How to Renew Motor Vehicle Registration in Mississippi?

Vehicle registration renewal is required for all Mississippi residents to maintain legal driving privileges and vehicle ownership documentation. The Mississippi Department of Revenue oversees the state's vehicle registration system through its Motor Vehicle Licensing Bureau, while county tax collectors administer registration services directly to vehicle owners.

Mississippi operates a decentralized registration system where each of the state's 82 counties maintains independent authority over vehicle titling and registration processes. Vehicle owners must complete all registration transactions through their county of residence, and registration requirements remain consistent statewide under Mississippi Code Title 27, Chapter 19.

Mississippi Vehicle Registration Renewal Requirements

Essential Documentation and Requirements

Mississippi vehicle owners must satisfy the following requirements when renewing their vehicle registration:

• Valid Vehicle Insurance: Proof of current liability insurance meeting Mississippi minimum coverage requirements as mandated by Mississippi Code § 63-15-4
• Vehicle Identification Documentation: Current registration receipt, Mississippi license plate number, or vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Government-Issued Photo Identification: Valid Mississippi driver's license or state-issued identification card for the registered owner or all co-owners
• Previous Registration Receipt: Existing registration document or renewal notice if available
• Lienholder Information: Financial institution name and address if applicable for financed vehicles
• Proof of Mississippi Residency: Utility bill, lease agreement, or other documentation establishing county of residence for new registrations or address changes

Renewal Timeline and Grace Period

Mississippi imposes specific timelines for vehicle registration renewal and initial registration:

• Annual Renewal Requirement: All vehicle registrations in Mississippi expire annually and require renewal before the expiration date printed on the current registration
• No Grace Period: Mississippi law does not provide a grace period for expired registrations; vehicle owners must renew before the expiration date to avoid penalties
• New Vehicle Purchase: Vehicle owners have thirty (30) calendar days from the date of purchase to register a newly acquired vehicle without penalty
• New Mississippi Residents: Individuals establishing Mississippi residency must register their vehicles within thirty (30) calendar days of establishing residency
• Registration Transfer: Vehicle owners relocating between Mississippi counties must update registration within thirty (30) calendar days of address change

Mississippi Registration Renewal Schedule

Mississippi employs a rolling registration system based on individual vehicle registration dates rather than a staggered schedule by owner name or birth month. Each vehicle's registration expires exactly one year from its initial registration date or previous renewal date. The expiration date appears on the current registration receipt and renewal notice.

Registration Expiration System: Vehicle registrations expire on the last day of the month in which the vehicle was originally registered. For example, a vehicle initially registered on March 15 will have an annual expiration date of March 31 each subsequent year.

Renewal Window: Mississippi tax collectors begin accepting registration renewals up to thirty (30) days before the expiration date. Early renewal extends registration for one full year from the current expiration date, not from the date of renewal transaction.

Commercial Vehicle Registration: Commercial vehicles, trucks exceeding certain weight classifications, and fleet vehicles follow the same rolling expiration system as passenger vehicles based on individual registration dates.

How Much Is Car Registration Renewal in Mississippi in 2025

2025 Mississippi Vehicle Registration Fee Schedule

Mississippi vehicle registration fees vary based on vehicle type, weight classification, and intended use. The following tables show the registration fees established by Mississippi Code and administered by county tax collectors:

Passenger Vehicles and Motorcycles

Light Trucks and Pickup Trucks

Commercial Trucks and Truck-Tractors

Motor Homes and Recreational Vehicles

Buses and Public Transportation

Trailer Registration Fees

Electric Vehicle Registration Fees

Mississippi imposes an additional annual fee for electric and alternative fuel vehicles to offset highway maintenance funding traditionally derived from fuel taxes:

These additional fees apply in addition to standard weight-based registration fees and took effect July 1, 2019.

Additional Mandatory Fees and Taxes

Mississippi vehicle registration costs include multiple components beyond base registration fees:

County Processing and Administrative Fees

State-Mandated Assessments

Privilege Tax Calculation

Mississippi's privilege tax (ad valorem tax) represents the largest component of registration costs for most vehicles. County tax assessors calculate privilege tax using the following methodology:

Assessment Formula:

Privilege Tax = (Vehicle Assessed Value × Local Millage Rate) / 1,000

Vehicle Assessed Value: Mississippi uses retail book value as determined by nationally recognized vehicle valuation guides, with annual depreciation applied according to vehicle age.

Millage Rates: Each Mississippi county and municipality sets independent millage rates for vehicle privilege taxation. Statewide millage rates range from approximately 50 mills to over 150 mills depending on local jurisdiction.

