Mississippi CDL Requirements: DPS Classes, Fees, and the I-20 Jackson Freight Context

Mississippi CDL Requirements: DPS Classes, Fees, and the I-20 Jackson Freight Context

Mississippi issues CDLs through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) Driver Service Bureau. Mississippi's fee structure is among the most affordable ($16 CLP, $29 CDL, $55 license, $5 per endorsement). The state sits on I-20 (Jackson to Atlanta) and I-10 (Gulf Coast), with Port of Gulfport handling Gulf of Mexico container traffic and significant I-55 north-south freight.

For the federal framework, see HOS, ELDT, Clearinghouse, DOT Physical, and DAC Report.

Last verified: 2026-04-19 against Mississippi DPS Driver Service Bureau CDL pages and 49 CFR Parts 383 and 380.¹²

Key Takeaways

• Issuing agency: Mississippi DPS Driver Service Bureau — driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov¹
• CDL classes offered: A, B, and C
• Core fees: $16 CLP; $29 CDL; $55 CDL license (combined issuance); $5 per endorsement; $29 Commercial Class D renewal; $57 Light Commercial Class D renewal²
• Age rule: 18 for intrastate; 21 for interstate¹
• CLP holding period: at least 14 days before skills test (federal)³
• ELDT required for first-time Class A/B, class upgrade, or first-time H/P/S endorsement⁴
• Non-domiciled CDLs: paused per US DOT emergency rule 2025-09-29¹

Mississippi CDL classes

Mississippi follows federal class definitions under 49 CFR Part 383:³¹

Age, residency, and eligibility

• Minimum age: 18 for MS intrastate; 21 for interstate (federal 49 CFR 391.11).¹
• Mississippi residency: required.¹
• Medical certification: Federal MEC (MCSA-5876) per self-certification category.⁵

Self-certification categories

Federal self-certification required under 49 CFR 383.71:⁶

• Non-excepted interstate (NI)
• Excepted interstate (EI)
• Non-excepted intrastate (NA)
• Excepted intrastate (EA)

Endorsements available in Mississippi

MS DPS issues the standard federal endorsement set:¹

• H — Hazardous materials (requires TSA background check)
• N — Tank vehicles
• P — Passenger
• S — School bus (requires P endorsement)
• T — Doubles / triples (Class A only)
• X — Combined H + N (hazmat-tanker)

Current Mississippi DPS fees

All fees below are from MS DPS Driver Service Bureau fees page, verified on 2026-04-19:²

Verify the current MS DPS fee at driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov/Drivers/Driver_Service_Fees on the day of your application.² Our editorial policy re-verifies these figures at least every 180 days.

How to get a Mississippi CDL: step by step

Step 1 — Hold a valid Mississippi driver license

Required before starting the CDL process.¹

Step 2 — Pass the DOT physical

Find a Certified Medical Examiner (CME) on the FMCSA National Registry.⁵ See DOT Physical guide.

Step 3 — Apply for the Commercial Learner Permit

Visit a MS DPS Driver Service Bureau office. Pay the $16 CLP fee.² Pass vision and CDL knowledge tests.¹

Step 4 — Receive your CLP

MS CLP is valid for 180 days under federal standard.³

Step 5 — Complete FMCSA ELDT

At an FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR) provider.⁴ See ELDT guide.

Step 6 — Wait the 14-day minimum CLP holding period

Federal rule: at least 14 days.³

Step 7 — Take the three-part skills test

Pre-trip, basic vehicle control, on-road.¹

Step 8 — Receive your CDL

$29 CDL fee + $55 license fee + $5 per endorsement.²

Hazmat endorsement — three gates

Adding H (or X) in Mississippi requires:

1. FMCSA ELDT hazmat theory at a TPR provider⁴
2. TSA Hazmat Endorsement Threat Assessment⁷
3. Mississippi hazmat knowledge test at a Driver Service Bureau office
4. $5 MS DPS endorsement fee²

Mississippi freight landscape (state context)

Four realities shape CDL demand in Mississippi:

1. I-20 / I-55 / I-10 corridors. Jackson sits at I-20 (Meridian-Vicksburg-Shreveport) crossing I-55 (Memphis-Jackson-New Orleans). I-10 runs the Gulf Coast.

