What you need to do to renew in Arkansas
Arkansas renews driver licenses by mail, online, or in person at a Driver Services office. Which route works for you depends on how much time you have left, whether your address has changed, and whether you need a Real ID-compliant license. Most people can renew online or by mail without visiting an office, but some situations require you to show up in person.
Your renewal notice arrives about 60 days before your license expires. The notice includes a barcode you'll need for online renewal, so keep it handy. If you've lost the notice, you can still renew — you'll just need your driver license number and other identifying information instead.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $24.50 for a four-year license; you'll receive your new license by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
- Mail renewal requires you to send your renewal notice, current license, and payment to the address on the notice; processing takes 2 to 3 weeks.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Services office is necessary if your address changed, your name changed, or you need a Real ID for federal travel after May 2025.
- You must renew in person if your license has been suspended, revoked, or if you're renewing for the first time after turning 21.
Online renewal: the fastest option for most people
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration's online renewal system is open 24 hours a day. You'll need your renewal notice (which has a barcode), your current driver license number, and a credit or debit card. The system takes about 10 minutes and costs $24.50 for a four-year renewal.
After you complete the online transaction, your new license prints at a state facility and ships to the address on file. You should receive it within 7 to 10 business days. Your current license remains valid until the new one arrives, so you can keep driving and using it for identification during that time.
Online renewal is not available if your address has changed since your last license was issued, if your name has changed, or if you're explore for a Real ID. In those cases, you'll need to renew by mail or in person.
Mail renewal: when you don't have your renewal notice
To renew by mail, send your renewal notice, your current driver license, and a check or money order for $24.50 to the address printed on the notice itself. Do not send cash. Include a return envelope with postage if you want your old license back; otherwise, the state will destroy it.
Mail processing takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date the state receives your packet. Your current license stays valid during this time. If you don't have your renewal notice, you can still mail-renew — call the Driver Services customer service line at 501-682-7060 to request a renewal form, or visit a Driver Services office to pick one up in person.
Mail renewal works well if you're renewing before your license expires and your personal information hasn't changed. If you're renewing after expiration, you may need to renew in person instead.
In-person renewal at a Driver Services office
You must renew in person if your address has changed, your name has changed, you're explore for a Real ID, or your license has been suspended or revoked. You'll also need to renew in person if you're renewing for the first time after turning 21, or if you're renewing more than five years after expiration.
Bring your current driver license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change. If you're explore for Real ID, bring your birth certificate or passport as well.
Driver Services offices are located in most county seats across Arkansas. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website. Walk-ins are accepted, but wait times vary. Some offices offer online appointment scheduling, which can reduce your wait.
Real ID requirements and timing
A Real ID is a driver license that meets federal standards for boarding domestic flights and entering federal buildings. Arkansas began issuing Real IDs in 2009, and they're marked with a gold star in the upper right corner. Starting May 7, 2025, you'll need a Real ID or a passport to board a domestic flight in the United States.
If your current license doesn't have the gold star, you can renew it as a Real ID when you renew. Real ID renewal requires an in-person visit to a Driver Services office and costs the same as a standard renewal ($24.50 for four years). You'll need to bring your birth certificate or passport, your Social Security card or equivalent, and proof of your current address.
If you're renewing online or by mail and your current license is not a Real ID, your new license will also not be a Real ID. Plan ahead if you need the Real ID designation — you cannot get it through online or mail renewal.
What happens if your license has expired
If your license expired fewer than five years ago, you can renew it using any of the three methods: online, by mail, or in person. Your expired license is still proof of identity for the renewal process.
If your license expired more than five years ago, you must renew in person at a Driver Services office. Bring the same documents you would for a standard in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of current address. The office will treat this as a standard renewal, not a reinstatement, so you won't face additional fees or requirements beyond the regular renewal cost.
Fees and payment methods
A four-year driver license renewal in Arkansas costs $24.50. This is the standard fee whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. If you're renewing for a Real ID, the cost is the same.
Online renewal accepts credit and debit cards. Mail renewal requires a check or money order — do not send cash. In-person renewal at a Driver Services office accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card. Some offices may have additional payment options; call ahead if you want to confirm what your local office accepts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive with an expired license while I wait for my renewal?
No. Once your license expires, you cannot legally drive. If you're renewing online or by mail, your new license should arrive before expiration. If you're close to your expiration date and haven't started the process, renew in person at a Driver Services office to get your new license the same day.
What if I moved to Arkansas from another state?
You must get an Arkansas driver license within 30 days of establishing residency. You cannot renew an out-of-state license in Arkansas — you'll need to explore for a new Arkansas license in person at a Driver Services office. Bring your out-of-state license, proof of Social Security number, proof of Arkansas residency, and proof of your name (if different from your out-of-state license).
How long does in-person renewal take at the office?
If you have all required documents, the in-person process usually takes 15 to 30 minutes. You'll receive a temporary paper license valid for 45 days while your permanent license is printed and mailed to you. Wait times vary by location and time of day; visiting early in the week or early in the morning often means shorter waits.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or child support debt?
Arkansas may suspend your license if you have unpaid child support or certain outstanding court fines. If your license is suspended, you cannot renew it online or by mail — you must visit a Driver Services office in person. The office can tell you whether your license is suspended and what you need to do to resolve the issue before renewing.
What if my renewal notice got lost in the mail?
Call the Driver Services customer service line at 501-682-7060 and request a replacement notice, or visit a Driver Services office in person to pick one up. You can still renew online without the notice if you have your driver license number and other identifying information, but the notice makes the process faster.