What a hardship driver's license is and who can get one
A hardship driver's license in Arkansas is a limited license that lets you drive during a suspension when you have a genuine need — usually work, school, medical care, or court-ordered obligations. It is not a full license, and it does not erase your suspension. Instead, it carves out specific times and routes you are allowed to drive while your regular license remains suspended.
Arkansas calls this a "restricted license" in some contexts, but the concept is the same: you can drive to and from certain places, on certain days, during certain hours. The state issues these when a suspension would otherwise make it impossible for you to work, attend school, or meet legal obligations.
You can request one if your license is suspended for reasons like unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, DUI-related suspensions, or accumulating too many points. The reason for your suspension matters — some suspensions allow hardship licenses more readily than others.
Key Takeaways
- You request a hardship license from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services, not from a court or police department.
- You must show a genuine hardship — work, school, medical treatment, or court-ordered obligation — and explain why you cannot use other transportation.
- The type of suspension you have determines whether you are even may be able to access; DUI suspensions have stricter rules than point-based suspensions.
- You will need your current suspended license, proof of insurance, and documentation of your hardship (a job letter, school enrollment, medical appointment, or court order).
- There is a fee, which varies depending on the length of the restricted license you request.
Types of suspensions and hardship license may be able to access
Not every suspension allows a hardship license. Arkansas distinguishes between administrative suspensions (for unpaid fines or child support), point-based suspensions (from traffic violations), and DUI-related suspensions. Each has different rules.
If your suspension is for unpaid fines, unpaid child support, or accumulated points, you are generally may be able to access to request a hardship license. If your suspension is DUI-related, the rules are stricter. A first DUI suspension may allow a hardship license only after a waiting period — typically 30 days for a first offense. Subsequent DUI suspensions may not allow one at all, or only under very limited circumstances.
Before you request one, contact the Office of Driver Services to confirm your suspension type and whether a hardship license is even an option for you. You can reach them at 501-682-7060 or visit the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website. Knowing your suspension type upfront saves you from preparing paperwork for a request that will be denied.
How to request a hardship license
You request a hardship license in person at an Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration office. There is no online process or mail-in process. You will need to visit a driver services office in your county or a nearby county.
Bring your suspended driver's license, proof of current auto insurance, and documentation of your hardship. The hardship documentation depends on what you are claiming: a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job duties and work schedule; a current enrollment letter or class schedule from your school; an appointment letter or medical records from a doctor or hospital; or a court order requiring you to appear or perform a duty.
When you arrive, tell the staff member you are requesting a hardship license and explain your situation. They will review your documents, confirm your suspension type, and tell you whether you are may be able to access. If you are, they will issue the restricted license on the spot or tell you when to return to pick it up.
What your hardship license will and will not allow
A hardship license specifies the routes and times you can drive. For example, it might say you can drive from your home to your workplace and back, Monday through Friday, between 5 a.m. and 6 p.m. Or it might allow you to drive to a medical facility on specific days for treatment.
You cannot use a hardship license to drive anywhere else, at any other time, or for any other purpose. Driving outside the restrictions — even slightly — is a violation and can result in additional charges. The license is not a full license; it is permission to drive only what is written on it.
The hardship license is also temporary. It lasts only as long as your suspension, or for a period you request (usually 30, 60, or 90 days). When it expires, you cannot renew it unless your suspension is still active and your hardship still exists.
Fees and how long the process takes
There is a fee to request and receive a hardship license. The exact amount depends on how long you request the license for, but it typically ranges from $20 to $50. You pay this fee when you submit your request at the driver services office.
The office usually issues the hardship license the same day if all your documents are in order. In some cases, if they need to verify information with your employer or school, it may take a few business days. Ask the staff member for a timeline when you submit your request.
If your request is denied, you will be told why. Common reasons include insufficient documentation of hardship, a suspension type that does not allow hardship licenses, or a waiting period you have not yet completed. You can reapply once you have addressed the reason for denial.
What happens if you drive outside the restrictions
Driving outside the times, routes, or purposes listed on your hardship license is a violation. You can be cited, fined, and potentially face additional suspension or criminal charges depending on the circumstances and your driving history.
If you are stopped by police while driving outside your restrictions, the officer will see that you have a restricted license and that you are violating it. This is treated seriously because it shows you are driving with a suspended license, which is illegal.
If your circumstances change — your job ends, you finish school, or your medical treatment is no longer needed — you should contact the Office of Driver Services to discuss your options. Continuing to use a hardship license after your hardship no longer exists is not recommended and can create legal problems.
Getting your full license back
A hardship license does not restore your full driving privileges. To get your full license back, you must resolve the reason for your suspension. This might mean paying outstanding fines, paying child support arrears, completing a DUI education program, or waiting out a point-based suspension period.
Once you have resolved the underlying issue, contact the Office of Driver Services to request reinstatement of your full license. You may need to provide proof that the issue is resolved — a receipt showing fines paid, a letter from child support enforcement, or a certificate of completion from a required program.
The reinstatement process usually takes a few business days. You will receive notice when your full license is reinstated, and you can then drive without the restrictions that applied to your hardship license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if I have a DUI suspension?
It depends on the offense and how long ago it occurred. A first DUI suspension typically allows a hardship license after a 30-day waiting period. Subsequent DUI suspensions have stricter rules and may not allow one. Contact the Office of Driver Services at 501-682-7060 to find out whether your specific DUI suspension qualifies.
What if my employer will not write a letter for me?
You will need some form of documentation showing your employment and work schedule. If your employer will not write a letter, ask whether they can provide a pay stub, a work schedule, or a statement from HR. If you cannot obtain any documentation, the Office of Driver Services may deny your request, or you may need to explore whether a different hardship applies to your situation.
Can I drive to places other than work if I have a work-based hardship license?
No. Your hardship license specifies only the routes and purposes you can drive for. If it says you can drive to work and back, you cannot use it to run errands, visit friends, or go anywhere else. Driving outside the restrictions is a violation.
How long does a hardship license last?
You choose the length when you request it — typically 30, 60, or 90 days. It expires at the end of that period or when your suspension ends, whichever comes first. You cannot renew it unless your suspension is still active and your hardship still exists.
Do I still have to pay my fines or child support while I have a hardship license?
Yes. A hardship license does not erase the reason for your suspension. If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, you still owe that money. Paying it is what eventually leads to reinstatement of your full license.