📖 Mississippi DPS Study Guide

Everything important from the Mississippi Driver's License Manual — organized for the exam

⭐

Memorize these numbers first. Mississippi test questions are frequently built around specific distances, speeds, BAC levels, and time periods. These come up constantly.

Speed Limits

HIGH FREQUENCY

Posted

Speed limits in residential and business areas are posted — Mississippi law requires reduced speeds near schools, playgrounds, and work zones but does not set a single statewide default. Always obey the sign (Ch. 6).

15 mph

School zone speed limit — the lowest speed limit in Mississippi. Slow down and be prepared to stop near schools. Reduce speed in work zones and be prepared to stop suddenly (Ch. 5)

70 mph

Maximum speed for passenger automobiles on interstates (minimum 40 mph). Four-lane state/US highways: 65 mph (min 40). Two-lane highways: 55 mph. Natchez Trace: 50 mph. School buses: max 45 mph on regular routes (65 mph on interstate). School zone: 15 mph. Lower posted limit always controls.

Posted

Speed limits are posted for ideal conditions. Drivers must reduce speed for rain, ice, heavy traffic, or any condition that makes the posted speed unsafe (Ch. 6)

245 ft

Total stopping distance at 50 mph — minimum distance to stop on dry pavement including perception + reaction + braking. At 60 mph: 326 ft. At 30 mph: 116 ft (Ch. 6).

326 ft

Total stopping distance at 60 mph — your stopping distance is greater than a football field. At 30 mph: 116 ft. At 50 mph: 245 ft (Ch. 6).

📏

Critical Distances & Clearances

HIGH FREQUENCY

10 ft

Do not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant (Ch. 5)

20 ft

Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, or within 20 ft of a fire station driveway on the same side of the street (75 ft if posted on opposite side) (Ch. 5)

30 ft

Do not park within 30 feet of the approach to any traffic control device (stop sign, yield sign, traffic signal, flashing beacon) (Ch. 5)

15 ft

Do not park within 15 feet of the nearest rail of any railroad crossing (Ch. 5)

12 inches

Parallel park — your vehicle must be 12 inches or less from the curb when finished (Ch. 5)

Both headlights

After passing, return to your lane only when you can see BOTH headlights of the passed vehicle in your rearview mirror (Ch. 6)

500 ft / 500 ft

Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle. Use low beams when following within 500 feet of another vehicle.

500 ft

Headlights required when weather makes it hard for others to see your vehicle clearly from 500 feet. Also required sunset to sunrise. Required when visibility ahead is less than 500 feet (Ch. 5).

100 ft

Signal your intention to turn at least 100 feet before the turn (Ch. 6)

Seatbelts

Mississippi mandatory seatbelt law — primary enforcement (officer may stop you for this alone). All passengers in cars, vans, and pickup trucks must be buckled in both front and rear seats (Ch. 4).

3 ft

Passing bicyclists — a three-foot distance must be maintained between your vehicle and a slower-traveling bicyclist (Ch. 6). Never pass if the street is too narrow or you could force the cyclist too close to parked vehicles (Ch. 5)

Stop

Stop for school bus from BOTH directions when red lights flash. Exception: divided highway with 4+ lanes and 2+ lanes in each direction — opposite direction may proceed.

🍺

DUI & Alcohol Numbers

ALWAYS ON TEST

0.08%

Legal BAC limit for drivers 21+ — at or above this level you will be arrested for DUI (Ch. 9)

0.02%

Under-21 BAC limit — drivers under 21 may not drive with a BAC of 0.02% or more. Zero Tolerance: 1st offense = 120-day suspension, $250 fine. 2nd = 1-year suspension. 3rd = 2 years or until age 21 (Ch. 9).

120 days

1st DUI conviction — license suspended 120 days. Fine $250–$1,000, up to 48 hours in jail. 2nd DUI (within 5 yrs): 1-year suspension, $600–$1,500 fine, 5 days–6 months jail.

90 days

Implied Consent refusal — license suspended 90 days for refusing breath or chemical test (1st refusal). Temp permit valid 45 days. Subsequent refusals result in longer suspensions (Ch. 9).

$175

DUI reinstatement fee — to restore driving privileges after DUI-related suspension, pay $175 to the Driver Service Bureau (Cashier's check only, Ch. 9).

$25K/$50K/$25K

Minimum liability insurance — $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident (2+ people), $25,000 property damage. Required on every registered MS vehicle (Ch. 7).

