How many questions are on the Mississippi permit test?
The Mississippi permit knowledge test typically has 25 to 50 questions depending on the office and the version delivered on the day. To pass you need approximately 80% — that is usually 20 of 25, 32 of 40, or 40 of 50 correct. The test is delivered on a touchscreen at the MS DPS, and you generally cannot go back and change earlier answers once you advance past them.
How much does the permit cost in Mississippi?
The current Mississippi learner's permit fee is $2, payable at the counter by card, cash, or check (some Mississippi branches are card-only). If you fail the knowledge test you may be required to pay a re-test fee for each subsequent attempt; check the current fee schedule on the MS DPS website before your appointment.
For a deeper read on this topic across all 50 states, see our right-of-way, speed limits, and alcohol and drugs articles.
How long do I have to hold the permit?
In Mississippi the supervised hold period is 12 months. During that time you must drive with a licensed adult age 21 or older in the front passenger seat. Many Mississippi counties also require 50 logged hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of them after sunset, before you become eligible for the road test.
Can I take the test in another language?
The Mississippi permit test is offered in English and Spanish at every MS DPS office, and additional languages — typically Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, Russian, Armenian, and Punjabi — are available at major county offices and on most online versions. An interpreter you bring yourself is generally not allowed for the knowledge test.
What if I fail?
Most Mississippi counties allow you to retake the test the same day or the next business day. After three consecutive failures you may be required to wait a longer period and pay an additional fee. The MS DPS will tell you which sections you missed; spend extra time in those sections of the handbook before returning.
Quick facts about Mississippi
- Capital: Jackson
- Minimum permit age: 15
- Current permit fee: $2
- Supervised hold period: 12 months
- Adult BAC limit: 0.08% · Under-21 BAC: 0.02%
- Default speed limits: 70 mph rural Interstate, 65 mph urban Interstate, 25 mph residential, 25 mph school zone
- Handheld phone use: banned
- Vision standard: 20/40 acuity in at least one eye, corrected or uncorrected
- Reinstatement fee after suspension: $175
- Official source: MS DPS
Other Mississippi guides on PermitPrep
Each link below opens a dedicated Mississippi page. Every guide is built from the same official MS DPS handbook so the rules stay consistent across topics.
- Mississippi Permit Practice Test — Practice test for Mississippi drivers.
- Mississippi Driving Permit Guide — Permit guide for Mississippi drivers.
- Mississippi Road Signs Test — Signs test for Mississippi drivers.
- Mississippi Traffic Laws Summary — Traffic laws for Mississippi drivers.
- Mississippi Right-of-Way Rules — Right of way for Mississippi drivers.
- Mississippi Speed Limits Explained — Speed limits for Mississippi drivers.
- Mississippi DUI Laws — DUI laws for Mississippi drivers.
- Mississippi Cell Phone Laws — Cell phone laws for Mississippi drivers.
Ready to test what you have learned? Take the free Mississippi permit practice test — 20 randomized questions, instant grading, full explanations.