Mississippi CDL Requirements

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety (MDPS) issues CDLs in three classes. Class A covers combination vehicles over 26,001 lbs towing over 10,000 lbs. Class B covers single vehicles over 26,001 lbs. Class C covers hazmat or passenger vehicles. Applicants must be 18 for intrastate or 21 for interstate. Mississippi requires a valid Mississippi driver license, Social Security card, two proofs of Mississippi residency, and US citizenship/legal presence. ELDT requirements apply. Mississippi has approximately 15 FMCSA-registered ELDT providers, with training in Jackson, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, and other cities.

The Mississippi CDL costs $49 for a 4-year license or $74 for an 8-year license. The CLP costs $10 and is valid for 180 days. Knowledge tests are $5 per attempt at DPS driver license stations. Skills tests are $50 at state sites or $150-$300 at third-party testers. Mississippi DPS operates testing at multiple locations across the state. Knowledge tests are available in English and Spanish. The state allows three skills test attempts before requiring additional training and a waiting period. Jackson and Gulfport have the highest CDL testing volumes. Wait times are generally shorter than in more populated states.

Mississippi CDL training includes Hinds Community College (Jackson), Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (Perkinston), and East Mississippi Community College at $2,000-$4,000. Private schools charge $3,000-$6,000. Mississippi Department of Employment Security provides WIOA training assistance. Endorsements follow federal standards. The most in-demand in Mississippi are N (Tank, for petroleum/chemical transport from Gulf Coast refineries), H (Hazmat, for chemical corridor operations), and T (Double/Triple). The Pascagoula and Gulfport areas create demand for port-related CDL drivers. The poultry industry needs year-round reefer drivers. Military veterans at Keesler Air Force Base and Camp Shelby can access CDL transition programs.