🎓

Teen / GDL Numbers

ON EXAM

Age 15

Learner Permit minimum age. Hold permit at least 1 year before Class R license (or until age 17). Supervisor: licensed driver 21+ sitting in the seat next to you.

Age 16

Class R License — eligible at 16 after holding Learner Permit for 1 year. Must pass computerized exam and vision exam. No specific curfew or passenger restrictions in MS manual. Class R issued at age 16 after 1-yr permit, or at age 17 regardless.

Age 16+

Class R License — eligible — Mississippi does not specify a nighttime curfew. Supervisor must be a licensed driver 21+ in the seat next to you. Mississippi does not specify passenger restrictions for permit holders in the manual (Ch. 1).

50 hrs BTW

To advance from Learner Permit to Class R License, a parent, teacher, or guardian must provide an affidavit certifying that they have witnessed the applicant operate a motor vehicle for at least 50 hours (Ch. 1).

1 Year

Minimum Learner Permit hold period. Applicant cannot advance to Class R License until they have held the permit for 1 year (or reached age 17).

Age 21+

Learner Permit supervisor must be a licensed adult 21+. Must ride beside the driver. Class R License holders may drive unsupervised with restrictions (Ch. 1).

⏱️

Following Distance & Time Rules

ON EXAM

1 Length/10 mph

Mississippi following distance rule — leave at least 1 car length for every 10 mph. At 10 mph = 1 length; 20 mph = 2 lengths; 40 mph = 4 lengths; 50 mph = 5 lengths; 70 mph = 7 lengths. Increases in bad weather (Ch. 6).

More Space

Increase following distance beyond the 1-car-length/10-mph rule in bad weather, on wet/slippery roads, when following motorcycles, towing a trailer, or in low visibility conditions (Ch. 6).

245 ft

Stopping distance at 50 mph — the average passenger car needs 245 feet to stop on dry pavement. At 60 mph: 326 ft. At 30 mph: 116 ft. At 70 mph: 415 ft (Ch. 6).

Illegal

Texting while driving is illegal for all Mississippi drivers — reading, writing, or sending messages on a hand-held device is prohibited. A hands-free device is permitted for all drivers (Ch. 3)

🚦

Road signs are tested heavily. Know each sign's shape, color, and meaning. The real test often shows a sign description and asks what it means.

🔴

Sign Shapes — Each Shape Has One Meaning

ALWAYS TESTED

Shape	Meaning	Example
Octagon (8-sided)	STOP — always and only	Stop sign
Triangle (pointing down)	YIELD — give right of way	Yield sign
Diamond	WARNING — hazard ahead	Curve, pedestrian, deer
Pentagon (5-sided)	SCHOOL ZONE	School crossing
Pennant (triangle right)	NO PASSING ZONE	No-passing pennant
Round (circle)	RAILROAD CROSSING advance warning	RR crossing sign
Rectangle (vertical)	REGULATORY — rules you must follow	Speed limit, turn restrictions
Rectangle (horizontal)	GUIDE or INFORMATION	Street name, mile marker
X-shaped crossbuck	RAILROAD CROSSING — treat like yield	Railroad crossbuck

🎨

Sign Colors — Color Tells You the Category

ALWAYS TESTED

Color	Category	What It Means
Red	Regulatory — STOP / PROHIBIT	Stop, yield, do not enter, wrong way, no-turn circles
Yellow	WARNING	General hazard warnings — curves, hills, intersections, animals
Orange	WORK ZONE / CONSTRUCTION	Construction ahead, road crew, slow down and drive with care. Reduce speed in work zones and be prepared to stop suddenly (Ch. 5)
Green	GUIDE / DIRECTIONAL	Highway exits, distances, direction, mile markers
Blue	SERVICES	Gas, food, lodging, hospital, rest area
Brown	RECREATION / CULTURAL	Parks, campgrounds, historical sites, scenic areas
White	REGULATORY	Speed limits, lane rules, turn restrictions
Fluorescent Yellow-Green	WARNING — pedestrian / school / bike	School zones, crosswalks, bike lanes
Fluorescent Pink	INCIDENT MANAGEMENT	Crash clean-up, debris removal, temporary traffic control

⚠️

Signs That Are Frequently Confused

TRICKY

No Passing Pennant vs. No U-Turn: The pennant (pointing right) = no passing. A circle with a slash over a U-turn arrow = no U-turn. Very different.

Crossbuck (RR) vs. Stop Sign: The crossbuck (white X) = yield/slow down and check. Only stop if a train is coming. The octagon = always stop.

Divided Highway Begins vs. Ends: Begins = two arrows pointing apart (median starts). Ends = two arrows merging together (median ends — expect two-way traffic).

