Mississippi driver's license
Get your first license in Mississippi after moving to the US.
The short answer
Getting a first Mississippi driver's license means passing the written exam.1 A regular Class R license costs $47.00 for 8 years or $24.00 for 4 years.2, 3 Your eyes are checked during the application to confirm you see well enough to drive safely.4 If you hold a license from another state that has expired, you must take the knowledge exam.5 To prepare, read the Mississippi Driver's License Manual.6
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Mississippi and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
If you are not a US citizen, US national, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee, you may be granted a short-term driver's license or identification card.7
If your license from another state has expired
As a new Mississippi resident, you are required to take the knowledge exam.5
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validA foreign passport presented with a valid immigrant visa must be unexpired.8
Tests you take
Eye test
Your eyes will be checked to make sure you see well enough to drive safely.4
Drive test
No skills (road) test is currently required for any applicant seeking a regular driver's license.9
No road tests are being given; you are only required to take the written exam.1
Practice questions for the written test
Study the official Mississippi Driver's License Manual to prepare for the exam. You can download a free copy from the Driver Service Bureau website or purchase a printed manual at any Driver License Station for $3.00. Mississippi does not offer an official study app.6
Practising with your permit
Who can sit with you while you practise
You may drive on a learner's permit only when accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older who is physically occupying the seat next to you.10
Where to go
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“At this time no road test are being given, you are only required to take the written exam.”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/frequently-asked-questionsChecked July 28, 2026
- 2
“$47.00 8 Year Regular Original / Renewal Class R”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/…/Driver_Service_FeesChecked July 28, 2026
- 3
“$24.00 4 Year Regular Original / Renewal Class R”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/…/Driver_Service_FeesChecked July 28, 2026
- 4
“Your eyes will be checked to make sure you see well enough to drive safely.”
- 5
“Any new Mississippi resident with an expired out of state license is required to take the knowledge exam.”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/ClassRChecked July 26, 2026
- 6
“To prepare for the exam the applicant is encouraged to read the MS Driver's License Manual”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/Learners_PermitChecked July 26, 2026
- 7
“If a candidate is NOT one of the following: a US citizen, a US national, a lawful permanent resident, a refugee, or an asylee, they may be granted a short-term driver’s license or identification card.”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/Non_CitizenChecked August 1, 2026
- 8
“Resident Alien Card (I-551) - card issued without expiration date Valid Immigrant Visa and unexpired foreign passport”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/Non_CitizenChecked August 1, 2026
- 9
“*NOTE: At this time, no skills (road) test is required of any applicant seeking a regular driver's license.”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/ClassRChecked August 1, 2026
- 10
“It entitles you to drive a motor vehicle when accompanied by a licensed driver aged twenty-one years or older who is physically occupying the seat next to you.”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/…/1.15.2025%20Revised%20MDPS%20Driver%27s%20Manual.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 11
“SKIP THE LINE (APPOINTMENTS) [URL: https://telegov.egov.com/dps]”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.govChecked July 26, 2026
- 12
“TITLE: Driver License Locations | DPS Driver Serv”
driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/…/Driver_License_LocationsChecked August 27, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Mississippi?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.