MISSISSIPPI DRIVERS EDUCATION LAW 2027: PARENT GUIDE

Mississippi's New Drivers Education Requirement Starting July 1, 2027: What Parents Need to Know

If you have a teen approaching driving age in Mississippi, there is an important date to put on your calendar: July 1, 2027. Starting that day, completing a certified drivers education course will be a requirement to get a first Mississippi driver's license. Here is what the change means, who it affects, and how to plan ahead.

What Is the New Law?
The requirement comes from Senate Bill 2695, passed by the Mississippi Legislature. The law amended Section 63-1-9 of the Mississippi Code. Beginning July 1, 2027, a driver's license may not be issued to any person who has not previously obtained a driver's license unless that person has successfully completed a Driver Education and Training Program certified by the State Board of Education or the Department of Public Safety.

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety's Driver Service Bureau summarizes it simply: effective July 1, 2027, completion of drivers education will be required for all new drivers to obtain a regular driver's license.

Who Does It Apply To?
The requirement applies to people who have never held a driver's license before. That includes teens getting their first license, and according to reporting by the Mississippi Free Press, it also includes adults seeking their first Mississippi driver's license.

The law preserves the learner's permit. Teens under 18 can still receive a learner's permit as otherwise provided by Mississippi law. Your teen can still start practicing with a permit; the drivers education requirement applies when it is time to get the license itself.

What Counts as an Approved Program?
The law refers to a Driver Education and Training Program certified by the State Board of Education or the Department of Public Safety. Before enrolling in any program, parents should confirm that it is approved and that it will provide proof of completion. Check the Driver Service Bureau's website for current guidance as the date approaches.

Are There Other Changes?
Yes. SB 2695 also requires Mississippi school districts with secondary schools to offer driver education and training programs, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. It is not a graduation requirement.

The Driver Service Bureau also notes that, effective July 1, 2026, only drivers education completed through a DPS-certified or MDE-certified instructor is accepted for hardship license applications.

Availability, schedules, and seat limits for school programs can vary, so many families are looking at private options as well.

Why Plan Ahead Now?
When a new requirement takes effect, demand tends to rise. If your teen expects to get a license on or after July 1, 2027, starting early helps you:
- Avoid delays right when your teen becomes eligible for a license
- Build skills gradually instead of rushing lessons at the last minute
- Fit coursework around school, sports, and summer plans
- Gain more confidence through more time learning and practicing

Even for teens licensed before the deadline, a quality drivers education course is one of the best ways to build safe habits from day one.

How Road Ready Driving School Can Help
Road Ready Driving School in Madison, Mississippi, offers a state-approved online drivers education course plus one-on-one behind-the-wheel lessons with owner and instructor Eddie Easley. We are rated 5.0 stars on Google.
- Combo - $400: State-approved drivers education course + 6 hours of behind-the-wheel driving
- Course Only - $149.99: State-approved online drivers education course
- Driving Only - $350: Behind-the-wheel lessons
- MS Permit Test Prep Pack: Practice and review before the permit exam

Note: we do not offer pickups for lessons.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Mississippi's drivers education requirement start?
July 1, 2027.

Which law created the requirement?
Senate Bill 2695, which amended Section 63-1-9 of the Mississippi Code.

Does it apply to adults?
It applies to anyone who has not previously obtained a driver's license, which includes adults seeking their first license.

Can my teen still get a learner's permit without drivers education?
Yes. A person under 18 can still receive a learner's permit as otherwise provided by Mississippi law.

Do schools have to offer drivers education?
Yes. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, school districts with secondary schools must offer driver education and training programs.

Get Ahead of the 2027 Deadline
Don't wait until the last minute. Visit the Road Ready Store at roadreadydriving.com/road-ready-store to enroll, or call 601-573-0124 with questions.

Sources
- Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Driver Service Bureau: https://www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/node/400
- Mississippi Free Press: https://www.mississippifreepress.org/mississippi-now-requires-drivers-education-in-all-schools-but-funding-gaps-leave-districts-scrambling/
- Mississippi Code 63-1-9: https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2026/html/SB/2100-2199/SB2111IN.htm

This article is for general information and is not legal advice.