Where to renew and what you need to bring

You can renew your Mississippi driver's license in person at any Driver's License Testing Center run by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. You do not have to go to the location where you originally got your license — any testing center in the state will handle a renewal. Find the center nearest you on the MDPS website, which lists all locations, hours, and phone numbers by county.

Bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current Mississippi address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a document showing the legal change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. You will also need to pass a vision test at the testing center.

If you are renewing by mail (see the section below), the documents you mail must be originals or certified copies, not photocopies. The MDPS will not return documents you send, so do not mail anything you need to keep.

Key Takeaways

  • You can renew in person at any Mississippi Driver's License Testing Center without an appointment, though wait times vary by location and time of day.
  • By-mail renewal is available only if your license is not expired and you have not had any violations or suspensions in the past five years.
  • A standard renewal costs a set fee that covers either four or eight years of validity, depending on your age and whether you choose the longer term.
  • If your license has been expired for more than two years, you must renew in person and may need to retake the written test.
  • Real ID-compliant licenses require additional documents and cost more, but are required for federal building entry and domestic air travel starting in 2025.

Renewing by mail if you are may be able to access

Mississippi allows by-mail renewal only if your current license is not expired, you have no active suspensions or revocations, and you have had no traffic violations or suspensions in the five years before your renewal. If all three conditions are met, you can request a renewal form from the MDPS by calling the main office or visiting the website to read the form.

Mail the completed form, your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address to the address listed on the form. Include a check or money order for the renewal fee — the MDPS does not accept credit cards by mail. Processing takes two to four weeks after the MDPS receives your packet. Your new license will be mailed to the address you provide.

If you do not meet the may be able to access rules for by-mail renewal, you must renew in person at a testing center. This includes anyone whose license has expired, anyone with a current suspension or revocation, and anyone with violations or suspensions on their record in the past five years.

Renewing in person at a testing center

Walk into any Driver's License Testing Center during business hours — no appointment is needed. Bring your current license, proof of Social Security number, proof of current address, and be ready to pass a vision test. The vision test is done on-site and takes a few minutes. If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, wear them to the test.

The staff will take a new photo and process your renewal on the spot. You will receive a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your permanent card is printed and mailed to you. Your new license typically arrives within two weeks. If you need to drive before it arrives, the temporary license is valid for all driving purposes.

Wait times at testing centers vary widely depending on the location, day of the week, and time of day. Early mornings and weekday afternoons tend to be less crowded than late afternoons and Saturdays. Call ahead to ask about current wait times, or check the MDPS website for real-time wait information if available at your location.

What happens if your license has been expired for more than two years

If your license expired more than two years ago, you cannot use the by-mail process and must renew in person. You will also be required to retake the written knowledge test — the same test you took when you first got your license. You can study using the Mississippi Driver's Manual, available free on the MDPS website.

Bring the same documents as a standard in-person renewal: current or expired license, proof of Social Security number, proof of address, and be ready for the vision test. You will take the written test at the testing center before your renewal is processed. If you pass, your renewal proceeds as normal. If you do not pass, you can retake the test the same day or return another day to try again.

Real ID versus standard license renewal

Mississippi offers two types of driver's licenses: a standard license and a Real ID-compliant license. A standard license works for driving and some identification purposes. A Real ID-compliant license is required for federal building entry (including federal courthouses and some government offices) and for domestic air travel. Starting in 2025, a standard license will not be accepted for domestic flights.

Renewing as Real ID requires additional documents beyond the standard renewal documents: you must bring proof of citizenship (a birth certificate, passport, or naturalization papers) and two proofs of your current address instead of one. The Real ID renewal fee is higher than the standard renewal fee. If you are renewing in person, tell the staff you want Real ID when you arrive. If you are renewing by mail, note it on the renewal form.

You do not have to upgrade to Real ID when you renew — you can keep a standard license if you prefer. However, if you plan to fly domestically or enter federal buildings after 2025, you will need Real ID at some point.

Renewal fees and how long your new license lasts

The renewal fee depends on whether you choose a four-year or eight-year license and whether you are renewing as standard or Real ID. Fees vary and are set by the state, so check the MDPS website or call a testing center for current pricing. You pay the fee when you renew, whether in person or by mail.

A four-year license expires four years from the date you renew. An eight-year license expires eight years from the date you renew. The eight-year option costs more upfront but is cheaper per year. You choose which term you want when you renew.

What to do if you cannot find your Social Security number proof

You must bring proof of your Social Security number to renew. Acceptable documents are your Social Security card, a W-2 form, a 1099 form, or a tax return showing your full Social Security number. If you do not have any of these, you can request a replacement Social Security card from the Social Security Administration before you renew your license.

You can order a replacement card online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at your local Social Security office. Processing takes one to two weeks. Once you have the card or another proof document, you can renew your license at any testing center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No. Mississippi does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail if you meet the may be able to access rules, or in person at any Driver's License Testing Center. By-mail renewal requires you to mail documents and a check, not to complete a transaction on a website.

What if I lost my current license?

You can still renew. Bring the same documents you would for a standard renewal, but tell the staff your license is lost. They will process your renewal as normal. You will receive a temporary paper license and your new card will be mailed to you within two weeks.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

No. All Driver's License Testing Centers accept walk-ins for renewals. However, you can call ahead to ask about wait times, and some locations may offer appointment scheduling — check with your local center to see if appointments are available.

How long does my temporary paper license last?

Your temporary paper license is valid for 30 days from the date you receive it. Your permanent card should arrive within two weeks, but the temporary license covers you for all driving purposes until it does.

What if my address has changed since my last license?

Bring proof of your new address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days) when you renew. The staff will update your address on your new license. If you are renewing by mail, include the proof of address in your packet.