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Mississippi Department of Public Safety · Driver Service Bureau

Mississippi permit test $7 and a notary

Mississippi's permit is one of the cheapest anywhere at $7, but the paperwork has a catch: if you're under 18, your application has to be notarized. Here's what the December 2024 MDPS manual says about the Computerized Exam, the one-year permit period, and the driver's ed rule starting in 2027. Then try the practice test.

Last reviewed October 30, 2026 · MDPS Driver's License Manual, revised December 2024

Coming July 1, 2027: the manual says driver's education completion becomes a requirement. If you're 14 now, plan for it.

Before you leave home

  • ☐ Certified birth certificate and the other documents on the manual's Application Requirements list
  • ☐ Application signed by a parent or guardian and notarized (under 18)
  • ☐ School Attendance Affidavit
  • ☐ Glasses, if you wear them. If you fail the vision exam, you'll need form DE26 from an eye specialist.
  • ☐ Cash or a Visa or MasterCard. No checks.

About the Computerized Exam

The permit test is the same Computerized Exam used for a Class R license. It's based on the manual's traffic laws, safe driving rules and licensing requirements, and a headset can read the questions aloud. A passing score stays valid for two years, so it can carry you from permit to license.

The manual doesn't give the number of questions, the passing score, the languages, retake rules or an online option. Our quiz uses an 80% target, which is common elsewhere, not a published Mississippi number.

Mississippi DMV practice test

Free quiz · no sign-up

Mississippi permit practice test

Questions
25
To pass
80%
About
17 min

Instant feedback and an explanation after every answer.

Preview the 25 free questions

  1. What is the minimum age for a Mississippi learner's permit?

    • 14
    • 15
    • 15½
    • 16

  2. Who must sit next to a permit driver?

    • A licensed driver 18+
    • A licensed driver 19+
    • A licensed driver 21+
    • A licensed driver 25+

  3. How long must a driver under 17 hold the permit before a Class R license?

    • 6 months
    • 9 months
    • 1 year
    • 18 months

  4. How long is a learner's permit valid?

    • 1 year
    • 2 years
    • 4 years
    • 6 months

  5. What is the learner's permit fee in the manual?

    • $5
    • $7
    • $11
    • $24

  6. How many driving hours must the under-17 affidavit certify?

    • 30
    • 40
    • 50
    • 60

  7. How long is a Computerized Exam score valid?

    • 6 months
    • 1 year
    • 2 years
    • 4 years

  8. From when is driver's ed completion required?

    • 2025
    • July 1, 2026
    • July 1, 2027
    • Never

  9. Which payment is not accepted at a driver license station?

    • Cash
    • Visa
    • MasterCard
    • Checks

  10. What is the BAC limit for drivers under 21?

    • .00
    • .02
    • .04
    • .08

  11. What is the BAC limit for drivers 21+?

    • .05
    • .08
    • .10
    • .02

  12. What is the maximum interstate speed?

    • 60 mph
    • 65 mph
    • 70 mph
    • 75 mph

  13. What is the interstate minimum speed?

    • 30 mph
    • 40 mph
    • 45 mph
    • 50 mph

  14. What is the maximum on a two-lane state or US highway?

    • 50 mph
    • 55 mph
    • 60 mph
    • 65 mph

  15. What is the school zone maximum?

    • 10 mph
    • 15 mph
    • 20 mph
    • 25 mph

  16. How far from a stopped school bus must you stop?

    • 5 feet
    • 10 feet
    • 20 feet
    • 30 feet

  17. You're going the opposite way on a divided highway with 4+ lanes, and a bus is stopped. You:

    • Must stop
    • Don't need to stop
    • Slow to 15 mph
    • Honk

  18. Texting on a hand-held phone while driving is:

    • Allowed at lights
    • Not allowed
    • Allowed if you're over 21
    • Allowed for reading only

  19. Who must wear seat belts?

    • Front seat only
    • The driver only
    • Everyone, front and back
    • Under 16 only

  20. You must report a crash with injury or damage over:

    • $250
    • $500
    • $1,000
    • $1,500

  21. Within what distance must school buses and hazmat vehicles stop at railroad crossings?

    • 5–15 feet
    • 10–50 feet
    • 15–50 feet
    • 20–100 feet

  22. What is the minimum light transmittance for window tint?

    • 20%
    • 28%
    • 35%
    • 50%

  23. A slow-moving vehicle emblem means the vehicle travels under:

    • 15 mph
    • 25 mph
    • 35 mph
    • 45 mph

  24. How long is the license suspension for a first DUI?

    • 30 days
    • 90 days
    • 120 days
    • 1 year

  25. An emergency vehicle with its lights on is parked on a four-lane road. You should:

    • Keep your speed
    • Merge away if it's safe
    • Always stop in your lane
    • Pass on the shoulder

The permit year

You can get a permit at 15, and it's valid two years. Drive only with a licensed driver 21+ in the seat next to you. To get a Class R at 16, you must have held the permit a full year. If you're under 17, a parent, teacher or guardian signs an affidavit certifying 50 hours of driving, which the manual ties to a road test waiver. At 17, you're eligible regardless of how long you've had the permit.

The manual doesn't describe night or passenger limits for new teen drivers, so we don't list any.

Mississippi's speed limits

RoadMaxMin
Interstates7040
Four-lane highways6540
Two-lane state and US highways55—
Natchez Trace Parkway50—
School zones15—

The rest of the rulebook

  • School buses: stop at least 10 feet away, from either direction. The exception is opposite-direction traffic on a divided highway with four or more lanes.
  • Railroad crossings: school buses, vehicles for hire carrying passengers, and hazmat vehicles stop 10–50 feet from the rail.
  • Emergency vehicles parked on a four-lane highway: merge away, or slow down and be ready to stop.
  • Alcohol: .08 for 21+, .02 under 21 (Zero Tolerance). A first DUI brings a $250–$1,000 fine, up to 48 hours in jail and a 120-day suspension.
  • No texting or social media on a hand-held phone. Everyone in the car wears a seat belt, front and back.
  • Report crashes with injury or more than $500 in damage. Window tint must allow at least 28% light through (the decal is $5). The slow-moving triangle means under 25 mph.

Neighboring states

Louisiana · Arkansas · Tennessee · Alabama

Mississippi permit test FAQ

How many questions are on the Mississippi permit test?

The MDPS Driver's License Manual describes a Computerized Exam based on the manual, but gives neither the number of questions nor the passing score. We couldn't verify either.

How much is a Mississippi learner's permit?

$7.00, according to the manual's fee table. You can pay with cash or a Visa or MasterCard credit or debit card. Checks aren't accepted.

Do I need driver's ed for a Mississippi permit?

Not yet. The manual says driver's education completion becomes required on July 1, 2027.

Does my permit test score expire?

Yes. A passing Computerized Exam score is valid for two years.

Does my application need to be notarized?

Yes. If you're under 18, a parent or guardian signs the application and it must be notarized. You also need a School Attendance Affidavit.

What if I fail the vision exam?

Have an eye specialist fill out form DE26 and bring it back.

Keep studying

Source: MDPS Driver's License Manual (PDF); Driver Service Bureau. Not affiliated with MDPS.