You must have a valid Arkansas drivers license in order to legally operate a motor vehicle in the state. Knowing the process of how to apply for your first DMV drivers license is crucial if you wish to have a smooth and less-complicated experience. Oftentimes, understanding the eligibility requirements and various steps and paperwork involved can be complex and difficult, so becoming educated on where to get a drivers license and what is expected beforehand can be very beneficial.

In Arkansas, a graduated DMV license program exists that includes three different types of licenses available at different ages. This includes a learners license, an intermediate license and a regular license. Your ability to obtain each license depends primarily on your age when applying, so it is important to understand what license you can get depending on your age. To learn more about how to get each license, read the sections below.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Arkansas as an Adult (18 or Older)

Knowing how to get a drivers license as an adult is very important if you are 18 years of age or older. It is critical that you understand the process ahead of time so that you can expect to obtain the correct license quickly and effectively. It is also beneficial to do research ahead of time in order to understand what the differences are if you are applying for an Arkansas drivers license as an adult or a teenager because there are differences that you need to be aware of.

As long as you are 18 years of age or older, you may apply for a regular drivers license and you will not have to go through the graduated licensing program. However, this is only the case if you do not have any serious accidents or serious traffic convictions within the last 12 months. If you have had any serious accidents or convictions within the most recent 12 months, you must retain an intermediate license until such time that the record is free of those accidents and/or convictions for a full of 12 months.

If you do not have any serious traffic-related convictions or accidents on your record, you may apply for a drivers license and you will likely receive it as long as you meet the other eligibility requirements. This includes that you are 18 years of age or older, you can successfully pass the required tests and you can prove your identity and that you are legally present in the U.S.

Steps for Getting a Drivers License in Arkansas as an Adult

To get a regular MVD drivers license in AZ, you must follow certain steps. These steps include the following:

1. Visit your local Arkansas DMV office. Getting a drivers license online is not a currently an option.
2. Provide your Social Security Number (SSN), or sign an affidavit stating that you do not have a Social Security number.
3. Provide valid documentation, including each of the following:
   1. Primary document for proof of legal presence in the U.S. that includes full name and date of birth. This may include a:
      1. U.S. Passport
      2. U.S. Birth Certificate
      3. U.S. Visa with Valid Foreign Passport
      4. Employment Authorization Card
      5. Certificate of Naturalization
   2. Secondary document for proof of identity. This may include an Out of State Drivers License, Concealed Handgun License, Vehicle Registration or Title, Health Insurance Card or Marriage Certificate.
      1. In any case, you may provide two primary documents instead of one primary and one secondary.
4. Pass a vision exam.
5. Pass a written knowledge test and a road test if you have not already completed them to obtain a learners permit.
6. Pay applicable fees for the license.

Getting an Arkansas Drivers License as a New Resident

If you move to Arkansas, you will need to get a new drivers license issued by the state of Arkansas immediately after you become a resident. In order to do this, you must surrender your valid and unexpired out-of-state license to any local revenue office and it will be exchanged for an Arkansas license. You must also provide proof of legal presence in the U.S., two forms of valid identification and present your Social Security number.

If your out-of-state DMV license has been expired for over 31 days, but less than a year, you will need to take both the written knowledge test and a vision test in order to get a new license. If your license has been expired for over a year, you will need to take the written knowledge test, road test and vision test.

How to Apply for a Drivers License in Arkansas as a Teen (Younger Than 18)

The graduated DMV license program in Arkansas allows for teenagers younger than 18 to get different types of restricted licenses. Starting at age 14, you can get an instruction permit, also referred to as a learners permit. After you obtain that you may qualify for a learners license, which is valid until you are 16 years of age. Between the ages 16 to 18 you can get an intermediate license. Only once you have reached 18 years of age do you qualify for a regular class D license.

All of these licenses can be obtained by providing certain documentation and taking the required tests. To learn more drivers license information regarding getting a license as a teenager, read the sections below.

Arkansas Drivers License Eligibility Requirements for Teens (Younger Than 18)

You must meet certain AR drivers license eligibility requirements to get a license as a teenager in Arkansas. It is important to understand the drivers license requirements for these restricted licenses before you begin the application process. This criteria is detailed below.

An instruction permit is is not a license, but it is valid for six months and allows you to operate a motor vehicle as long as you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older. To get an instruction permit, you must:

• Be at least 14 years of age.
• Pass the required skills, knowledge and vision tests.
• Provide a consent form signed by your parent or legal guardian if you are younger than 18 years of age.
• Provide grade and attendance forms from your school.

A learners license is a restricted Arkansas drivers license that allows you to operate a motor vehicle as long as you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older. To get a learner’s license, you must:

• Be between 14-16 years of age.
• Possess a valid instruction permit indicating successful completion of knowledge, vision and skills tests.
• Not have been at fault in a traffic accident or convicted of a serious traffic violation in the preceding six months prior to application.

An intermediate license is a restricted driving license that allows you to operate a motor vehicle with no more than one unrelated minor passenger, and not between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. unless accompanied by a licensed driver that is 21 years of age or older. To get an intermediate license, you must:

• Be between 16-18 years of age.
• Possess a valid instruction permit indicating successful completion of knowledge, vision and skills tests.
• Not have been at fault in a traffic crash or convicted of a serious traffic violation in the preceding six months prior to application.

Arkansas drivers license services does not require the completion of a drivers education course in order for licenses to be obtained, regardless of your age. However, even though drivers ed is not a mandatory requirement for getting your license for driving, it is a highly recommended program that can help you to prepare for any tests and become a more confident driver.

Steps for Getting a Drivers License in Arkansas as a Teen (Younger Than 18)

As mentioned in the sections above, before you can complete a driving license application if you are a teenager, you must apply for and hold an instruction permit. This permit requires the knowledge and skills testing, so once that has been completed, you can begin the process of getting a restricted license – either the learners license or the intermediate license.

Knowing what you need to do to get your AR license is important, especially as someone younger than 18 years old who is getting a license for the first time. Both the learners license and the intermediate license can be applied for the same way, by following these steps:

1. Visit your local Arkansas DMV office.
2. Provide your Social Security number, or sign an affidavit stating that you do not have a Social Security number.
3. Provide valid documentation, including each of the following:
   1. Original or certified copy of Birth Certificate.
   2. Secondary document for proof of identity and date of birth:
      1. Employment or School Photo ID
      2. Certified School Transcript
      3. Vehicle Registration and/or Title
      4. Health Insurance Card
   3. Signature of parent on application
   4. School attendance and grade average forms or home school student forms
4. Pay any applicable fees for the license.

Arkansas Drivers License Costs

There are drivers license costs that need to be taken into consideration when applying for a license. These costs are as follows:

• Class D License: $40
• Drivers License Written Test: $5

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