How to Renew Your Mississippi Motor Vehicle Dealer License: Complete Step-by-Step Guide
If you operate a motor vehicle dealership in Mississippi, renewing your dealer license on time is essential to keeping your dealership legally authorized to operate.
Mississippi motor vehicle dealer permits and dealer tags expire on October 31. The Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR) allows licensed dealers to manage and renew their dealer permits through its Motor Vehicle e-Services system. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Whether you operate a used car dealership, franchise dealership, wholesale dealership, motorcycle dealership, or another type of licensed dealership, preparing for renewal early can help you avoid unnecessary delays.
This guide explains how to renew your Mississippi motor vehicle dealer license, what to review before renewing, dealer bond and dealer insurance requirements, dealer tag fees, and common mistakes to avoid.
When Does a Mississippi Motor Vehicle Dealer License Expire?
Mississippi dealer permits and dealer tags expire on October 31 following the date of issuance. The current Mississippi Department of Revenue dealer application specifically states that all permits and tags expire October 31. Mississippi Department of Revenue
For dealerships operating under an annual permit cycle, this means October 31 is the deadline you need to keep on your calendar every year.
Don't wait until the final days of October to start gathering your information.
Before renewal, review your:
Dealer permit
Sales tax information
Business information
Dealer tags
License type
Number of employees
Additional locations
Starting early gives you time to correct problems before your current permit expires.
Step 1: Review Your Current Mississippi Dealer License
The first step is to review the information associated with your current dealer permit.
Make sure the Mississippi Department of Revenue has the correct information for your dealership, including:
Legal business name
DBA or trade name
Physical business address
Mailing address
Phone number
Number of full-time employees
Sales tax number
FEIN
Dealer permit number
Dealer license type
The current Mississippi dealer application includes fields for the legal name, DBA, Mississippi physical address, number of full-time employees, sales tax number, FEIN, and DA/permit number. Mississippi Department of Revenue
If any of this information has changed, don't simply assume your renewal will automatically update everything.
Mississippi DOR's Motor Vehicle e-Services system allows dealers to request certain changes, including changes to the permit license type, dealer address, business name, and number of employees. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Step 2: Confirm Your Dealer License Type
Mississippi has several categories of motor vehicle dealer permits.
The current 2026 dealer application lists:
Franchise New
Motorcycle
Trailer Only
Wholesale Only
Used Motor Vehicles
Dismantler
Manufacturer
Heavy Truck
ATV
Your permit fee depends on your license type.
For example, the current application lists:
Dealer Type | Permit Fee |
Franchise New | $100 |
Motorcycle | $50 |
Trailer Only | $75 |
Wholesale Only | $100 |
Used Motor Vehicles | $100 |
Dismantler | $100 |
Manufacturer | $50 |
Heavy Truck | $100 |
ATV | $100 |
The application states that the total permit fee does not exceed $100, with dealer tags charged separately. Mississippi Department of Revenue
If your dealership's business has changed, make sure your current permit type still accurately reflects the business you're operating.
Step 3: Check Your Mississippi Dealer Bond
Your dealer bond should be one of the first things you review before renewing your Mississippi dealer license.
Mississippi requires applicable motor vehicle dealers to maintain a $15,000 Bond of Designated Agent. The bond must be written by an insurance company or surety qualified to do business in Mississippi. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Before renewing, verify that:
Your bond is still active
The bond is written for the correct business
Your legal business name is correct
Your business address is correct
The surety is authorized in Mississippi
Any required Power of Attorney is included
The bond matches your current licensing information
The Mississippi DOR's bond instructions also specify that the business name and ownership information shown on the bond must correspond with the dealership's legal structure. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Don't Confuse Your Dealer Bond With Insurance
A dealer bond and insurance serve different purposes.
A dealer bond is a financial guarantee required as part of dealer licensing.
Insurance provides coverage for specified risks and liabilities associated with your dealership.
Depending on your dealership and license type, you may need both.
If you're getting ready to renew, it's a good time to make sure your dealer bond is still correct rather than discovering an issue after your renewal is submitted.
Step 4: Review Your Dealer Insurance
Mississippi requires applicable motor vehicle dealers to maintain motor vehicle liability insurance providing blanket coverage on vehicles operated on Mississippi public streets and highways, including vehicles in the dealership's inventory. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Before renewing your dealer permit, review your insurance policy.
