How To Register a Car in Mississippi

Who Needs Vehicle Registration in Mississippi

Vehicle registration is mandatory for all motor vehicles operated on public roads throughout Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Licensing Bureau enforces these requirements under Mississippi Code Title 63, which establishes comprehensive regulations for motor vehicle operation, licensing, and registration within the state.

New Mississippi residents must register their vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency or bringing a vehicle into the state. Residency is established when an individual obtains Mississippi employment, enrolls children in school, registers to vote, or maintains a domicile for more than 30 days. The registration requirement applies immediately upon becoming a Mississippi resident, with penalties of up to $250 for late registration.

Military personnel and their dependents who are stationed in Mississippi but claim legal residency in another state are not required to obtain Mississippi registration or license plates. However, Mississippi residents entering military service must maintain Mississippi registration unless they establish legal residency in another jurisdiction. Active-duty military members who are Mississippi residents may qualify for ad valorem tax exemptions while maintaining registration requirements.

Students attending Mississippi colleges or universities may retain their out-of-state registration if they do not establish Mississippi residency through employment, voter registration, or other activities demonstrating intent to remain permanently. Full-time students maintaining financial dependence on out-of-state parents typically qualify for this exemption during their educational enrollment.

Temporary visitors and tourists may operate vehicles with valid out-of-state registration for visits under 30 days, provided the registration remains current. Business fleets operating vehicles principally based in Mississippi must register all such vehicles in the county where they are primarily garaged.

Licensed motor vehicle dealers must register demonstration vehicles, service vehicles, and obtain appropriate dealer plates under Mississippi dealer registration provisions. Interstate commercial carriers may participate in the International Registration Plan (IRP) for vehicles traveling across multiple jurisdictions, allowing proportional registration based on mileage distribution among participating states.

What Types of Vehicles Need Registration in Mississippi

Mississippi requires registration for all motor vehicles operated on public roadways, categorized as follows:

• Passenger vehicles including automobiles, station wagons, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks
• Motorcycles and motor scooters regardless of engine displacement or power output
• Commercial vehicles with gross vehicle weight over 10,000 pounds requiring commercial registration
• Heavy commercial vehicles and trucks used for business transportation purposes
• Buses used for passenger transportation including school buses, transit vehicles, and charter coaches
• Recreational vehicles including motor homes, travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers, and camping trailers
• Trailers exceeding specific weight thresholds or used for commercial purposes
• Utility trailers and boat trailers when titled and registered
• Antique vehicles 25 years or older meeting collector criteria for special registration
• Classic vehicles and street rods with modified registration classifications and operational restrictions

Mississippi establishes vehicle classifications based on gross vehicle weight, intended use, and design characteristics for fee determination purposes. Vehicles with gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or less register through county tax collector offices, while heavier commercial vehicles require specialized commercial registration.

Farm vehicles used beyond agricultural property boundaries require standard registration based on weight and usage classifications. Electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles follow identical registration requirements as conventional vehicles within their respective categories. Specialty vehicles may qualify for collector, antique, or custom registration with specific operational limitations and modified fee structures.

Which Vehicles Are Exempt From Registration in Mississippi

Several vehicle categories operate under exemptions from standard Mississippi registration requirements:

• Farm tractors and agricultural implements operated exclusively for farming activities on agricultural property
• Farm machinery and equipment used solely for agricultural production and processing activities
• Federal government vehicles operated by authorized federal agencies and departments under official capacity
• Military tactical vehicles owned and operated by the Department of Defense or National Guard units
• Construction equipment and specialized machinery not designed for highway transportation purposes
• Golf carts operated within private communities, golf courses, or designated recreational areas under local ordinances
• All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) operated exclusively on private property or designated recreational areas
• Off-road vehicles (ORVs) used on private property or approved trail systems
• Watercraft registered through separate marine registration programs
• Implements of husbandry operated exclusively for agricultural purposes between farm properties

Mississippi operates recreational vehicle programs through the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks for off-highway vehicles and ATVs used on designated trails and wildlife management areas. These vehicles may require special permits or registration through the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks rather than standard motor vehicle registration.

Vehicles stored on private property and not operated on public roads are exempt from registration requirements but must be registered before returning to public road use. Government vehicles owned by state agencies, counties, and municipalities may qualify for special registration exemptions with distinctive license plates and operational designations.

What Do You Need To Register a Car in Mississippi

Mississippi vehicle registration requires specific documentation and payment of applicable fees and taxes:

Required Documentation:

• Completed motor vehicle title and registration application with all sections properly executed
• Proof of ownership through manufacturer's certificate of origin, previous title, or proper bill of sale
• Valid driver's license or state-issued identification card from any U.S. jurisdiction
• Proof of identity meeting Mississippi identification requirements for vehicle transactions
• Odometer disclosure statement for vehicles under 10 years old showing accurate mileage reading
• Lien holder information if applicable, including complete financial institution details and payoff amounts

Vehicle Identification Requirements: Mississippi does not require separate VIN inspections for most out-of-state vehicles, but title verification and proper documentation are mandatory. The state does not require safety or emissions inspections for vehicle registration.

