Applying for a New License

Applying for a driver's license is necessary if you are an Arkansas resident and want to drive on the roads and highways.

New to the state? You have 30 days to apply for a driver's license. You must surrender your old license because all states subscribe to rule―you can only have one license.

In 2002, Arkansas adopted a graduated license program; you earn three different licenses before getting your Class D non-restricted driver's license.

Your local Office of Motor Vehicles will handle driver services and vehicle registrations and the Arkansas State Police will manage the driver license testing programs.

Types of Graduated Driver's Licenses

There are three different licenses offered by the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles for beginning drivers:

• Instruction Permit

• Learners License

• Intermediate License

The Instruction Permit is available to drivers 14 or older. The restrictions include having a licensed driver, over the age of 21, with you at all times. Also, every passenger must have a seat belt. You must pass the written and vision tests.

The second level of licensing, a Learner's Permit, is a restricted license offered to drivers 14 to 16 years old. To get this license, you must pass additional testing―the driving skills test, plus the regular written and vision tests.

Finally, an Intermediate License means you have graduated beyond the instruction and learner's permit. In fact, you are just one step away from getting your unrestricted Class D license.

An Intermediate License has fewer restrictions, for example you don't need an adult driver in your passenger seat. To qualify for this graduated license, you must be between 16 and 18 years old.

When you are 18 years old, you may be eligible for a non-restricted Class D license.

Qualifying for a Class D License

All drivers over the age of 18 may be eligible for the Class D unrestricted drivers license. If this is your first driver's license, you must have graduated through the licensing system and passed the Intermediate License level.

The Office of MV requires you to pass all the necessary testing and receive ample practice time during the graduated license program.

Your driving record should be clean, specifically, with no at-fault accidents or serious traffic violations.

Application Requirements

When you apply for your driver's license at the Office of MV, you need to take two of the following documents:

• U.S. Visa

• U.S. Birth Certificate

• Social Security Card

• Military ID

• INS Documents

• U.S. Passport

• Naturalization Certificate

You will also need to provide at least one other form of identification. You can find a complete list online or in the Arkansas Drivers License Test Study Guide.

Your age, at application time, determines whether or not you need a parent signature on the paperwork. Drivers younger than 18 need a parent's signature on the application form.

If you are younger than 18, you must also prove that you are in school, have graduated, or passed the GED test. Ask your school office about the paperwork.

Driving Privileges for Non-Citizens

Your valid foreign driver's license is legal for six months in Arkansas. After the six-month grace period, or after a 30-day grace period if you establish residency, you will need to apply for an Arkansas license. It's also a good idea, in the interim, to get an International Driver's Permit from your home country. This permit translates your foreign license into a format that U.S. officials can better process.

Non-Citizen Identity Requirements

To apply for an Arkansas driver's license you must provide proof of legal presence. Or, in more simpler terms, you must provide either two Primary forms of identification, or one Primary and one Secondary.

Primary Forms of Identification

• A valid and current passport along with an INS card or a U.S. Visa

• A naturalization certificate

• An INS document with your photo (border crosser not accepted)

• A court order that contains your name, date of birth, and court seal

Secondary Forms of Identification

• Employment or school photo identification card

• Marriage license

• Certified school transcript

• Court records

License officials reserve the right to request additional identification if they find any submitted form questionable.

Testing

While the MV handles the paperwork process, the Arkansas State Police (ASP) handle the testing of your driving skills.

Many ASP locations offer driving tests, but not all of them, so check the schedule before you apply.

The first test is your vision test. Arkansas requires you to have at least 20/50 vision in one eye. The requirements for CDL Drivers are different from drivers of passenger cars.

The written test will measure your knowledge of traffic signs, rules of the road, and other safety-related topics. Some basic equipment knowledge is also necessary to pass the written test; for example, using brakes in wet conditions.

The skills test, called the Practical Test in Arkansas, assesses your ability to handle the vehicle. The state trooper will also be watching how well you handle yourself while driving. Did you miss any traffic signals? How thorough was your pre-trip process?

After the Testing

Once you have passed the vision, written, and practical driver's tests your driver's license will be issued. Having a driver's license is a huge responsibility and you will do well to remember all the driver's safety training you had.

Keeping your driver's license means following the traffic rules, honoring restrictions, and accidents or traffic violations.

Auto insurance may cover any damage to your vehicle, but you will accumulate points on your license.

Practice your driving, stay alert, and plan out your trips. Simply paying attention can improve your reaction time and ability to avoid accidents.