Make sure:
Your policy is active
The dealership's legal name is correct
The dealership's address is correct
Required dealer coverage is in place
Dealer inventory is properly covered
Your policy won't expire during the renewal process
A dealership should not wait until its dealer permit is about to expire to discover that its insurance policy needs to be updated.
Step 5: Verify Your Sales Tax Number
Mississippi dealer applications require a sales tax number.
The current dealer application includes a specific field for the dealership's sales tax number. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Before renewing, make sure the sales tax information associated with your dealership is accurate.
If you've changed your business structure, location, or other business information, review your tax records as well.
Mississippi DOR also provides online tax services through TAP, which allows businesses to manage tax accounts and make certain account changes online. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Step 6: Log Into Mississippi Motor Vehicle e-Services
One of the easiest ways for a licensed Mississippi dealer to manage renewal is through the Department of Revenue's Motor Vehicle e-Services system.
Mississippi DOR states that dealer permit accounts can be used to:
Submit blanket liability insurance
Request changes to permit license types
Change dealer address
Change business name
Change number of employees
Request additional dealer tags
Request additional temporary, in-transit, or rental paper tags
Renew the dealer permit Mississippi Department of Revenue
The Mississippi DOR's dealer page also specifically directs licensed dealers to Motor Vehicle e-Services to manage and renew dealer licenses. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Setting Up Your e-Services Account
If you haven't established an online profile, Mississippi DOR provides instructions for creating one.
The department's FAQ explains that users can select "Create Online Profile" from the e-Services homepage and complete the requested information. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Once your dealer permit account is established, you can access the available dealer services.
Step 7: Complete Your Dealer Permit Renewal
After reviewing your information and confirming your dealer bond and dealer insurance, proceed with the dealer permit renewal through Motor Vehicle e-Services.
Review the information carefully before submitting.
Pay particular attention to:
Dealer name
DBA
Physical address
License type
Sales tax number
FEIN
Number of employees
Dealer tags
Insurance information
Mississippi's current dealer application is for the permit year beginning November 1, which corresponds with the October 31 expiration cycle. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Keep a copy of your renewal confirmation and any documentation submitted.
Step 8: Review Your Dealer Tag Needs
Your dealer tags expire along with your dealer permit on October 31. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Before renewing, determine whether you need the same number of tags for the upcoming permit period.
You may need to:
Renew your existing tags
Request additional tags
Replace tags
Reduce the number of tags you maintain
The Mississippi DOR e-Services dealer account allows dealers to request additional dealer tags. Mississippi Department of Revenue
The current 2026 application lists the following tag fees for several dealer categories:
Used Motor Vehicles: $43.75 per tag
Franchise New: first 12 tags $43.75 each, additional tags $83.75 each
Wholesale Only: one tag at $43.75
Motorcycle: $14.75 each
Trailer Only: $18.75 each
Manufacturer: $18.75 each
Heavy Truck: $133.75 each
These fees are listed in the current February 2026 dealer application. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Step 9: Make Sure Your Dealer Records Are Up to Date
Renewal is also a good time to review your dealership's records.
Check for changes involving:
Ownership
Business name
DBA
Address
Employees
Dealer license type
Dealer tags
Additional locations
Some changes may require a separate request or documentation rather than simply renewing the existing permit.
Mississippi DOR's dealer e-Services specifically provides options for requesting certain changes to dealer information. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Step 10: Keep Your Renewal Records
Once your renewal is completed, keep copies of the relevant documentation.
Your dealership should maintain records related to:
Dealer permit renewal
Dealer tags
Sales tax registration
DOR correspondence
Business changes
Renewal confirmation
Good recordkeeping can make your next renewal significantly easier.
It can also help you quickly verify that your dealership's licensing, dealer bond, and dealer insurance information all match.
How Much Does It Cost to Renew a Mississippi Dealer License?
The current Mississippi Department of Revenue dealer application lists permit fees based on the type of dealership.
For example:
Used Motor Vehicles: $100
Franchise New: $100
Wholesale Only: $100
Motorcycle: $50
Trailer Only: $75
Dismantler: $100
Manufacturer: $50
Heavy Truck: $100
ATV: $100
The application states that the total permit fee does not exceed $100, while dealer tags are charged separately. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Your total renewal cost can therefore depend on your dealer type and the number and type of dealer tags you need.