Merge vs. Lane Ends: Merge = two roads joining (both cars adjust). Lane Ends = one lane disappears — that driver must yield and merge.

Red Circle with Slash: Always means that action is PROHIBITED. No left turn, no trucks, no bicycles — whatever is inside the circle is forbidden.

⭐

Right of way is the #1 failure topic on the DPS knowledge test. Master every scenario below — these questions will be on your exam.

⛽

The Core Right-of-Way Rules

MOST TESTED

Uncontrolled intersection — arrive at same time: Yield to the driver on your RIGHT. This is the most tested right-of-way rule.

Left turn at green light: You must always yield to oncoming traffic AND pedestrians — even with a green light. A green light is permission to go, not a guarantee of right of way.

Pedestrians in a crosswalk: Always yield. Stop and wait until the pedestrian has completely crossed — not just stepped back. This includes jaywalkers in many situations.

Blind pedestrian (white cane / guide dog): Absolute right of way — you must stop regardless of where they are crossing.

Four-way stop: First to arrive goes first. Simultaneous arrival = yield to the driver on your right. Straight traffic before turning traffic if both arrive at same time from opposite directions.

Emergency vehicles (lights + siren): Pull to the right edge of the road and stop. Clear intersections first — never stop IN an intersection.

Entering from driveway / private road: Always yield to all traffic on the public road — you have no right of way entering from private property.

Roundabout: Vehicles inside the roundabout always have right of way. Entering traffic must yield. When exiting, yield to pedestrians at the crosswalk.

Merging onto a highway: Traffic already on the highway has right of way. The merging vehicle must yield and find a safe gap.

Non-functioning traffic signal: Treat as an all-way stop. All drivers stop, yield, and take turns.

💡

Right-of-Way Scenarios That Trick People

TRICKY

Yellow light: It does NOT mean speed up. If you can stop safely, you must. Proceed only if stopping would be unsafe (you're too close to stop).

Already in intersection when light turns red: Complete the turn — you are committed. Other traffic must wait for you to clear.

Backing out of a driveway: The reversing vehicle always yields to street traffic. You have no right of way in reverse.

Funeral processions: Treat funeral escort vehicles displaying flashing lights the same as emergency vehicles — yield and do not attempt to pass or cut through the procession.

Right turn on red: Legal ONLY after a complete stop and yielding to ALL traffic and pedestrians. Rolling right on red is illegal.

Left on red: Legal ONLY when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street — after a complete stop and yielding.

🚥

Traffic Signal Meanings

ALWAYS TESTED

Signal	What You Must Do
Solid GREEN	Proceed — but yield to traffic already in intersection
Solid YELLOW	Prepare to stop if safe; proceed only if stopping would be dangerous
Solid RED	Stop completely; may turn right on red after stop and yield (unless posted)
GREEN ARROW	Protected turn — oncoming traffic must stop. You may turn in the arrow's direction, but still yield to vehicles and pedestrians already in the intersection.
YELLOW ARROW	Protected turn is ending — prepare to yield or stop
Flashing YELLOW ARROW	Unprotected turn — you MAY turn but MUST yield to oncoming and pedestrians
Flashing RED	Treat exactly like a STOP sign — stop, yield, proceed when safe
Flashing YELLOW	Caution — slow down and proceed carefully. Do not need to stop.
RED + GREEN ARROW	Stop for through traffic; turn in direction of arrow only
Signal NOT working	Treat as ALL-WAY STOP — all traffic stops

🛣️

Lane Markings — Know Each One

ON EXAM

Broken yellow center line: Passing is permitted from your side when it is safe.

Solid yellow line on your side: No passing from your side of the road.

Double solid yellow: No passing in either direction.

White lines: Separate traffic going in the same direction. Broken = lane change ok. Solid = discouraged (but not always illegal).

Yellow lines: Separate traffic going in opposite directions.

Center left-turn lane (two-way turn lane): Use ONLY to prepare for and make a left turn. Never use as a travel or passing lane.

Yellow X over a lane: Lane is CLOSED — move to a lane with a green arrow immediately.

White stop line: Stop your front bumper at or behind this line at intersections and crosswalks.

↔️

Safe Lane Changing Procedure

STEP BY STEP

Check your mirrors — rearview and side mirror on the side you're moving to

Signal your intent — at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes

Look over your shoulder — physically check the blind spot. Mirrors cannot see everything.

