What You Need to Do to Get Your License Back in Arkansas
To reinstate your Arkansas driver's license, you must first contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Driver Services Division, to find out why your license was suspended or revoked. The reason matters because it determines what you have to do next. Some suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee; others require proof of insurance (an SR22 form); still others require you to complete a course or wait out a mandatory period. You cannot reinstate until you have satisfied every requirement tied to your specific suspension.
Once you know what caused the suspension, you will gather the required documents, submit them to Driver Services, and pay the reinstatement fee. The fee varies depending on the reason for suspension — it ranges from around $100 to $500 in most cases. After Driver Services processes your paperwork and confirms you have met all requirements, your license will be reinstated, and you can drive legally again.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Driver Services Division, to learn the specific reason your license was suspended or revoked, because the reason determines what you must do to reinstate it.
- Reinstatement fees in Arkansas range from approximately $100 to $500 depending on the cause of suspension, and you must pay this fee as part of the reinstatement process.
- If your suspension was due to unpaid traffic fines or child support, you must resolve those debts before Driver Services will reinstate your license.
- If your suspension was due to a DUI conviction or serious traffic violation, you may need to file an SR22 insurance form and possibly complete a defensive driving course.
- The reinstatement process typically takes two to four weeks after Driver Services receives your complete paperwork and payment.
Common Reasons Your Arkansas License Was Suspended
Arkansas suspends driver's licenses for several reasons, and each has different reinstatement steps. The most common causes are unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, DUI or DWI conviction, driving with a suspended license, accumulating too many points on your driving record, and failure to maintain auto insurance.
If your suspension is due to unpaid fines or child support, you must pay what you owe before reinstatement. If it is due to a DUI or serious traffic violation, you will likely need to file an SR22 form with your insurance company and submit proof to Driver Services. If it is due to too many points, you may need to wait out a mandatory suspension period or complete a defensive driving course. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website lists the reason for your suspension in your driving record, or you can call Driver Services directly at 501-682-7060 to ask.
How to Contact Arkansas Driver Services and Request Your Driving Record
Call the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Driver Services Division, at 501-682-7060 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time). Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. Tell them your license is suspended and ask them to explain the reason and what steps you need to take to reinstate it. They will tell you the exact fee, any documents you need to gather, and whether you need to complete any courses or wait any additional time.
You can also request a copy of your driving record online through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website or in person at any Driver Services office. The record will show the suspension reason, the date it took effect, and any conditions you must meet before reinstatement. Bring this record with you when you submit your reinstatement paperwork, as it serves as proof of the suspension.
Gathering Documents and Paying the Reinstatement Fee
The documents you need depend on why your license was suspended. If the suspension was due to unpaid fines, bring proof of payment (a receipt from the court or the collection agency). If it was due to unpaid child support, bring proof that you have paid the amount owed or made arrangements with the child support enforcement office. If it was due to a DUI, you will need proof that you have completed any required alcohol education program and an SR22 insurance form from your insurance company.
The reinstatement fee must be paid when you submit your paperwork. Arkansas accepts payment by check, money order, or credit card. You can pay in person at a Driver Services office, by mail, or online if the office offers that option. Call ahead to confirm the exact fee for your situation and the payment methods the office accepts, as these can vary slightly by location.
Filing an SR22 Insurance Form (If Required)
An SR22 is a certificate of financial responsibility that your insurance company files with the state to prove you have active auto insurance. It is required in Arkansas if your suspension was due to a DUI, driving without insurance, or certain serious traffic violations. You do not explore for an SR22 yourself — instead, you contact your insurance company and ask them to file it on your behalf.
Your insurance company will charge a fee to file the SR22, usually between $15 and $25. Once they file it, they will give you a copy. Bring this copy to Driver Services when you submit your reinstatement paperwork. The SR22 must remain active for the period specified by the court or Driver Services, typically three years. If your insurance lapses during this time, your license will be suspended again automatically.
Completing a Defensive Driving Course (If Required)
Some suspensions in Arkansas require you to complete a defensive driving course before reinstatement. This is most common after a DUI conviction, after accumulating too many points, or after certain traffic violations. Driver Services will tell you whether a course is required when you call. If it is, ask them for a list of approved course providers in your area.
Defensive driving courses in Arkansas can be taken online or in person and typically take four to eight hours to complete. The cost ranges from $20 to $100 depending on the provider. Once you finish, the provider will send a certificate of completion directly to Driver Services, or you will bring a copy when you submit your reinstatement paperwork. Keep a copy for your records.
Submitting Your Reinstatement Request to Driver Services
You can submit your reinstatement request by mail, in person, or online if Driver Services offers that option. By mail, send your completed reinstatement form (available on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website), proof that you have met all requirements (paid fines, completed courses, filed SR22, etc.), your reinstatement fee, and a copy of your driving record to the address provided by Driver Services.
In person, visit any Arkansas Driver Services office with the same documents and fee. Bring a photo ID and be prepared to wait. Processing times vary, but most reinstatements are completed within two to four weeks of receipt. Driver Services will mail you a new license once your reinstatement is approved, or you may be able to pick it up in person at the office where you applied. Ask when you submit your paperwork whether you can collect it when ready or if you must wait for it to arrive by mail.
What Happens After Your License Is Reinstated
Once your license is reinstated, you are legally permitted to drive again in Arkansas. However, if your reinstatement required an SR22, you must maintain active auto insurance for the full period specified by the court or Driver Services. If your insurance lapses, your license will be suspended again automatically, and you will have to go through the reinstatement process a second time.
If your suspension was due to points on your driving record, those points remain on your record and will continue to affect your insurance rates. Safe driving over time will allow points to age off your record. If your suspension was due to a DUI, you may have restrictions on your license, such as an ignition interlock device requirement or restrictions on when you can drive. Follow all restrictions exactly, as violating them can result in a new suspension.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to reinstate a suspended license in Arkansas?
Most reinstatements take two to four weeks after Driver Services receives your complete paperwork and payment. Some offices may process faster if you explore in person and all documents are in order. Call Driver Services to ask about processing times at your specific office location.
Can I drive while my reinstatement is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until Driver Services officially reinstates it. Driving on a suspended license is illegal in Arkansas and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and a longer suspension. Wait until you receive written confirmation that your license has been reinstated.
What if I cannot afford the reinstatement fee?
Contact Driver Services to ask whether a payment plan is available. Some offices may allow you to pay the fee in installments. If your suspension is due to unpaid fines or child support, you may also be able to work with the court or child support enforcement office on a payment arrangement.
Do I need a new photo for my reinstated license?
Not always. If your original license is still valid and your photo is current, Driver Services may reinstate it without a new photo. However, if your license has expired or your photo is outdated, you will need to provide a new one. Ask Driver Services when you call whether a new photo is required.
What if my license was suspended for multiple reasons?
You must satisfy all requirements before reinstatement. For example, if your license was suspended for both unpaid fines and a DUI, you must pay the fines, file an SR22, and possibly complete a defensive driving course. Driver Services will list all requirements when you call, and you cannot reinstate until every one is met.