MS Driver Service Bureau to open select Saturdays ahead of REAL ID deadline

JANS – In an effort to ensure Mississippians have ample opportunity to obtain a REAL ID ahead of the federal deadline, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s Driver Service Bureau will open select locations on Saturdays, April 26 and May 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The following Driver Service Bureau locations will be open on these Saturdays: Biloxi, Brookhaven, Greenwood, Hattiesburg West, Jackson, Meridian, Nesbit, New Albany, Pearl, and Tupelo.

Appointments are available and can be scheduled online, but walk-ins are also welcome.

The REAL ID deadline is May 7, 2025. After this date, individuals will need a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or identification card to board commercial flights and enter certain federal facilities.

As of April 1, 97.1% of Mississippi drivers are REAL ID compliant. These extended Saturday hours are aimed at helping the remaining Mississippians get their compliant licenses before the deadline.

The REAL ID Act, passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005, enacted a 9/11 Commission recommendation that the federal government set standards for the issuance of identification documents. The Act established minimum security standards for license issuance and prohibits federal agencies from accepting licenses or ID cards from states that do not meet those standards for official purposes.

To check if you already have a REAL ID, look for a gold star in the upper-right corner of your driver’s license. If you don’t have one, visit your local Driver Service Bureau.

Remember to bring the following documents with you:

• Original birth certificate

• Original Social Security card

• Two proofs of Mississippi residency

To schedule an appointment, visit www.driverservicebureau.dps.ms.gov.

For more information about REAL ID, visit www.dhs.gov/real-id.