Mississippi Learner's Permit and Driver’s License

GDL requirements

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Full Privilege Minimum Age
16, 6 months
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Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
15
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Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)
12
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Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)
16
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Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction
10 PM-6 AM Sunday through Thursday, and 11:30 PM-6 AM Friday and Saturday
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Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)
None

How to Get a Mississippi Driver’s License

The Mississippi Graduated Driver License program, or GDL, will give you time to learn how to drive in a controlled way. There are three stages to this program, from no Mississippi license to a full license.

Completing the Mississippi GDL takes about a year and a half. First, you’ll take a test for your learner’s permit. Once you’ve had your permit for a year, you can take the road test to get a provisional license. Drive with it for six months, or until you turn 17, and you’ll receive your full Mississippi license.

The steps below have the details you’ll need to know in order to get your full, unrestricted Mississippi license.

Get Your Mississippi Learner Permit

You can start the process to get your Mississippi license at 15 years old. To get ready for driving, you can download the Mississippi Driver’s Manual and start reading through it. At your local Driver Service Bureau (DSB) location, you’ll need to fill out an application, bring in proof of identity, and pay a fee of $7 by debit card or check.

Before being issued your MS learner permit, you’ll have to pass a vision screening and a written knowledge test, which will cover Mississippi road rules, traffic signs, and safe driving practices. There are 30 questions, and you need to get 24 correct to pass. Consider working through some practice exams before you take it.

If you fail, you can retake it as soon as the next business day the first time. However, if you fail three times in a row, you will need to wait 30 days after the last failed test before you can try again.

You will be given an official paper which is your learner’s permit. You’ll need to have that with you every time you’re behind the wheel.

You have to have your Mississippi permit for at least 1 year before you can apply for a provisional license. There are also limits to your permit and they are that you must have your driving practice supervised with an adult.

This is the point also where you’ll need to get driving instruction. The options for this include being enrolled in a driver’s education course and logged supervised behind-the-wheel practice. Driver education programs include 30 hours of classroom instruction with six hours of behind the wheel training.

When you’re ready to enroll in MSDPS approved driver education course find a driving school near you to get started.

Although driver education is not a requirement for licensure, the MS Driver Service Bureau has resources for these programs. Once you’ve completed the required amount of instruction, you can apply for your Mississippi provisional driver’s license.

Get Your Mississippi Provisional License

Receiving your Mississippi provisional license requires that you’ve completed certain requirements. Those are reaching the age of 16.

Driving Skills Test: You will be required to pass a driving test with a DSB evaluator who will make sure you can perform basic driving tasks safely.

Once you’re ready, you can schedule a driving skills exam at your nearest Mississippi Driver Service Bureau location.

Before you take the test, you should check out the Top 10 Automatic Fails on Driver Tests, so you’ll know what not to do on test day.

If you fail this test, you’ll need to make another appointment to reschedule your next test.

Vision Test: You will need to take a vision test. If you need glasses be sure you’re wearing them.

The application fee for your license is $24.

Your Mississippi license will be mailed to you and will have your photograph on it. They take your picture the day you pass your driving skills test.

As you continue to learn how to operate a motor vehicle in different conditions, there are certain hours when you won’t be able to drive. Those are 10 p.m.-6 a.m. Sun.-Thur., 11:30 p.m.-6 a.m. Fri.-Sat.

Get Your Mississippi Unrestricted Full License

At a certain point, the state feels that you’ve been able to receive enough supervised driving experience that you can go out on your own. Therefore, once you reach 17 and have had your restricted license for 6 months, you can get your full Mississippi license.

This means that previous restrictions are lifted. However, you will not receive an updated Mississippi license until that one expires. After you renew your license, you will receive your full, unrestricted license in the mail.

Whether you’ve just finished your Mississippi graduated licensing process, or are just starting out, you might also want to consider a telematic companion application to better understand your driving habits, and how to improve them.

The best option is the DriverZ Virtual Coach. Download it today and sharpen your S.P.I.D.E.R.Senses™ to build the driving skills that will keep you safe for a lifetime, track your supervised driving hours, and access bespoke driver training based on your specific needs.

Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some common questions you might have as you start out on your MS licensing journey.

Can I drive with an out-of-state instructional permit in Mississippi?

Mississippi does allow drivers to travel through the state with permits from other states, as long as the parameters of the out-of-state permit are followed and the permit is always in the immediate possession of the driver.

Can I replace a lost or stolen learner’s permit?

You can replace a lost or stolen learner’s permit by ordering one online and paying the $11 duplicate fee.

Mississippi Department of Public Safety information

For comprehensive information on everything related to the Mississippi graduated licensing program, visit the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. You can also call (601) 987-1212 between 8am to 5pm on Monday – Friday.

Prepare for your license journey by reviewing the Mississippi Driver’s Manual.