Mississippi DMV Permit Practice Test 2026

This page covers what you need to know for the Mississippi driver's license knowledge exam: how the test works, the Mississippi-specific rules that often show up on it, and sample questions with explained answers. Everything here is based on the official Mississippi driver's manual and state traffic code (sources are listed at the bottom). The real Mississippi test has 30 questions and you need 24 correct (80%) to pass.

When you're ready, take a free 25-question practice test that mixes Mississippi-specific questions with general driving questions, with an explanation after every answer. Each attempt draws a new set. No signup needed.

Mississippi Permit Test and Licensing Facts

Knowledge Test	30 questions, must score 24/30 (80%) to pass
Minimum Permit Age	15
Minimum License Age	16
Speed Limits	Highway: up to 70 mph \| Residential: 30 mph \| School Zone: 15 mph
DUI Law	BAC limit: 0.08% (Under 21: 0.02%)
Point System	Points range from 1 to 4. 12 points in 12 months results in license suspension.

Rules Specific to Mississippi

Mississippi does not have a statewide open container law — some municipalities may allow passengers to have open containers
Mississippi's intermediate license restricts driving between 10 PM and 6 AM for drivers under 16
Mississippi requires only a learner's permit for 12 months before getting a full license for applicants under 17

Sample Mississippi Permit Test Questions

These questions cover rules that are specific to Mississippi. They're the ones people most often miss, because the answer differs from state to state.

