Mississippi New Resident Guide

Licensing and Residency Requirements

• You must visit the nearest driver's license office to apply for a Mississippi license. You must present a valid out-of-state license, proof of domicile and your Social Security card or a print out from the Social Security office in order to apply. Written and skills tests may be waived.
• You have 30 days to register your vehicle(s) in Mississippi if you have a current registration (license plate) in your prior state of residence.

Violation Point Counts

The amount of points that go against your driver's license for specific types of violations.

Mississippi does not have a point system, but traffic violations are still recorded on your driving record.

Headlight Laws

You must dim your headlights from high to low beam when you are within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle or within 500 feet of a vehicle traveling ahead of you.

You must use your headlights:

• From sunset to sunrise
• When you cannot see clearly ahead for a distance of 500 feet

There is no specific law allowing or prohibiting headlight flashing.

DUI Penalties

First offense

• $250 - $1,000 fine
• Up to 48 hours jail
• 30 - 90 days license suspension AND alcohol safety education program

Second offense (within 5 years)

• $600 - $1,500 fine
• 1 year - 5 years
• 10 days - 1 year community service
• 1 - 2 years license suspension
• Alcohol treatment if referred

Third or subsequent offense (within 5 years)

• $2,000 - $5,000 fine
• 1 year - 5 years imprisonment
• 3 - 5 years license suspension
• Alcohol treatment if referred

Other

Child endangerment

• Subject to additional fines and jail time

Ignition interlock

• Court may order following license reinstatement

Red Light Violation Fines

• Mississippi does not have a state law governing red light fines.
• Red light cameras are prohibited.

Turn Signal Information

Signal your intention to turn or change lanes for a reasonable distance before turning.

Funeral Procession Right-of-Way Laws

• When the funeral lead vehicle lawfully enters an intersection, either by reason of a traffic control device or at the direction of law enforcement personnel, the remaining vehicles in the funeral procession may follow through the intersection regardless of any traffic control devices or right-of-way provisions prescribed by state or local law.
• Shall have the right-of-way at intersections regardless of traffic control devices, subject to the following conditions and exceptions:
• Vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way to an approaching emergency vehicle giving an audible or visible signal.
• Vehicles in a funeral procession shall yield the right-of-way when directed to do so by a police officer.
• Vehicles in a funeral procession must exercise due care when participating in a funeral procession.
• Are not required to allow sufficient space enabling any other vehicle to enter and occupy such space without danger.

Vehicles not in a funeral procession:

• Shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which is part of a funeral procession being led by a funeral escort vehicle or a funeral lead vehicle.

Bicyclist Passing Distance

A 3-foot minimum passing distance is required.

Using the Shoulder to Pass

You may not drive off the roadway to pass on the right.

Speed Limits

• 70 mph on interstate highways or on controlled-access highways with four or more lanes;
• 65 mph on all other highways.

Emergency Vehicle Laws

Move Over

• When you see any of these vehicles displaying flashing lights while stopped on or adjacent to the roadway:
• Emergency vehicle
• Recovery vehicle
• Utility service vehicle
• Highway maintenance vehicle
• You must do the following:
• If on a highway with at least 4 lanes, 2 of which are proceeding in the same direction as the approaching vehicle, and it is safe to do so, make a lane change into a lane not adjacent to that of the authorized emergency vehicle, if possible with due regard to safety and traffic condition.
• If changing lanes would be impossible or unsafe, reduce the speed of the vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for road conditions and being prepared to stop.

Following

• Do not follow a fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than 500 feet, or drive into or park within the block where the fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
• Do not follow a moving ambulance that is engaged in an emergency medical call closer than 500 feet, or park within 200 feet of where the ambulance has stopped at the scene of an ambulance call.

Collision Procedures

• Stop at the scene or as close as possible without obstructing traffic more than necessary, and remain at the scene until all requirements are fulfilled
• If the crash resulted in injury, death, or property damage of $500 or more, you must report the accident immediately to the local police department, sheriff's office, or highway patrol. If the driver is unable to make the report, any other occupant of the vehicle who is able to must do so.
• You must provide the following information to any other person involved in the accident, or any police officer at the scene of the crash:
• Driver's name and address
• Vehicle registration number
• Show driver's license upon request
• Provide assistance to any injured person, including transporting them or making arrangements for transportation to a hospital or doctor, if necessary or requested.
• Unattended vehicle or property
• If you have collided with a vehicle that is unattended, locate and notify the operator or owner of the driver's name and address, the owner's name and address, and the circumstances of the accident. If you are unable to do so, leave a written notice providing this information.
• If you have collided with other unattended property on or adjacent to a highway, locate and notify the owner if possible of the driver's name and address, the vehicle registration number, and show your driver's license if requested.
• If the driver is physically incapable of making an immediate or a written report of the crash, any other occupant of the vehicle who is capable of making a report must do so.