Determine the Status of Your License

You must have a valid license to drive. There is no grace period should you let your license expire.

The state requires adequate financial responsibility. In other words, you either have to be able to pay up or have valid car insurance.

Valid License

Your license expires every four years on your birthday, whether you have a regular Class D license or a Class M motorcycle license. You can renew before your birthday, so don’t forget. It’s against the law to drive with an expired license.

Those who hold commercial licenses follow a different schedule.

If you’re not sure whether your license is valid or don’t know what type of license you hold, you can do a driving records check.

Expired License

So you’ve let your license expire and fear paying a huge fine. No worries. In Arkansas, you have up to a year to renew your license after it expires with no penalties or extra fees. After a year, you have to take the written test again.

If you’re not sure whether your license has expired, you can always do a check of your driving records.

Suspended License

If you've been accumulating citations or have gotten a DUI, you should look at your driving record. This will tell you whether your license has been suspended or if it's close to being suspended. It will also tell you when you're eligible to have it validated again,

Those who have had a suspended license (usually due to DUI or too many traffic tickets) will probably face higher insurance rates. Before you start driving again, it wouldn’t hurt to do a little insurance comparison shopping.

Lost License

If you’ve misplaced your license, replace it as soon as possible. It costs $10.

Check Your Renewal Notice

Your renewal happens on your birthday every four years, but the state will send you a renewal notice anyway. The notice will say whether you need to retake the vision test. If you don't, you have the option of renewing by mail.

Renew Online

Arkansas doesn’t offer online renewals.

Renew By Mail

If your renewal notice says you don’t have to come in or if you're out of state, renew by mail.

1. First, call the ODS at (501) 682-7059 and ask for an application.
2. The paperwork and instructions will be mailed.
3. Complete the form and include your $20 renewal fee.

Mail to:

• Office of Driver Services

• Drivers License Issuance

• Room 2120

• P.O. Box 1272

• Little Rock, AR 72203

Remember to allow enough time for the transaction to be processed and mailed back. The turnaround is usually only two days.

Renew In Person

When you renew in person, you may have to take the vision screening. Visit one of the Department of Finance & Administration's Office of Driver Services and pay your $20 renewal fee. Your license will be issued on the spot.

Update Your Driving Skills

People aren’t good drivers just because they have a license. Taking a supplemental traffic school class every once in a while will help you freshen up on your traffic law knowledge. It may even lower your insurance rates, as some companies offer breaks for taking a class. Call your company to find out. If they don’t, you might want to check with other companies to see who will.

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