Mississippi Commercial Driver's License (CDL) Requirements

To operate commercial motor vehicles in Mississippi, drivers must adhere to standards set by the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) under the guidelines of Title 63 of the Mississippi Code. The state requires a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) for any vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more, vehicles designed to transport 16 or more passengers, or vehicles carrying hazardous materials requiring placarding. Applicants must be at least 18 years old for intrastate commerce and 21 years old for interstate commerce or transporting hazardous materials. DispatchTool assists drivers in staying compliant by automating IFTA reporting and tracking mileage across state lines, ensuring that Mississippi-based operators maintain accurate records for their quarterly filings. By integrating your dispatch workflow with automated expense and document tracking, you can focus on the road while the software manages the regulatory data requirements. Create a DispatchTool account to start organizing your fleet operations and compliance documents in one secure platform.

Mississippi CDL Classifications and Weight Limits

Mississippi follows the federal standard for vehicle classifications. A Class A CDL is required for any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. A Class B CDL is for a single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds. Class C is reserved for vehicles under 26,001 pounds designed to transport 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials. According to the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT), the legal gross weight limit for vehicles on the state highway system is 80,000 pounds without a special permit.

Age and Residency Documentation

Applicants must provide proof of Mississippi residency and U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency. Required documents include a valid Social Security card, a certified birth certificate, and two proofs of residency such as a utility bill or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. Drivers under 21 years of age are restricted to intrastate operations only, meaning they cannot cross state lines or transport goods that originated outside of Mississippi. The DPS charges a $25.00 application fee for the initial commercial learner's permit (CLP) and a $13.00 fee for the skills test.

Medical Certification and Self-Certification

Under FMCSA regulations adopted by Mississippi, all CDL holders must provide a Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Form MCSA-5876) to the DPS. This certificate must be completed by a medical professional listed on the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Drivers must self-certify into one of four categories: Non-excepted Interstate (NI), Excepted Interstate (EI), Non-excepted Intrastate (NA), or Excepted Intrastate (EA). Most long-haul truckers fall under Non-excepted Interstate, requiring a medical exam every 24 months unless a shorter duration is specified by the doctor for conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.

Knowledge and Skills Testing Requirements

The Mississippi CDL process begins with a written general knowledge test consisting of 50 questions, where a passing score of 80% is required. Additional written tests are required for endorsements such as Tankers (N), Double/Triple Trailers (T), or Hazardous Materials (H). After holding a CLP for at least 14 days, applicants may schedule the three-part skills test: the Pre-Trip Inspection, Basic Vehicle Control, and the On-Road Driving Test. The Pre-Trip Inspection requires identifying at least 75% of the items correctly to proceed to the driving portion. Failure to pass any segment results in a mandatory waiting period before retesting.

ELDT and Training Standards

As of February 7, 2022, all new CDL applicants in Mississippi must comply with the Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) requirements. This means applicants must complete a prescribed program of theory and behind-the-wheel instruction from a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) before they are eligible to take the skills test. This applies to those seeking a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time, upgrading an existing CDL, or seeking a school bus (S), passenger (P), or hazardous materials (H) endorsement. Training providers must electronically submit the driver's training certification to the TPR before the DPS can administer the skills exam.

Mississippi CDL Fees and Renewals

A standard Mississippi CDL is valid for a period of five years. The current fee for a new or renewed CDL is $54.00, plus an additional $1.00 fee for the MS-TIGER system. Endorsements typically cost $5.00 each. If a driver loses their license, a duplicate CDL can be obtained for $17.00. Late renewals may be subject to additional testing if the license has been expired for more than six months. Drivers with a Hazardous Materials endorsement must undergo a TSA background check and fingerprinting every five years, which currently costs approximately $86.50.

Sources

Mississippi Department of Public Safety (2024) — https://www.dps.ms.gov/driver-services/new-drivers/cdl FMCSA Training Provider Registry (2024) — https://tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov/ Mississippi Department of Transportation (2023) — https://mdot.ms.gov/portal/legal_truck_weights

Frequently asked

How much does a CDL cost in Mississippi?

The total cost for a new Mississippi CDL is approximately $93.00, which includes a $25.00 application fee, a $13.00 skills test fee, and the $55.00 license fee. Additional costs for endorsements and background checks for Hazmat may apply.

What is the minimum age for a CDL in Mississippi?

The minimum age is 18 years for intrastate driving within Mississippi borders. Drivers must be at least 21 years old to drive across state lines or to transport hazardous materials.

How long must I hold a permit before taking the skills test?

In accordance with FMCSA and Mississippi DPS rules, you must hold your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) for a minimum of 14 days before you are eligible to take the behind-the-wheel skills test.

Do I need a CDL for a farm vehicle in Mississippi?

Mississippi provides an exemption for farmers operating vehicles within 150 miles of their farm for agricultural purposes, provided the vehicle is not used for hire or as a common carrier.