What a hardship license is and who can get one in Arkansas
A hardship license in Arkansas is a restricted driving permit that lets you drive to specific places—work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs—while your regular license is suspended. You cannot use it for any other purpose. Arkansas calls this a Restricted Driving Permit (RDP), and it is issued by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Driver Services Division.
You can request an RDP if your license was suspended for a DWI/DUI conviction, unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or failure to maintain required insurance. You must show the court or DMV that driving is necessary for your livelihood, education, or court-ordered obligations. straightforward wanting to drive is not enough.
The process differs depending on why your license was suspended. If a court suspended it (usually for DWI), you petition the court that handled your case. If the DMV suspended it (usually for unpaid fines or insurance violations), you work with the DMV directly.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas issues Restricted Driving Permits (RDPs) only for specific purposes: work, school, medical care, or court-ordered programs—not for general driving.
- Court-ordered suspensions (DWI cases) require a petition to the court that suspended your license; DMV suspensions require a request to the Driver Services Division.
- You must provide proof that driving is necessary—an employment letter, school enrollment, or medical documentation—before the court or DMV will consider your request.
- An RDP costs money and comes with restrictions on where you can drive, what hours you can drive, and how often you must report to the court or DMV.
- Some suspensions (like those for unpaid child support) may not may have access to for an RDP until you make a payment arrangement with the relevant agency.
How to request an RDP for a court-ordered suspension (DWI cases)
If a court suspended your license as part of a DWI or DUI conviction, you must file a petition with the court that issued the suspension. You cannot go directly to the DMV. The petition is a formal written request asking the judge to allow you to drive under restrictions.
Contact the circuit court clerk's office in the county where you were convicted. Ask for the petition form for a Restricted Driving Permit or hardship license. Some courts have a standard form; others may require you to write a letter. The clerk can tell you which applies in your case. You will need to state why you need to drive—your job location, school address, medical treatment, or court-ordered program attendance—and provide supporting documents.
File the petition with the court clerk and pay any required filing fee (this varies by county, typically $50 to $150). The court will schedule a hearing or may rule on your petition without one. If the judge approves, you will receive an order. Take that order to the Driver Services Division office to receive your actual RDP card.
How to request an RDP for a DMV suspension (unpaid fines, insurance, or other violations)
If the DMV suspended your license for unpaid traffic fines, failure to maintain insurance, or other non-court reasons, you can request an RDP directly from the Driver Services Division. You do not need to go through a court.
Contact the Driver Services Division by phone at 501-682-7060 or visit an office in person. Bring your suspended license, proof of financial hardship or work necessity (a letter from your employer stating your job requires driving, or school enrollment documentation), and proof of insurance. You will also need to pay a fee for the RDP, which is typically $100 to $150, though the exact amount depends on the reason for suspension.
The DMV will review your request and either issue the RDP on the spot or send you a decision by mail within a few days. If approved, you will receive a card that lists the specific routes, times, and purposes for which you can drive.
Documents and proof you will need
The exact documents required depend on why your license was suspended, but most requests need the same core items. Bring your suspended license or a copy of the suspension notice, a government-issued photo ID if your license is not available, and proof of insurance (your current policy card or declaration page).
You must also provide proof that driving is necessary. For work, bring a signed letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, work location, and that your position requires you to drive. The letter should include the employer's phone number. For school, bring an enrollment letter or class schedule from the school or college. For medical treatment, bring a letter from your doctor or clinic stating the type of treatment, the location, and how often you must attend. For court-ordered programs (such as DWI education or community service), bring a copy of the court order or a letter from the program administrator.
If you are requesting an RDP for a court-ordered suspension, you will also need a certified copy of the court order that suspended your license. The court clerk can provide this for a small fee.
Restrictions that come with an Arkansas RDP
An RDP is not a regular license. It comes with strict limits on when, where, and why you can drive. Your RDP card will list the specific routes you are allowed to use. You can only drive those routes for the stated purpose—if your RDP is for work, you cannot use it to drive to the grocery store or a friend's house.
Most RDPs restrict driving to daylight hours or specific times of day. You may be required to carry the RDP card and proof of insurance at all times while driving. Some RDPs require you to report to the court or DMV monthly or quarterly to show that you are complying with the restrictions. Violating the terms of your RDP—driving outside the approved routes, driving at prohibited times, or driving for an unapproved purpose—can result in additional criminal charges and a longer suspension.
The duration of an RDP varies. Some are issued for the length of your suspension; others are issued for a set period (such as one year) and must be renewed. The court or DMV will tell you when your RDP expires and whether you need to renew it.
What happens if your RDP request is denied
If the court or DMV denies your request, you have limited options. If a court denied your petition, you may be able to file a second petition after a waiting period (usually 30 to 90 days) if your circumstances have changed—for example, if you have now found a job that requires driving. You can also ask the court to reconsider if you can provide stronger evidence of hardship.
If the DMV denied your request, you can contact the Driver Services Division to ask what specific reason was given and whether you can reapply with additional documentation. Some denials are based on the type of suspension; for example, if your license was suspended for unpaid child support, the DMV may require proof that you have made a payment arrangement with the child support enforcement agency before issuing an RDP.
If your suspension is temporary and will end on a specific date, you may choose to wait out the suspension rather than pursue an RDP. The DMV can tell you the suspension end date.
Fees and how long the process takes
The cost of an RDP in Arkansas ranges from $100 to $200, depending on the reason for suspension and whether you are filing through the court or the DMV. Court filing fees (if you must petition a judge) are separate and typically run $50 to $150. Some courts may waive fees if you can show financial hardship, but you must ask the clerk.
The timeline depends on your route. If you are requesting an RDP from the DMV for a non-court suspension, you may receive approval the same day or within a few business days. If you must petition a court, the process is slower: you file the petition, wait for a hearing date (usually 2 to 4 weeks), attend the hearing, and then take the court order to the DMV to receive your card. In total, a court-based RDP can take 4 to 8 weeks.
If you are in urgent need of driving privileges, tell the court clerk or DMV that you are requesting expedited consideration. Some courts will hold a hearing within days if you can show when ready hardship, though this is not may provide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to places other than work if I have an RDP?
No. Your RDP lists specific purposes and routes. If it is issued for work only, you can drive only to and from your workplace on the approved route. You cannot use it for errands, social visits, or any other purpose. Driving outside the approved purpose or route is a violation and can result in additional criminal charges.
What if I lose my job while I have an RDP?
You must notify the court or DMV when ready. Your RDP is no longer valid if the reason it was issued no longer exists. You may be able to petition the court for a new RDP based on a different hardship (such as school or medical treatment), but you cannot continue driving under an RDP for a job you no longer have.
Do I have to go to a hearing to get an RDP?
It depends. If you are requesting an RDP from the DMV for a non-court suspension, you usually do not attend a hearing—the DMV reviews your documents and makes a decision. If you are petitioning a court for a DWI-related suspension, the judge may grant your petition without a hearing if the evidence is clear, or may require you to appear. The court clerk will tell you whether a hearing is scheduled.
Can I get an RDP if my license was suspended for unpaid child support?
Possibly, but only after you have made a payment arrangement with the child support enforcement agency. The DMV will not issue an RDP while a child support suspension is active unless you can show proof of a payment plan. Contact the Arkansas Division of Child Support Enforcement to set up a payment arrangement, then reapply to the DMV.
How do I renew my RDP when it expires?
Contact the court or DMV office that issued your RDP and ask about renewal. You will need to provide updated proof that your hardship still exists—a current employment letter, current school enrollment, or current medical documentation. The renewal process is usually faster than the initial request and may not require a new hearing.