Change lanes gradually — smooth and controlled, not jerky

Cancel signal and adjust speed to match the lane's traffic flow

🚨

DUI questions appear on virtually every DPS knowledge test. Know the BAC levels, implied consent law, and penalties. Mississippi uses "DUI" (Driving Under the Influence).

🍺

DUI Laws — The Numbers You Must Know

ALWAYS ON TEST

Situation	Consequence
BAC of 0.08%+ (driver 21+)	DUI — 1st (Misdemeanor): up to 48 hours jail, $250–$1,000 fine, 120-day suspension. 2nd (within 5 yrs): 5 days–6 months jail, $600–$1,500 fine, 1-year suspension. 3rd (Felony, within 5 yrs): 1–5 yrs MDOC, $2,000–$5,000 fine, full sentence + 3-yr interlock. 4th+: 2–10 yrs, $3,000–$10,000, full sentence + 10-yr interlock (Ch. 9).
BAC test result 0.08%+ (21+) — admin	Officer takes license immediately. You receive a temporary permit valid for 30 days. Case reviewed by Commissioner of Public Safety (Ch. 9).
Test refusal — Implied Consent	Driving privileges suspended 90 days on first offense. Temp permit valid 45 days. Suspension times increase for subsequent refusals. Conviction also results in DUI penalties added on top (Ch. 9).
BAC — 0.02% or more (under 21 — Zero Tolerance)	Zero Tolerance DUI: 1st = $250 fine, 120-day suspension. 2nd (within 5 yrs) = up to $500, 1-year suspension. 3rd (within 5 yrs) = up to $1,000, 2 years or until age 21 (Ch. 9).
4th+ DUI conviction	Felony — 2 to 10 years MDOC custody, $3,000–$10,000 fine. License suspended for full sentence; upon release, eligible only for interlock-restricted license for 10 years (Ch. 9).
Accident causing death while DUI	Penalties enhanced significantly. Conviction results in automatic revocation. Mississippi law provides for felony charges and extended incarceration when DUI results in serious injury or death (Ch. 9).

💡

Critical DUI Facts to Remember

TESTED

Implied Consent: By driving on Mississippi public highways you automatically consent to a breath or chemical test when an officer suspects DUI. Refusing results in a 90-day suspension (1st refusal) — you receive a temp permit valid 45 days. Subsequent refusals result in longer suspensions. Under-21 drivers with BAC 0.02%+ face Zero Tolerance DUI penalties (Ch. 9).

Only TIME removes alcohol: Coffee, food, cold showers, and fresh air do NOT lower your BAC. Your liver processes about 1 drink per hour — nothing speeds this up (Ch. 9).

Impairment starts with the first drink: Judgment is the FIRST driving ability affected by alcohol. You can be convicted of DUI even below 0.08% if your driving is impaired (Ch. 9).

Under-21 Zero Tolerance: Mississippi sets a 0.02% BAC threshold for drivers under 21. Testing at 0.02%–0.07% results in Zero Tolerance DUI: 1st = 120-day suspension, $250 fine. 2nd = 1-year, up to $500. 3rd = 2 years or until 21, up to $1,000 (Ch. 9).

Mixing drugs and alcohol: Never drink alcohol while taking medications or other drugs. These combinations may multiply the effects of alcohol, reduce your ability to drive safely, and could cause serious health problems or even death (Ch. 9).

Cell phone law: All Mississippi drivers are prohibited from reading, writing, or sending text messages or social media posts using a hand-held device while driving. A hands-free device is permitted. Texting violations apply to all ages (Ch. 1, 9).

Drugs and driving: Driving while impaired by any drug — prescription, over-the-counter, or controlled — is illegal in Mississippi. Even legally prescribed medications that impair your ability to drive can lead to a DUI charge (Ch. 9).

🚌

School bus rules are heavily tested. In Mississippi, you must stop for a school bus from EITHER direction when it displays alternately flashing red lights and is loading or unloading. You are NOT required to stop when traveling in the opposite direction on a divided highway with 4 or more lanes and at least 2 lanes in each direction, or when the bus stops in a loading zone where pedestrians are not allowed to cross. All other situations require stopping (Ch. 4).

🚌

School Bus Stopping Rules

HEAVILY TESTED

Two-lane road / undivided road: ALL traffic in BOTH directions must stop when a school bus has flashing red lights. No exceptions.

Mississippi exception — when you do NOT need to stop: When the bus is stopped on a divided highway with 4 or more lanes and at least 2 lanes traveling in each direction, drivers traveling in the opposite direction may continue without stopping. Drivers in the same direction must still stop. Also: if the bus stops in a loading zone where pedestrians are not allowed to cross the roadway, you do not need to stop (Ch. 4).

