Driver training rules in Mississippi

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Mississippi for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Not required for a regular license until July 1, 2027; then all first-time drivers need a course certified by the State Board of Education or DPS (Miss. Code 63-1-9(1)(h), SB 2695 of 2024). Hardship license (ages 15-17) already requires a DPS- or MDE-certified course. School programs: at least 24 hours classroom + 6 hours behind the wheel (Miss. Code 37-25-3); 37-25-7 still describes an approved course as 30 hours classroom + 6 hours dual driving.source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4
Supervised practice (teens)	Under 17: parent/teacher/guardian affidavit of 50 hours witnessed driving (replaces road test). Permit held 12 months; no night hours stated.source 5 · source 6
New adult drivers	No course now; 17+ may get permit and license the same day. From July 1, 2027, all new drivers must complete driver ed.source 6 · source 2
Who licenses driving schools	Hardship License driver ed (from July 1, 2026) must be from a DPS- or MDE-certified instructor; school programs apply to the State Board of Education for approval.source 7 · source 2 · source 4
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	Truck schools are regulated as proprietary schools (CPSCR, FY2023 rules); BTW instructors need a Class A CDL with needed endorsements. No state hour minimum found.source 8 · source 9
CDL schools: state license	Yes. Truck-driving schools are proprietary schools and must be authorized (certificate of registration) by the Commission on Proprietary School and College Registration, via MCCB.source 9 · source 8
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No state hour minimum found in CPSCR rules. DPS requires federal ELDT from a TPR-listed provider before CDL testing.source 10 · source 8
CDL schools: instructor rules	No state instructor license, but CPSCR rules (FY2023) require truck-skills staff to hold a Class A CDL with needed endorsements and 3 years' driving experience; classroom staff need a diploma.source 8
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Exempt if tuition-free. Employer courses only for its own employees need no registration (Miss. Code 75-60-5; CPSCR rule 3.5). A carrier may ask CPSCR for an exemption determination; if approved it is renewed every 12 months.source 8
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only.source 10
Carriers: instructor rules	Exempt. CPSCR instructor rules apply to registered schools; a tuition-free employee-only carrier program is exempt from registration, so federal 380.605 applies.source 8
New school bus drivers	8-hour MDE School Bus Driver Certification Class (4 hours classroom and/or 4 hours behind-the-wheel, or 8 hours classroom).source 11 · source 12
School bus refresher	Certificates expire every 2 years on July 31; renew with an 8-hour recertification class (face-to-face, or online for drivers with 2+ years' experience). In-service safety training each semester: State Board Rule 81.3 says at least 4 hours; MDE's 2025 Accountability Standards say 2 hours.source 11 · source 12 · source 13

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Mississippi, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Mississippi

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2024/html/SB/2600-2699/SB2695SG.htm
2. https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/node/400
3. https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/Drivers_Permit
4. https://www.mdek12.org/sites/default/files/documents/MBE/State%20Board%20Policy/Chapter%2029/Rule%2029.1.pdf
5. https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/sites/default/files/2025-02/1.15.2025%20Revised%20MDPS%20Driver's%20Manual.pdf
6. https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/Learners_Permit
7. https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/node/389
8. https://www.mccb.edu/sites/mccb/files/Proprietary%20Schools/Regulations%20and%20Guidelines/CPSCR%20Regulations%20for%20State%20Oversight%20-%20FY2023%20Final.pdf
9. https://www.mccb.edu/accountability/cpscr
10. https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/Classes_A-D
11. https://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/ACCode/00000762c.pdf
12. https://www.sos.ms.gov/adminsearch/ACCode/00000382c.pdf
13. https://mdek12.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2026/01/Mississippi-Public-School-Accountability-Standards-2025.pdf

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