Documents and information you'll need to bring

To renew your driver's license in Mississippi, you need your current license, proof of residency, and proof of Social Security number. Your current license serves as your primary ID. For proof of residency, bring a recent utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement with your name and current address — it must be dated within the last 60 days. For Social Security, bring your Social Security card, W-2 form, or 1099 form.

If your name has changed since your last license, you'll also need a document showing that change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If you're renewing by mail, you cannot have a vision or medical condition that requires testing, and your license cannot have been expired for more than five years.

Key Takeaways

  • You must bring your current license, proof of residency dated within 60 days, and proof of your Social Security number.
  • In-person renewal at a Driver Services office takes about 30 minutes and costs $31 for a standard four-year license.
  • Mail renewal is available only if your license expired fewer than five years ago and you have no vision or medical restrictions.
  • If your address has changed, you must renew in person rather than by mail.
  • You can renew up to six months before your license expires.

Renewing in person at a Driver Services office

Walk into any Mississippi Driver Services office with your documents and you'll complete the renewal the same day. Bring the items listed above, plus your current license. The office will take a new photo, verify your information, and process the renewal on the spot. The standard four-year license costs $31. A six-year license costs $46. You'll receive a temporary paper license when ready and your physical card by mail within two weeks.

Driver Services offices are located in most county courthouses and some standalone locations. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Early morning or mid-week visits typically have shorter lines. If you're renewing before your current license expires, the new expiration date will be four or six years from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.

Renewing by mail

Mail renewal is available only if your license expired fewer than five years ago, you have no vision or medical restrictions noted on your license, and your address has not changed. Complete the process form (available on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website), include a check or money order for $31 (four-year) or $46 (six-year), and mail everything to the address listed on the form.

Processing by mail takes four to six weeks. You will not receive a temporary license, so your old license remains valid until the new one arrives. If your address has changed or your license has been expired for more than five years, you must renew in person instead.

When your license is expired

If your license has been expired for five years or less, you can still renew it using the same process as an unexpired license. If it has been expired for more than five years, you must explore for a new license rather than renew. A new license requires the same documents as renewal, but you'll also need to pass a vision test and written knowledge test at a Driver Services office.

Driving with an expired license is illegal in Mississippi, even if you are in the process of renewing. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you can show proof that you have submitted a renewal process, but this does not may provide you will avoid a citation.

Changing your address or name

If your address has changed, you must renew in person at a Driver Services office. You cannot renew by mail if your address is different from what appears on your current license. Bring your current license, proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and proof of Social Security number.

If your name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or court order, bring the document proving the change along with your other renewal documents. You can renew in person or by mail if your name has changed, but if both your name and address have changed, you must go in person.

Cost and payment methods

A standard four-year license costs $31. A six-year license costs $46. At a Driver Services office, you can pay with cash, check, debit card, or credit card. By mail, you must send a check or money order — credit cards and debit cards are not accepted through the mail.

If you renew before your current license expires, you pay the full renewal fee. There is no discount for renewing early. If your license has been expired for more than five years and you need to explore for a new license instead, the cost is the same.

What happens after you renew

If you renew in person, you receive a temporary paper license when ready and can drive legally while you wait for your physical card. The physical license arrives by mail within two weeks. If you renew by mail, your old license remains valid until the new one arrives, which takes four to six weeks.

Your new license will have a new expiration date four or six years from the date you renew. Check the expiration date on your temporary license or new card to confirm it is correct. If there is an error, return to a Driver Services office with your temporary license and current license to request a correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online?

No. Mississippi does not offer online renewal. You must renew either in person at a Driver Services office or by mail. In-person renewal is faster and allows you to address any issues when ready.

What if I lost my Social Security card?

You can bring a W-2 form, 1099 form, or other document issued by the federal government that shows your Social Security number. You do not need the card itself, only proof of the number.

Do I need an appointment to renew in person?

No appointment is required. Walk-ins are accepted at all Driver Services offices. Wait times vary, but you can typically complete renewal within 30 minutes during off-peak hours.

What if my license was suspended or revoked?

You cannot renew a suspended or revoked license. You must resolve the suspension or revocation first by contacting the Mississippi Driver Services office or the court that issued the suspension. Once cleared, you can then renew.

Can I renew my license if I'm not a Mississippi resident?

No. You must be a Mississippi resident to hold a Mississippi driver's license. If you have moved out of state, you should obtain a license from your new state of residence.