Mississippi Online Driver Education and Mississippi Licensing Procedures
Congratulations on starting the process of applying for your Mississippi Learner's Permit or first Mississippi Driver's license. Mississippi has a Graduated Driver License Program for Mississippi teen drivers, and there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure that applying for your first Mississippi driving license goes as smoothly as possible. So let's get started.
Mississippi Instructional Permit and Mississippi Learner's Permit
The minimum age to apply for a Mississippi Learner's Permit is 14 and a half, but this permit will only allow you to practice as part of a Mississippi approved driver education program. At 15, you can apply for a regular old Mississippi Learner's Permit. You'll need the following:
- Application with notarized signatures from both your parents/guardians
- Social Security Card or printout from the Social Security Administration
- State-issued copy of your birth certificate (hospital certificates NOT acceptable)
- Signed Certificate of School Attendance
- $4 fee (cash only)
Bring these materials to your local Mississippi Driver Service center. Then you'll have to pass the required vision and written tests. If you survived, then congratulations! You just earned your Mississippi Instruction Permit.
Remember that with your Mississippi Learner's Permit, you can only practice driving with your parent, guardian, or another licensed driver who is 21. Also, Mississippi teen drivers are prohibited from using a cell phone to receive or send text messages while driving. Also, every passenger in your car must have their seatbelt fastened. After you've had your Mississippi Learner's Permit for 6 months to 1 year (the official Mississippi Department of Public Safety website gives conflicting wait periods), you'll be ready for the next step in the Mississippi Graduated License Program.
The Mississippi Intermediate License and Mississippi Full License
In order to apply for your Mississippi Provisional driver's license, you'll need to make sure you follow a few Mississippi State requirements before heading down to your local Mississippi Driver service Center:
- Hold your Mississippi Learner's Permit for at least 6 months - 1 year without incident
- Bring the same information as for the Mississippi Learner's Permit
- $6 fee (cash only)
If you've completed these requirements, head on down to your local Mississippi Driver Service Center, where you'll pay the required fee and submit your Mississippi Intermediate License application. Then you'll have to take the dreaded road test! If you pass, then congratulations! You've just earned your Mississippi Intermediate driver license! However, you'll still have to drive with a few restrictions for the time being.
Mississippi Teen Driver License Restrictions and Penalties
There are several restrictions you need to keep in mind regarding your Mississippi Provisional Driver's license:
- All passengers must wear seat belts
- No using a cell phone to text message while driving
- No driving unsupervised between 10PM and 6AM (Sunday through Thursday)
- No driving unsupervised between 11:30AM and 6AM (Friday and Saturday)
- The exception is if you are driving to or from work
Mississippi Auto Insurance Mississippi Financial Responsibility Laws
Once you receive your Mississippi Learner's Permit or Mississippi Intermediate Driver's license, you're ready to drive--or are you? Any vehicle registered in Mississippi must be covered by liability insurance. The minimum liability insurance coverage is:
- $25,000 per person for a single accident
- $50,000 bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
If you are found to be driving without Mississippi mandatory liability insurance, your Mississippi Learner's Permit or Mississippi Intermediate license could be suspended and you could be fined.
Mississippi Drunk Driving, Cell Phone, and Text Messaging Laws
As a new Mississippi driver, it's important for you to learn the Mississippi drunk driving, cell phone, and text messaging laws.
Upon your first conviction of a Mississippi DUI, you'll face the following penalties:
- Jail sentence up to 48 hours
- $250 to $1,000 fine
- License suspension 90 days
- Possible alcohol safety education program
- Attend victim impact panel
And of course, further Mississippi DUI convictions will result in increased jail time, community service, fines, and Mississippi license suspension or even Mississippi license revocation.
Currently, Mississippi teen drivers are prohibited from using cell phones to text message while driving.
Mississippi Online Driver Education
Mississippi teen drivers can find more information about approved Mississippi online driver education courses on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website.