South · Learner’s Permit
How to get your learner’s permit in Mississippi
Mississippi issues learner’s permits at 15 after a knowledge test. The state’s graduated system moves teens from permit to intermediate license to full license in supervised stages.
Mississippi permit requirements at a glance
| Minimum age | 15 |
|---|---|
| Official name | Learner’s Permit |
| Supervised practice | Set by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety — Driver Service Bureau — confirm on the official page |
| Minimum holding period | 12 months (applicants 17 and older are exempt from the holding period) |
| Issuing agency | Mississippi Department of Public Safety — Driver Service Bureau (official source ↗) |
How easy is it to get licensed in Mississippi?
Our Ease Score weighs starting age, practice hours, and waiting time. See how it works & the full 50-state ranking →
- Starting age
- 15
- Practice hours
- No hour log
- Waiting time
- 12 months
Longer bars = easier. Overall: 51/100. Easiest in the South: Arkansas (#1) . Nationally, Arkansas is #1 and Maryland is #50.
Did you know? New Hampshire is the only state with no learner’s permit — teens practice at 15½ with a licensed adult, no paperwork first. See for yourself →
⏳ Count down to your Mississippi permit date · ⚔️ Compare Mississippi with another state · 📝 Track your practice hours
Steps to get your permit in Mississippi
- Confirm you’re eligible. You must be at least 15 . If you’re under 18, a parent or legal guardian will need to sign your application.
- Study the official Mississippi driver manual. The knowledge test is based on it — download it free from the Mississippi Department of Public Safety — Driver Service Bureau site. Focus on road signs, right-of-way, and Mississippi’s specific teen-driving (GDL) restrictions.
- Gather your documents. Plan on proof of identity (certified birth certificate or valid passport), your Social Security number, two proofs of Mississippi residency, and — in many states — proof of school enrollment. The exact list is on the official Mississippi Department of Public Safety — Driver Service Bureau page.
- Apply, pass the vision screening, and take the knowledge test. Most offices recommend or require an appointment, and a fee applies at application — check current fees on the official site, as they change periodically.
- Practice with a qualifying supervising driver. Log consistent practice across different roads, weather, and times of day, and confirm Mississippi's current certification rules with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety — Driver Service Bureau.
- Hold your permit for the required period. In Mississippi, that's 12 months (applicants 17 and older are exempt from the holding period). Then schedule your road test for the next license stage.
Good to know in Mississippi
- Mississippi does not publish a statewide certified practice-hour log requirement like most states — confirm current rules with the Driver Service Bureau.
Mississippi learner’s permit FAQ
How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Mississippi?
The minimum age is 15. Mississippi calls this credential the Learner’s Permit.
How many supervised driving hours does Mississippi require?
Mississippi does not publish a single statewide certified hour log the way most states do. Confirm the current practice requirements with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety — Driver Service Bureau.
How long do you have to hold a learner's permit in Mississippi?
The minimum holding period is 12 months (applicants 17 and older are exempt from the holding period) before you can move to the next license stage.
Can you drive alone with a learner's permit in Mississippi?
No. In every US state, a permit holder must be supervised by a qualifying licensed adult seated in the front passenger seat. Driving alone on a permit can lead to citations and can delay your license.
Is Mississippi an easy state to get licensed in?
Mississippi ranks #9 of 50 on our Ease Score (51/100), which weighs starting age, required practice hours, and the permit waiting period. Arkansas is the easiest state in the nation and Maryland is the toughest.