Same direction — always stop: Traffic traveling in the same direction as the bus must ALWAYS stop, regardless of road type or number of lanes (Ch. 6).

After the bus stops: Remain stopped until the children have crossed the roadway AND the bus has resumed motion, its red lights no longer flash, and its stop sign is retracted. Then proceed slowly, watching carefully for children near the roadway (Ch. 4).

When may you proceed: Only when the red lights STOP flashing and the bus begins moving. The manual states: do not pass until the bus has finished loading/unloading and the red lights are off (Ch. 6).

Yellow lights = warning: Yellow flashing = bus is about to stop. Slow down immediately and prepare to stop. Do not try to pass before it stops.

One of the most tested topics: School bus stop questions appear on many Mississippi DPS knowledge tests. Know Mississippi's exception — the road is a divided highway with 4 or more lanes and at least 2 lanes in each direction. Only opposite-direction traffic may proceed. Same-direction traffic must always stop.

School buses must stop at ALL railroad crossings — regardless of whether warning signals are active. This is federal law.

Penalty for passing a stopped school bus: License revocation. Failure to stop for a school bus loading or unloading children is a statutory grounds for revocation of your Mississippi driving privileges (Ch. 1).

School bus stop distance: You must stop at least 10 feet from a stopped school bus that has its red warning lights flashing. Bus drivers will activate yellow flashing lights before the bus stop as a warning — slow down and prepare to stop. Do not pass until the red lights stop flashing and the bus begins moving (Ch. 6).

Speed Laws — What You Must Know

ON EVERY TEST

Basic Speed Law: Drive at a speed that is reasonable and proper for existing conditions — even if that means going below the posted limit. Rain, fog, heavy traffic, school zones all require reduced speed.

Posted limits are MAXIMUMS: You may never legally exceed a posted limit, regardless of conditions, traffic, or what other drivers are doing.

Minimum speed law: Do not drive so slowly that you impede or block the normal flow of traffic. Driving too slowly is also illegal.

Work zone caution: Reduce speed in work zones and be prepared to stop suddenly. Do not tailgate in work zones. Always slow down and follow all work zone signs (Ch. 5).

"Over-driving your headlights": Mississippi law requires headlights from sunset to sunrise. Also required any time you cannot clearly see ahead for 500 feet. Use low beams — not high beams — in fog, heavy rain, sleet, or smoke, as high beams reflect back and reduce visibility (Ch. 6). Additional conditions. Never drive faster than you can stop within your headlight range (Ch. 5).

Four-Second Sight Distance Rule: To check if you're going too fast for conditions, pick a stationary object ahead. Count "one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand, four-one-thousand." If you reach the object before finishing — you are going too fast for the conditions. Slow down (Ch. 8).

↔️

Following Distance — The Following Distance

TESTED

Pick a fixed object — a sign, overpass, or lane marking ahead

When the car ahead passes it, start counting: "one-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand"

If you have not yet reached your count of car lengths — you are following too closely. For example at 50 mph you need 5 car lengths. Increase distance in adverse conditions.

💡 When to increase following distance

Rain, snow, ice, or fog → allow more car lengths than the 1-per-10-mph rule
Following a large truck or bus → allow even more room so you can see around the vehicle
Towing a trailer → allow extra following distance
Driving at highway speeds → at 70 mph, leave at least 7 car lengths

📐

Passing Rules

TESTED

✓

You MAY pass when: There is a broken yellow line on your side, you have sufficient sight distance, and there is no sign or condition prohibiting passing.

✗

NEVER pass: On a hill, curve, or any place where vision is limited; within 100 feet of or crossing an intersection or railroad crossing; within 100 feet of a bridge, viaduct, or tunnel; in no-passing zones (solid yellow on your side); when there are 2+ lanes each direction (Ch. 5).

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When it is safe to return: You may move back into your original lane when both headlights of the passed vehicle are visible in your rearview mirror.

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Passing on the right: Legal when the vehicle ahead is making a left turn and there is a safe lane to the right, or on a multi-lane road.

