When you’re driving through the heart of Dixie on a warm summer night, the last thing you want to deal with is an unwelcome surprise from law enforcement.
Everyone is guilty of pushing the speed limit now and again or rolling through a stop sign, but no one wants a routine traffic stop to turn ugly.
How could this happen you ask? Well, are you aware of all the information on your driving record?
Your driving record may contain red flags for police that could turn a routine encounter with law enforcement into a nightmare scenario that involves higher fines for offenses, and even jail time in a worst-case scenario. Prevent these unpleasant incidents by obtaining a copy of your Mississippi driving record to make sure your driving history is accurately detailed.
What’s On My Mississippi Driving Record?
A Mississippi driving record contains detailed information about past incidents on the road. Specific information included on your record includes the status of your driver’s license (valid, suspended, revoked), and a history of your traffic violations and related convictions. Knowing what is on your driving record can mean the difference between a pain-free encounter with law enforcement, and a big mess that could take days or weeks to clear up.
Who Can Access My Mississippi Driving Record?
Your driving record in the state of Mississippi can be viewed by a number of different entities, for a variety of reasons. First and foremost, you have the right to access a copy of your driving record, as do other residents of the state of Mississippi. Government agencies and the courts can access your record to determine the validity of your license, check for outstanding tickets, and for use during lawsuits stemming from traffic violations or accidents.
If you have recently applied for a new job, your future employer can access your driving record as part of the routine background check process. This is certain to happen for those individuals applying for commercial driving jobs as a clean driving record is often a necessity. Lastly, insurance companies will view your driving record when renewing or offering new coverage to assess the risk involved in offering you motor vehicle coverage.
How Can I Access My Mississippi Driving Record?
There are a few ways to get your Mississippi driving record. Here’s how to do it.
How To Get Your Mississippi Driving Record Online
The state of Mississippi offers two types of driving records. As a resident of Mississippi, you can access either a non-certified motor vehicle record (MVR) or a certified MVR. The non-certified MVR is only available online and can only be viewed by the individual on the record. Certified MVRs are available only through the mail and in person.
Get Your Mississippi Driving Record Online Here
How To Get Your Mississippi Driving Record By Mail
If you’re comfortable waiting for your Mississippi driving record to arrive via snail mail, you just need to fill out a Consent to Release Records form and send it to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Included with the consent form, you’ll need a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a certified check for $11 to cover processing fees. Your request to obtain your driving record can be mailed to the DPS at the following address:
Mississippi Department of Public Safety
MVR-Driving Records
P.O. Box 958
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
How To Get Your Mississippi Driving Record In Person At The DPS
Should you need a copy of your driving record faster than waiting on the US Postal Service, you can fill out the consent form and take it to your nearest Mississippi DPS location. Simply bring your driver’s license, payment for the $11 processing fee, and your patience into the DPS and you can obtain a copy of your driving record.
The Fastest Way To Get Your Mississippi Driving Record
The quickest way to obtain a copy of your Mississippi driving record is by visiting the Mississippi DPS website to request a non-certified copy of your MVR. In order to access your record online, you’ll need to provide your driver’s license number, legal name (first, middle, last), and date of birth. You’ll need a credit or debit card to pay the $11 fee online, and access to a printer to obtain a copy of your record.
Don’t Try To Obtain Your Mississippi Driving Record From A Private Company
Many third party background check services will promise to obtain your driving history report along with other background check information.
Third-party services are not able to provide you with your official Mississippi driving record and those services are often very inaccurate. Since obtaining your driving record from the DPS is so cheap and easy, there really is no reason to use a third party service.
How To Clear Up Your Mississippi Driving Record
If you have points or violations on your Mississippi driving record, you may be able to clear up your driving record and dismiss traffic tickets by taking a state-certified Mississippi traffic school course. Many auto insurance companies in Mississippi also allow drivers to get a discount on their car insurance by taking a defensive driving course.
In most cases, you’ll need special permission by a court, the DPS, or your auto insurance company to be able to take a traffic school or defensive driving course in Mississippi for ticket dismissal or insurance purposes, however, if you are able to take a course, the below schools are some of the best you’ll find online.
Top 4 Best Online Traffic Schools
What To Do If You Find Inaccuracies On Your Mississippi Driving Record
It is important to know what is on your driving record. Checking your driving record on occasion to ensure the information is accurate ensures that you are paying appropriate insurance premiums and avoid legal trouble stemming for unknown violations or license suspensions. If you notice inaccuracies on your record, you can contact the Mississippi DPS by phone (601-987-1212) or email (kbrown@dps.ms.gov).