In Mississippi you can apply for a Regular Learner's Permit at age 15. You take a computerized multiple-choice exam based on the official manual. Rules and fees change, so as of 2026 treat this guide as a starting point and confirm everything on the official site. The official source is the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (Driver Service Bureau) and the Mississippi Driver's License Manual.
Age and test format
The minimum age for the permit is 15. The permit exam is the same Computerized Exam used for the regular license, and it is based on the manual. If you are reading impaired, the computer has a headset that reads questions and answers aloud. Applicants under 18 also need proof of school enrollment, and applicants under 17 need the signature of both parents when both are living and have custody.
Practice hours and time with the permit
- The permit is valid for two years.
- You must hold it for one year before upgrading to a Regular Driver's License, unless you turn 17 first.
- A parent, teacher or guardian must certify that they saw you drive for at least 50 hours.
- Your exam score stays valid for two years.
- Starting July 1, 2027, you must also show proof of a certified Driver's Education course.
Keep a log. It is much easier to write down each drive than to remember months later. With a permit, you must drive with a licensed driver 21 or older in the seat next to you.
Rules you should know
- 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 opposite way does not have to stop.
- Blood alcohol limits: 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.
- Leave at least 3 feet when passing a bicycle.
- 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: leave one car length for every 10 mph.
- Texting while driving is not allowed, and every driver and passenger must wear a seat belt.
Mississippi's hydrant distance is 10 feet, while some other states use 15. If you study for more than one state, label your notes with the state.
Why details matter
Test writers like numbers: distances, ages, hours, and limits. When you read the manual, highlight every number and make a one-page summary. Review it before each practice test.
A simple study plan
- Read the Mississippi Driver's License Manual in short sessions, one section at a time.
- Learn road signs by shape and color, then by meaning.
- Take practice tests and explain every wrong answer out loud.
- Repeat your weak topics, such as right-of-way or parking distances.
- Sleep well the night before and bring your documents.
Confirm current fees, documents and testing locations with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety at dps.ms.gov.
Tips for parents and guardians
Parents can make a big difference without taking over. Sit down with your teen once a week and ask them to explain a rule in their own words. If they can teach it back to you, they probably know it.
Look at the practice driving log together, plan a mix of daytime, night and bad weather drives, and keep the first drives in quiet places such as empty parking lots or calm neighborhood streets. Remember that you will sign the 50-hour affidavit, so make sure it is true. Stay patient. Everyone is nervous at the start.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Studying only signs and skipping the numbers and rules.
- Using a manual from a different state.
- Waiting until the night before to study.
- Rushing through questions without reading every answer.
- Forgetting to check the document list for your MS visit.
On test day
Arrive early, bring everything on the official list, and take a few slow breaths before you begin. Read each question twice. Staying calm is part of passing.
DMVZone practice questions are for study only. They are not the real test questions, but they help you practice the kinds of topics the test covers.