Fees and Taxes:

• Sales tax at 5% for automobiles, motor homes, and pickup trucks, 7% for other vehicle types
• Ad valorem tax based on vehicle value using county mill rates, with minimum assessed value of $100
• Privilege tax varying by vehicle type and weight classification
• Registration fee of $12.75 for renewals and $14.00 for initial registrations
• Title fees and processing charges as determined by county tax collector offices
• Mail fees of $5.00 when applicable for document processing

Special Circumstances: Military members may qualify for ad valorem tax exemptions while maintaining other registration requirements. Veterans with qualifying disabilities may receive exemptions from certain taxes and fees. Vehicle registration must be completed in the county where the vehicle is domiciled or primarily garaged overnight.

Where to Register Your Vehicle in Mississippi

Mississippi operates vehicle registration through county tax collector offices located in each of the state's 82 counties, providing localized service for residents within their respective jurisdictions.

Major County Tax Collector Offices:

Hinds County Tax Collector
316 South President Street, Jackson, MS 39201
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(601) 968-6509
Hinds County Tax Collector

Harrison County Tax Collector
12001 Highway 49, Gulfport, MS 39530
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(228) 539-3034
Harrison County Tax Collector

Jackson County Tax Collector
2915 Canty Street, Pascagoula, MS 39567
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(228) 769-3063
Jackson County Tax Collector

DeSoto County Tax Collector
365 Losher Street, Suite 110, Hernando, MS 38632
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(662) 429-1315
DeSoto County Tax Collector

Rankin County Tax Collector
211 East Government Street, Brandon, MS 39042
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
(601) 825-1425
Rankin County Tax Collector

Mississippi Department of Revenue
500 Clinton Center Drive, Clinton, MS 39056
Public Counter Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
(601) 923-7000
Mississippi Department of Revenue

A complete directory is available at the Department of Revenue locations page. Mississippi county tax collector offices operate independently within each county, with some counties offering multiple branch locations for resident convenience.

Can I Register a Vehicle Online in Mississippi?

Mississippi provides limited online vehicle registration services through county-specific systems and the Motor Vehicle e-Services portal for eligible transactions:

Available Online Services:

• Registration renewals for currently registered Mississippi vehicles through participating county systems
• Tag renewal calculations and cost estimation through county-specific online tools
• Registration status inquiries and payment verification for existing registrations
• Renewal reminders and notification services through county tax collector websites
• Payment processing for eligible renewal transactions in participating counties

Service Limitations: Initial vehicle registration requires in-person processing at county tax collector offices due to title verification requirements, tax assessment procedures, and document authentication needs. Title transfers between parties must be completed in person, as must transactions involving ownership changes, lien modifications, or out-of-state transfers.

County Participation: Online registration renewal availability varies by county, with some counties offering comprehensive Motor Vehicle e-Services while others provide limited online payment options. Not all counties participate in online renewal programs, requiring residents to verify availability with their local tax collector office.

Eligibility Requirements: Online registration renewal requires vehicles registered in participating counties, current registration in good standing, and no outstanding violations or administrative holds on the vehicle or owner's record. Payment processing typically accepts major credit cards and electronic bank transfers with applicable convenience fees.

Processing and Delivery: Online transactions process immediately where available, with confirmation receipts provided. Physical registration documents and license plate renewal stickers mail within standard processing timeframes to the registered address, typically 7-10 business days depending on county procedures.

When Does Vehicle Registration Expire in Mississippi

Mississippi operates an annual registration renewal system where vehicle registrations expire on the anniversary month of the original registration date. The state uses this anniversary-based system to distribute renewal workload throughout the year rather than concentrating renewals in specific months.

Anniversary Expiration Schedule: Vehicle registrations expire on the anniversary of the original registration date each year. For vehicles registered for periods less than twelve months, the anniversary month becomes the month of expiration of the original license tag. This system applies uniformly to passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and most commercial vehicles under 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

Registration Documentation: Mississippi registration consists of license plates with renewal stickers displaying the expiration month and year. The renewal sticker serves as the primary registration document and must be properly affixed to the license plate to demonstrate current registration status.

Grace Period Provisions: Mississippi provides a 15-day grace period for registration renewal after the expiration date without penalties. Vehicle owners can be cited for expired registration during this period, but renewal within 15 days avoids additional late fees and penalties beyond standard registration costs.

Validity Requirements: Valid registration requires payment of all applicable ad valorem taxes, privilege taxes, and registration fees calculated based on vehicle value and type. Address information must remain accurate for proper tax assessment and renewal notice delivery.

Expired Registration Consequences: Operating vehicles with expired registration after the grace period constitutes a traffic violation subject to fines and potential vehicle impoundment. Registration renewal after expiration requires payment of standard fees plus accumulated penalties and late charges determined by the length of expiration period.

Commercial and Special Vehicles: Commercial vehicles over 10,000 pounds may operate under different renewal schedules based on weight classification and interstate operation requirements. Antique and collector vehicles may qualify for permanent registration eliminating annual renewal requirements under specific operational restrictions and usage limitations.