VEHICLE REGISTRATION
A service member while stationed in
Mississippi may use the home state tags of their residence or they may purchase
Mississippi license plates. Automobile tags are issued yearly.
Persons
moving into Mississippi have 30 days in which to register their vehicles with
Mississippi if they have a current registration from the state they have moved
from. If they do not have a current registration they shall be liable
for the full annual tax, plus penalty.
To register a vehicle in MS that has
been previously registered in the owner's name in another state, you will need:
title or name and address of lien holder, current registration, and odometer
reading.
In Mississippi, you pay privilege tax, registration fees, ad valorem
taxes and possibly sales or use tax when you tag your vehicle. Registration fees
are $8.75 for renewals and $10.00 for first time registrations. All the other
taxes are based on what type of vehicle, the value of the vehicle, and where you
register the vehicle. The best answer is to contact your local county tax
collector. See Contacts for Lauderdale County Tax Collector
information.
Any member of the military who is a legal resident of another
state, but registers his/her vehicle in Mississippi is eligible for exemption
from ad valorem taxes ONLY -- they still must pay privilege taxes, registration
fees, title transfers, and any other required fees. *This does not
apply to legal residents of Mississippi who register their vehicles in
Mississippi.* Proof required: 1) a copy of his/her orders that
requires him/her to be stationed in Mississippi, 2) a copy of document declaring
legal state of residency, and 3) military member's name must be on the
registration (joint ownership and lease agreements are allowed as long as the
military person's name is on the registration)
INSURANCE
Beginning
January 1, 2001, Mississippi law requires that all drivers maintain liability
insurance and carry an insurance card in their vehicles at all
times. In Mississippi the minimum liability requirements are $10,000
per person (limited to a single accident), $20,000 per accident for bodily
injury, and $5,000 per accident for property damage (10/20/5). The
Mississippi law states that a law enforcement officer cannot stop you solely to
check if you have an insurance card in your vehicle, but can ask for proof of
insurance during a stop for any other statutory violation. The
initial penalty for failing to maintain an insurance card is $1,000 and
suspension of driving privileges for one year or until the motor vehicle owner
shows proof of insurance.
DRIVERS LICENSES
Driver licenses may be
purchased by qualified drivers for a four-year period. The fee is
$20.00. Driver's licenses are issued by the State Highway Patrol
after the applicant has passed the examination. Beginning drivers are
required to obtain a learner's permit. At age 15 you may apply for a
learners permit which is valid for one year. Drivers operating under
a learners permit are required to have a licensed driver age 21 years old or
older in the vehicle while they are driving. For permit, please bring
certified birth certificate, social security card and marriage license, if
applicable. Applicants for a driver's licenses must be at least 16
years of age and applications of those under 17 must be signed and verifed by
both parents before a person authorized to administer
oaths.
TRAFFIC, DUI, AND OTHER LAWS
Use of seatbelts is a
Mississippi state law. Child safety seats are required for children
under 4. In Mississippi, it is illegal to operate, or be in physical
control of any vehicle, while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The
Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) limit for adults is currently .08. For any person
under the age of 21 the limit is .08, and for operators of Commercial vehicles
the limit is .04. It is also a ZERO TOLERANCE VIOLATION for any
person under age 21 to have a BAC between .02 and .08. The penalties for a zero
tolerance violation are severe.
Mississippi also has an Implied Consent law.
This means that anyone operating a motor vehicle on any public road in
Mississippi has given their consent to submit to a Breath, Blood, or Urine test
if requested by a Law Enforcement Officer. Failure to submit to a requested test
will result in a license suspension of 90 days for a first offense, and for one
year if the violator has been previously convicted of a DUI offense within 5
years. The license WILL BE SUSPENDED, even if the violator is later found Not
Guilty in court. Any driver failing to submit to a requested test WILL BE
CHARGED with DUI!
A driver may be charged with FELONY DUI if they are
involved in a crash involving serious injury or death, OR if they have at least
TWO prior DUI convictions within the past five years. Mississippi DOES recognize
out of state convictions when determining whether a driver will be charged with
Felony DUI.
HELMET LAW: "No person shall operate or ride upon any motorcycle
or motor scooter upon the public roads or highways of this state unless such
person is wearing on his or her head a crash helmet of the type and design
inspected and approved by the American Association of Motor Vehicle
Administrators. . . ." In addition, military members at NAS Meridian
wishing to operate a motorcycle must attend a Motorcycle Safety
Course. Please contact the Safety department for more information
(see Contacts below).