How to Renew Your Arkansas Driver's License

Renew Your Arkansas License Online, by Mail, or In Person

You can renew your Arkansas driver's license through three routes: online at the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website, by mail, or in person at a driver services office. Online renewal is the fastest and most convenient if you're may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and your new license arrives by mail in 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewal takes longer but requires no trip. In-person renewal at a local office is necessary only if you cannot renew online or by mail, or if your license has been expired for more than five years.

Your renewal timeline depends on when your license expires. Arkansas sends renewal notices about 60 days before expiration, but you do not have to wait for the notice to start the process. You can renew up to one year before your license expires. If your license has already expired, you can still renew it, but the process may take longer and you cannot legally drive until the new license arrives.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website is available if your license is not expired and you have not changed your address, name, or other personal information since your last renewal.
Mail renewal requires you to send your current license, a completed process form, and the renewal fee to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration; processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.
In-person renewal at a driver services office is required if your license expired more than five years ago, or if you need to update your address, name, or other information.
The renewal fee in Arkansas is $24.50 for a four-year license or $49 for an eight-year license; payment method depends on which renewal route you choose.
You will need your current Arkansas driver's license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of residency if renewing in person or by mail.

Online Renewal: The Fastest Option

Online renewal through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website is the quickest path if you meet the requirements. You are may be able to access to renew online if your current license is not expired, you have not changed your name or address since your last renewal, and you do not need to update your photograph. The process takes about 10 minutes: you log in with your driver's license number and date of birth, review your information, choose your license term (four or eight years), and pay the renewal fee by debit or credit card.

After you complete online renewal, your new license is mailed to the address on file. Delivery typically takes 7 to 10 business days. You will receive a temporary paper license via email that you can print and carry while you wait for your plastic license to arrive. This temporary license is valid for 30 days and serves as proof that you have renewed.

If you attempt online renewal and the system tells you that you are not may be able to access, the most common reasons are an expired license, a recent address change, or a name change. In those cases, you will need to renew by mail or in person instead.

Mail Renewal: No Office Visit Required

Mail renewal works if your license is not expired and you do not need to change your photograph. You will need to read and print the Driver License Renewal process (Form DL-43) from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website, or request a form by phone at 501-682-7060. Fill out the form completely, sign it, and mail it along with your current license and a check or money order for the renewal fee ($24.50 for four years or $49 for eight years) to the address listed on the form.

Processing by mail takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the department receives your packet. You do not receive a temporary license with mail renewal, so if your current license expires before your new one arrives, you cannot legally drive. For this reason, mail renewal works best if you start the process at least three weeks before your expiration date.

Keep a copy of your completed form and note the date you mailed your packet. If you do not receive your new license within four weeks, contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration to confirm they received your process.

In-Person Renewal at a Driver Services Office

You must renew in person if your license expired more than five years ago, if you need to update your photograph, or if you have changed your name or address since your last renewal. Visit a driver services office in your county. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website.

Bring your current license (or an expired license if you no longer have the current one), proof of your Social Security number (such as a Social Security card or tax return), and proof of your current address (such as a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you have changed your name, bring a document that shows the name change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.

At the office, you will have your photograph taken, review your information on screen, choose your license term, and pay the renewal fee. The entire visit usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will receive a temporary paper license on the spot that is valid for 30 days while your plastic license is mailed to you. Your new license arrives within 7 to 10 business days.

What to Bring and How Much It Costs

The renewal fee in Arkansas is $24.50 for a four-year license or $49 for an eight-year license. Payment method depends on your renewal route: online renewal accepts debit or credit card; mail renewal requires a check or money order; in-person renewal accepts cash, check, debit card, or credit card at most offices, though some offices may have different payment options.

For online renewal, you need only your current license number and date of birth. For mail renewal, you need your current license, the completed process form, and payment. For in-person renewal, bring your current license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address. If you have changed your name, bring the document that shows the change.

If you are renewing in person and your license has been expired for more than five years, you may be required to pass a vision test or written test. Ask your local driver services office whether this applies to you before you visit.

If Your License Is Already Expired

You can still renew an expired license, but the process depends on how long it has been expired. If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew online, by mail, or in person using the same steps described above. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a driver services office, and you may be required to pass a vision test or written knowledge test as part of the renewal.

While your license is expired, you cannot legally drive. If you need to drive before your new license arrives, you will need to obtain a temporary driving permit or have someone else drive. Contact your local driver services office for information about temporary permits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Arkansas license if I have moved out of state?

No. If you have moved out of state, you must obtain a driver's license from your new state of residence. You cannot renew an Arkansas license if you no longer live in Arkansas. If you have moved but still live in Arkansas, you can renew online or by mail as long as you do not need to update your address; if you do need to update your address, renew in person.

How long is an Arkansas driver's license valid after renewal?

You choose the term when you renew: either four years or eight years. The eight-year license costs more but lasts longer, so you renew less often. Both are equally valid for driving; the choice is yours based on how often you want to renew.

What if I lost my current license and need to renew?

If you have lost your license, you cannot renew online or by mail because you need your current license for those routes. You must visit a driver services office in person. Bring proof of your Social Security number and proof of your current address. The office will issue you a replacement license at the same time you renew.

Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?

Not necessarily. If you renew online or by mail, your current photograph is used on your new license. If you renew in person, a new photograph is taken. If you want a new photo but are renewing online or by mail, you must renew in person instead.

How do I know if my renewal was processed?

For online renewal, you receive a confirmation email when ready and a temporary license via email within a few minutes. For mail renewal, contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration at 501-682-7060 to confirm receipt. For in-person renewal, you receive a temporary paper license on the spot. Your new plastic license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days for all three routes.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.