HB 1081 would require Mississippi drivers aged 55 and older to retake the driving test if their license has been expired for more than five years. Currently, most drivers can renew an expired license within five years without a test, but this bill adds a test requirement for the 55+ group beyond that period. The goal is to ensure these drivers still understand safe driving practices before renewing their license. The bill was introduced in the 2026 legislative session but died in committee in February 2026.
HB 1565 would require all Mississippi residents under 18 applying for a driver's license after July 1, 2026, to complete a state-certified driver education program that includes hands-on driving practice and safe driving instruction. The bill mandates that this program be available for home-schooled students and adults who haven't taken driver education, with a Certificate of Completion required for license issuance. It also directs the Department of Public Safety to establish this program by the effective date. The bill died in committee on February 3, 2026, and was never enacted.
HB 694 would require most new driver's license applicants in Mississippi to pass a road test demonstrating safe vehicle operation in real traffic conditions, instead of only taking a written test. The bill affects new drivers applying for their first license (including teens and adults), with alternatives available like completing a state-approved driver education course or having a parent/guardian certify 50 hours of supervised driving. The road test must be conducted in a vehicle meeting safety standards (e.g., working lights, brakes), administered by the Commissioner of Public Safety. This change, scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026, aims to ensure applicants can safely operate a vehicle in traffic.
HB 308 requires Mississippi drivers to temporarily hand over their physical driver's license to law enforcement officers upon request for inspection while operating a vehicle. If a driver only has an electronic license on their phone, they must display it on screen but are not required to surrender their mobile device. This applies to all drivers in Mississippi who are asked to show their license during a traffic stop or enforcement action. The bill clarifies existing law to standardize how licenses are presented, with no change to penalties for non-compliance.
This bill removes a repealer provision that would have eliminated existing weight limits and route approval requirements for vehicles transporting agricultural products under harvest permits. It preserves current rules allowing up to 88,000 pounds for permitted vehicles (with a 10% tolerance) and requiring prior route approval for certain haulers. These provisions directly affect farmers, timber transporters, and companies moving materials like crops, woodchips, and construction materials. The change maintains existing standards without altering permitted weights or routing procedures.
SB 2073 increases the fine for operating a vehicle without mandatory liability insurance to $500 and prohibits judges from waiving this fine. It requires drivers to provide proof of insurance and pay all fines before their licenses can be reinstated. The bill establishes a special "Uninsured Motorist Identification Fund" to cover costs for an insurance verification system, with excess funds split between a Highway Patrol Trooper School fund and Mississippi Trauma Care Systems. This directly affects all drivers in Mississippi who operate vehicles without required insurance.
HB 287 requires drivers in Mississippi to slow down or move to a non-adjacent lane when approaching a disabled vehicle on or near the roadway, if safe and possible on multi-lane roads. It defines a "disabled vehicle" as any temporarily stopped vehicle (e.g., due to mechanical failure) using hazard lights or safety devices. The law applies to all drivers and prohibits passing such vehicles without caution, with violations punishable by fines up to $250 (or $1,000 if causing injury or damage). The bill, which died in committee on February 3, 2026, would have taken effect July 1, 2026.
HB 397 would require most Mississippi driver's license applicants to pass a practical road test demonstrating safe vehicle operation in real traffic conditions, replacing the previous optional requirement. It directly affects new license seekers (excluding those with valid out-of-state licenses) by mandating this test as part of the licensing process. Key provisions include requiring vehicle safety checks (horn, brakes, registration) before the test and allowing exemptions for those completing school driver education or with parent-certified driving experience. The bill died in committee in February 2026 and is not law.
HB 530 would increase penalties for drivers who pass a stopped school bus with flashing red lights or an extended stop sign. A first violation would carry a $1,000-$2,000 fine (or up to one year in jail) plus a 60-day license suspension. Subsequent violations within five years would require a $2,000-$3,000 fine (or up to one year in jail) and a one-year license suspension. The bill also specifies that violations causing injury to a child would be prosecuted under a separate law (Section 97-3-7).
HB 291 prohibits texting while driving by making it a traffic violation (not a civil infraction) and imposes a $100 fine per offense. It specifically bans manually writing, sending, or reading text messages or accessing social media on handheld devices while operating a vehicle, excluding voice-operated or hands-free devices. The bill requires law enforcement to record the driver's age, race, and whether additional violations or crashes occurred during citations. This policy directly affects drivers who use handheld devices for texting or social media while driving, changing enforcement from civil penalties to traffic violations.
