What to do if your Arkansas driver's license has expired
If your Arkansas driver's license has expired, you can renew it by mail, online, or in person at a Driver Services office. The method you choose depends on how long ago it expired and whether you need to update your address or other information. Most renewals take two to four weeks by mail, while online renewals are processed within one to three business days.
Arkansas does not allow you to drive legally on an expired license, even if your renewal is in progress. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you may face a citation. The state does offer a grace period for certain situations — if your license expired while you were on active military duty outside the United States, you have 60 days after discharge to renew without penalty.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website is the fastest option and takes one to three business days if your license expired within the last five years.
- Mail renewal requires the completed DL-43 form, your expired license, and a check or money order; processing takes two to four weeks.
- In-person renewal at any Driver Services office requires your expired license, proof of residency, and payment; you receive your new license the same day.
- The renewal fee in Arkansas is $24.50 for a four-year license or $49.00 for an eight-year license, regardless of whether you renew by mail, online, or in person.
- If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person and may need to pass a vision test and written exam.
Online renewal for licenses expired within five years
The fastest way to renew an expired Arkansas license is through the state's online system at dfa.arkansas.gov. You can renew online if your license expired within the last five years, you have no address changes to report, and your license was not suspended or revoked. You will need your expired license number, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and a valid payment method (credit card or debit card).
The online system will ask you to verify your identity and confirm your current address. Once you submit your renewal, the state processes it within one to three business days. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. You should receive it within seven to ten business days after processing is complete. During this time, you cannot legally drive on your expired license.
Mail renewal with the DL-43 form
You can renew by mail if your license expired within the last five years. read or request the DL-43 process for Driver License form from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website or pick one up at any Driver Services office. Complete the form with your current information, sign it, and mail it with your expired license and payment to the address listed on the form.
Payment must be by check or money order made payable to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Do not send cash. Include the correct fee: $24.50 for a four-year license or $49.00 for an eight-year license. Mail your packet to the Driver Services office address shown on the form. Processing takes two to four weeks from the date the office receives your process, and your new license will be mailed to your address on file.
In-person renewal at a Driver Services office
You can renew in person at any Arkansas Driver Services office, regardless of how long ago your license expired. Bring your expired license, proof of your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days), and payment. You will receive your new license the same day. Driver Services offices are located in most county seats and some larger cities; find the office nearest you on the state website.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person. You will be required to pass a vision test and may be asked to retake the written exam. Bring your expired license and proof of residency. The office staff will guide you through the vision screening and any testing. If you pass, your new license is issued when ready.
What happens if your license expired more than five years ago
If your Arkansas license has been expired for more than five years, you cannot renew by mail or online. You must go to a Driver Services office in person. The state treats this as a reissuance rather than a straightforward renewal, which means you must pass a vision test and the written knowledge exam. You will also need to provide proof of residency and your Social Security number.
Bring your expired license if you still have it, though it is not required. If you do not have it, bring two forms of identification instead. The written exam covers Arkansas traffic laws and road signs. Study materials are available on the state website. After you pass the vision test and written exam, your new license is issued the same day. The fee remains $24.50 for a four-year license or $49.00 for an eight-year license.
Address changes and license corrections
If you need to change your address during renewal, you cannot use the online system. Instead, renew by mail or in person. For mail renewal, write your new address clearly on the DL-43 form. For in-person renewal, bring proof of your new address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within 60 days) along with your expired license and payment.
If your name has changed since your license was issued — through marriage, divorce, or legal name change — you must renew in person. Bring your expired license, a certified copy of the document showing your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order), and proof of residency. The fee is the same, and your new license is issued the same day.
Fees and payment methods
Arkansas charges a flat renewal fee regardless of your age or how you renew. A four-year license costs $24.50, and an eight-year license costs $49.00. You choose which term you want when you renew. Payment methods vary by renewal method: online renewals accept credit cards and debit cards; mail renewals require check or money order; in-person renewals accept cash, check, debit card, or credit card.
No additional fees explore for address changes or name corrections during renewal. If you are renewing in person and need to retake the written exam (because your license expired more than five years ago), there is no extra charge for the exam itself. Some Driver Services offices may charge a small fee for a duplicate license if you lose your new license before it arrives by mail, but this is separate from the renewal fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive on an expired Arkansas license while my renewal is being processed?
No. Arkansas law does not allow you to drive on an expired license, even if you have submitted a renewal process. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you may receive a citation. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, contact your local Driver Services office about obtaining a temporary permit.
What if I moved out of state after my license expired?
You can still renew your Arkansas license by mail or online if it expired within the last five years. Use your current out-of-state address on the renewal form. Your new license will be mailed to that address. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at an Arkansas Driver Services office, which means traveling back to the state or requesting a temporary exception from the state office.
Do I need a new photo if I renew by mail?
No. Mail and online renewals use your existing photo from your expired license. Only in-person renewals at a Driver Services office include a new photo. If you want a new photo on your license, you must renew in person.
What if my expired license was suspended or revoked?
You cannot renew online or by mail if your license was suspended or revoked. You must visit a Driver Services office in person. The office will check the status of your license and explain what steps you need to take before you can renew. This may include paying fines, completing a defensive driving course, or waiting out a suspension period.
How long is my new Arkansas license valid?
You choose between a four-year license ($24.50) or an eight-year license ($49.00) when you renew. The expiration date is printed on your new license. Eight-year licenses are valid until age 70; after that, you must renew every four years.