Depreciation Schedule: Mississippi applies the following depreciation percentages to original retail value:

• New vehicles: 100% of retail value
• One year old: 85% of retail value
• Two years old: 70% of retail value
• Three years old: 60% of retail value
• Four years old: 50% of retail value
• Five years old: 40% of retail value
• Six years old: 30% of retail value
• Seven years old: 25% of retail value
• Eight years old: 20% of retail value
• Nine years or older: 15% of retail value

Estimated Total Registration Costs

Total registration costs for a typical passenger vehicle in Mississippi range from approximately $50 to $400 annually depending on vehicle value, weight, county of residence, and local tax rates. Electric vehicles incur an additional $150 annual fee, while hybrid vehicles incur an additional $75 annual fee.

How To Renew Vehicle Registration Online in Mississippi

Online Renewal Availability

Online vehicle registration renewal availability varies by county in Mississippi. The Mississippi Department of Revenue does not operate a centralized statewide online renewal system. Instead, individual county tax collectors determine whether to offer online renewal services to residents.

Online Renewal Process

Counties offering online registration renewal generally follow this standardized process:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility

Confirm eligibility for online renewal by verifying the following conditions:

• Current vehicle registration must not be expired more than thirty (30) days
• No outstanding parking tickets, traffic violations, or other liens against the vehicle
• Vehicle must be registered for personal use (some counties exclude commercial vehicles from online renewal)
• Valid Mississippi liability insurance coverage currently in effect
• No changes to vehicle ownership, lienholder information, or registration address

Step 2: Gather Required Information

Collect the following information before beginning online renewal:

• Current Mississippi license plate number
• Vehicle identification number (VIN) from registration document
• Mississippi driver's license number or state-issued identification number
• Current automobile insurance policy number and insurance company name
• Current registration renewal notice (if received) containing PIN or access code
• Valid credit card or debit card for payment processing

Step 3: Complete Application

Access your county tax collector's online renewal portal and complete the following steps:

• Navigate to the county-specific online renewal website
• Enter vehicle identification information (license plate number or VIN)
• Verify vehicle owner information displayed by the system
• Enter insurance policy information including policy number and insurance carrier name
• Review calculated registration fees, privilege tax, and total amount due
• Verify accuracy of all information before proceeding to payment
• Submit payment using accepted electronic payment methods
• Accept any applicable convenience fees charged for online processing

Step 4: Receive Confirmation

Upon successful completion of online renewal:

• Save and print the electronic receipt for your records
• Receipt serves as proof of registration renewal for thirty (30) days
• New registration decal and registration receipt will be mailed to the address on file
• Allow seven (7) to ten (10) business days for delivery of registration documents
• Contact county tax collector if registration documents are not received within fifteen (15) business days

Alternative Renewal Methods

Vehicle owners may renew registration through traditional methods if online renewal is unavailable or unsuitable:

In-Person Renewal

Visit your county tax collector's office during normal business hours with the following documents:

• Current registration receipt or renewal notice
• Valid Mississippi driver's license or state-issued photo identification
• Proof of Mississippi automobile liability insurance (insurance card or policy declaration page)
• Payment for renewal fees (cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card as accepted by county)

County tax collectors issue new registration documents immediately upon completion of in-person renewal transactions. Vehicle owners receive the registration receipt and license plate decal before leaving the tax collector's office.

Mail-In Renewal

Some Mississippi counties accept registration renewal by mail. Contact your county tax collector to verify mail-in renewal availability and obtain specific instructions. Generally, mail-in renewal requires:

• Completed renewal notice form or written renewal request including license plate number, VIN, and owner contact information
• Photocopy of current insurance card or insurance declaration page showing policy number, coverage dates, and vehicle information
• Check or money order payable to the county tax collector for the full renewal amount
• Self-addressed stamped envelope for return of registration documents

Mail renewal applications to your county tax collector's office address. Allow additional processing time for mail delivery and document return. The county tax collector will mail the new registration receipt and decal to the vehicle owner's address on file.

Important: Vehicles operated with expired registration while awaiting mail processing remain subject to citation. Consider in-person or online renewal to ensure timely processing if registration expiration is imminent.

Contact Information

Mississippi Department of Revenue - County Tax Collector Directory: County Tax Collector Contact Information

Mississippi Department of Revenue
Motor Vehicle Licensing Bureau
P.O. Box 1140, Jackson, MS 39215
Phone: (601) 923-7200
Official Website: Mississippi Department of Revenue