Arkansas driver's license
Get your first license in Arkansas after moving to the US.
The short answer
You get a first Arkansas driver's license by passing the knowledge exam and the driving skills test.1 You may retake the written exam an unlimited number of times, and each attempt costs $5.00.2 That exam fee is added to the cost of your license.2 If you drive yourself to the skills test, a licensed driver aged 21 or older must ride with you and show the examiner a valid hard copy license.3
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Arkansas and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
If you just arrived in the US
Your immigration status
Arkansas does not issue a separate credential type for temporary lawful status holders; applicants receive a standard Class D license with an expiration tied to their authorized stay.4
If your license from another state has expired
To qualify for a standard transfer, your out-of-state driver's license cannot be expired for more than 30 calendar days.5
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validFederal immigration documents, including a foreign passport with a valid US visa and I-94, a permanent resident card, or an employment authorization card, must be valid and unexpired when presented.6
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
The Office of Driver Services confirms your Social Security number with the Social Security Administration using the full number, and resolves any discrepancy if the number is already registered to another license or ID card holder.7
Tests you take
Eye test
Vision referral forms must be completed by an Arkansas optometrist; forms completed by out-of-state or virtual/online optometrists are not accepted.8
You need uncorrected visual acuity of at least 20/40 for an unrestricted license, or corrected visual acuity of at least 20/70 for a restricted license that requires glasses or contact lenses when driving; vision referral forms must be completed by an in-state Arkansas optometrist.9
Drive test
You will not need to retest for an expired Class D driver's license.10
To receive a Class D license, you must hold a valid instruction permit showing completion of the knowledge exam, vision test, and skills test.1
Tries you get on the written test
There is no limit to the number of written examinations you may take, with a $5.00 fee charged for each exam.2
Practising with your permit
What to bring to the drive test
Who comes with you
If you drive yourself to the test center, a licensed driver at least 21 years old must come with you and present a valid, unexpired hard-copy license to the examiner. Another person may drive you there instead if they hold an unrestricted Class D license and are 16 or older.3
The car and its insurance
The test vehicle must be clean, in good mechanical condition, and free of cameras or recording devices. Window tint darker than 25% on the front or 10% on the back, windshield brows over 5 inches, and front windshield tint are prohibited.13
Where to go
Who gives the tests
The Arkansas State Police.14
Booking an appointment
Arkansas takes appointments online at https://airsdsmvpub.dfa.arkansas.gov/mydmv/?link=ScheduleAppointment.15
Office locations
Arkansas revenue offices are listed at www.dfa.arkansas.gov/all-county-offices/?_sft_office-location-category=revenue-office.16
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“To receive a Class D License, the applicant must have a valid Instruction Permit indicating completion of the knowledge exam, vision, and skills test.”
media.ark.org/dps/Arkansas-DL-Manual-English-1.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 2
“THIS ACT REQUIRES A $5.00 FEE FOR EACH WRITTEN EXAMINATION. THERE SHALL BE NO LIMIT TO THE NUMBER OF EXAMS CHARGED AT THE TIME OF LICENSE. THE FEE WILL BE ADDED TO THE COST OF YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE AND COLLECTED BY THE ARKANSAS DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION.”
media.ark.org/dps/Arkansas-DL-Manual-English-1.pdfChecked July 31, 2026
- 3
“Before a skills exam can begin, all applicants must have the following: ... 2. Valid Licensed Driver • Must present a hard copy license to the examiner. • License must be valid and not expired, suspended, or revoked. • Licensed driver must be twenty-one (21) years or older if the applicant is driving. • An unrestricted driver with a valid Class D, (16) years and older, may drive the applicant to the test center.”
dps.arkansas.gov/…/Arkansas-State-Police-Skills-Testing-1-2-3-Checklist.pdfChecked July 31, 2026
- 4
“Class D License- This is a non-restricted license issued to persons eighteen (18) years of age or older.”
media.ark.org/dps/Arkansas-DL-Manual-English-1.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 5
“You have a valid hard copy driver’s license from another state. Cannot be expired for more than thirty (30) calendar days.”
media.ark.org/dps/Arkansas-DL-Manual-English-1.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 6
“Foreign Passport with Valid U.S. VISA and I-94”
dfa.arkansas.gov/…/Proof_ofLegalPresence.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 7
“Confirm with the Social Security Administration a Social Security number presented by a person using the full Social Security number. (B) In the event that a Social Security number is already registered to or associated with another person to whom the Office of Driver Services has issued a driver's license or identification card, the Office of Driver Services shall resolve the discrepancy and take appropriate action;”
ardot.gov/…/Arkansas-Motor-Vehicle-2025-508-compliant.pdfChecked August 11, 2026
- 8
“Vision referral forms must be completed by an Arkansas optometrist. Vision referral forms completed by out-of-state or virtual/online optometrists will not be accepted.”
dps.arkansas.gov/…/driver-examinationChecked July 26, 2026
- 9
“A minimum uncorrected visual acuity of 20/40 is required for an unrestricted license, or a minimum corrected visual acuity of 20/70 is required for a restricted license (must wear glasses or contact lenses when driving).”
media.ark.org/dps/Arkansas-DL-Manual-English-1.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 10
“You will not need to retest for an expired Class D driver’s license.”
dfa.arkansas.gov/office/motor-vehicle/faqs-for-dsmvChecked August 4, 2026
- 11
“The licensee is authorized to operate a motor vehicle if accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years of age or older.”
dfa.arkansas.gov/…/learners-and-intermediate-licenseChecked August 4, 2026
- 12
“The applicant with an instruction permit may drive with a licensed driver twenty-one (21) years of age or older, who is occupying a seat beside the driver.”
media.ark.org/dps/Arkansas-DL-Manual-English-1.pdfChecked July 26, 2026
- 13
“Vehicles must be clean and in good mechanical condition. • Window tint darker than 25% on the front and darker than 10% in the back will be denied. • Any brow measuring more than 5 inches from the center of the windshield will be denied. • No window tint on the front windshield is permitted. • No cameras or recording devices are allowed.”
dps.arkansas.gov/…/Arkansas-State-Police-Skills-Testing-1-2-3-Checklist.pdfChecked July 28, 2026
- 14
“Arkansas State Police Driver’s Testing”
dps.arkansas.gov/…/Arkansas-State-Police-Skills-Testing-1-2-3-Checklist.pdfChecked August 1, 2026
- 15
“href="https://airsdsmvpub.dfa.arkansas.gov/mydmv/?link=ScheduleAppointment"”
dfa.arkansas.gov/online-services/driversChecked July 26, 2026
- 16
“href="https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/all-county-offices/?_sft_office-location-category=revenue-office"”
dfa.arkansas.gov/real-idChecked August 1, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Arkansas?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.