What Causes a License Suspension in Arkansas

Arkansas suspends your driver's license for specific violations and failures, not as a penalty but as an enforcement mechanism. The most common reason is accumulating too many points on your driving record — Arkansas uses a point system where serious violations add points, and reaching 14 points within three years triggers a mandatory suspension.

Other automatic suspension triggers include failing to pay a traffic fine or court cost, not showing up for a traffic court date, being convicted of driving under the influence (DUI), refusing a breathalyzer test, driving with a suspended or revoked license, and not maintaining required auto insurance. Arkansas also suspends licenses for non-driving reasons: failure to pay child support, failure to pay court-ordered restitution, and unpaid taxes reported by the Department of Revenue.

The length of your suspension depends on the reason. A point-based suspension typically lasts 30 days for a first offense, but DUI suspensions can run from 6 months to 3 years depending on whether it is a first or repeat offense and whether you refused a breath test.

Key Takeaways

  • Arkansas suspends licenses for accumulating 14 points in three years, failing to pay fines or court costs, DUI convictions, driving uninsured, and non-driving reasons like unpaid child support.
  • You must contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Driver Services Division, to find out the exact reason for your suspension and when it will end.
  • Some suspensions can be lifted early if you pay outstanding fines, complete a defensive driving course, or resolve the underlying issue like child support arrears.
  • Driving on a suspended license in Arkansas is a criminal offense that carries fines, jail time, and further license suspension.
  • You cannot renew your license until the suspension period ends and any outstanding fines or court costs are paid.

How to Find Out Why Your License Was Suspended

Contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Driver Services Division, at 501-682-7060 or visit their office in person. Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. They will tell you the specific reason for the suspension, the suspension start date, and the expected end date.

You can also check your driving record online through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website, though the online record may not show the most recent suspension when ready. If you were suspended for a traffic violation or court-related reason, you may also receive a notice in the mail, but do not rely on receiving it — contact the department directly to confirm.

If your suspension is related to a court case, the court that issued the suspension order will have documentation. If it is related to child support or taxes, the responsible agency (Arkansas Department of Human Services for child support, Department of Revenue for taxes) will have your case file.

Lifting a Suspension Before the End Date

Some suspensions can end early if you take specific action. If you were suspended for accumulating points, completing an approved defensive driving course removes up to 4 points from your record and may allow you to request early reinstatement. The course must be taken before you request reinstatement.

If you were suspended for unpaid fines or court costs, paying the full amount in full stops the suspension when ready. Contact the court that issued the fine to confirm the exact amount owed and the payment method. Some courts accept payment by phone or online; others require payment in person or by mail.

If you were suspended for failure to maintain insurance, obtaining a valid insurance policy and providing proof to the Department of Finance and Administration can end the suspension. If you were suspended for child support arrears, making a payment arrangement with the Arkansas Department of Human Services or paying the full amount owed will lift the suspension.

DUI suspensions cannot be shortened by paying a fee or taking a course. You must wait out the full suspension period, though you may be able to request a hardship license that allows you to drive to work, school, or medical appointments during the suspension.

Requesting a Hardship License During Suspension

A hardship license (also called a restricted license) allows limited driving for essential purposes while your license is suspended. In Arkansas, you can request a hardship license if your suspension is for DUI, points accumulation, or failure to maintain insurance — but not for unpaid fines, failure to appear in court, or driving with a suspended license.

To request a hardship license, contact the Driver Services Division and ask for a hardship license process. You will need to show that the suspension causes undue hardship — typically meaning you cannot reach work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered programs without driving. The department will specify which routes and times you are permitted to drive.

A hardship license is not automatic. The department reviews your request and your driving history before approving it. If approved, you will receive a restricted license that is valid only for the purposes listed on it. Driving outside those purposes is a criminal offense.

Reinstating Your License After Suspension Ends

When your suspension period ends, your license is not automatically reinstated. You must take action to restore it. First, confirm that the suspension period has actually ended by contacting the Driver Services Division or checking your online driving record.

Second, may support all outstanding fines, court costs, and child support or tax obligations are paid. The department will not reinstate your license if any of these remain unpaid. If you are unsure whether you have outstanding obligations, contact the relevant court or agency directly.

Third, if your suspension was for DUI, you may be required to complete a substance abuse treatment or education program before reinstatement. The court or the Department of Finance and Administration will specify what program you need and where to take it.

Once these steps are complete, visit a Driver Services office or submit a reinstatement request by mail. There is a reinstatement fee (the amount varies; contact the department for current fees). You will receive a new license in the mail within two to three weeks.

Penalties for Driving on a Suspended License

Driving while your license is suspended in Arkansas is a criminal offense, not a traffic violation. A first offense is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. A second offense within five years is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. A third or subsequent offense within five years is a felony.

In addition to criminal penalties, driving on a suspended license results in further license suspension — typically an additional 6 months to one year. You may also be required to pay additional court costs and fines, and your vehicle may be impounded.

If you are stopped and your license is suspended, you will be arrested. There is no citation option. Even if the underlying suspension reason is minor (like an unpaid fine), the criminal charge for driving suspended is serious and will appear on your criminal record.

Points System and How It Leads to Suspension

Arkansas assigns points to your driving record for traffic violations. Minor violations like speeding add 3 to 4 points; more serious violations like reckless driving add 6 points; DUI adds 8 points. These points accumulate over a three-year period.

When you reach 14 points within three years, the Department of Finance and Administration automatically suspends your license for 30 days. If you accumulate 14 points again within three years of the first suspension, your license is suspended for 60 days. A third suspension within three years lasts 90 days.

Points drop off your record three years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the fine or completed traffic school. Completing an approved defensive driving course removes 4 points and can be done once every 12 months, though it does not remove points that have already caused a suspension — it only prevents future suspensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive to work if my license is suspended?

Not unless you have a hardship license. A hardship license is a restricted license that allows you to drive only for specific purposes — usually work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. You must request one from the Driver Services Division and show that the suspension causes undue hardship. Approval is not may provide.

How long does it take to get my license back after suspension ends?

Once your suspension period ends and all fines and obligations are paid, reinstatement takes two to three weeks if you submit by mail or receive your new license the same day if you visit a Driver Services office in person. You must pay a reinstatement fee; contact the department for the current amount.

What if I was suspended for unpaid child support but I cannot afford to pay the full amount?

Contact the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement, to request a payment plan. Making regular payments on an agreed schedule can lift the suspension even if you have not paid the full amount. The department will work with you to set up a plan based on your income.

Does a defensive driving course remove points I already have?

A defensive driving course removes up to 4 points from your record, but only if you have not already been suspended for those points. If you have already been suspended, the course does not retroactively lift the suspension — it only prevents future suspensions by reducing your point total going forward.

If I move out of Arkansas, do I still have to deal with the suspension?

Yes. Arkansas suspensions are reported to the National Driver Register, and other states will honor the suspension. If you move to another state and try to get a license there, the new state will see the Arkansas suspension and will not issue you a license until it is lifted. You must resolve the suspension in Arkansas first.