The DMV office in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Hattiesburg has one Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Services office located at 1601 Hardy Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401. This is where you renew your driver's license, get a duplicate license, take your written driving test, and handle most vehicle registration matters for Forrest County and the surrounding area.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and closed on state holidays. There is no Saturday or evening service at this location. If you cannot reach the office by phone during business hours, you can visit in person to ask questions or get forms.

Hattiesburg is in Forrest County, which means your vehicle registration and driver's license are both handled through this single office. You do not need to go to a separate county courthouse or regional center for either service.

Key Takeaways

  • The Hattiesburg Driver Services office is at 1601 Hardy Street and handles both driver's licenses and vehicle registration for Forrest County.
  • Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with no weekend or evening appointments.
  • You will need your current license, proof of residency, and vehicle documents depending on which service you need.
  • The office does not take walk-in road tests; you must schedule your driving test in advance by phone or online.
  • If the Hattiesburg office is closed or too busy, you can use any other Mississippi Driver Services office, though you may wait longer.

What documents to bring for a driver's license renewal

For a standard driver's license renewal, bring your current Mississippi driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.

If you are renewing an expired license, the same documents explore. If your license has been expired for more than five years, you may need to retake the written test and vision test, so call ahead to confirm what the office requires.

Bring the original documents or certified copies — photocopies alone will not work. The office does not accept digital photos of documents on a phone.

What documents to bring for vehicle registration

For a new vehicle registration or renewal, bring your title or proof of ownership, your current registration card (if renewing), proof of insurance, and proof of your address. If you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Mississippi, bring the title from your previous state and a bill of sale if you purchased the vehicle from a private party.

The Hattiesburg office can issue temporary tags while you wait if you are registering a new vehicle and need to drive it home. Permanent tags arrive by mail within two to three weeks. Vehicle registration fees vary based on the vehicle's age, weight, and type, so ask the office staff for the exact cost before you pay.

If your vehicle title is held by a lender or lienholder, bring a letter from them authorizing the registration in your name, or bring the lien paperwork itself.

How to schedule a driving test in Hattiesburg

The Hattiesburg Driver Services office does not accept walk-in road tests. You must schedule your test by calling the office at the number listed on the Mississippi Department of Public Safety website, or by scheduling online through the state's driver services portal if that option is available in your county.

When you call, have your learner's permit number ready and tell the staff member what type of test you need (Class D for regular passenger vehicles, Class C for commercial vehicles, or a motorcycle endorsement test). The office will give you a date and time, usually within one to three weeks depending on how busy the schedule is.

Bring your learner's permit, proof of insurance for the vehicle you will use for the test, and a vehicle that is registered and passes a safety inspection. The vehicle must have working brakes, lights, windshield wipers, and mirrors. If the vehicle fails inspection, your test will be cancelled and you will need to reschedule.

Scams and safety alerts for the Hattiesburg area

Do not pay anyone to renew your license or register your vehicle for you. The only official way to renew a Mississippi driver's license is through the Driver Services office in person or, for some renewals, through the mail. Anyone claiming they can do it faster or online for a fee is running a scam.

The official Mississippi Department of Public Safety website is dps.ms.gov. If you see a website with a similar name like "ms-dps.com" or "mississippi-dmv-online.com," that is not the real government site. Do not enter your personal information or pay money on fake sites.

Beware of text messages or emails claiming to be from the DMV asking you to verify your license or registration. The real office will not contact you by text or email asking for personal details. If you receive such a message, delete it and do not click any links.

If you need help with your license or registration, call the Hattiesburg office directly using the phone number on the official state website. Do not use a phone number from an ad or a third-party website.

When the Hattiesburg office is closed or too busy

If the Hattiesburg office has a long wait or you cannot get an appointment, you can visit any other Mississippi Driver Services office. The nearest offices outside Hattiesburg are in Laurel (Jones County), Gulfport (Harrison County), and Jackson (Hinds County). You will still need the same documents, and your license or registration will be valid statewide.

Some services, like renewing a license by mail, may be faster than visiting an office in person. You can mail your current license, proof of residency, and the renewal fee to the Hattiesburg office if you meet the requirements for mail renewal. Call the office to ask if you are may be able to access and to get the mailing address and current fee.

If you need a duplicate license because yours was lost or stolen, you can get one the same day you visit the office. Bring your proof of Social Security number and proof of address, and the office will issue a replacement on the spot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my license online or by mail from Hattiesburg?

Some Mississippi drivers can renew by mail if their license is not expired and they have no medical restrictions. Call the Hattiesburg office to ask if you are may be able to access. Mail renewal takes longer than visiting in person, usually two to three weeks for your new license to arrive.

What is the cost of a driver's license renewal in Mississippi?

A standard four-year driver's license renewal costs $24. An eight-year license costs $48. The office accepts cash, debit, and credit cards. Fees may vary if you need a duplicate or if you are adding an endorsement like a motorcycle rating.

Do I need an appointment to renew my license at the Hattiesburg office?

No appointment is required for license renewal, but you may wait in line. Road tests must be scheduled in advance. If you want to avoid a long wait, call the office and ask what time is usually least busy, or visit early in the morning on a weekday.

What if my vehicle title is from another state?

Bring your out-of-state title, a bill of sale if you bought the vehicle privately, and proof of insurance. The Hattiesburg office will issue a Mississippi title and registration. The process usually takes one visit, though the new title may arrive by mail within a few weeks.

Can I get a temporary tag the same day I register my vehicle?

Yes. If you are registering a new vehicle and need to drive it before your permanent tags arrive, the Hattiesburg office will issue a temporary tag while you wait. Permanent tags arrive by mail in two to three weeks.