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Last updated: February 2026.
The Magnolia State leads the nation in the number of uninsured motorists. In fact, nearly one out of every four drivers on Mississippi roads today does not carry automobile insurance. This is well above the national uninsured motorist rate of approximately 15.4%. To combat this troubling statistic, Mississippi law enforcement officials have developed a system to make it easier to determine whether motorists are insured.
The system is called the Mississippi Vehicle Insurance Verification System, established under Miss. Code Ann. § 63-16-3. The Mississippi Vehicle Insurance Verification System instantly checks whether an individual has valid insurance coverage through the vehicle’s tag number. It allows county tax collectors and law enforcement officers to instantly check an individual’s insurance status, and can automatically issue tickets for those the system finds are uninsured. Mississippi drivers can also check the insurance status of any registered vehicle directly through the Mississippi Department of Public Safety’s official MSVIVS citizen portal. Simply accept the terms and conditions to access the lookup tool.
Previously, law enforcement officers and tax collectors were forced to rely on the paper cards that insurance companies are required to send to policyholders. This system was easily fooled by individuals who would buy a six-month automobile insurance policy and cancel it after they received their cards. Forgery of insurance cards was also a common problem. Officers were also frequently fed the line that the driver forgot their insurance card or lost it, and may not issue a citation for this reason.
With the Vehicle Insurance Verification System, no such mistakes can be made. Under Miss. Code Ann. § 63-15-4, those caught not carrying insurance face a criminal misdemeanor conviction, a fine, and suspension of their driver’s license for up to one year. Importantly, if you obtain insurance before your court date, the case may be dismissed entirely, meaning proof of a valid policy at the time of citation results in a full dismissal with court costs waived.
Tax collectors use the system before issuing driver’s license plates to vehicles. Additionally, officers use the system at traffic stops and issue citations if the system finds the driver to be uninsured.
The hope is that the system will curtail the burgeoning number of uninsured motorists in Mississippi. Uninsured motorists are a massive problem for law-abiding citizens in our state. Uninsured motorists force other drivers to buy uninsured motorist coverage and pay high premiums to cover the damage caused by those who go without insurance. Under Miss. Code Ann. § 83-11-101, insurance companies are required to offer uninsured motorist coverage with every auto liability policy issued in Mississippi, and as of policies issued after July 1, 2024, that coverage defaults to limits equal to your bodily injury liability limits unless you specifically select lower limits in writing. Often, uninsured motorist policies contain low limits that may not cover all the damages caused by the uninsured motorist, such as lost wages, damage to your vehicle, and personal injuries from the automobile accident. Those without uninsured motorist coverage are forced to pursue claims directly against the uninsured motorist, which can be a difficult, complex process.
For more information, or if you or someone you love is injured in an automobile accident involving an uninsured motorist, call the Giddens Law Firm today. The Giddens Law Firm has extensive experience representing individuals involved in accidents with uninsured motorists. Accidents with uninsured motorists are more complex than regular accidents, and may involve some creative avenues to achieve recovery. Do not go through this complicated process alone. The Giddens Law Firm will fight for you to achieve the best possible outcome. Call our 24-hour answering service today at (601) 355-2022 or Toll Free at (888) 335-2022 to schedule a free initial consultation.