What Happens If You Miss the October 31 Deadline?
The Mississippi dealer permit and dealer tags expire on October 31. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Because the permit is what authorizes your dealership to operate as a licensed dealer, allowing it to expire can create serious compliance problems.
Don't treat October 31 as the day you should begin the renewal process.
Instead, use it as the deadline you're working backward from.
If you discover that your permit has already expired or you're unsure about your renewal status, contact the Mississippi Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Services division for instructions specific to your dealership.
The current DOR contact information lists 601-923-7200 for Motor Vehicle Services and dealer questions. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Common Mississippi Dealer License Renewal Mistakes
Waiting Until the Last Minute
One of the easiest mistakes to avoid is simply waiting too long.
Start reviewing your bond, insurance, tags, and business information before October.
Forgetting the Dealer Bond
Your dealer bond is an important part of your licensing requirements.
Make sure the bond is still active and correctly reflects your dealership.
Letting Insurance Lapse
Your dealer permit and insurance are separate requirements.
Make sure your required liability coverage remains active.
Not Updating Business Information
If your dealership moved or changed its legal name, DBA, or other information, don't assume the change will automatically be reflected everywhere.
Forgetting About Dealer Tags
Dealer tags expire October 31 along with the dealer permit.
Review your tag needs during renewal.
Assuming Last Year's Information Is Correct
Businesses change.
Review your application information carefully rather than simply assuming everything is still accurate.
Mississippi Motor Vehicle Dealer License Renewal Checklist
Use this checklist before submitting your renewal:
☐ Confirm October 31 expiration date
☐ Review dealer permit number
☐ Confirm dealer license type
☐ Verify legal business name
☐ Verify DBA
☐ Verify physical address
☐ Verify mailing address
☐ Confirm sales tax number
☐ Confirm FEIN
☐ Review number of employees
☐ Review dealer tags
☐ Determine whether additional tags are needed
☐ Review ownership/business changes
☐ Log into Motor Vehicle e-Services
☐ Complete renewal
☐ Pay applicable permit and tag fees
☐ Save renewal confirmation
☐ Keep copies of all supporting documents
Don't Wait Until October 31 to Renew Your Mississippi Dealer License
Renewing your Mississippi motor vehicle dealer license doesn't have to be complicated, but it does require attention to the details.
The most important thing is to start early.
Review your dealer permit, dealer bond, dealer insurance, sales tax information, dealer tags, and business information before the October 31 expiration date.
Mississippi DOR's Motor Vehicle e-Services system allows licensed dealers to manage their dealer accounts and renew their permits online. Mississippi Department of Revenue
And if you're looking at your renewal and realize your dealer bond or insurance needs attention, don't wait until the last minute.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does a Mississippi motor vehicle dealer license expire?
Mississippi motor vehicle dealer permits and dealer tags expire on October 31. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Can I renew my Mississippi dealer license online?
Yes. Mississippi Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle e-Services allows licensed dealers to manage and renew their dealer permits online. Mississippi Department of Revenue
How much does it cost to renew a Mississippi dealer license?
The permit fee depends on the dealer type. The current 2026 application lists fees ranging from $50 to $100, with the permit fee not exceeding $100. Dealer tags are charged separately. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Do I need a dealer bond to renew my Mississippi dealer license?
Applicable Mississippi dealers are required to maintain a $15,000 Bond of Designated Agent. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Do I need insurance to maintain my Mississippi dealer license?
Mississippi requires applicable dealers to maintain motor vehicle liability insurance providing blanket coverage on vehicles operated on Mississippi public roads and highways, including vehicles in dealership inventory. Mississippi Department of Revenue
Can I change my dealership information during the renewal process?
Mississippi DOR's Motor Vehicle e-Services system allows dealers to request certain changes, including changes to the permit license type, dealer address, business name, and number of employees. Mississippi Department of Revenue
How do I contact Mississippi Motor Vehicle Services?
Mississippi Department of Revenue lists 601-923-7200 as the Motor Vehicle Services customer support number. The current physical address is 500 Clinton Center Drive, Clinton, MS 39056, and the mailing address is PO Box 1033, Jackson, MS 39215. Mississippi Department of Revenue
What happens to my dealer tags when my Mississippi dealer license expires?
Dealer tags expire on October 31 along with the dealer permit. Mississippi Department of Revenue
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