| |
| < Back to Driver Services Overview |
| |
| Driver License and Identification Card Overview |
| |
| New Driver's License or Identification Card |
Arkansas driver's licenses or ID Cards can be obtained at any local revenue office. A list of the revenue offices and their hours of operation is located in the Revenue Division section.
To obtain a driver license or ID card, each applicant must show either:
- Two (2) primary documents, or
- One (1) primary document and one (1) secondary document.
For all driver applicants:
For driver applicants under 18 years of age:
- Proof of School Enrollment
- Proof of Grade Point Average of at least 2.0
- Parent or Legal Guardian to the Testing Site
|
| Primary Documents |
- Photo Driver License
Cannot be expired more than thirty-one (31) days.
- Certificate of Birth (US only.)
Must be original or certified copy, have a raised seal and be issued by the Bureau of Vital Statistics or State Board of Health.
- INS Documents, as follows:
Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570, or N-578)
Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561, or N-645)
Resident Alien Card (I-151, I-551, AR-3, AR-3A, or AR-103)
- Court Order
Must contain full name, date of birth and court seal. Examples include adoption document, name change document, or gender change document. Does not include abstract of criminal or civil conviction.
- Military ID with photograph
- Military Dependent ID with photograph
- Valid Passport
If foreign, appropriate INS document is also required.
- Armed Forces Discharge Papers
|
| Secondary Documents |
- Any Primary Document listed above
- Photo Work/School ID
- Vehicle Registration/Title
- Bureau of Indian Affairs Card/Indian Treaty Card (Tribal ID Card is NOT acceptable)
- Court Order (date of birth not present)
- Health Insurance Card
Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Kaiser, HMO, etc. which has been in effect at least five (5) years.
- IRS/State Tax Forms (W-2 NOT acceptable)
- Marriage Certificate/License
- Medical Records (from Doctor/Hospital)
- Parent/Guardian Affidavit
Parent/guardian must appear in person, prove his/her identity and submit a certified/notarized affidavit regarding the child's identity. Applies only to minors.
- Concealed Handgun License
- Pilot's License
- Certified School Record/Transcript
- Prison Release Document
- Court Records
|
| If you are requesting a "Valid Without Photo" drivers license, that can only be obtained from the Driver's License Issuance office in Little Rock, which is located in the Ragland Building Rm 2120. Additional information for this type of license can be obtained by calling 501-682-7054. |
| |
| Vision Exam |
| Act 193 of 1989 provides that a person must have a minimum uncorrected (no glasses or contacts) visual acuity of 20/40 to qualify for an unrestricted driver's license. A person must have a minimum corrected (with glasses or contacts) visual acuity of 20/50 to qualify for a restricted licenses (drive with corrective lenses). A person with two functional eyes must have a field vision of 140 degrees. A person with one functional eye must have a field vision of 105 degrees. |
| |
| Types of Licenses |
Class A - Any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of the vehicles being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds. Minimum age of 18.
Class B - Any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 pounds or more and any vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds. Minimum age of 18.
Class C - Any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of less than 26,001 or any such vehicles towing a vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating not in excess of 10,000 pounds comprising: (1) vehicles designed to transport 16 passengers or more, including driver; (2) vehicles used in the transport of hazardous materials which are placarded. Minimum age of 18.
Class D - Any vehicle which is not a commercial vehicle as described above. Minimum age 14 restricted/16 unrestricted.
Class M - Any motorcycle with displaces more than 250 cc's. Minimum age 16.
Class MD - Any motor driven cycle, excluding motorized bicycles, which displaces 250 cc's or less. Minimum age 14. Expires on 16th birthday. |
| |
| Driver's License or Identification Card Fees |
Fees for licenses or ID cards are:
- Class D license (original or renewal) - $20.00
- Commercial drivers license (original or renewal) - $42.00
- Duplicate drivers license or identification card - $10.00
- Commercial drivers license test fee - $50.00
- Restricted commercial drivers license test fee
(restricted to church or school buses only) - $20.00
- Noncommercial drivers license test - $5.00 per test (up to a maximum $15.00)
All first time Arkansas licenses are issued for four years to expire on date of birth. This applicable fee is prorated for the first license to birth date. A noncommercial drivers license is $2.00 plus $.37 per month for the proration. A commercial drivers license is $2.00 plus $.83 per month for the proration. If a licensee is transferring from another state with a valid license, there is a $5.00 transfer fee in addition to the first time license cost. |
| |
| Licenses - 14 to 18 Years Old |
If under 18 you will need to take a birth certificate, proof of enrollment in school, proof of grade point average of at least 2.0 and a parent or legal guardian to the testing site. If you are under 18 but have graduated from high school, you will need to show proof of your graduation (diploma) at the testing site. (For the location of testing sites, call the Arkansas State Police at 501-618-8251.)
