What causes a license suspension in Arkansas
Arkansas suspends driver's licenses for specific violations, and the reason matters because it determines how you get your license back. The most common cause is unpaid traffic fines or court costs — if you don't pay within the important date set by the court, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) will suspend your license automatically. You don't have to be arrested or go to court again; the suspension happens on its own.
Other suspensions come from accumulating too many points on your driving record (12 points in three years), driving without insurance, failing to appear in court for a traffic ticket, or being convicted of certain traffic crimes like reckless driving or DUI. If you're under 18, your license can be suspended for drug or alcohol offenses even if they didn't happen while driving. Each reason has its own rules for how long the suspension lasts and what you have to do to restore your license.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas suspends licenses most often for unpaid fines, court costs, or traffic violations, and the reason determines what steps you must take to restore it.
- You can find out why your license is suspended by contacting the Arkansas DFA Driver Services Division or checking your driving record online through the state website.
- If your suspension is for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount to the court that issued the ticket before the DFA will lift the suspension.
- For suspensions based on violations like reckless driving or accumulating points, you may need to wait out a mandatory suspension period, take a defensive driving course, or both.
- Once you've met all requirements, you must request reinstatement from the DFA and pay a reinstatement fee, which varies depending on the reason for suspension.
Finding out why your license is suspended
Before you can fix the problem, you need to know what caused the suspension. Contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Driver Services Division at 501-682-7060 during business hours, or visit their office in Little Rock. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready when you call.
You can also check your driving record online through the Arkansas DFA website. The record will show your current status and list any suspensions, along with the reason code. If the reason isn't clear from the code, ask the DFA representative to explain it — they can tell you exactly what you owe, what court issued the ticket, and what steps come next.
Suspensions for unpaid fines and court costs
This is the most common reason for suspension in Arkansas. When you receive a traffic ticket, the court sets a important date to pay the fine and any court costs. If you miss that important date, the court reports it to the DFA, which suspends your license. The suspension stays in place until you pay the full amount owed.
Contact the court that issued the ticket — the ticket itself will show which court — and ask how much you owe and where to send payment. Some courts accept payment by phone or online; others require you to pay in person or by mail. Once the court receives your payment, they notify the DFA. The DFA then removes the suspension, but this can take a few days to process. You don't need to do anything else with the DFA; the court handles the notification.
Suspensions for points, reckless driving, and traffic crimes
If your suspension came from accumulating 12 or more points in three years, or from a conviction for reckless driving, DUI, or a similar offense, you cannot straightforward pay a fine to restore your license. These suspensions have a mandatory waiting period set by Arkansas law, which varies based on the offense.
For a first suspension due to points, the mandatory period is typically 30 days. For reckless driving, it's usually 30 days for a first offense and longer for repeat offenses. DUI suspensions are longer — often six months to one year depending on whether it's a first or repeat offense. During this waiting period, you cannot drive legally, even with a restricted license.
Some suspensions require you to complete a defensive driving course before you can request reinstatement. The DFA will tell you whether this is required when you contact them. If it is, you must take an approved course — the DFA website lists providers — and submit proof of completion to the DFA before requesting reinstatement.
Requesting reinstatement and paying the fee
Once you've met all the requirements for your specific suspension — whether that's paying fines, waiting out the mandatory period, or completing a course — you must formally request reinstatement from the Arkansas DFA. You can do this by mail, phone, or in person at the DFA office.
When you request reinstatement, you'll need to pay a reinstatement fee. The amount varies depending on the reason for suspension: unpaid fines suspensions typically cost less than suspensions for violations or traffic crimes. The DFA will tell you the exact fee when you contact them. Payment is usually required before the reinstatement is processed.
After you pay the fee and submit any required documents (like proof of a defensive driving course), the DFA processes your request. This typically takes a few business days. Once approved, your license is restored and you can drive legally again. The DFA will send you written confirmation.
Driving with a suspended license in Arkansas
Driving while your license is suspended is a criminal offense in Arkansas. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. A second offense within five years carries up to 90 days in jail and a fine up to $1,000. A third or subsequent offense is a felony.
If you're stopped by police while driving on a suspended license, you will be cited and may be arrested. Your vehicle can be impounded, and you'll face court costs and legal fees on top of the criminal charge. This makes the situation much more expensive and complicated than straightforward addressing the original suspension.
Getting a restricted license while suspended
Arkansas does not issue restricted or hardship licenses for most suspensions. However, if your suspension is for unpaid fines and you can show financial hardship, you may be able to work out a payment plan with the court rather than paying the full amount at once. Contact the court that issued the ticket and ask about payment plan options.
If your suspension is for a violation like reckless driving or DUI, you cannot drive for any reason during the suspension period, even to get to work or medical appointments. Once the mandatory waiting period ends and you've met all other requirements, you can request reinstatement and drive normally again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for my license to be reinstated after I pay my fines?
Once the court receives your payment, it notifies the DFA, which typically removes the suspension within a few business days. However, the court may take a day or two to process your payment and send the notification, so allow up to a week total. You can call the DFA to confirm your suspension has been lifted before you drive.
Can I get a temporary license while my suspension is being processed?
No. Arkansas does not issue temporary or interim licenses during the reinstatement process. You must wait for the DFA to officially restore your license before you can drive legally. Driving before reinstatement is complete is a criminal offense.
What if I can't afford to pay my fines all at once?
Contact the court that issued the ticket and ask about a payment plan or installment agreement. Many courts will work with you if you show good faith by making regular payments. Some courts may also reduce fines based on financial hardship, though this is not may provide. Ask what options are available in your specific case.
Does a defensive driving course remove points from my record?
A defensive driving course may reduce points on your record, but only if you take it before you accumulate 12 points. Once your license is suspended for reaching 12 points, the course is required for reinstatement but does not remove the points that caused the suspension. After reinstatement, a course can help prevent future suspensions by reducing new points.
Will my insurance rates go up after my license is reinstated?
Yes. A suspension appears on your driving record and signals to insurers that you were a higher risk at some point. When you reinstate your license, your insurance company will likely see the suspension and may increase your rates or require you to pay higher premiums for a period of time. Some insurers may even drop you. Shop around after reinstatement to find the best rate available to you.