🅿️

Parking Clearance Requirements

TESTED

Location	Minimum Clearance
Fire hydrant	10 feet — do not park within 10 ft of a fire hydrant (Ch. 5)
Traffic control device (stop sign, yield sign, flashing signal)	30 feet — do not park within 30 ft of the approach to any traffic control device (Ch. 5)
Crosswalk at intersection	20 feet — do not park within 20 ft of a crosswalk at an intersection (Ch. 5)
Railroad crossing	15 feet — do not park within 15 ft of the nearest rail of any railroad crossing (Ch. 5)
Fire station driveway	20 feet on the same side of the street / 75 feet on the opposite side of the street (Ch. 5)
Driveway entrance (public or private)	Not in front of — always prohibited
Accessible (handicapped) space	Never — also do not park on the diagonal access lines (Ch. 5)
Inside an intersection or on a crosswalk	Never — always illegal
Handicapped space (without placard)	Never park here
Bridge, overpass, or tunnel	Never — always prohibited (Ch. 5)
No Stopping zone	Never stop here, for any reason
No Parking zone	No parking — may stop to load/unload

⛰️

Parking on Hills — Wheel Position

TRICK QUESTION

💡

The rule: always turn wheels so that if the car rolls, it rolls away from traffic or is caught by the curb.

Situation	Turn Wheels	Why
Facing DOWNHILL, WITH curb	RIGHT (into curb)	Car rolls into curb and stops
Facing DOWNHILL, NO curb	RIGHT (away from road)	Car rolls away from traffic
Facing UPHILL, WITH curb	LEFT (away from curb)	Car rolls back, caught by curb
Facing UPHILL, NO curb	RIGHT (away from road)	Car rolls away from traffic

💡 Memory trick

Going downhill with a curb = wheels RIGHT into the curb
Going uphill with a curb = wheels LEFT, away from curb (tire catches it when rolling back)
No curb either way = wheels RIGHT, away from road

🎓

GDL questions appear on many tests. Know Mississippi's Graduated Driver Licensing requirements — the eligibility ages, hold periods, and supervisor requirements.

🎓

Mississippi Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

ON EXAM

Learner Permit (age 15+)

→

Minimum age: 15 years old (with driver education) — parent/guardian must sign the application under oath (Ch. 1).

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Must maintain the Learner Permit for at least 1 year (or until turning 17) before Class R license birthday. If the permit is suspended, the 1-year hold period extends by the days of suspension (Ch. 1).

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Supervisor must be a licensed adult at least 21 years old, occupying the seat beside the driver. Cannot be intoxicated, asleep, or engaging in activity that prevents observation (Ch. 1).

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Must hold Learner Permit the permit at least 1 year (or until age 17). Supervisor must be a licensed adult 21+. Must be accompanied at all times while driving (Ch. 1).

Class R License (age 16+)

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After holding permit 1 year (or reaching age 17), applicant may apply for a Class R License. Must pass the computerized exam and vision exam. If under 17, a parent, teacher, or guardian must provide an affidavit certifying at least 50 hours of supervised driving and attest to the applicant's proficiency (Ch. 1).

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Restrictions: Mississippi does not specify a nighttime driving curfew for permit or Class R holders; a licensed driver 21+. Mississippi does not specify nighttime passenger limitsenger under 21. Mississippi learner and All Mississippi drivers are prohibited from hand-held texting while driving. A hands-free device is permitted (Ch. 3).

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Must be maintained until the holder turns 17, at which point full Class R license is issued automatically (Ch. 1).

Stage 3 — Full Class R License (age 16+ or 17)

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At age 17, all GDL restrictions lifted. Full Class R license is valid for 4 or 8 years. Address change must be reported to DPS within 10 days of a move (Ch. 1).

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Applicants age 18 or older who have not entered the GDL program may obtain a full Class R license. Mississippi requires 50 hours total driving Beginning July 1, 2027, completion of a certified driver education course will be required (Ch. 1).

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All Mississippi drivers of any age are prohibited from reading, writing, or sending text messages on a hand-held device while driving (Ch. 3).

🛡️

Emergency Situations — What to Do

TESTED

💨

Tire blowout: Hold the wheel FIRMLY. Ease off gas (don't brake suddenly). Let the car slow naturally. Then gently steer to safety. Sudden braking causes a spin.

💧

Hydroplaning: Ease off gas, hold wheel steady, avoid braking. Let tires re-contact the road. Don't jerk the wheel or brake hard.

🔥

Engine fire: Pull over immediately, turn off engine, get EVERYONE out and move far away (100+ feet). Call 911. Never open the hood.

⚡

Brakes fail: Pump brakes rapidly to build pressure. Downshift to use engine braking. Use parking brake carefully (gradually). Steer to safety.

🌊

Accelerator sticks: Shift to NEUTRAL immediately. Apply brakes. Pull over. Turn engine off.

🌀

Vehicle skids: Ease off gas and brakes. Steer in the direction you want the front to go (into the skid). Do not overcorrect.

