Getting an Arkansas Drivers License
Ready to get your Arkansas drivers license? We’ve put together this guide to help you understand the Arkansas drivers license requirements and process. It’s not terribly complicated, but there are a few things that all first-time Arkansas applicants need to know.
Arkansas Drivers License Requirements
The first step in getting your Arkansas drivers license: have your Arkansas drivers permit for a minimum of 6 months. During this period, you must have a clean driving record – no accidents or violations.
Arkansas, unlike many states, does not require new drivers to take a drivers education course. (We think that taking one is a good idea.) 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.
Arkansas Drivers License Test
To apply for your license and take your road test, you’ll need to make an appointment at the nearest ASP testing office. To complete the application, you’ll need to bring the following, along with $20 to pay the testing fee:
- Your Arkansas drivers permit.
- 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.
The behind-the-wheel test will confirm that you understand how to properly operate a motor vehicle and are familiar with Arkansas motor laws; you’ll need to know the material found in the Arkansas Driver’s License Study Guide.
How the Arkansas Provisional Drivers License Works
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 provisional drivers license holders must follow these rules:
- For the first 6 months, you must drive with an adult in the vehicle.
- This restriction ends either after the 6 months are up, or when you turn 18 years old; whichever occurs first. Then you may drive alone.
- You may NOT drivebetween 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
- Exceptions are when accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old, or when driving to or from work, school, church, or because of an emergency.
- You and all of your passengers must wear a seat beltat all times.
- You are not allowed to drive while using a cell phoneor wireless communication device, unless it is for emergency purposes.
- You may ONLY carry 1 passenger that is a minor unrelated to you; otherwise, you must also have a licensed adult at least 21 years old in the vehicle.
You must also maintain a clean driving record for at least 12 months before applying for your full driver’s license.
Your provisional license will expire when you turn 18. When this happens – assuming that you’ve been conviction- and accident-free for at least 12 months – you can apply for your full Arkansas license. (It requires the same paperwork as the Arkansas provisional license, and there is also a $20 application fee.)
