Thanks to Mississippi’s GDL program, teens can start driving at 14 under their high school’s driver education program. Once they go through the three phases of the program, they’ll be able to drive freely by age 16.

Being a teenager is an exciting milestone with more freedom than ever before—including being able to drive! There’s no doubt that the opportunities that come from hitting the road are endless. However, you’ll still have to prove you’re a safe driver before you can kickstart your adventure.

The state of Mississippi has implemented the Graduated Drivers License to ease new drivers onto the road.

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What is the driving age in Mississippi?

The minimum driving age in Mississippi is 14 years old but is restricted to operating a vehicle in a state-approved driver education course. By age 15, teen drivers can drive with supervision and by 16, all restrictions are removed.

What is the Graduated Drivers License program in Mississippi?

According to the

CDC

, motor vehicle crashes were the second leading cause of death for teens. To prevent this, Mississippi implemented the Graduated Drivers License (GDL) program. Divided into three phases, new drivers are introduced to driving through a learner’s permit as early as 14 so they can drive without restrictions by 16.

Instruction permit stage: Supervised driving

Provisional license stage: Limited unsupervised driving

Full license stage: Unrestricted standard driver’s license

MORE:

Seat-belt laws in Mississippi

How to get your instruction permit in Mississippi

Unlike most states that have a single instruction or learner’s permit, Mississippi has two types of learner’s permits depending on your age.

At 14 years old, you can apply for a temporary learner’s permit as long as you’re enrolled in your high school’s driver education course.

Here are the documents you’ll need to bring to your local DPS for a temporary learner’s permit:

A completed

Mississippi Driver License Application

with your parents’ or legal guardians’ signatures

Your Social Security card

Your birth certificate

A signed Certification Of Attendance from your school, issued in the last 30 days

Two documents proving your Mississippi residence under your legal guardians’ names

The second type of learner’s permit—the regular learner’s permit—can be obtained once you’re 15 years old. This permit can be obtained without attending a driver’s education course and is valid for two years.

Here are the requirements for a regular learner’s permit:

A completed

Mississippi Driver License Application

with your legal guardians’ signatures if you’re under 18

Your Social Security card

Your birth certificate

A signed Certification Of Attendance from your school, issued in the last 30 days

Two documents proving your Mississippi residence under your legal guardians’ name

Pass the DMV written knowledge test and vision test

Pay the $7 fee

Don’t sweat the knowledge test! Study from the

Mississippi Driver's Manual

, which includes everything from road markings to traffic signs. The computerized test will consist of 30 questions and you’ll need to score 80% to pass. Here are

free practice tests

to give you a head start.

If you fail the test, you may take it the following business day. If you fail on your third attempt, you’ll have to wait 30 days before retaking the test again.

Provisional instruction permit restrictions

Holding a Mississippi instruction permit comes with limits to ensure your safety as a student driver. Here’s what you can do with an instruction permit:

If you’re 14, you may only drive with your driving instructor during your driver’s ed course

If you’re 15, you may drive under the supervision of a licensed driver who’s 21 or older and seated in the front seat next to you

MORE: Your questions about teenage car insurance, answered

How to get your provisional driver’s license in Mississippi

In Mississippi, the provisional driver’s license is called the intermediate license. How do you get it? You must be at least 16 years old and have your learner’s permit for one year—if both apply to you, you’re ready for your intermediate license!

Here are the documents and requirements for an intermediate license:

Must be at least 16 years old

A completed

Mississippi Driver License Application

with your legal guardians’ signatures if you’re under 18

Your Learner’s Permit

Your Social Security card

Your birth certificate

A signed Certification Of Attendance from your school, issued in the last 30 days

Two documents proving your Mississippi residence (under your legal guardians’ name, if applicable)

Pass the driving test

Pay applicable fees

Note that if you’re beginning the application process at 17, you can directly apply for a regular driver’s license. This means you won’t need to begin with a learner’s permit and will be able to complete the knowledge test and driving test on the same day!

Key Takeaway Get plenty of practice before your driving test then bring your Learner’s Permit, application, identifying documents, and payment to your local DPS office.

Provisional driver’s license restrictions

With an intermediate license, you’ll finally be able to drive on your own—but wait! You still have restrictions, including accepted driving hours. Follow these rules to avoid getting your license revoked:

Sundays through Thursdays: You may only drive between 6 am to 10 pm

Fridays and Saturdays: You may only drive between 6 am to 11:30 pm

You may drive any time when traveling to and from work

Outside of the above times: You must be accompanied by a licensed driver over 21 years old

Exceptions

While the ages for acquiring a learner’s permit or license are fixed, exceptions are made in regards to the required documentation as part of your application.

If you’re under 18 years old, your application requires the signature of two parents or guardians—however, there are a couple of exceptions:

If you only have a single parent or guardian, it is acceptable to have only their signature. There is an option in the application to state your reason(s).

If you do not have a legal guardian, the signature of an adult who is willing to be responsible for you is acceptable.

MORE:

Worst cars for teenage drivers

How to save on car insurance in Mississippi

Now that you know everything about getting your driver’s license in Mississippi, you can hit the road—well, almost! The last thing to do is to secure good car insurance coverage to keep you safe. Car insurance may sound complicated but with Jerry’s

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