🚂

Stalled on railroad tracks: Get EVERYONE out IMMEDIATELY. Move away at a 45° angle in the direction the train is coming — so debris flies away from you. Call 911 and the railroad ENS number.

🌫️

Driving in fog: Use LOW beams (high beams reflect off fog and blind you). Slow significantly. Use fog lights if available. Consider pulling over.

😴

Drowsy driving: Only cure = sleep. Pull over and rest. Coffee, window down, and music are NOT effective solutions. Drowsy driving equals drunk driving in impairment level.

❄️

Stranded in a blizzard: Stay in the vehicle (it's shelter and visible). Run engine briefly for heat with window cracked to prevent CO poisoning. Signal for help with hazards.

🧠

Defensive Driving Principles

ESSENTIAL

Scan ahead: Look 15 seconds ahead (about a city block in town, farther on highways). Check mirrors every few seconds and whenever slowing, changing lanes, or approaching intersections (Ch. 6).

Keep an escape route: Always know where you could go if the car ahead stopped suddenly.

Bridges freeze first: Cold air circulates above AND below a bridge. Bridges ice before road surface — always treat them as potentially icy in winter.

Head-on collision approaching: Brake hard and steer RIGHT — even off the road. A head-on crash at speed is almost always fatal; going off-road is survivable.

Road rage: Never engage, retaliate, or make eye contact. Don't respond with gestures. Slow down, create distance. Report to 911 if dangerous.

Front wheel off pavement: Don't jerk the wheel — it can roll the car. Ease off gas, brake gently, and gradually steer back. Hold on tight.

🔧

Vehicle Equipment Requirements

TESTED

Equipment	Requirement
Headlights (on)	Sunset to sunrise, and any time you cannot see clearly ahead for 500 feet. Low beams required within 500 feet of oncoming / 500 feet when following.
High beams (dim)	Dim within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle. Use low beams when following within 500 feet of another vehicle. Also in fog, heavy rain, sleet, snow, or dust (Ch. 5)
Horn	Use when needed to prevent a crash. Do NOT use to express anger, greet friends, or encourage others to move. Avoid around blind pedestrians and animal-drawn vehicles (Ch. 6)
Turn signals	Signal continuously during the last 100 feet before turning — Mississippi uses one single standard for all speeds (Ch. 6)
Tinted windows	After-market window tint must allow at least 28% light transmittance. Tinted vehicles need a Window Tint Inspection Certificate ($5). Tinting must not obstruct the driver's view (Ch. 6).
TVs / video screens visible to driver	Prohibited while vehicle is in motion (navigation is excepted)
Muffler	Must prevent excessive or unusual noise
Brakes	Foot brake must stop the car within 30 feet at 20 mph. Parking brake must stop the car within 55 feet at 20 mph (Ch. 2)
Wipers	Must adequately clean the windshield when used
Tail lights / rear reflector	At least one red tail light visible from 500 feet
Tires	Must be properly inflated, have good tread, and be free of breaks, cuts, and decay. Use the penny test: if Lincoln's head is covered by tread, depth is safe. Keep tires free of damage (Ch. 2)
Hazard lights	For use when parked/stopped in an emergency — not while driving normally
Seat belts & child restraints	All drivers and passengers regardless of age must use safety belts — primary enforcement. Child restraint law: under 4 years = car seat. Ages 4 to under 7 who are under 4'9″ tall OR under 65 lbs = booster seat. All children under 13 should ride in the rear seat when available (Ch. 4).

💡

Headlight Rules That Are Tested

TESTED

Headlights required by Mississippi law: Mississippi law requires headlights from sunset to sunrise. Also required when weather makes it difficult to see vehicles clearly from 500 feet, and when visibility ahead is less than 500 feet. Use low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and within 500 feet when following another vehicle.

Parking lights ≠ headlights: Parking lights are for indicating a parked vehicle only. It is illegal in Mississippi to drive using only parking lights — always use headlights when moving (Ch. 5).

Dim high beams: Dim to low beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and when following another vehicle within 500 feet. Also use low beams in fog, heavy rain, sleet, snow, or dust. High beams illuminate up to 350–400 feet ahead (Ch. 5).

Night driving — "drive in your headlights": Never drive faster than you can stop within the distance lit by your headlights (400 feet ahead). This is called over-driving your headlights and is dangerous (Ch. 5).

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Before the Test — What to Do

PREPARATION

Take the DPS Exam Simulator at least 5 times and score 90%+ consistently. Don't go in when you're scoring 80% — aim higher than the minimum.

Use the "Weak Spots" mode the night before. Every question you got wrong — review those explanations until you understand WHY, not just what the answer is.

