Minimum age for a car driving licence in Mississippi (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: The minimum age for a regular driver's licence in Mississippi is 16, and a learner's permit is available from 15. A hardship licence is available at 15 to 17 under restrictions.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Minimum age for a car licenceCar (category B) driving licence | 16 years [1] |
| Earliest age to drive a car supervisedCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [2] |
| Driving before the minimum ageCar (category B) driving licence | Applicants aged 16 must hold a learner's permit for 12 months or until their 17th birthday, whichever comes first. A hardship licence is available at 15 to 17 after 30 days with a learner's permit, with unsupervised driving limited to school, work and medical needs. [1] |
| Visitors on a foreign licence: ageCar (category B) driving licence | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Learner's permit from ageCar (category B) driving licence | 15 years [2] |
Notes
- No official page on age conditions for visitors holding an out-of-state licence was read.
Sources
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver Service Bureau: Regular Driver License (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver Service Bureau: Regular Learner's Permit (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Mississippi and neighbouring states
| State | Minimum age for a car licence | Earliest age to drive a car supervised | Driving before the minimum age | Visitors on a foreign licence: age |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi | 16 (regular licence) | 15 (learner's permit) | Permit 12 months or to 17; hardship licence 15-17 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Alabama | 16 (Stage II restricted licence) | 15 (Stage I learner's permit) | Restricted from 16; unrestricted from 17-18 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Arkansas | 16 (intermediate licence) | 14 (learner's licence) | Intermediate from 16; unrestricted at 18 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Louisiana | 16 (intermediate licence) | 15 (learner's licence) | Intermediate at 16 after 180 days and 50 hours | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Tennessee | 16 (intermediate restricted licence) | 15 (learner permit) | Permit at 15; intermediate licence at 16 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Mississippi
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Civil offence up to 30 g · Growing at home: Not allowed
- Car speed limitsOutside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (two-lane highways)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksMinimum age to buy: 12 (no sale to under-12s)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed carry of listed knives is an offence · Locking or one-handed knives: Switchblade: no concealed carry
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: No · Current adult minimum wage (gross): Federal $7.25 per hour
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, operator and passengers
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21+ · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21+
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% (21 and over) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.