to five years. Some insurers may drop you entirely.

How long does a suspended license ticket stay on my record?

The ticket remains on your driving record for five years in Mississippi. After five years, it no longer counts toward repeat offense penalties, but it may still appear on background checks for employment or housing.