Renewing your Mississippi driver's license online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your Mississippi driver's license through three routes: online at the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a driver's license office. The online option is fastest — you can complete it in minutes from home — but it works only if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have no medical suspensions or restrictions that changed. Mail renewal takes two to three weeks. In-person renewal at an office takes about 30 minutes but requires a trip and may involve a wait.
Your renewal notice will arrive in the mail about 30 days before your license expires and will tell you which method you are may be able to access for. If you do not receive a notice, you can still renew, but you will need to know your driver's license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number to start an online renewal.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website works only if your license expired less than one year ago and you have no medical holds or changed restrictions.
- Mail renewal requires a completed process form, your current license, and a check or money order, and takes two to three weeks to process.
- In-person renewal at a driver's license office requires a valid form of identification, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency.
- The renewal fee in Mississippi is $31 for a four-year license or $61 for an eight-year license, and you choose the term when you renew.
- If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot use online or mail renewal and must go to an office in person.
Online renewal through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website
Go to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety's online renewal portal and enter your driver's license number, date of birth, and the last four digits of your Social Security number. The system will pull up your record and show you whether you are may be able to access to renew online. If you are, you will answer questions about whether your address, medical conditions, or restrictions have changed since your last renewal. You will then pay the renewal fee by debit card or credit card.
Once you complete the transaction, the system will issue a temporary digital license that you can use when ready while your physical card is being printed and mailed. Your new license will arrive in seven to ten business days. This route works only if your current license has not been expired for more than one year and you have no medical suspensions, vision restrictions, or other conditions that require an office visit to update.
Mail renewal with a paper process
Request a renewal process form from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety by calling 601-987-1500, or read it from their website. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current driver's license and a check or money order for the renewal fee ($31 for four years or $61 for eight years) to the address listed on the form.
Mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the time the office receives your envelope. You cannot track the status of a mailed process online, so if you need to know whether it arrived, call the department. Mail renewal is available only if your license has not been expired for more than one year and you have no medical holds or changed restrictions that require an office visit.
In-person renewal at a Mississippi driver's license office
Bring your current driver's license, a valid form of identification (such as a passport or military ID), proof of your Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). Go to any Mississippi driver's license office during business hours. You will fill out an process, have your photo taken, and pay the renewal fee.
In-person renewal is required if your license has been expired for more than one year, if you have a medical suspension or restriction that changed, or if you want to update your address, name, or other information on your license. The office will issue you a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your physical card is printed and mailed, which takes about seven to ten business days.
Renewal fees and license term options
Mississippi offers two renewal terms: a four-year license for $31 or an eight-year license for $61. You choose which term you want when you renew, whether online, by mail, or in person. The eight-year option costs more but means you will not need to renew again for eight years. If you are over 70 years old, you can renew for four years only.
If you renew online or by mail, you pay by card or check at the time of renewal. If you renew in person, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card at the office. No additional fees explore for standard renewal, though some offices may charge a small fee if you request a duplicate license or a name change at the same time.
What to do if your license has been expired for more than one year
If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot use online or mail renewal. You must go to a driver's license office in person with the same documents required for any in-person renewal: your expired license, a valid form of identification, proof of Social Security number, and proof of address. The office will treat your renewal as a standard in-person transaction and issue a temporary paper license while your new card is printed.
There is no penalty for renewing a license that has been expired for a long time — you straightforward cannot drive legally until you have renewed it. If you were driving on an expired license, that is a separate traffic violation that may result in a ticket or fine.
Finding a Mississippi driver's license office near you
The Mississippi Department of Public Safety operates driver's license offices in most counties. You can find the office nearest you, its hours, and its phone number on the department's website by entering your county or city. Some offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours; others have extended hours or Saturday hours. Call ahead if you are renewing in person, because some offices accept walk-ins while others require an appointment.
If you live outside Mississippi but hold a Mississippi license, you can renew online or by mail without returning to the state. You do not need to renew in person unless your license has been expired for more than one year or you need to update medical information or restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Mississippi license if I have moved out of state?
Yes. If you still hold a valid Mississippi license, you can renew online or by mail from anywhere. You will need to update your address during the renewal process. If your license has been expired for more than one year, you must renew in person at a Mississippi office or contact the department about other options.
What happens if I drive on an expired license?
Driving on an expired license is a traffic violation in Mississippi. You can be stopped and ticketed, and the fine varies depending on how long your license has been expired and whether you have prior violations. Renewing your license before it expires prevents this problem.
Do I need a new photo when I renew?
If you renew online or by mail, your existing photo is used on your new license. If you renew in person, the office will take a new photo. You cannot request a new photo during online or mail renewal.
How long is my temporary license valid?
A temporary paper license issued during in-person renewal is valid for 45 days. Your physical license will arrive in the mail within seven to ten business days. If it does not arrive within two weeks, call the department to check the status.
Can I renew my license if I have a medical suspension?
No. If you have a medical suspension or restriction on your license, you cannot renew online or by mail. You must go to a driver's license office in person, where staff can review your medical status and determine whether the suspension can be lifted or whether additional documentation is needed.