How to Clear a Suspended Driver's License After a DUI in Mississippi.

Convictions carry suspensions or revocations of drivers licenses in most states and Mississippi is no exception. Revocations require a complete "do over" of the licensing process, including application, testing and probation periods. Suspensions, however can be reinstated, allowing a license to be reissued immediately upon termination of the suspension. In Mississippi the Department of Public Safety handles drivers licenses, suspensions and revocations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Reinstatement fees
• Reinstatement application
• Notice of Judgement or court abstract

1. Pay all fines and complete all orders that you have been given if you want to clear your license at the end of a suspension period. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries serious penalties. You may have been ordered to pay a fine of $250 to $1000 plus costs for a first offense. In addition, you may have been ordered to spend two days in jail or attend an alcohol education course. Courts can further suspend your driver's license for non-payment of fines or refusal to satisfy judgements.
2. Do not drive while your license is suspended! This 90-day to one year period (for a first violation) is meant as a punishment to teach you the value of having a driver's license. Operating without a valid driver's license can be punished by a fine of $200 to $500. The court can also further suspend your license for a period from two days to six months. If you are caught driving without a license enough times, your license may be revoked.
3. Check your notice of judgement or court abstract (a copy of the judgement sent to the Department of Public Safety by the court) for the date that your suspension began. This was the day you lost your license (or the court took it from you). Add the term of the suspension and you will have the approximate date you may apply for reinstatement.
4. Apply to reinstate your license at the end of your suspension period. Go to a Department of Public Safety (DPS) field office or to the department on line at http://www.dps.state.ms.us/. Fill out a form and submit it with a reinstatement fee of $75. A basic licensing fee of $25 and processing fees may also apply. You can call the DPS at [phone] to find out exactly what you owe.
5. Wait for the DPS to notify you that your record has been cleared. This may take up to a month. If you mail a copy of your court abstract along with your application, it could help the DPS to process your application faster.
6. The Department of Public Safety will notify you when your license has been reinstated with a letter of clearance. Do not drive until you have this confirmatiion.

Tips & Warnings

• You may be eligible for a hardship license (also called occupational licenses) for your job, educational or medical reasons, Requests for these limited driver's licenses are heard for first offense DUI's in circuit court and for drug-related suspensions in county court but they're expensive ($150) and you have to prove you need one.
• At the end of your suspension, your hardship license will expire if you don't apply for reinstatement. You should apply for reinstatement just the same as you would if you did not have one.
• Do not start driving on the assumption that you'll be getting your letter of clearance from the DPS the day your suspension is up. Computers sometime lose or delay data depending on volume, holidays and vacation schedules over which you (and the department) have no control.