Where to renew and what you'll need
You can renew your Arkansas driver's license in person at any Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, or by mail if you meet certain conditions. The in-person route is faster and handles most situations; the mail route works only if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have no medical conditions or restrictions that changed.
For an in-person renewal, bring your current driver's license, proof of your Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current Arkansas address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If your name has changed since your last license, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the change.
If you're renewing by mail, send your current license, a completed DL-43 form (available on the Arkansas DMV website), and a check or money order for the renewal fee. Mail it to the address listed on the form. Processing takes about two weeks.
Key Takeaways
- In-person renewals at any Arkansas DMV office take about 30 minutes and are the fastest option for most people.
- Mail renewal is available only if your license expired less than one year ago and you have no medical or restriction changes.
- You must bring your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address to renew in person.
- Arkansas driver's licenses are valid for four years, and you can renew up to one year before expiration.
- The renewal fee varies depending on whether you want a standard or REAL ID-compliant license.
In-person renewal at a DMV office
Walk into any Arkansas DMV office during business hours with your documents. You do not need an appointment at most locations, though some offices accept them and may have shorter wait times. Check the Arkansas DMV website to find the office nearest you and confirm its hours.
At the counter, tell the clerk you're renewing. They will verify your documents, take a new photo, and ask you to confirm your address and any restrictions or medical conditions. You'll pay the renewal fee on the spot—the amount depends on whether you want a standard license or a REAL ID-compliant license (which you'll need for domestic air travel starting in 2025). The clerk will give you a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your plastic card is printed and mailed to your address.
Your new license arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. If it doesn't arrive within two weeks, contact the DMV office where you renewed to check the status.
Mail renewal for unexpired or recently expired licenses
If your license expired less than one year ago and nothing about your medical status or driving restrictions has changed, you can renew by mail. read the DL-43 form from the Arkansas DMV website, fill it out completely, and sign it.
Include your current license, the completed form, and a check or money order for the renewal fee made out to the Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles. Mail everything to the address printed on the form instructions. Do not mail cash.
The DMV processes mail renewals in about two weeks. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file. If your address has changed, you must renew in person instead, because the DMV needs to verify your new address with a utility bill or lease.
REAL ID versus standard license
Arkansas offers two types of driver's licenses: a standard license and a REAL ID-compliant license. The difference matters if you fly domestically or enter a federal building. Starting May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will require a REAL ID-compliant license or passport to board domestic flights.
A REAL ID license costs more than a standard license and requires additional proof of identity and address at renewal. You'll need to bring your Social Security card (or W-2 or 1099), proof of your current address, and proof of citizenship or legal residency—usually a birth certificate or passport. If you already have a REAL ID license, you can renew it as a REAL ID when it expires.
If you're unsure whether your current license is REAL ID-compliant, look for a small star in the upper right corner of the card. If it's there, your license is REAL ID-compliant. If you don't have that star and want it, you must renew in person and request the REAL ID version.
What happens if your license is expired by more than one year
If your license has been expired for more than one year, you cannot renew by mail. You must go to a DMV office in person and bring the same documents as a standard renewal: your expired license, proof of Social Security number, and proof of your current address.
The process is the same as a regular in-person renewal, and you'll receive a temporary paper license while your new card is printed. The DMV does not penalize you for the gap in expiration, but you cannot legally drive until you have renewed.
Fees and payment methods
Renewal fees vary based on the type of license and how long you want it to be valid. A standard four-year renewal costs less than a REAL ID renewal. The DMV accepts cash, check, debit card, and credit card at in-person offices. For mail renewal, send a check or money order only—do not mail cash.
If you're renewing in person and don't have exact change, the DMV office will make change. Ask the clerk for the exact fee before you pay, since rates can change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Arkansas license online?
No. Arkansas does not offer online renewal. You must renew in person at a DMV office or by mail if you meet the conditions for mail renewal (license expired less than one year ago, no medical or restriction changes).
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
You receive a temporary paper license when ready after renewing in person, valid for 30 days. Your plastic card arrives by mail within 7 to 10 business days. Mail renewals take about two weeks total from the time the DMV receives your documents.
What if my address changed since my last license?
You must renew in person and bring proof of your new address—a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. The DMV will not process a mail renewal if your address has changed.
Do I need to take a new driving test to renew?
No. Renewal does not require a written or driving test. The DMV will take a new photo and verify that your medical status and restrictions have not changed, but you do not have to pass any test.
What if I lost my license and need to renew?
If your license is lost or stolen, you cannot renew by mail. Go to a DMV office in person and tell the clerk your license is lost. Bring your proof of Social Security number and proof of address. The DMV will issue a replacement, and you'll pay a replacement fee in addition to the renewal fee.