What Arkansas calls a hardship license and who can request one
Arkansas calls its hardship license a Restricted Driving Permit, and it lets you drive to specific places — work, school, medical appointments, court — even though your license is suspended. You cannot use it for any other reason, and you cannot drive between midnight and 5 a.m.
You can request one if your license was suspended for a DUI conviction, for accumulating too many points, for failing to pay child support, or for other reasons the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) recognizes as hardship-may be able to access. You must show that losing the ability to drive would cause you serious harm — losing your job, being unable to reach medical treatment, or being unable to get to court.
The state does not automatically give you one. You have to ask, and you have to prove the hardship is real. The DFA will review your request and decide whether to grant it.
Key Takeaways
- A Restricted Driving Permit in Arkansas lets you drive only to work, school, medical care, court, or other DFA-approved destinations, and only between 5 a.m. and midnight.
- You must request the permit in writing to the Arkansas DFA, explaining why losing your driving privilege would cause serious hardship.
- You need proof of the hardship — a letter from your employer, medical records, court documents, or other evidence that shows you cannot manage without driving.
- The DFA charges a fee for the permit, and the amount depends on the reason your license was suspended.
- Approval is not may provide; the DFA reviews each request and denies some based on the facts of your case.
The hardship you must prove to the DFA
Arkansas law requires you to show that your suspension would cause you "undue hardship." That phrase has a specific meaning: you must demonstrate that you cannot reasonably reach work, school, medical care, court, or other essential services without driving.
The DFA looks for concrete evidence. A letter from your employer stating that you will lose your job if you cannot drive to work carries weight. Medical records showing you need regular treatment and no public transportation reaches the clinic also work. A court order requiring you to appear in person is strong evidence. A statement that you "need to drive" or "will have trouble" is not enough.
If you have other ways to reach these places — a family member who can drive you, a bus route, a carpool — the DFA may find that you do not have undue hardship and deny your request. Be honest about what alternatives exist and why they do not work for you.
Documents you need to gather before you request the permit
Start by collecting proof of the hardship itself. If it is work-related, ask your employer to write a letter on company letterhead stating that you will lose your job if you cannot drive to work, or that your job requires you to drive. Include your job title, your work schedule, and the date you started. A letter saying "this person works here" is not enough; it must explain why losing your license would harm you specifically.
If the hardship is medical, bring medical records or a letter from your doctor explaining the treatment you need, how often you need it, and why you cannot reach the facility by other means. If you are required to appear in court, bring a copy of the court order or notice. If you are a student, bring a letter from your school confirming your enrollment and explaining why you cannot reach campus by public transportation or other means.
You will also need your driver's license (the suspended one), proof of insurance, and your vehicle registration. The DFA may ask for additional documents depending on your situation.
How to submit your request to the Arkansas DFA
Contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Driver Services Division, to request a Restricted Driving Permit process. You can reach them by phone at 501-682-7060 or visit their office in person in Little Rock. Ask for the hardship permit process form — the staff can tell you exactly which form you need based on why your license was suspended.
Fill out the form completely. Write a clear, detailed explanation of your hardship. Do not assume the DFA knows your situation; spell it out. Explain what you do, where you need to drive, why you cannot use other transportation, and what will happen to you if you cannot drive. Attach copies (not originals) of all supporting documents.
Mail the completed process and documents to the address on the form, or deliver them in person. Keep a copy for your records. The DFA will send you a letter telling you whether your request was approved or denied. If it is approved, you will receive instructions on how to pick up your permit and pay the fee.
The fee and how long approval takes
Arkansas charges a fee for a Restricted Driving Permit. The amount varies depending on the reason your license was suspended — DUI suspensions have one fee, point-based suspensions have another. Call the DFA at 501-682-7060 to ask what the current fee is for your situation, as fees can change.
The DFA does not publish a standard timeline for approval, but most requests take two to four weeks to be reviewed. If your hardship is urgent — for example, you have a court date coming up — mention that in your letter and call the DFA to ask if they can expedite the review. They cannot promise to speed it up, but they may be able to help if the situation is time-sensitive.
Once you are approved, you must pay the fee before you can pick up the permit. You will then have a Restricted Driving Permit valid for a set period (usually one year, but this depends on your suspension). When it expires, you can request renewal if your hardship still exists.
What you can and cannot do with a Restricted Driving Permit
Your permit lists the specific places you are allowed to drive to: your workplace, your school, your doctor's office, the courthouse, or other destinations the DFA approved. You can drive only to those places and only during the hours listed on the permit — typically 5 a.m. to midnight. You cannot drive anywhere else, and you cannot drive at any other time, even if the reason seems important.
If you are pulled over and you are driving outside the permitted destinations or hours, you can be cited for driving on a suspended license. The permit is not a full license; it is a limited exception to your suspension. Keep the permit with you whenever you drive, along with your vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
If your situation changes — you get a new job, you no longer need medical treatment, or your hardship ends — you should notify the DFA. If you are caught driving outside the scope of your permit repeatedly, the DFA may revoke it and you will be back to a full suspension.
What happens if your request is denied
If the DFA denies your request, they will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include: the hardship you described is not serious enough under Arkansas law, you have other ways to reach the places you need to go, or the documents you provided do not support your claim.
You can request reconsideration. Contact the DFA and ask about the appeal process. You may be able to submit additional documents or a more detailed explanation. If you have new information — for example, your employer wrote a stronger letter, or your medical situation changed — include that in your appeal.
If reconsideration does not work, you can wait until your suspension period ends and your license is automatically reinstated. You can also explore other options: some people arrange carpools, use ride-sharing services, or ask family members to drive them during the suspension period. These are not ideal, but they are alternatives if the permit is not available to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Restricted Driving Permit if my license was suspended for a DUI?
Yes, DUI suspensions are one of the reasons you can request a hardship permit in Arkansas. You will need to show the same kind of hardship — job loss, medical need, court requirement — as anyone else. The DFA reviews DUI cases carefully, so your supporting documents need to be strong and specific.
What if I have already lost my job because of the suspension?
If you lost your job before you requested the permit, you may still be able to show hardship based on your need to find new work or to reach job interviews. Bring documentation of your job loss and evidence that you are actively looking for work. The DFA may also consider whether you need to drive to reach unemployment services or job training programs.
Can I use the permit to drive to the grocery store or run errands?
No. A Restricted Driving Permit covers only the specific destinations listed on it — typically work, school, medical appointments, and court. Grocery shopping, visiting friends, or other personal errands are not permitted. If you are caught driving for unapproved reasons, you can be cited for driving on a suspended license.
How long does a Restricted Driving Permit last?
Most permits are valid for one year, but the length depends on the reason your license was suspended and the terms of your suspension. The permit will show an expiration date. You can request renewal before it expires if your hardship still exists and you meet the requirements.
What if I move to a different city or county in Arkansas?
Your Restricted Driving Permit is valid statewide, so you can move and continue to use it as long as the destinations listed on it are still accurate. If you move and your work address changes, contact the DFA to update your permit. Driving to a new work location that is not listed on your permit could be treated as driving outside the scope of your permit.