2. Port of Gulfport. Gulf of Mexico container and bulk; secondary to New Orleans but significant for regional freight.

3. Nissan Canton plant. Automotive assembly driving dedicated supplier and vehicle-carrier demand.

4. Agricultural and forest products. Cotton, catfish, poultry, and Southern Yellow Pine timber — significant reefer, livestock, and flatbed demand.

The practical read: MS CDL-A drivers find work across I-20 OTR, Gulf Coast port drayage, Nissan-dedicated, forest products flatbed, and agricultural. Low base fees make MS an affordable state for CDL entry.

Mississippi-specific details worth knowing

• DPS Driver Service Bureau, not DMV.¹
• Low fees — $16 CLP, $29 CDL, $55 license. Affordable state for CDL entry.²
• $5 per endorsement is among the lowest nationally.²
• Non-domiciled CDLs paused 2025-09-29 per US DOT emergency rule.¹
• Port of Gulfport and Nissan Canton drive specialty freight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a regular Mississippi license before a CDL? A: Yes.¹

Q: How long is the Mississippi CLP valid? A: 180 days under federal standard.³

Q: Can I test in Spanish? A: No. CDL knowledge tests are English-only per federal rule (49 CFR 383.133(c)).¹

Q: How much is a Mississippi CDL all-in? A: Base MS DPS fees: $16 CLP + $29 CDL + $55 license + $5 per endorsement ≈ $100-$120+.² Add ELDT tuition ($2,800–$6,500 at typical MS CDL schools — verify locally), DOT physical ($80–$150), TSA Hazmat (separate federal fee) if applying for H.

Q: Does MS participate in the Military Skills Test Waiver? A: Yes.⁸ Qualified military drivers may waive the skills-test portion.

Q: I work Nissan Canton dedicated. Any Mississippi specifics? A: Class A CDL baseline. Nissan-dedicated carriers train on tier-1 supplier logistics. No MS-specific automotive endorsement.¹

Q: My MEC expired — will my Mississippi CDL downgrade? A: Yes. MS DPS will downgrade your CDL to non-commercial if medical certification lapses. Restore with a new MEC.⁵

Q: Can I transfer an out-of-state CDL to Mississippi? A: Yes. Visit a MS DPS Driver Service Bureau office with your out-of-state CDL, proof of MS residency, and medical self-certification.¹

Q: What's the Port of Gulfport freight look like? A: Gulf of Mexico container and bulk cargo. Smaller than New Orleans but active for regional Southeast distribution. Class A CDL for drayage.

Q: Owner-op vs company in Mississippi — how do I evaluate? A: Use Lease vs Company vs Owner-Op calculator with your expected mile mix and Mississippi fuel costs.

Q: What's the difference between Commercial Class D ($29) and Light Commercial Class D ($57)? A: MS distinguishes between standard commercial Class D (light commercial, $29) and Light Commercial Class D ($57) at renewal. The $57 tier likely covers light commercial vehicles — verify current categorization with DPS.²

Q: I haul forest products (Southern Yellow Pine). Any specific requirements? A: Class A CDL with flatbed securement training. No MS-specific forest-products endorsement. State weight permits apply for log-haul loads.

Q: Why is Mississippi so affordable for CDL entry? A: Low state fees and competitive ELDT training costs across multiple community colleges. Mississippi has structured CDL entry to lower barriers.²

Sources verified on 2026-04-19

This guide is educational and not legal advice. Fees and rules change; verify current figures at driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov before applying. Report errors to [email protected]; corrections are logged publicly per our editorial policy.