Mississippi Driving Points are the hidden cost of a speeding ticket — they pile up on your license, and enough of them in a set time window will suspend your right to drive. This guide explains the Mississippi point system in plain English: exactly how many points a speeding ticket adds at each speed bracket, how many mississippi driving points trigger a suspension, how long points stay on your record, and how to check and reduce them.
All figures are estimates for general guidance, verified against Mississippi sources as of June 2026.
In This Mississippi Guide:
How Mississippi Driving Points Work
Mississippi does NOT use a traditional point system. It is a no-point state. The Department of Public Safety (DPS) records all moving violation convictions on a driver’s Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), but no numeric point values are assigned. The DPS Commissioner has discretionary authority to suspend or revoke a license based on the number, frequency, and severity of violations — there is no fixed point threshold.
Mississippi Driving Points by Speed Bracket
Here is how many mississippi driving points a speeding ticket typically adds, based on how far over the limit you were going:
| How Fast Over the Limit | Points Added |
|---|---|
| 1-10 mph over | N/A — Mississippi does not assign points to traffic violations |
| 11-20 mph over | N/A — Mississippi does not assign points to traffic violations |
| 21+ mph over | N/A — Mississippi does not assign points to traffic violations |
How long points last: Since Mississippi assigns no points, there is no point expiration period. However, most moving violations remain practically relevant on the driving record for 3 years for administrative purposes. Convictions become part of the permanent driving record and cannot be expunged. Insurance companies typically use a 3-to-5-year look-back period.
How Many Mississippi Driving Points Until Suspension?
In Mississippi, There is no fixed numeric point threshold. Under MS Code 63-1-51, the DPS Commissioner may suspend a license if a driver is deemed habitually reckless or negligent, or is convicted with such frequency of serious traffic offenses as to indicate disrespect for traffic laws. Mandatory suspension applies for DUI, fleeing police, leaving the scene of an accident, or habitual offender status (3 or more major violations within 5 years).
Each new speeding ticket pushes you closer to that limit, which is why watching your mississippi driving points matters even when a single ticket seems minor.
How to Check and Reduce Your Mississippi Driving Points
How to check your points: Order a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) through the Mississippi DPS Driver Self-Service Portal at https://www.ms.gov/dps/license_renewal/MVR. The fee is 14.31. You will need your full name, driver’s license number, date of birth, and last 4 digits of your SSN. The record is viewable for 24 hours from purchase. You may also request a record by mail or in person at a Driver Service Bureau office, or by calling (601) 487-7028.
How to reduce your mississippi driving points: Since Mississippi has no point system, there are no points to reduce. However, some Mississippi courts allow drivers to take a 6-hour approved defensive driving course to have a ticket dismissed. This is not a statewide right — it is at each court’s discretion. You must contact the specific court where you received the ticket to ask if this option is available.
Many courts limit this option to once every 3 years and only if you have no additional tickets during that period. Some insurance companies also offer premium discounts for completing an approved defensive driving course. See our Mississippi traffic school guide for the full point-reduction process.
Reinstating a suspended license: To reinstate a suspended license in Mississippi: (1) Clear your record and pay all outstanding fines at the court in the county where the ticket was issued. (2) Wait for DPS to receive confirmation from the court. (3) Pay the DPS reinstatement fee — 100 for a standard suspension, 175 for an implied consent or DUI suspension, or 25 for child support non-compliance.
(4) Confirm all compliance requirements are satisfied. Payment can be made online via the DPS portal or in person at any Driver Service Bureau office. Paying the reinstatement fee alone does not make your license valid — all compliance items must be cleared first.
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Insurance Points vs DMV Points in Mississippi
Although Mississippi has no state-administered point system, auto insurance companies maintain their own internal point systems and may raise premiums based on your driving record. Insurance companies typically review your MVR and assign their own point values to violations. A single speeding ticket can increase your Mississippi insurance rates for 3 to 5 years.
These insurance points are completely separate from any state system and vary by insurer. A ticket can raise your premium for years — compare cheaper car insurance at Car Cover Guide if a ticket has pushed your rate up.
How Mississippi Driving Points Actually Work
A point system is the state’s way of tracking risky driving. Each moving violation adds a set number of points to your license, and the points stay on your record for a fixed period before they drop off. If you collect too many Mississippi driving points inside that window, the DMV suspends your license — which is why even a minor speeding ticket matters if you already have points.
It is important to separate two different kinds of points. DMV points are what the state uses to suspend your license. Insurance points are a separate system your insurer uses to set your premium, and they often last longer than DMV points. A single speeding ticket can therefore cost you twice: once toward a possible suspension, and again as a higher insurance bill.
Some states do not use points at all and instead apply a surcharge or simply track convictions, but the practical effect is the same — more violations mean a higher chance of losing your license and paying more to drive.
Keeping your Mississippi driving points low protects more than your license — it protects your wallet. Drivers with a clean record qualify for the best insurance rates, while each added violation can move you into a higher-risk tier. If a ticket has pushed your points up, acting quickly to reduce or contest it is usually worth the effort.
What to Do About Your Mississippi Speeding Ticket
Once you have a Mississippi speeding ticket, you generally have three choices, and the right one depends on the points involved, your driving record, and your insurance:
- Pay it — the fastest option, but paying is an admission of guilt that adds points and can raise your premium for years.
- Fight it — contesting can get the ticket reduced or dismissed, especially if the officer does not appear or the evidence is weak. See how to fight a speeding ticket in Mississippi.
- Take traffic school — if you qualify, a state-approved course can keep points off your record. See the Mississippi traffic school guide.
Before deciding, it helps to know the full cost — use our speeding ticket cost calculator and the Mississippi points guide to see how close a ticket puts you to a suspension. There is no single right answer for everyone; the best choice depends on how many points the ticket adds, what your record looks like, and how much your insurance would rise.
Other Mississippi rules to know: (1) Mississippi is one of approximately 9 states with no numeric point system — suspension is entirely discretionary based on record severity under MS Code 63-1-51. (2) There is no statewide fine schedule for speeding — fine amounts are set at the county or municipal level, so the same violation can cost significantly different amounts depending on jurisdiction. (3) Mississippi has recently stopped suspending licenses solely for unpaid fines and fees, a significant policy reform.
(4) Ticket dismissal via defensive driving is court-dependent, not a statewide statutory right. (5) Traffic convictions in Mississippi cannot be expunged and remain on the permanent driving record, though their practical impact diminishes after 3 years. (6) Work zone speeding fines may be doubled under MS Code 63-3-516.
Official Mississippi Sources & Resources
- Mississippi DMV: https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/
- Mississippi Point Schedule: N/A — Mississippi does not publish a point schedule because it does not use a point system
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: nhtsa.gov
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex
Statute reference: MS Code 63-1-51 (grounds for suspension or revocation by the Commissioner); MS Code 63-1-46 (reinstatement fees); MS Code 63-1-53 (suspension for failure to pay fines or respond to citation); MS Code 63-9-11 (penalties for traffic violations); MS Code 63-3-516 (work zone speeding — doubled penalties); MS Code 63-11-30 (DUI/implied consent penalties and suspension)
This Mississippi driving points guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Always confirm your current point total with the Mississippi DMV.
More Mississippi Traffic Ticket Guides
- Mississippi Speeding Ticket Cost
- How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Mississippi
- Mississippi Traffic School & Dismissal
- Speeding Ticket Cost Calculator
- All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal advice. Fines, points, and procedures are estimates for general guidance and change when state laws change. Always verify the exact amount and process with your state DMV or the court listed on your citation, and consult a licensed traffic attorney in your state for advice on your specific situation.