All persons 14 to 18 years of age must hold an A restriction (adult in car) for a minimum of 6 months before driving unrestricted. The six month time period begins on the date the person passes the written exam (the date the learners permit is issued by the state police examiner).
Any person applying for a driver's license is required to submit ONE Primary Document and ONE Secondary Document or TWO Primary Documents from the list. A primary document must contain the full name and date of birth and must be verifiable, i.e., you must be able to contact the issuing agency to determine authenticity of the document (See above). |
| |
| Proof of Grade Point Letter |
When School is Closed:
Contact your school, your school district office or the state Education Department at 501-371-2696.
For Home Schooled Children:
Contact the Department of Education at 501-682-1874. |
| |
| Licenses - Over 18 Years Old |
If you are over 18, the Arkansas State Police requires proof of age and identification before any portion of the exam is given.
Any person applying for a driver's license is required to submit ONE Primary Document and ONE Secondary Document or TWO Primary Documents from the list. A primary document must contain the full name and date of birth and must be verifiable, i.e., you must be able to contact the issuing agency to determine authenticity of the document. |
| |
|
Effective July 1, 2002, any person between the ages of 14 and 18 who has not
been issued An Arkansas Drivers License will be issued a drivers license under the Arkansas
Graduated Licensing Law (Act 1694 of 2001). The new law provides a progressive driver's
licensing program for young drivers. Drivers are required to adhere to the restrictions at
each level before they can move on to the next level. For more information call 501-682-7059
The three levels of licensing are learners (must be at least 14 years of age), intermediate (must be at least 16 years of age) and regular licenses (must be at least 16 years of age).
Learners License
The learners license is the beginning drivers license issued to a person at least 14 years of age and will expire on the licensee's 16th birth date. Applicants may qualify for a learners license by passing the written and road tests given by the Arkansas State Police, passing the vision exam and having no serious accidents or traffic convictions in the most recent six months. (Serious accidents and traffic convictions are defined below)
Restrictions on a learners license are, all passengers must have seats belts attached at all times, and the driver must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older. Upon the expiration of a learner's license (the person's 16th birthday), the person may apply for an intermediate drivers license.
Intermediate License
The intermediate license is issued to persons ages 16 to 18, and expires on the person's 18th birthday. Applicants who have a learners license may move up to the intermediate license only if they have no serious accidents or serious traffic convictions within the most recent six months.
Passengers in a vehicle driven by a person with an intermediate license must have seat belts attached at all times. If the applicant for an intermediate license has an accident or serious traffic conviction within the most recent six months, he/she must retain the learners license until such time that their record is clear of such accidents or traffic convictions for a six-month period. In this case, the re-issued learners license will have an expiration date equal to the end of six months from the conviction or accident date. If, on that expiration date, no further accidents or serious violations have occurred, an intermediate license will be issued.
NOTE: Any person under the age 18 must hold a restriction of an adult in the car for a minimum of six months. Therefore, if a person obtains his/her first license at age 17, (intermediate license) the license must have the adult restriction for a six-month period or until age 18. If the licensee has satisfied the six-month adult restriction, the intermediate license allows the licensee to drive alone.
Regular License
A regular license is issued to a person at age 18 when the intermediate license expires. Applicants for a regular license must have a record without any serious accidents or serious traffic convictions within the most recent 12 months. If the applicant has such accident or conviction within the, most recent 12 months, he/she must retain the Intermediate license until such time that the record is free of these accidents/convictions for a period of 12 months.
