How to learn about Your Arkansas License Is Suspended
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) maintains the state's driver license suspension records. You can check your own license status without visiting an office by using the DFA's online license status tool on their website, or by calling the DFA Driver Services Division directly at 501-682-7060.
When you contact DFA or use their online system, have your driver license number or Social Security number ready. The system will tell you whether your license is currently suspended, the reason for the suspension, and what you must do to restore it. If your name appears in suspension records — whether as Edward R. McPherson or any other name — the DFA will provide the specific violation code and the date the suspension took effect.
If you cannot reach DFA by phone during business hours, you can visit a DFA Driver Services office in person. Arkansas has regional offices in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, and Hot Springs. Bring a photo ID and your driver license if you have it. Staff can print your driving record on the spot and explain what suspension codes mean in your case.
Key Takeaways
- Check your suspension status by calling the Arkansas DFA at 501-682-7060 or using their online license status tool before taking any other steps.
- The DFA will tell you the specific reason for suspension — whether it is unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, medical suspension, or another violation — and what you must do to clear it.
- Different suspension reasons require different actions: some require payment, others require court action, and some require medical clearance or completion of a program.
- Once you complete the required action, you must request reinstatement through the DFA, which may involve a fee and a waiting period depending on the suspension type.
Common Reasons for Suspension in Arkansas
Arkansas suspends licenses for several distinct reasons, and the path to reinstatement depends on which one applies to you. The most common are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear for a traffic court date, failure to pay child support, and medical suspensions related to seizures or other conditions that affect safe driving.
Financial suspensions — those tied to unpaid fines, court costs, or restitution — require you to pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the citation. You cannot straightforward pay the DFA; you must contact the specific court or the county clerk's office where the ticket was written. Once the court confirms payment, they notify the DFA, and your suspension is lifted within one to three business days.
Failure-to-appear suspensions occur when you miss a scheduled court date for a traffic violation. To clear this, you must contact the court, explain your absence, and either reschedule your appearance or resolve the case. Some courts allow you to handle this by phone or mail; others require you to appear in person. The court will then notify the DFA that the suspension can be removed.
Medical suspensions are issued when a doctor reports to the DFA that you have a condition — such as uncontrolled seizures, severe vision loss, or loss of consciousness — that makes driving unsafe. To restore your license, you must obtain medical clearance from a physician stating that your condition is now controlled or resolved, and submit that clearance to the DFA.
Steps to Restore Your License After Suspension
The reinstatement process in Arkansas follows a standard sequence, though the specific documents and fees depend on your suspension reason. Start by confirming exactly what you must do: call the DFA, get the suspension code, and ask what action clears it.
If your suspension is financial, contact the court or county clerk when ready. Ask for the exact amount owed, whether you can pay by phone or online, and request written confirmation once payment is received. Keep that confirmation — you will need it if the DFA does not process your reinstatement right away.
If your suspension is for failure to appear, call the court clerk and explain that you want to resolve the case. Ask whether you can appear by phone, by mail, or must come in person. Once the court resolves the matter, ask them to send written notice to the DFA that the suspension can be lifted.
After you have completed the required action — paid the fine, appeared in court, or obtained medical clearance — contact the DFA to request reinstatement. You may need to pay a reinstatement fee, which varies by suspension type but typically ranges from $100 to $200. The DFA will process your request and notify you when your license is active again.
What Happens if You Drive on a Suspended License in Arkansas
Driving with a suspended license in Arkansas is a criminal offense, not just a traffic violation. A first offense is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a fine of $100 to $500. A second offense within five years carries up to 90 days in jail and a fine of $250 to $1,000.
If you are stopped while your license is suspended, the officer will likely arrest you or issue a citation requiring you to appear in court. Your vehicle may be impounded, and you will face towing and storage fees on top of fines and potential jail time. A conviction for driving on a suspended license also creates a new criminal record separate from the original suspension reason.
If you need to drive while your suspension is being cleared — for work, medical appointments, or other essential reasons — contact the DFA about a temporary hardship license. Arkansas does not always grant these, but some suspension types may may have access to. You must request one in writing and explain the hardship; approval is not may provide.
Timeline for Reinstatement After You Take Action
The speed of reinstatement depends on the suspension type and how quickly you complete the required action. If you pay a financial suspension in person at the court, the court usually notifies the DFA the same day, and your license is reinstated within one business day. If you pay by mail or online, allow three to five business days for the court to process the payment and notify the DFA.
Failure-to-appear suspensions take longer because they require court action. If you resolve the case by phone or mail, expect five to ten business days from the date the court processes your resolution. If you must appear in person, the timeline depends on court availability and how quickly you can schedule a hearing.
Medical suspensions require you to obtain a doctor's statement and submit it to the DFA. Once the DFA receives your medical clearance, they typically reinstate your license within two to three business days. However, obtaining the medical documentation itself may take one to two weeks depending on your doctor's schedule.
Reinstatement Fees and Payment Methods in Arkansas
Arkansas charges a reinstatement fee for most suspensions. The fee is typically $100 for a standard reinstatement, though some suspension types carry higher fees. You pay this fee directly to the DFA, not to the court, and it is separate from any fines or court costs you owe for the original violation.
You can pay the reinstatement fee by check, money order, or credit card. If you pay in person at a DFA office, you can also pay cash. Mail payments to the Arkansas DFA Driver Services Division at P.O. Box 1272, Little Rock, AR 72203. Include your driver license number and the reason for reinstatement so the DFA can match your payment to your record.
Some suspensions — particularly those tied to unpaid child support — may not require a separate reinstatement fee from the DFA, but you will still owe the underlying debt. Contact the DFA to confirm whether a fee applies to your specific suspension before sending payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my suspension is still active or if it has been lifted?
Call the DFA at 501-682-7060 or use their online status tool. Your suspension is active until the DFA's system shows it has been removed. Do not assume it is cleared just because you paid a fine or completed an action — the DFA must process and record the change before your license is legal to use.
What if I cannot afford to pay the fine or reinstatement fee right now?
Contact the court that issued the original citation and ask about payment plans. Many Arkansas courts allow you to pay fines in installments over several months. Once you set up a plan and make your first payment, ask the court whether they will notify the DFA to lift the suspension while you pay the remainder. The reinstatement fee to the DFA may also be negotiable in hardship cases — call and ask.
Can I get a temporary license to drive while my suspension is being cleared?
Arkansas does not routinely issue temporary licenses during suspension periods. You can request a hardship license in writing to the DFA, explaining why you need to drive, but approval is not may provide. Some suspension types — such as medical suspensions being appealed — are more likely to may have access to than others.
What if the court says the fine has been paid but the DFA still shows me as suspended?
This happens when there is a delay in the court's notification to the DFA. Ask the court for written confirmation of payment and the date they sent notice to the DFA. Then call the DFA and provide that information. If more than five business days have passed since the court notified the DFA, ask the DFA to manually check their incoming notices or contact the court directly.
Do I need a lawyer to get my license reinstated?
For most suspensions, you do not need a lawyer. You can handle payment, court appearances, and reinstatement requests yourself. However, if your suspension is tied to a criminal case, a DUI, or a complex court matter, consulting with a lawyer may help you understand your options and avoid making the situation worse.