In Mississippi, drivers age 21+ are considered legally impaired (per se) at what blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or higher?
- A. 0.05%
- B. 0.08%
- C. 0.10%
- D. 0.02%
Answer: 0.08%. Mississippi’s per se limit for adult drivers is 0.08% BAC. At or above this level, you can be charged even if you don’t feel impaired.
In Mississippi, a driver below the legal drinking age can be charged per se at what BAC or higher?
- A. 0.00%
- B. 0.02%
- C. 0.05%
- D. 0.08%
Answer: 0.02%. Mississippi uses a lower BAC threshold for underage drivers. A BAC of 0.02% or more can trigger an underage DUI.
In Mississippi, a child who is 5 years old and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches must be restrained using which option?
- A. A lap belt only
- B. A belt-positioning booster seat used with the vehicle belt
- C. No restraint is required in the back seat
- D. An adult shoulder belt only
Answer: A belt-positioning booster seat used with the vehicle belt. Mississippi requires many children ages 4 through 6 to use a booster seat if they are under 4'9" (or under the listed weight threshold). The booster helps the seat belt fit correctly.
Under ideal conditions, what speed limit does the Mississippi Driver’s Manual list for interstate driving (day or night)?
- A. 60 mph
- B. 65 mph
- C. 70 mph
- D. 75 mph
Answer: 70 mph. Mississippi lists 70 mph for interstate driving under ideal conditions. Always adjust for traffic, weather, and posted signs.
In Mississippi, how far before turning should you signal (minimum)?
- A. 50 feet
- B. 100 feet
- C. 200 feet
- D. 300 feet
Answer: 100 feet. Mississippi requires signaling at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes. Signaling early helps other road users react safely.
What is the maximum speed in a Mississippi school zone?
- A. 10 mph
- B. 15 mph
- C. 20 mph
- D. 25 mph
Answer: 15 mph. The maximum speed for any vehicle in a school zone is 15 mph.
What is the maximum speed on a Mississippi four-lane state or U.S. highway?
- A. 55 mph
- B. 60 mph
- C. 65 mph
- D. 70 mph
Answer: 65 mph. Four-lane state and U.S. highways allow 65 mph, interstates 70 mph, and two-lane highways 55 mph.
What is the minimum speed on Mississippi interstates and four-lane highways?
- A. 30 mph
- B. 40 mph
- C. 45 mph
- D. 50 mph
Answer: 40 mph. Interstates and four-lane highways have a 40 mph minimum.
What is the speed limit on the Natchez Trace Parkway?
- A. 45 mph
- B. 50 mph
- C. 55 mph
- D. 60 mph
Answer: 50 mph. The Natchez Trace Parkway has a 50 mph maximum.
How far behind the vehicle ahead should you stay when driving 70 mph in Mississippi?
- A. At least 3 car lengths
- B. At least 5 car lengths
- C. At least 7 car lengths
- D. At least 10 car lengths
Answer: At least 7 car lengths. At 70 mph stay at least seven car lengths back; at 50 mph, at least five.
Which vehicles must always stop at Mississippi railroad crossings?
- A. All pickup trucks
- B. School buses carrying children, vehicles for hire with passengers, and vehicles carrying explosives or flammable liquids
- C. Motorcycles
- D. Only freight trucks
Answer: School buses carrying children, vehicles for hire with passengers, and vehicles carrying explosives or flammable liquids. These vehicles must stop between 10 and 50 feet from the outer rail at every crossing.
What is the maximum speed for a Mississippi school bus on regular routes?
- A. 35 mph
- B. 45 mph
- C. 55 mph
- D. 65 mph
Answer: 45 mph. School buses on regular routes are limited to 45 mph, and 65 mph on the interstate.
What does Mississippi law say about texting while driving?
- A. It's allowed at red lights
- B. Writing, sending, or reading texts while driving is not allowed
- C. Only drivers under 18 are restricted
- D. It's allowed with one hand
Answer: Writing, sending, or reading texts while driving is not allowed. Writing, sending, or reading texts, or posting to social media on a handheld phone, is not allowed while driving.
What happens to your Mississippi license if you refuse a breath or chemical test?
- A. Nothing
- B. It's administratively suspended for 90 days
- C. It's suspended for 1 year
- D. It's revoked permanently
Answer: It's administratively suspended for 90 days. Refusal leads to a 90-day administrative suspension, longer for later refusals.
After refusing a test in Mississippi, how long is the officer's receipt valid as a temporary permit?
- A. 10 days
- B. 30 days
- C. 45 days
- D. 90 days
Answer: 45 days. The officer's receipt serves as a temporary permit valid for 45 days.
What are Mississippi's minimum insurance amounts?
- A. $10,000 / $20,000 / $5,000
- B. $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000
- C. $30,000 / $60,000 / $25,000
- D. $50,000 / $100,000 / $50,000
Answer: $25,000 / $50,000 / $25,000. Mississippi requires $25,000 per person, $50,000 for two or more people, and $25,000 for property damage.
When must a Mississippi crash be reported to law enforcement?
- A. Only if someone is killed
- B. If there's injury, death, or apparent property damage over $500
- C. Only if damage exceeds $2,000
- D. Never, if both drivers agree
Answer: If there's injury, death, or apparent property damage over $500. Report immediately if the accident involves injury, death, or apparent property damage over $500.
How much space must you leave when passing a bicyclist in Mississippi?
- A. At least 2 feet
- B. At least 3 feet
- C. At least 5 feet
- D. One lane
Answer: At least 3 feet. Leave at least three feet between your vehicle and the bicycle when passing.
What minimum window tint light transmittance does Mississippi require?
- A. 18%
- B. 28%
- C. 35%
- D. 50%
Answer: 28%. Windows must allow at least 28% light transmittance and carry a certifying label.

Mississippi Permit Test FAQ

How many questions are on the Mississippi permit test?

The Mississippi knowledge test has 30 multiple-choice questions. You need at least 24 correct answers (80%) to pass.

How old do you have to be to get a learner's permit in Mississippi?

The minimum age for a learner's permit in Mississippi is 15. The minimum age for a driver's license is 16.

What is the legal blood alcohol limit in Mississippi?

Mississippi calls impaired driving DUI. The limit is 0.08% BAC for drivers 21 and over, and 0.02% for drivers under 21.

How does the Mississippi driver point system work?

Points range from 1 to 4. 12 points in 12 months results in license suspension.

What are the default speed limits in Mississippi?

Typical limits in Mississippi are up to 70 mph on highways, 30 mph in residential areas and 15 mph in school zones. Posted signs always take priority.

Sources

The facts and questions on this page are based on the following official Mississippi government sources:

Facts and questions last checked against the Mississippi Driver's Manual on September 26, 2026.

Laws change. Always check the current Mississippi driver's manual before your test. This site is unofficial and not affiliated with any Mississippi government agency.