There are a variety of reasons why your Mississippi driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for a Mississippi driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

• Excessive Moving Violations: Though the state of Mississippi does not operate on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit, traffic violations are kept track of. If you fail to pay for traffic tickets issued to you your license will be suspended.
• Driving Under the Influence: Your Mississippi driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. For a 1st time conviction, your license will be suspended for 90 days to 1 year. For a 2nd conviction, the suspension period is 2 years. A 3rd or subsequent offense will result in a 5-year suspension. In addition to this, your 3rd offense will be marked as a crime on your driving record. You will also have to serve time in jail each time you are convicted of a DUI offense. Refusal to take a blood alcohol test will also result in a suspension.
• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving.
• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Mississippi must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Mississippi driver’s license may also be suspended for t least 1 year if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway. Other reasons include stealing a motor vehicle or any part of a motor vehicle, stealing gas, speeding, leaving the scene of an accident without giving aid or your identity, being convicted of reckless driving 3 times in 1 year, unlawful use of either your driver’s license or another’s to buy liquor, fleeing from the police, using a motor vehicle to commit a felony and homicide involving a motor vehicle.
• Committing an offense in another state, that would result in a license suspension if committed in Mississippi.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The Department of Public Safety can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include not responding to a Department of Public Safety notice or not appearing in court, failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges and not paying child support.

NOTE: Depending on your offense, you may face court requirements in addition to your MS DPS suspension. For more information about driver’s license suspensions, see the Mississippi driver’s manual.

Having your Mississippi driver’s license suspended is a serious matter, and it is essential to adhere to State law in the event that your license is suspended. If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. The most important things to be aware of following a license suspension are:

• If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. You can surrender your license in person at a Driver License Office or mail it to:

Department of Public Safety

1900 E. Woodrow Wilson

Jackson, Mississippi 39216

• While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to 5 years, and the length of your suspension may be increased.
• After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the Mississippi DPS.

You may also apply for a hardship license but in order to travel to Work/ School or to receive medical treatment. You will have to establish that you are in danger of losing your job or being expelled from school or that your health will suffer before you are considered eligible for such a license. If you have a DUI suspension you will have to apply to the circuit court and if you have a drug suspension, to the county court. The filing fee is $150.

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.

If you receive a notice of suspension from the DPS, and you wish to challenge the suspension, you may request a hearing in court. An administrative law judge or the DPS Chief Administrator will hear your case, and determine whether your driver’s license should be suspended or not. In addition, drivers whose license may be suspended may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. Completing a Driver Improvement Program can enable an individual to avoid having his license suspended. It is also a good idea to seek the advice of a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer, based on the reason for the suspension.

You will receive a notice from the DPS after you have completed your suspension period. The notice will include complete instructions regarding how to get your license back. Generally, you will need to:

• Pay a restoration fee of $25 to $100 for all offenses, except for DUI/Drugs for which the fee is $175. The reinstatement fee for bad checks is $10. The fee can be paid online or in person at a Driver License Office. You can also mail a check or money order payable to:

Department of Public Safety

1900 E. Woodrow Wilson

Jackson, Mississippi 39216

• Pay all traffic fines due by you. Confirm that all dues have been cleared by you and mail a copy of the court order to the address above. After the confirmation your license will be reinstated.
• Apply for a standard license renewal to obtain a new license.
• Complete an alcohol safety education program, if applicable.
• The Mississippi Department of Public Safety will mail you a clearance letter when you’ve satisfied your reinstatement requirements.

Note that after you license is restored, you may be subject to a probation period of 1 year, during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your Mississippi driver’s license.

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. The duration of your MS CDL disqualification/suspension and other penalties will vary depending on your offense. For information about your specific circumstances, please contact or visit your local Mississippi DPS office. Your CDL and privilege to drive a commercial vehicle are subject to federal regulations. Your CDL may also be disqualified/suspended for violations and offenses committed in a non-commercial vehicle. You can face the following disqualifications:

• 1 year: 1st violation, for a major offense such as:
  • DUI or drug-related offenses. (BAC is 0.04% or higher.)
  • Refusing to submit to a BAC test.
  • Leaving the scene of an accident.
  • Using a vehicle in a felony.
  • Driving a commercial vehicle while your CDL is suspended, revoked, or disqualified.
• 3 years: 1st violation for a major offense while transporting hazardous materials.
• Life: 2nd violation for a major offense.
• 60 to 120 days: For multiple serious traffic violations within 3 years. These violations include:
  • Speeding 15 mph or more over the speed limit.
  • Reckless driving.
  • Driving without the necessary endorsements.
  • Erratic lane changes.
  • Following too closely.
  • Driving without your CDL.
• 60 days to 1 year: For railroad highway grade crossing violations, depending on the number of violations you’ve committed within 3 years. These violations include:
  • Failing to slow down or stop at railroad tracks.
  • Crossing the tracks without enough space to clear them.
  • Disobeying railroad-crossing signals.
• 180 days to 5 years: For violating out-of-service orders, depending on the number of violations you’ve had within 10 years.

NOTE: Addition court penalties may apply, such as: Jail time, fines, and completion of an alcohol/drug safety education program.

You must notify your employer within 30 days after receiving any traffic violation; and by the end of the following day after your MS CDL is suspended, revoked, or disqualified. For more information on federal regulations and penalties, please visit the FMCSA website.

NOTE: By law, you are required to notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic offense conviction or by the end of the next business day after receiving a CDL disqualification notice.

Convictions, license suspensions, and revocations will show up on your 3-year and 5-year driving records. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course. Because your driving record can affect your auto insurance rates and even your employment, it’s crucial that you make sure your information is accurate.