CDL state guide
Mississippi CDL Requirements ? Complete Guide (2026)
Mississippi CDL age rules, CLP timing, fees, and official source links were reviewed for this guide.
Use this Mississippi CDL guide to plan the Commercial Learner’s Permit, knowledge tests, skills test, fees, and official source checks before you visit Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau.
Quick answer
Mississippi CDL requirements at a glance
Most Mississippi CDL applicants need a valid regular driver license, a DOT medical certification when required, passing CDL knowledge-test scores, a CLP held for at least 14 days, and a passing CDL skills test in the correct vehicle class.
Mississippi CDL applicants should verify medical certification status and appointment availability before visiting a Driver Service Bureau location.
At a glance
Mississippi CDL at a glance
| Minimum age | 18 for intrastate commercial driving; 21 for interstate driving, hazmat, and many passenger or cross-state jobs. |
|---|---|
| General Knowledge test | Plan for 50 questions with an 80% passing score unless Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau lists a different current testing format. |
| CLP fee | Mississippi CDL permit and testing charges are paid through Driver Service Bureau transactions |
| CDL fee | Confirm license, endorsement, renewal, and skills-test totals with DPS before applying |
| CLP holding period | 14 days minimum before the CDL skills test. |
| CDL valid for | Usually 4 years |
| Issuing agency | Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau |
Classes
CDL classes available in Mississippi
Mississippi follows the federal CDL class structure. Class A generally covers combination vehicles such as tractor-trailers. Class B covers heavy single vehicles such as straight trucks and many buses. Class C applies when the vehicle does not meet Class A or B weight thresholds but carries placarded hazardous materials or enough passengers to require a CDL.
Endorsements can still change what you must test for. Passenger, school bus, tanker, hazmat, air brakes, and combination-vehicle work may require extra knowledge tests or restrictions to be removed.
Process
How to get your CDL in Mississippi
- Confirm eligibility with Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau and make sure your regular driver license is valid.
- Complete DOT medical certification if your CDL driving type requires it.
- Study the official CDL manual or Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau testing guidance.
- Pass General Knowledge plus any class or endorsement tests needed for your CLP.
- Hold the CLP for at least 14 days before taking the skills test.
- Complete the skills test in a vehicle matching the CDL class and endorsement path you need.
Start with DPS Driver Service Bureau instructions, pass knowledge tests, hold the CLP at least 14 days, and schedule skills testing with the correct class of vehicle.
Knowledge tests
CDL knowledge tests in Mississippi
| Test | When it applies | Passing target |
|---|---|---|
| General Knowledge | Required starting point for CDL applicants. | 80% |
| Air Brakes | Needed when the vehicle uses air brakes and you do not want an air-brake restriction. | 80% |
| Combination Vehicles | Class A combination vehicle applicants. | 80% |
| Hazmat | Placarded hazardous materials; TSA/security steps also apply. | 80% |
| Passenger / School Bus | Passenger vehicles and school bus routes. | 80% |
| Tanker | Tank vehicles and liquid cargo where endorsement rules apply. | 80% |
Endorsements
CDL endorsements in Mississippi
Mississippi applicants can need federal CDL endorsements including H hazardous materials, N tank vehicles, P passenger, S school bus, T double/triple trailers, and X tanker plus hazmat. Check Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau before testing because some endorsements require background checks, extra forms, or a specific vehicle for the skills test.
Fees
Mississippi CDL fees
| CLP application fee | Mississippi CDL permit and testing charges are paid through Driver Service Bureau transactions |
|---|---|
| CDL application/license fee | Confirm license, endorsement, renewal, and skills-test totals with DPS before applying |
| Skills test / endorsement fees | Mississippi CDL charges can depend on whether you are applying, upgrading, adding endorsements, retesting, or renewing. Use DPS/Driver Service Bureau for final amounts. |
Fees can change and may be listed separately for testing, permit issue, license issue, endorsement, duplicate, renewal, and third-party skills testing. Verify the final amount on the official Mississippi source before your appointment.
Other state CDL guides
Compare nearby state CDL rules
Commercial driver license fees, testing offices, and skills-test scheduling can differ across state lines. Use these related state pages when comparing CDL paths.
Official resources
Official Mississippi CDL resources
Study path
Next steps for Mississippi CDL prep
FAQ
Mississippi CDL questions
How old do I need to be to get a CDL in Mississippi?
Plan for 18 for intrastate commercial driving and 21 for interstate driving, hazardous materials, and many cross-state jobs. Verify final restrictions with Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau.
How long do I need to hold a CLP in Mississippi?
Federal CDL rules require at least 14 days between CLP issuance and the CDL skills test. State scheduling, paperwork, and testing availability can add more time.
What score should I aim for on Mississippi CDL knowledge tests?
Use 80% as the planning target for CDL knowledge tests unless the official testing system says otherwise. Study the state manual and practice before test day.
Where should I verify Mississippi CDL fees?
Use Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau because fees may be split across permit, license, endorsement, renewal, duplicate, retest, and skills-test transactions.
US Permit Prep is independent from Mississippi Department of Public Safety Driver Service Bureau and FMCSA. This guide organizes official-source planning points for study use; always verify final CDL rules and fees with the official state source before testing.
