Arkansas driver's license fees by license type

An Arkansas driver's license costs $20 for a four-year license or $30 for an eight-year license. These are the standard fees charged by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services. The price you pay depends on which term length you choose when you renew or first obtain your license.

If you are under 21, the fee structure is the same — $20 for four years or $30 for eight years. Commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) cost more: $40 for four years or $60 for eight years. If you need a duplicate license because yours was lost or damaged, that costs $10.

These fees cover the cost of producing the physical card and maintaining the state's licensing system. They do not include any testing fees if you are taking a written or road test for the first time, which are separate charges.

Key Takeaways

  • A standard Arkansas driver's license costs $20 for four years or $30 for eight years.
  • Commercial driver's licenses cost $40 for four years or $60 for eight years.
  • A duplicate license costs $10 if yours is lost or damaged.
  • Testing fees for written or road tests are charged separately and vary depending on the test type.

Where to pay and what to bring

You pay the driver's license fee when you visit an Arkansas Office of Driver Services location in person. You cannot renew online or by mail in Arkansas, so you will need to go to a physical office to hand over payment and have your photo taken. The office accepts cash, check, and debit or credit card.

Bring your current license (if renewing), proof of identity such as a birth certificate or passport, and proof of your Social Security number. If your address has changed, bring proof of residency — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days works. The staff at the office will tell you if you are missing anything before you pay.

Testing fees if you are taking a written or road test

If you are obtaining your first license or your license has expired for more than five years, you will need to pass a written test and a road test. The written test costs $10, and the road test costs $20. These are separate from the license fee itself.

You can take the written test at any Office of Driver Services location. The road test must be scheduled in advance, and you will take it at the same office or at a location they direct you to. If you fail either test, you can retake it, but you will pay the fee again each time.

Renewal costs and timing

When your license is about to expire, you will receive a notice in the mail from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. This notice tells you when your license expires and reminds you to renew. You can renew up to 90 days before your license expires.

If you renew before your license expires, you pay only the renewal fee ($20 or $30, depending on the term you choose). If you wait until after your license has expired, you may have to retake the written test and pay that $10 fee in addition to the renewal fee. Renewing early avoids this extra cost and the risk of driving on an expired license.

Real ID and enhanced license options

Arkansas offers a Real ID compliant driver's license, which meets federal requirements for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. A Real ID license costs the same as a standard license — $20 for four years or $30 for eight years — so there is no extra charge for the federal compliance.

Arkansas also offers an enhanced driver's license, which allows you to cross the border into Canada, Mexico, and some Caribbean countries by land or sea without a passport. An enhanced license costs $45 for four years or $65 for eight years. This is a separate product from the standard or Real ID license, so you would choose one or the other when you renew.

What happens if your license expires

Driving on an expired license is illegal in Arkansas. If you are pulled over, you can be cited and fined. The fine amount depends on how long your license has been expired and whether you have other violations, so it is not a set amount — but it is always more expensive than renewing on time.

If your license has been expired for more than five years, you will have to retake both the written and road tests to renew it, which adds time and the $10 written test fee to your renewal process. If it has been expired for five years or less, you can renew without retesting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my Arkansas license online or by mail?

No. Arkansas requires you to renew in person at an Office of Driver Services location. You must bring your current license, proof of identity, and proof of residency. There is no online or mail renewal option.

Do I have to pay for a new photo every time I renew?

Yes. A new photo is taken every time you renew your license, and the photo fee is included in the $20 or $30 renewal fee. You cannot use an old photo from a previous license.

What if I lose my license before it expires?

You can get a duplicate license for $10 at any Office of Driver Services location. Bring your proof of identity and Social Security number. The duplicate will have the same expiration date as your original license.

Is there a fee to change my address on my license?

No. You can update your address at any Office of Driver Services location for free. You do not need to pay anything unless you also want a duplicate license with the new address printed on it, which costs $10.

How much does it cost to add a commercial endorsement to my license?

A commercial driver's license costs $40 for four years or $60 for eight years. If you already have a standard license and want to add a commercial endorsement, you will need to contact your local Office of Driver Services to find out the fee for that specific transaction, as it may differ from a full CDL.