Vehicle registration in Mississippi is a vital process that legally authorizes a vehicle's use on public roads. The rules for vehicle registration in the state are detailed in the Mississippi Administrative Code Title 35 Part 7 Subpart 3.
The Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) oversees the state vehicle registration process. This department administers all necessary registration steps and guarantees that owners adhere to the legal and regulatory requirements.
In addition to overseeing registration, the DOR also handles tasks such as issuing license plates, collecting relevant registration fees, and facilitating renewal.
Understanding Mississippi's vehicle registration regulations is paramount for vehicle owners. By doing so, they can confidently navigate the entire registration process and legalize their vehicle usage on state roads, avoiding potential impoundments, fines, and penalties.
How To Register a Car in Mississippi?
Individuals registering a car in Mississippi must follow a specific process outlined by the DOR.
If a person is registering a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 10,000 pounds or less or a vehicle with a GVW of over 10,000 pounds that remains within Mississippi, the registration process can be completed by visiting the county Tax Collector's office where the vehicle is domiciled or parked overnight.
However, if the vehicle has a GVW of over 10,000 pounds and travels across state boundaries, individuals must register it at the DOR office in Clinton, Mississippi.
When visiting the relevant office, vehicle owners must provide the necessary documentation and pay the applicable registration fees. Once these requirements are met, individuals will receive a registration certificate and vehicle license plates, finalizing the vehicle registration process.
Note that the vehicle registration process may vary under certain circumstances. If an individual is new to Mississippi, the registration procedure will differ. Additionally, if the vehicle is purchased or the individual registering the car has a military affiliation, different steps or documentation are required.
Detailed information regarding the registration process for different circumstances in Mississippi can be found below.
Registration of Vehicles for New Residents in Mississippi
New residents must be aware of the regulations regarding vehicle registration when they establish residency in Mississippi.
First and foremost, new residents are required to apply for a Mississippi vehicle registration certificate within 30 days of becoming a resident. Failing to do so may result in a $250 fine.
To initiate the registration process, new residents can visit the tax collector's office in their relevant county or the DOR office in Clinton, if applicable.
During the registration visit, several documents must be submitted. These include:
- Mississippi-issued photo identification
- The vehicle's title (in cases where there is a lien, information about the lien holder's name and address must be provided)
- The current out-of-state registration
- An odometer reading
New residents must also complete a registration or title application form. This form can only be obtained directly from the tax collector's or DOR office, as it cannot be downloaded or obtained from any other source.
Finally, new residents must pay the Mississippi vehicle registration fees to complete the process.
Note that, unlike most states, Mississippi does not require proof of car insurance when applying for vehicle registration. However, insurance coverage is still necessary to drive legally in the state.
Registration of Purchased Vehicles in Mississippi
If a vehicle is purchased from a Mississippi dealership, buyers can rest assured that the dealer will handle the submission of necessary registration documents on their behalf. However, confirming this arrangement with the dealer before leaving the premises is crucial.
Moreover, it is advisable to purchase temporary tags exclusively from the dealership where the vehicle was purchased. These temporary tags are valid for seven business days, providing buyers with a temporary means of legally operating their newly purchased vehicle while waiting for the registration to be completed.
If individuals purchase a vehicle from a private party, they are responsible for handling the registration process.
It is worth noting that individuals must complete the registration within seven business days from the date of purchase. If the vehicle was purchased in a different county from the buyer's county of residence, the buyer is given an additional 48 hours to transport the car before completing the registration.
To initiate the registration process, individuals should visit either the county tax collector's office or the DOR office in Clinton, if applicable. Upon arrival, they must provide a Mississippi-issued photo identification, the signed-over title of the vehicle, and the odometer reading (only if the car was purchased in another state).
The vehicle identification number (VIN) must also be submitted during registration. This information is crucial as it aids in calculating applicable taxes.
Lastly, payment to cover the Mississippi vehicle registration fees must be made to finalize the registration procedure.
Vehicle Registration for Military Members in Mississippi
Military members in Mississippi encounter distinct vehicle registration requirements based on their residency and stationing status. The specifics vary for residents stationed within the state, residents stationed outside the state, and non-residents stationed in the state.
MS Military Residents Vehicle Registration
Mississippi military residents stationed within the state must adhere to the standard vehicle registration procedures mentioned above, as the state does not grant exemptions or waivers for most resident military members.
However, disabled veterans enjoy an exception to this rule. Mississippi waives ad valorem taxes and privilege taxes on Disabled Veteran's plates for those certified as 100% disabled by the Veteran's Affairs Board.
To obtain these plates, eligible veterans must present disability verification when registering their vehicle and request Disabled Veteran plates instead of regular Mississippi license plates.
Similar rules apply to Mississippi military residents stationed outside the state. They must follow the state's registration requirements and have no grace periods provided for registration renewal if plates expire. In such cases, military personnel stationed outside Mississippi may authorize someone else to renew their vehicle registration on their behalf.
Non-MS Resident Military Vehicle Registration
Non-Mississippi resident military personnel stationed in Mississippi are not required to obtain Mississippi license plates, along with their dependents. However, if they choose to register their vehicle in the state, they are eligible for an exemption from paying ad valorem taxes.
The registration process for these individuals is the same as for new residents, as outlined above. However, they need to provide a Letter of Domicile from the legal office of the military base where they are stationed.
Mississippi License Plates
The Mississippi DOR issues license plates and registration decals to vehicle owners upon completing their registration process.
It is mandatory for most vehicles in the state, such as passenger vehicles, trucks, trailers, motorized bicycles, and mopeds, to have license plates. To guarantee compliance, vehicle owners must securely attach their license plates to the back of their vehicles. Meanwhile, a valid registration decal must be displayed in the lower right corner of the license plate.
