Mississippi Permit Restrictions and Road Test Readiness Checklist

Once your Mississippi learner's permit is issued, specific driving restrictions apply to every practice mile you log. Meeting those restrictions and passing a readiness checklist determines when you are eligible for the road test.

What driving restrictions apply to Mississippi permit holders?

Your permit stays valid for two years. Mississippi learner's permit holders who let it lapse must reapply, repay the $7.00 fee, and repass the written test, which can delay the GDL timeline significantly. Required waiting periods and practice hours depend entirely on your age when you received the permit.

• Under 17: Hold permit one year and log 50 supervised hours (10 at night) before waiver or road test.
• 17 and Older: No minimum holding period. Take your Class R road test once prepared and meeting all document requirements.

Starting July 1, 2027, anyone under 17 must show completion of certified driver's education before getting licensed. Download form DL-41 from the Mississippi DPS Forms page.

If your permit expires, you must reapply, retake the written test, and pay the $7.00 fee again.

Mississippi Permit Rules You Must Follow on Every Practice Drive

You must always drive with a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the front seat. Cell phone use while driving is prohibited completely. Keep a dated driving log; Mississippi DPS can request verification of all 50 hours at the license upgrade appointment.

You must log exactly 50 hours of behind-the-wheel training, including at least 10 hours at night. Maintain a personal logbook with dates, times, and conditions so your parent or guardian can accurately complete the required Waiver of Road Testing Affidavit.

Practice in varied conditions: highways like I-55, rain, night driving, and rural roads throughout Mississippi.

Schedule your road test at the Southaven DPS office for Tuesday afternoons. Mondays and Fridays bring high volume, long waits, and rushed examiners who catch every minor mistake.

Mississippi Road Test Readiness: What to Check Before Booking Your Appointment

The road test evaluates specific maneuvers outlined in the Mississippi Driver's Manual. Critical errors like rolling stops or poor lane position cause automatic failure. Use the Manage Appointment link in your confirmation email and click Reschedule, not Cancel, to keep your place in queue.

• Parking: Demonstrate safe parallel or angle parking with proper signaling and blind-spot checks
• Stops: Make complete stops behind the white line at every intersection
• Reversing: Back up straight for about 50 feet while looking over your shoulder
• Signaling: Signal 100 feet before turns or lane changes, cancel after maneuver

When ready to upgrade, gather these documents: Learner's Permit, Social Security card, Birth Certificate or passport, two proofs of Mississippi residency.

If under 18, obtain a valid Certification of School Attendance from your school within 30 days of your test. This applies even to homeschooled students in Mississippi.

Bring a safe, insured vehicle with valid Mississippi tags and all working lights, signals, horn, and brakes. You can take your driving test at any DPS Driver Service location in Mississippi.

Fees total $31.00: Learner's Permit costs $7.00, and a 4-year Class R license costs $24.00. Check intermediate license rules if you're under 18 to avoid conviction delays.

At the Jackson Metro DPS, examiners check brake lights before you even start the engine. A non-working brake light means immediate test failure. Perform a full walk-around before your appointment. Also: a money order made out to the wrong office name isn't accepted-call ahead to confirm the exact payee name before purchasing a money order for any Mississippi DPS payment. Print two affidavit copies in case of damage or rejection.

At the Jackson Metro DPS, examiners check brake lights before you even start the engine. A non-working brake light means immediate test failure. Perform a full walk-around check of all lights and signals in the parking lot before your appointment time.