Mississippi DMV Guide: Permit, License, and Road Test
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Earning your learner's permit in Mississippi is straightforward once you understand the steps the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) expects. This guide covers eligibility, the documents to bring, the knowledge test, and what happens after you pass, so you can plan your visit to the Driver Service Bureau with confidence.
Requirements, fees, and accepted documents can change over time, so use this as a general roadmap and confirm the current details with the DPS or your local office before you go. Arriving with the right documents the first time is the easiest way to keep the process quick and avoid a return trip.
15
Permit age
30
Test questions
24 (80%)
To pass
$7
Permit fee
Step by step: getting your Mississippi permit
Step 1: Confirm you meet the age requirement
In Mississippi you can generally apply for a learner's permit at age 15. The permit is the first stage of the state's graduated licensing process and comes with supervised-driving conditions rather than full privileges. Younger applicants may need to meet school enrollment or attendance requirements, so check what applies to you.
Step 2: Gather your required documents
Bring documents that establish your identity, your Social Security number, and Mississippi residency. Applicants under 18 typically need a parent or guardian to provide consent.
- Proof of identity, such as a birth certificate or passport
- Proof of your Social Security number
- Proof of Mississippi residency
- Parent or guardian consent if you are under 18
Step 3: Meet any school-related requirements
Mississippi ties teen driving privileges to school enrollment and attendance for younger applicants. If this applies to you, be ready to show the appropriate school form or verification when you apply, since missing paperwork is a common reason for delays at the counter.
Step 4: Pass the knowledge test
Take the 30-question written knowledge test and score at least 80 percent, which means 24 correct answers. Practicing in advance so the wording and format feel familiar is the most reliable way to pass on your first attempt and avoid a retest.
Step 5: Pass the vision screening and pay the fee
You will complete a vision screening and pay the permit fee. Once you meet the requirements, the Driver Service Bureau issues your learner's permit, which lets you begin supervised practice driving toward your next license stage.
After you pass the knowledge test
With a Mississippi learner's permit you may drive only while supervised by a qualified licensed adult. The graduated process generally includes a holding period before you can move to the next license stage and take the road test. Use the permit period to log varied practice, including rural two-lane roads and driving in rain, so you are genuinely ready for the skills exam.
Tips for Mississippi new drivers
Build skills gradually: start on quiet streets, then add busier roads and eventually highway driving. Practice scanning far ahead on rural highways for animals, slow traffic, and changing pavement markings. Always carry your permit while driving, keep a licensed adult beside you, and follow any passenger and nighttime restrictions that apply to permit holders.
Mississippi permit and test fees
$7
Regular learner's permit, valid for 2 years.
Verified on the Driver Service Bureau fee table: Learners Permit (valid 2 years) is $7.00 and a motorcycle learner's permit is $1.00. All license and ID card fees must be paid by cash, debit, or credit; no personal checks.
Mississippi permit restrictions and supervised driving
While you hold the permit
Hold period: Hold a learner's permit at least 12 months before the regular license (applicants 17 and older are not required to hold the permit)
- Must pass the knowledge exam before issuance
- Applicants 15 to 17 must provide a current school attendance form (valid within 30 days)
- Permit must be held 12 months before advancing for applicants under 17
After you upgrade (provisional/intermediate)
- Intermediate (Class Y) holders may drive unsupervised 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday
- Outside those hours an intermediate driver must be supervised by a licensed person age 21 or older in the front seat, with no time limit when driving to or from work
- The intermediate license is held 6 months, or until the driver turns 17, before the unrestricted license
Restriction details change. Confirm current rules with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
Mississippi road test requirements
The driving examination evaluates the applicant's ability to control the vehicle safely and obey Mississippi traffic laws.
What to bring
- Completed and signed application
- Valid learner's permit and an up-to-date school attendance form (under 18)
- Proof of identity, Social Security number, and two proofs of residency
Vehicle requirements
- Not specified
Mississippi driver handbook summary
Mississippi requires new drivers under 17 to hold a learner's permit for a full year before moving to the restricted intermediate Class Y license. The intermediate license allows unsupervised daytime and early-evening driving, with later hours on weekends, but requires adult supervision late at night except when commuting to work. The intermediate stage lasts six months or until the driver turns 17, after which an unrestricted license is issued.
Practice for the Mississippi test
The fastest way to pass is to rehearse real test format. Our Mississippi questions are balanced across the categories the DPS tests.
Find a DPS office in Mississippi
Most permits are issued in person. Find your nearest DPS location before you go, and check whether you need an appointment.
Map results come from Google and may include third-party services. Always confirm the office location, hours, and whether an appointment is required on the official DPS website before visiting.
Official Mississippi sources
Mississippi licensing FAQ
How much does the Mississippi permit cost?
$7. Regular learner's permit, valid for 2 years. Verified on the Driver Service Bureau fee table: Learners Permit (valid 2 years) is $7.00 and a motorcycle learner's permit is $1.00. All license and ID card fees must be paid by cash, debit, or credit; no personal checks. See the full Mississippi fee breakdown and official source on our permit cost page.
What score do I need to pass the Mississippi written test?
The Mississippi knowledge test has 30 questions and you must answer 24 correctly (80%) to pass.
How old do I have to be for a Mississippi learner's permit?
Generally 15. Confirm the current age and school-related requirements with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.
What documents do I need to apply?
Proof of identity, your Social Security number, proof of Mississippi residency, and parental consent if you are under 18.
Do I have to take a test for the permit?
Yes. You take a 30-question written knowledge test and a vision screening to qualify for the permit.
Is there a fee for the Mississippi permit?
Yes, a permit fee applies. Check the current amount with the DPS or your local office before your visit.