The age restrictions in this program do not apply to a person 16 years of age or older if such person is (A) married, (B) possesses a high school diploma, (C) has successfully completed a General Education Development test, or (D) is enlisted in the United States Military.
A serious accident means a reportable accident in which the driver is found at fault and the accident is placed on the driver's record by the Office of Driver Services.
A serious traffic conviction means any conviction where the driver's privilege to operate a motor vehicle has, by court order or by administrative action been withdrawn OR any violation in which a driver has been found guilty of:
- Any alcohol related moving traffic violation
- Any seat belt violation
- Any Commercial motor vehicle violation
- Driving fifteen (15) or more miles per hour over the speed limit
- Reckless driving
- Negligent homicide
- Using a vehicle to commit a felony
- Failure to carry liability insurance
- Leaving the scene of an accident
- Evading arrest
- Fleeing by use of an automobile
- Unsafe driving
- Hazardous driving
- Prohibited passing
- Passing stopped school bus
- Careless or negligent driving
- Failure to obey a traffic signal or device
- Failure to obey a railroad-crossing barrier
- Racing on the highway
- Driving with a suspended, revoked or cancelled license
- Driving the wrong way down a one way street
|
|
| |
| Selective Service Registration |
| Act 78 of 2001 requires (effective 01/01/2002) that any United States male citizen or immigrant who is at least 18 years of age, but less than 26 years of age, shall be registered for the United States Selective Service when applying for a regular drivers license, a commercial drivers license or an Identification Card. This registration is in compliance with section 3 of the Military Selective Service Act, 50 U.S.C. et seq. |
| |
| Driver License Study Manuals and Information |
|
| |
| Replacement Driver's License or Identification Card |
| To obtain a duplicate driver's license or identification card, you may go to any State Revenue Office. It is recommended that you go to the office in your local area. A list of the Revenue Offices and their hours of operation is located on this page or you may use this map. There is a $10.00 fee for replacement of a driver's license or identification card. |
| |
| Out-of-State Renewal or Replacement License |
You may need to renew or obtain a replacement license via mail. Driver's License Issuance will take your request for the license over the phone. Upon receiving your application with instructions detailing your fee and any documents that you need to include for the license to be processed. Turnaround time is usually no more than 2 days.
Call 501-682-7059 or write:
Office of Driver Service
Driver's License Issuance
Room 2120
P.O. Box 1272
Little Rock, AR 72203
Email: Melondie Harris
Driver's License Issuance - Room 2120 PO Box 1272 |
| |
| Transfering Driver's License from Another State |
The requirements for obtaining an Arkansas drivers license or Identification Card will depend on the license you are bringing with you from the other state. At any local revenue office an out-of-state license (not expired over 31 days, suspended, or revoked) may be surrendered in exchange for an Arkansas drivers license. If the out-of-state license is expired over 31 days but less than one year, you will be required to take the written and vision examination, but will not be required to take the road examination. If the out-of-state license is expired over one year, you will be required to take the written, vision, and road examination.
If you do not have the actual out-of-state license to surrender and can not obtain one, you will be required to take both written and road tests. There is no waiting period between written and driving examinations for persons transferring from out of state.
Also, Arkansas law requires persons obtaining a license for the first time to show proof of legal presence in the United States Acceptable documents are: a U.S. birth certificate, photo military/military dependent ID, Naturalization certificate, a U.S. passport or Visa, an Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) photo document. (Border Crosser documents are not acceptable.) You must also show two forms of identification.
If name is different from what is on the Birth Certificate, applicant will bring document which changes name, Mariiage License, or Divorce decree, specifically stating that you may change your name, or court order for name change . |
| |
| Change of Address |
You may report a change of address on Class D licenses in person at any revenue office or via email or regular mail:
Office of Driver Service
Driver's License Issuance
Room 2120
P.O. Box 1272
Little Rock, AR 72203
Email: Melondie Harris
Driver's License Issuance - Room 2120 PO Box 1272
You must provide the following information:
- Name as it appears on your drivers license;
- drivers license number; date of birth;
- issue date;
- expiration date;
- old address and new address.
You are not required by law to obtain a new Noncommercial Class D license upon an address change.
If you have a Commercial license, it will be necessary for you to go to the local Revenue Office and buy a duplicate license with the new address. |
| |