Memorize the Key Numbers tab — BAC limits, distances, suspension periods, speed limits. These are direct exam fodder.

Get a good night's sleep. Drowsy test-taking impairs recall just like drowsy driving impairs reaction time.

Bring required documents: Proof of identity (primary + secondary documents), proof of residential address, date of birth, Social Security number, and proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful presence. Under-18 applicants must have a parent/guardian sign the application. Bring proof of insurance on any registered vehicle and glasses/contacts if you wear them (Ch. 1).

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During the Test — How to Answer

STRATEGY

The safest answer is usually correct. When in doubt, pick the option that is most cautious, most yields, or stops the most. Mississippi tests reward safe, defensive driving choices.

Watch for "NEVER" and "ALWAYS" options. These are sometimes traps — but in Mississippi driving law, there actually are many absolute rules (ALWAYS stop for school bus, NEVER pass on a hill crest, etc.).

"All of the above" is very often the correct answer on DPS knowledge tests — especially for questions about DUI charges, suspension triggers, and violations.

Read every word. Test questions often hinge on words like "divided highway" vs. "undivided," "business district" vs. "residential," or "first offense" vs. "subsequent offense."

Refusing a BAC test — can cost your license. For DUI questions: refusing a chemical BAC test can result in losing your driver's license under Mississippi's Implied Consent Law. Do not assume refusal protects you from consequences (Ch. 9).

The real Mississippi DPS knowledge test: approximately 30 questions, need 80% to pass (about 24 correct). Road signs included — no separate signs test. You can miss up to 6 questions and still pass.

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Recommended Study Order

YOUR PLAN

Read Key Numbers tab — memorize every distance, speed, and BAC number

Read Right of Way + DUI tabs — the #1 and #2 failure topics

Read Road Signs + Signals tabs — shapes, colors, and signal meanings

Read School Buses + Parking tabs — specific rules with specific numbers

Take the Full Practice Bank — all 530+ questions to identify weak spots

Use Weak Spots mode — drill every question you got wrong until you nail it

Run the DPS Exam Simulator 3–5 times — pass consistently with 90%+ before going in

Night before: Re-read the Key Numbers tab + Test-Day Tips tab. Good sleep. You've got this. ✅

📖 Mississippi DPS Study Guide

Speed Limits

Critical Distances & Clearances

DUI & Alcohol Numbers

Teen / GDL Numbers

Following Distance & Time Rules

Sign Shapes — Each Shape Has One Meaning

Sign Colors — Color Tells You the Category

Signs That Are Frequently Confused

The Core Right-of-Way Rules

Right-of-Way Scenarios That Trick People

Traffic Signal Meanings

Lane Markings — Know Each One

Safe Lane Changing Procedure

DUI Laws — The Numbers You Must Know

Critical DUI Facts to Remember

School Bus Stopping Rules

Speed Laws — What You Must Know

Following Distance — The Following Distance

💡 When to increase following distance

Passing Rules

Parking Clearance Requirements

Parking on Hills — Wheel Position

💡 Memory trick

Mississippi Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

Emergency Situations — What to Do

Defensive Driving Principles

Vehicle Equipment Requirements

Headlight Rules That Are Tested

Before the Test — What to Do

During the Test — How to Answer

Top 10 Topics That Will Definitely Be on Your Test

Recommended Study Order

Ready to test what you've learned?

📖 Mississippi DPS Study Guide

What to Study Before the Real Test

Speed Limits

Critical Distances & Clearances

DUI & Alcohol Numbers

Teen / GDL Numbers

Following Distance & Time Rules

Sign Shapes — Each Shape Has One Meaning

Sign Colors — Color Tells You the Category

Signs That Are Frequently Confused

The Core Right-of-Way Rules

Right-of-Way Scenarios That Trick People

Traffic Signal Meanings

Lane Markings — Know Each One

Safe Lane Changing Procedure

DUI Laws — The Numbers You Must Know

Critical DUI Facts to Remember

School Bus Stopping Rules

Speed Laws — What You Must Know

Following Distance — The Following Distance

💡 When to increase following distance

Passing Rules

Parking Clearance Requirements

Parking on Hills — Wheel Position

💡 Memory trick

Mississippi Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL)

Emergency Situations — What to Do

Defensive Driving Principles

Vehicle Equipment Requirements

Headlight Rules That Are Tested

Before the Test — What to Do

During the Test — How to Answer

Top 10 Topics That Will Definitely Be on Your Test

Recommended Study Order

Ready to test what you've learned?