Mississippi's No Point System

Many states have a point system to penalize bad drivers. Depending on the severity of their infraction, each violation racks up points on their driving record. After accumulating so many points, these drivers risk high insurance premiums and even the suspension or loss of their driving privileges. However, in Mississippi, no such point system exists.

This does not mean that traffic violators get off scot-free. Each ticket issued to a driver goes on his/her driving record, accessible to potential employers and to the insurance company. If you fail to pay traffic tickets within the required time period, your license will be suspended. And reinstatement of the license is costly. The suspension fee alone costs $285.50, plus you'll get slapped with a $25 reinstatement fee in addition to the cost of the ticket itself. Most likely, your insurance rates will also increase.

Check Your Driver's License Status

Whenever you need or want to check the status of your driver’s license, you can order a driving record report. This record will spell out if your driver’s license is currently valid. Should your license have been revoked or suspended, the report will indicate that according to what’s on record at the DPS. This report will also show points against your license and, in some cases, information on any accidents you have had.

Getting Back Your License

Reinstating your Mississippi license is a time-consuming, multi-step process that will teach you to mind the traffic laws:

1. Pay all traffic ticket fees due in all cities and counties that have been issued against your license.
2. Pay the suspension fee of $285.50 along with a $25 reinstatement fee.
3. Wait for the Department of Public Safety to clear your record. You can speed things up with them by sending copies of your paid tickets and the Court Abstract to:
   • Mississippi Department of Public Safety
   • Attn: Driver Records
   • 1900 East Woodrow Wilson
   • Jackson, MS 39216

After these steps have been completed, your license will be reinstated.

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