The Mississippi permit test is a knowledge exam you take in person at a driver license station run by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver Service Bureau. DPS does not publish how many questions are on it or the passing score. Practice sites often say 30 questions and 80%, but those numbers are unofficial, so study the whole Mississippi driver's manual.
Mississippi permit test at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Agency | Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver Service Bureau (driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov) |
| Minimum age | 15 |
| Questions and pass mark | Not published by DPS. Third-party sites say 30 questions and 80%, which is unofficial |
| Format | Computerized multiple-choice exam. A headset can read questions aloud for applicants with reading difficulties |
| Where | In person at a DPS driver license station. Appointments are strongly recommended |
| Online test | No. DPS says the exam must be taken in person |
| Fee | $7 for the learner's permit, valid two years. Cash, debit or credit only |
| Languages | Not published on the DPS permit page. Ask your station |
How many questions are on the Mississippi permit test?
DPS does not give a number or a passing score on its learner's permit page. Many practice sites say 30 questions with 80% to pass, which would mean missing no more than six. That is a guide only. Ask at the station if you want the exact format, and prepare to answer every question correctly.
What's on the Mississippi permit test
The exam is based on the Mississippi driver's manual, which DPS recommends for preparation. Expect traffic laws, road signs and safe driving. These numbers come up often:
- School buses: stop at least 10 feet back when red lights flash and the stop sign is out. On a divided highway with four or more lanes, traffic going the other way does not have to stop.
- Alcohol: 0.08 for drivers 21 and older, and 0.02 for drivers under 21.
- Parking: stay 10 feet from a fire hydrant and 20 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection.
- Speed limits: 15 mph in a school zone, 70 mph on interstates and 55 mph on two-lane highways unless signs say otherwise.
- Following distance: one car length for every 10 mph.
- Bicycles: leave at least 3 feet when passing.
- Texting while driving is not allowed, and everyone in the car must wear a seat belt.
Why the official manual matters here
Search for the Mississippi test and many of the top results come from one large practice-test site. Practice tests help you find gaps, but the exam is written from the Mississippi manual, and DPS says the state has no official study app. Download the free manual from DPS or buy a printed copy for $3 at a driver license station.
Mississippi's school bus stopping distance is 10 feet, while many states use 20. Label your notes if you study for more than one state.
How to study for the Mississippi permit test
- Download the Mississippi driver's manual, the mississippi permit test book, from the DPS Driver Service Bureau site.
- Read one section a day and highlight every number.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Take Mississippi permit test practice quizzes and write down every question you miss.
- Review your misses the night before, then get a full night's sleep.
What to bring and how to book
DPS strongly recommends booking an appointment at dps.ms.gov/appointment. You must pass both the knowledge exam and an eye exam to get the permit. Bring:
- A completed and signed application.
- An original birth certificate or other accepted document. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Your Social Security card or official government mail showing all nine digits.
- Two proofs of residency.
- Legal papers if you use a new name.
- Ages 15 to 17: a School Attendance Form no more than 30 days old. Married applicants under 18 show a marriage license instead.
- $7 in cash or by debit or credit card. Personal checks are not accepted.
Leave your phone, earbuds and smartwatch in the car. DPS bans electronics from the testing area. Having one or cheating cancels your test, and you cannot retest for 6 months.
Can you take the Mississippi permit test online?
No. DPS says the knowledge exam must be taken in person at a driver license station. You can book an appointment online, but not take the test.
What happens if you fail the Mississippi permit test?
DPS does not publish a waiting period or attempt limit for an ordinary failed test. The only waiting period it lists is 6 months after a cheating or electronics violation. Ask the examiner about retesting before you leave, and study the topics you missed.
After you pass
- Drive only with a licensed driver 21 or older in the seat next to you.
- Under 17, hold the permit 12 months before getting a license. Applicants 17 and older can get the permit and license the same day.
- A parent, teacher or guardian certifies at least 50 hours of supervised driving.
- To get the license you need your valid permit, an up-to-date school attendance form and a signed Waiver of Road Testing Affidavit.
Mississippi permit test FAQ
How many questions are on the Mississippi permit test?
DPS does not publish the number. Practice sites say 30, which is unofficial. The exam is based on the Mississippi driver's manual.
How many questions can you miss on the MS permit test?
DPS does not publish a passing score. If the common third-party figure of 30 questions and 80% is right, you could miss six, but confirm with the examiner.
Can you take your permit test online in Mississippi?
No. DPS says the knowledge exam must be taken in person at a driver license station.
How much is a Mississippi learner's permit?
$7, and it is valid for two years.
