You can renew your Mississippi driver's license online if your license is not expired more than five years and you have no medical suspensions or restrictions that changed
Mississippi's online renewal system lets you skip the driver's license office for a standard renewal. You'll need a valid credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee, a current email address, and your driver's license number. The process takes about 15 minutes and you'll receive your renewed license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Not everyone can use the online system. If your license expired more than five years ago, if you have medical restrictions, if you need to change your address, or if you're renewing a commercial driver's license, you'll need to visit a driver's license office in person instead.
Key Takeaways
- Mississippi's online renewal works only for standard driver's licenses that expired within the last five years with no medical suspensions or changes.
- You'll need your driver's license number, a valid email address, and a credit or debit card to complete the renewal online.
- The renewal fee varies depending on how many years you're renewing for — typically $24 for four years or $36 for eight years.
- Your renewed license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days, so plan ahead if you need it for travel or identification.
- If you cannot renew online, you must visit a Mississippi driver's license office with required documents including proof of residency.
Step-by-step process for renewing online
Start by going to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website and locating the online driver's license renewal portal. You'll enter your driver's license number and date of birth to pull up your record. The system will confirm whether you're may be able to access to renew online — if you're not, it will tell you at this point and direct you to schedule an in-person appointment instead.
If you're may be able to access, you'll review your current information and make any corrections to your name, address, or other details. You cannot change your address online during renewal — if your address has changed, you must renew in person. Next, you'll select how many years you want to renew for (typically four or eight years) and pay the fee with your credit or debit card. Mississippi does not accept prepaid cards or digital wallets for this transaction.
After payment processes, you'll receive a confirmation number by email. Keep this number for your records. Your renewed license will be mailed to the address on file within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to use your old license until the new one arrives.
Who cannot renew online and what to do instead
You must renew in person at a driver's license office if your license expired more than five years ago, if you have an active medical suspension, if your medical restrictions or conditions have changed, or if you're renewing a commercial driver's license. You also cannot renew online if you need to change your address, name, or other personal information beyond what the online system allows.
To renew in person, visit the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website to find your nearest driver's license office and check its hours. Bring your current driver's license, proof of residency (such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days), and your Social Security card or birth certificate. Bring a credit or debit card to pay the renewal fee. Processing times at the office vary, but you can typically get your renewed license the same day or within a few days.
Renewal fees and what they cover
Mississippi's renewal fee depends on how long you renew your license for. A four-year renewal typically costs $24, and an eight-year renewal typically costs $36. These fees cover the cost of producing and mailing your new license. The fee is the same whether you renew online or in person.
If you renew online and your payment is declined, the system will prompt you to try again with a different card. If you continue to have trouble, you can call the Mississippi Department of Public Safety at the number listed on their website to process your renewal over the phone or schedule an in-person appointment instead.
What happens after you submit your online renewal
After you complete your online renewal and receive your confirmation number, your process enters the processing queue. Mississippi typically processes online renewals within 7 to 10 business days, though this can take longer during peak periods or if there are issues with your process. You'll receive your renewed license by mail at the address on file.
If there's a problem with your process — such as a name mismatch or an issue with your payment — the Mississippi Department of Public Safety will contact you by email or phone using the information you provided. Check your email regularly during the processing period. If you don't receive your renewed license within 10 business days, contact the department to check the status of your process.
Renewing before your license expires versus after
You can renew your Mississippi driver's license up to six months before it expires. Renewing early is useful if you have travel plans or need a fresh license for identification purposes. If you renew early, your new license will have a new expiration date based on when you renew, not when your old one was set to expire.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew online as long as it expired within the last five years. However, you cannot legally drive with an expired license, so renew as soon as possible. If your license expired more than five years ago, you'll need to renew in person and may need to retake the written test depending on how long it's been expired.
Common reasons online renewal gets rejected
The most common reason the online system rejects a renewal is that your license has been expired for more than five years. Other reasons include an active medical suspension on your record, a change in your medical restrictions or conditions, or a mismatch between the information you entered and what's in the system. If your name has changed since your license was issued, you may need to renew in person with documentation of the name change.
If the system rejects your renewal, it will explain why and direct you to the next step. In most cases, you'll need to schedule an appointment at a driver's license office. You can do this through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website or by calling the office directly. Bring all required documents, including proof of residency and your Social Security card or birth certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my renewed license after I submit online?
Mississippi typically mails your renewed license within 7 to 10 business days of your online submission. This timeline can vary during busy periods. You'll receive a confirmation number by email when ready after you pay, which you can use to track your process status on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website.
Can I change my address when I renew online?
No. The online renewal system does not allow address changes. If you've moved, you must renew in person at a driver's license office and bring proof of your new residency, such as a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days.
What payment methods does Mississippi accept for online renewal?
Mississippi accepts credit cards and debit cards only. The system does not accept prepaid cards, digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, or checks. Make sure your card is valid and has sufficient funds before you start the renewal process.
What if my license expired more than five years ago?
You cannot renew online if your license expired more than five years ago. You must visit a driver's license office in person. Depending on how long your license has been expired, you may need to retake the written test. Contact your local driver's license office to find out what documents and tests you'll need.
Can I renew my commercial driver's license online?
No. Commercial driver's licenses must be renewed in person at a Mississippi driver's license office. You'll need to bring your current CDL, proof of residency, and any medical certification documents if your medical status has changed.