Getting an Arkansas Drivers Permit

Ready to learn how to drive? Getting your Arkansas drivers license is an exciting prospect – but there are a few steps you’ll need to take in order to make that happen. Although it might seem complicated, becoming a licensed Arkansas driver is a fairly straightforward process. It starts with getting your Arkansas drivers permit – also known (for good reason!) as the learners permit. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Arkansas Drivers Permit Requirements

The first step in getting your Arkansas drivers permit: turn 14. The state of Arkansas allows students as young as 14 years old to get their Arkansas permit (but you are not eligible to get your drivers license until you turn 16). The Arkansas State Police handles all Arkansas drivers permit and license issuance. To apply for your permit, you’ll need to make an appointment at the nearest ASP testing office. The state requires you to provide the following:

• A completed Application for Driver’s License/Learner’s Permit. Applications will be provided at the ASP testing site.
• Proof of verifiable Social Security number (e.g. original Social Security card, W-2 form, paystub showing your name and SSN).
  • If you do not have a SSN, you must sign an affidavit stating so.
• Proof of legal presence (e.g. U.S. passport, U.S. birth certificate, U.S. visa and I-94 form).
• Proof of identity with your full name and date of birth  The state provides a full list of acceptable proofs; you may use 2 primary documents, or 1 primary and 1 secondary document.

Of course, you aren’t simply handed your drivers permit once you turn in the paperwork! You’ll need to prepare for a written test, covering Arkansas driving laws and road signs.

Arkansas Drivers Permit Written Test

The Arkansas drivers permit test is a written exam that covers material found in the Arkansas Drivers License Study Guide. You are not currently required to take an Arkansas drivers education course, but doing so may help you to pass both this test and your Arkansas drivers license test as well.

How the Arkansas Drivers Permit Works

Once you have your Arkansas learners permit, you can learn to drive. You can’t do this on your own, though; you must be accompanied by a licensed passenger age 21 years or older. That passenger must be seated in the front seat next to you at all times. Remember that while you’re doing your behind-the-wheel training, you and your passenger must wear your seat belts at all times, and you are not allowed to use a mobile phone or wireless device while driving, except to report an emergency.

Getting Your Arkansas Drivers License

The state of Arkansas employs a Graduated Driver Licensing program. This means that drivers under the age of 18 must first successfully earn and hold a provisional drivers license before moving on to an unrestricted license.

Arkansas, as we mentioned earlier, does not require new drivers to take a drivers education course. Currently, the state also does not require Arkansas drivers permit holders to complete a set number of hours with an instructor prior to testing for their provisional license. We recommend, however, that you spend a minimum of 40 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel training, with at least 10 of those at night. Nearly all states do require learners permit holders to complete at least 30 hours of driver training; it’s just a good idea, as driving a car is a demanding task that takes a lot of practice.

Once you turn 16, and have held your Arkansas drivers permit for at least 6 months with NO accidents or traffic law violations, you may apply for your Arkansas provisional drivers license.