Where to renew and what documents you need

You can renew your Mississippi driver's license in person at any Driver Services office, or by mail if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route takes about 30 minutes and you leave with a temporary license the same day. Mail renewal is faster overall — you send in your documents and receive your new license in the mail within two to three weeks — but you can only use it if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and your address hasn't changed.

For either method, bring your current license, proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days). If you've changed your name since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change. You'll also need to pay the renewal fee, which is $31 for a four-year license or $49 for an eight-year license.

Key Takeaways

  • In-person renewal at a Driver Services office takes about 30 minutes and you get a temporary license when ready; mail renewal takes two to three weeks but requires no office visit.
  • You can only renew by mail if your license is not suspended, you have no medical restrictions, and your address has not changed since your last renewal.
  • Bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address dated within the last 60 days.
  • The renewal fee is $31 for a four-year license or $49 for an eight-year license, and you must be at least 50 years old to choose the eight-year option.

In-person renewal at a Driver Services office

Find your nearest Driver Services office on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can also schedule an appointment online to avoid waiting. Bring all required documents listed above, plus your payment method (cash, check, or debit card — credit cards are not accepted).

When you arrive, check in at the front desk and you'll be called to a window. The clerk will review your documents, take a new photo, and ask you to sign. You'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent card is printed and mailed to you. Your permanent license arrives within two to three weeks. If you need to drive before your permanent license arrives, the temporary license is valid for the full 30 days.

Mail renewal if you meet the requirements

Mail renewal is only available if all of these are true: your current license is not suspended or revoked, you have no medical restrictions on your license, your address has not changed, and you are renewing before your license expires. read the mail renewal form from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website (form DL-44), or call 601-987-1500 to request it by mail.

Complete the form, include a copy of your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and your payment. Mail everything to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash — use a check or money order. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file within two to three weeks. Keep your old license until the new one arrives.

What happens if your license has expired

If your license expired more than one year ago, you cannot renew by mail or in person — you must reapply as if getting a new license. This means taking the written test and the driving test again. Schedule an appointment at a Driver Services office and bring the same documents as renewal, plus proof that you passed the written test (if you've already taken it). The reapplication fee is $31 for a four-year license or $49 for an eight-year license.

If your license expired less than one year ago, you can still renew using the standard process above. There is no penalty or extra fee for renewing a recently expired license.

Renewing with a suspended or restricted license

If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it until the suspension is lifted. Contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety at 601-987-1500 to find out why your license is suspended and what you need to do to clear it. Suspensions are often related to unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or unpaid child support. Once the suspension is removed, you can renew normally.

If your license has medical restrictions (such as corrective lenses required or automatic transmission only), you can renew in person at a Driver Services office. The clerk will review your restrictions and may ask you to confirm them or take a new vision test. Mail renewal is not available if you have restrictions.

Changing your address during renewal

If you've moved since your last license was issued, you must renew in person at a Driver Services office — mail renewal is not an option. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), proof of your Social Security number, and payment. The clerk will update your address in the system and issue your new license with the correct address.

If you move after renewing your license but before it expires, you can update your address without renewing. Visit a Driver Services office with your current license and proof of your new address. The address change is free and takes about 10 minutes. Your license card itself will not change — the new address is recorded in the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No, Mississippi does not offer online renewal. You can renew in person at a Driver Services office or by mail if you meet the requirements. You can schedule an in-person appointment online to reduce wait time, but you must still visit an office to complete the renewal.

How long is my temporary license good for?

Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days from the date it is issued. Your permanent license should arrive by mail within two to three weeks. If it does not arrive within three weeks, contact the Mississippi Department of Public Safety at 601-987-1500.

What if I need my license before the permanent one arrives?

The temporary license issued at the office is valid for driving for the full 30 days. You do not need to wait for the permanent card to arrive. If you lose the temporary license before your permanent one arrives, return to a Driver Services office with your ID and they can issue a replacement.

Do I have to renew in person if I'm out of state?

If you are living out of state, you can renew by mail as long as you meet all other requirements (no suspension, no medical restrictions, no address change). Mail your completed form, documents, and payment to the address on the renewal form. Your new license will be mailed to your current address.

What if my name changed since my last license?

Bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing your name change along with your other renewal documents. You must renew in person — mail renewal is not available when your name has changed. The clerk will update your name in the system and your new license will show the correct name.