Arkansas driver's license fees by license type

An Arkansas driver's license costs $24.50 for a four-year license or $36.50 for an eight-year license. These are the standard fees charged by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services. The choice between four and eight years is yours — you pay more upfront for the eight-year license but renew less often.

If you are under 21, the fee is the same, but your license will expire on your 21st birthday regardless of which term you chose. After you turn 21, you can renew for the full four or eight years at the standard rate.

Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cost more: $48.50 for four years or $72.50 for eight years. These fees explore whether you are getting your first CDL or renewing one. If you need a CDL with hazmat endorsement, there is an additional $10 fee on top of the CDL cost.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Arkansas driver's license costs $24.50 for four years or $36.50 for eight years.
  • Commercial driver's licenses cost $48.50 for four years or $72.50 for eight years, plus $10 more if you need hazmat endorsement.
  • You can pay by cash, check, or debit card at any Arkansas Office of Driver Services location.
  • Replacement licenses for lost, stolen, or damaged cards cost $11 and can be ordered by mail or obtained in person.

Where and how to pay the fee

You pay the license fee at any Arkansas Office of Driver Services location when you take your test or renew in person. The state accepts cash, personal check, and debit card — not credit cards. If you are renewing by mail, you send a check or money order with your process.

You cannot pay the fee online or over the phone. You must either visit a driver services office in person or mail in your renewal process with payment. The office locations and hours are listed on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website under Driver Services.

What happens if you need a replacement license

If your license is lost, stolen, or damaged, a replacement costs $11. You can order a replacement by mail by sending a form to the Office of Driver Services, or you can go to a driver services office in person and get one the same day. The $11 fee is separate from any renewal fee — if your license is also expiring soon, you will pay both the replacement fee and the renewal fee.

Bring your Social Security number and proof of identity when you request a replacement. If your license was stolen, you do not need a police report, but having one can help if you are concerned about identity theft.

Renewal fees and timing

When you renew your license, you pay the same fee as a new license: $24.50 for four years or $36.50 for eight years. Arkansas sends renewal notices by mail about 60 days before your license expires. You can renew up to one year early if you want to extend your expiration date.

If you renew by mail, the state processes applications within two to three weeks. If you renew in person at a driver services office, you usually get your new license the same day or within a few days. Bring your current license, proof of residence, and payment when you renew.

ID cards and learner's permits

An Arkansas ID card (for people who do not drive) costs $11 for four years or $16.50 for eight years. A learner's permit costs $11 and is valid for one year. These are separate from a driver's license and have their own fee structure.

If you are a minor getting a learner's permit, you will need parental consent and proof of identity. The $11 permit fee does not count toward a future driver's license — when you pass your driving test and get your license, you pay the full driver's license fee.

Additional costs you may encounter

Beyond the license fee itself, you may have other costs. The written test and driving test are free, but if you fail the driving test and need to retake it, there is no additional fee — you only pay once when you first get your license. However, if you need to take a vision test at an eye doctor because you do not have current vision records, that cost is yours to cover.

If you need to change your name or address on your license between renewals, you can do so by mail or in person. A name change costs $11 and requires a certified copy of your marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. An address change is free if you do it in person or by mail with your current license.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay my driver's license fee online?

No. Arkansas does not offer online payment for driver's license fees. You must pay in person at a driver services office with cash, check, or debit card, or mail a check or money order with a renewal process.

Do I have to choose between a four-year and eight-year license?

Yes. When you get or renew your license, you choose one or the other. The eight-year license costs more but means you renew less often. Both are valid forms of identification.

What if I move out of state — do I get a refund?

No. License fees are not refundable. If you move and get a license in another state, you lose the remainder of your Arkansas license fee. You can keep your Arkansas license as an ID even after you move, but you cannot drive with it in another state.

Is there a fee to renew my license if I do it early?

No. Renewing early costs the same as renewing on time. You pay the standard four-year or eight-year fee, and your new expiration date is calculated from the date you renew, not from your old expiration date.