Laws and Benefits for Veterans and Military Drivers in Mississippi

The State of Mississippi offers a number of benefits and privileges to those Americans who have either served in a branch of the armed forces in the past or are currently serving in the military.

Registration Fee Waiver for Disabled Veterans

A Disabled Veteran Resident of Mississippi is eligible to purchase a Disabled American Veteran License Plate for a fee of $1. You can own one vehicle that is exempt from ad valorem tax and privilege tax. You or your surviving spouse must be able to provide confirmation from the Veterans Affairs Board that you have a 100% service-related disability rating.

Veteran driver's license badge

Mississippi offers veterans the option to list their veteran status on their driver's license or state ID. This can help you get discounts and other benefits from local businesses and organizations without having to carry your termination papers with you as proof of service. In order to qualify for this indicator, you must complete the following steps:

At least two weeks before you apply to be a veterinarian with the MS Department of Public Safety, you must provide the Veterans Affairs Council with:

• Copy of your DD 214 or similar

• Written request to verify veteran status, including your full name, current mailing address, phone number, and signature.

You must mail or fax this request and documentation to:

MS Veterans Affairs Council

(Veterinary driving license)

3466 Highway 80 East

Mailbox 5947

Pearl, MS 39288-5947

Fax: [phone]

The Council will then stamp and seal your confirmation and return it to you by mail.

Military badges

Mississippi offers a selection of over 30 military and veteran-themed license plates. See available plates here.

Fees for these special plates range from $24 to $31, with most of the proceeds from the sale of most plates going to veterans' funds, with the exception of the Gold Star Family plate, which is free of charge for spouses and mothers. You can order a military license plate from your local tax office at the time of vehicle registration or renewal.

Waiver of military skills exam

In 2011, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration passed a rule giving SDLAs (State Driver's License Agencies) the right to exempt U.S. military drivers from the skills test part of the CDL process, provided they are qualified. To qualify for an exemption, you must have two (minimum) years of service-related truck driving experience and you must apply within a year of leaving a position that requires driving a commercial vehicle (or within the year prior to application if you are still an active member of the military).

In the years since the rule was introduced, all 51 US territories, including Mississippi, have joined the program. Active members of the armed forces or veterans with relevant experience can view the printed waiver here. However, keep in mind that you will still need to take the written CDL test.

Military Commercial Driver's License Act of 2012

The function of this piece of legislation is to allow active duty members of the military to obtain a CDL in the state where they are based, even if that is not their state of residence. This benefit applies no matter what branch of the military you are in, including the Coast Guard, Reserves, and National Guard.

Renewal of driver's license and vehicle registration during deployment

If you are out of state or overseas when your driver's license is due for renewal, you will need to renew it by mail. You must send a copy of your ID or Social Security card, the first page of your military orders, a letter from your commanding officer stating your name, driver's license number, and service status, and a certified check for $24 for renewal, $25 for renewal. an expired renewal and $11.00 for a lost license replacement. Enclose a self-addressed and stamped envelope and mail to:

Military updates

Rose McKinnon

Mailbox 958

Jackson, Mississippi 39205

You will also need to renew your vehicle registration as usual, even if you are out of state at the time your tags expire. For a list of Mississippi counties that allow online renewals, click here. If you are unable to renew your subscription online, you may need to enlist the help of family or friends at home to take care of this task for you when the renewal notification arrives at your MS address.

Driver's license and vehicle registration of non-resident military personnel

Fortunately, Mississippi has out-of-state driver's licenses, so you and your dependents are allowed to keep your home state driver's license if you live in Massachusetts. The state also allows you to keep your vehicle's registration number and license plates, as long as they are up-to-date and valid.

Active or veteran military personnel can learn more on the State Department of Revenue website here.