In addition to the standard license plates, Mississippi residents have the option to choose from a variety of specialized plates. These include NASCAR license plates and specialty plates, which allow state residents to showcase their interests, affiliations, or personal preferences on their vehicles.
How To Obtain Vanity License Plates in Mississippi?
Obtaining a vanity or personalized license plate in Mississippi is relatively simple. This process is typically done alongside vehicle registration. Hence, it can be accomplished in a local county Tax Collector's office or the DOR office in Clinton.
During the application, individuals must choose a custom letter and number combination for their vanity plate. These plates can have up to seven characters. However, it is essential to have this custom combination approved by the DOR before it can be issued.
The DOR has certain restrictions regarding the combinations allowed on vanity plates. Combinations that include profanity, obscenities, or offensive language will not be permitted or approved. Similarly, combinations that are already in use will not be allowed.
To check the availability of a specific combination of characters for vanity plates, it is advisable to inquire directly with the staff at the county Tax Collector's office or the DOR office.
Once the desired combination is confirmed to be available, individuals can proceed with the application. It is worth noting that vanity plates come with an extra fee of $33 per year in addition to the standard registration fees.
How Much Does Vehicle Registration Cost in Mississippi?
The cost of vehicle registration in Mississippi varies depending on the vehicle's model year, county of residence, and other factors.
Typically, vehicle owners need to settle the $14 registration fee for most passenger vehicles. Another cost upon registration includes the Mississippi Road and Bridge Privilege Tax, which is $15 for passenger vehicles, $10 for trailers, $8 for motorcycles, and $7.20 for pickup trucks.
In addition, individuals must account for ad valorem, sales, and use taxes, which are calculated based on the type and value of the vehicle and the specific city or county where the car is registered.
For a precise amount of the taxes associated with registering a vehicle in Mississippi and the acceptable payment methods, inquire directly with the local county tax collector.
How To Renew Vehicle Registration in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, individuals must renew their vehicle registration annually through the DOR to maintain its legal operation on state roadways.
Unlike some states, Mississippi does not require a vehicle safety or emissions inspection for registration renewal. However, vehicle owners should make sure their car is safe to drive and adequately insured before renewing.
The Mississippi DOR typically sends a registration renewal notice by mail before the current vehicle tag expires. This notice serves as a reminder and provides instructions for the renewal process.
If a renewal notice is not received or misplaced, individuals can renew their vehicle registration only by visiting the local MS DOR office in person. If a registration renewal notice is received, individuals can renew online (depending on the county), by mail, or in person.
Online Registration Renewal
In Mississippi, certain counties allow residents to renew their vehicle registrations online. This process is conducted through the MV e-Services platform or independent county websites.
The counties utilizing MV e-Services for online vehicle registration are as follows:
- Franklin
- Greene
- Coahoma
- Clay
Meanwhile, the counties that offer online vehicle registration renewal through their websites include:
- Adams
- Alcorn
- Bolivar
- Claiborne
- Covington
- Desoto
- Forrest
- George
- Grenada
- Hancock
- Harrison
- Hinds
- Itawamba
- Jackson
- Jones
- Lafayette
- Lauderdale
- Leake
- Lee
- Leflore
- Madison
- Marshall
- Montgomery
- Neshoba
- Noxubee
- Oktibbeha
- Pearl River
- Pike
- Rankin
- Scott
- Stone
- Tishomingo
- Warren
- Wayne
- Webster
- Yalobusha
When opting for online renewal, be aware that the process is conducted by third-party services, which may have specific restrictions and requirements. Therefore, reading all instructions and regulations is highly recommended to renew a vehicle registration online successfully. Moreover, it is best to prepare a credit or debit card for online payment of registration renewal fees.
If a resident's county is not listed, it indicates that the county does not support online renewal or has not coordinated with the DOR for this service. In such instances, alternative renewal methods should be considered.
In-Person Registration Renewal
When renewing a Mississippi vehicle registration in person, individuals must visit their local DOR office.
Vehicle owners must submit their registration renewal notice at the office. If they did not receive a renewal notice or if it has been lost, they can present the current registration certificate. In addition, they must pay the relevant registration renewal fees.
Once the documents and payment are processed, individuals will receive their renewed registration.
Registration Renewal by Mail
The Mississippi DOR allows its residents to renew their vehicle registration through mail. However, specific steps must be followed when opting for this method.
To initiate renewal by mail, interested parties should send the renewal notice and payment to the address indicated on the notice. The payment for renewal fees must be made using a check or money order.
After mailing the required document and fee, allow sufficient time for processing. Once the renewal is processed, expect to receive a confirmation notice and a new registration sticker for the vehicle.
Mississippi Registration Renewal Fees
The Mississippi registration renewal fee is conveniently mentioned on the renewal notice sent by the DOR. Typically, it includes the base renewal fee of $12.75 and any county-specific tax fees.
Making timely payments for registration renewal is crucial to avoid incurring additional charges. Late payments could lead to a percentage-based late fee, determined by the number of days the payment is overdue.
For the initial 15 days, a 5% late fee is applied, with an additional 5% added for every subsequent 30 days. The maximum fee the MS DOR can charge for overdue payments is 25%.
How To Check if a Vehicle Is Currently Registered in Mississippi?
Currently, the MS DOR does not offer an online lookup tool to check a vehicle's registration status. However, alternative methods are available for those interested in obtaining this information.
Among the most convenient and reliable options is to contact or visit the local DOR office directly. The staff at these offices have access to records and databases that can assist in determining the registration status of a specific vehicle.
For a smooth inquiry process, individuals should gather the required vehicle information in advance. It includes the VIN, license plate number, owner's name, and other relevant vehicle details.