What You Need to Renew Your Arkansas Driver License
Arkansas renews driver licenses by mail, online, or in person at a Department of Finance and Administration driver license office. The method you use depends on whether your license is still valid, how much time remains before it expires, and whether you need to update your address or other information. Most renewals can be completed without a visit to an office, but some situations require you to appear in person.
Your current Arkansas driver license must not be expired by more than five years for you to renew by mail or online. If your license expired more than five years ago, you must explore in person as if you were getting a license for the first time. The state does not offer a grace period — an expired license is an expired license, even if it expired yesterday.
You will need your current license, proof of Social Security number (your Social Security card, W-2, or 1099 form), and proof of your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). If you are renewing online or by mail and your name has changed since your last license was issued, you must also bring a certified copy of the document that shows the change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas allows online and mail renewal for licenses that are not yet expired or expired less than five years ago; licenses expired more than five years require an in-person process.
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and costs $24.50; mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days and costs $24.50 plus postage.
- You will need your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address; name changes require a certified document.
- In-person renewal at a driver license office takes about 30 minutes to an hour and requires the same documents plus a new photo.
- Arkansas driver licenses are valid for four years; the expiration date appears on the front of your card.
Renewing Online Through the Arkansas Portal
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration operates an online renewal portal at adem.arkansas.gov. You log in with your driver license number and date of birth, answer questions about your current address and whether your information has changed, and pay the $24.50 renewal fee by debit or credit card. The process takes about 10 minutes.
Your new license is mailed to the address you provide within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. Online renewal is available only if your license is not expired or expired less than five years ago, your address has not changed, and you have not been convicted of certain traffic offenses since your last renewal.
If you attempt to renew online and the system tells you that you are not may be able to access, you will need to renew by mail or in person. The system does not explain why you are ineligible, so contact the driver license office at 501-682-7060 to find out what document or step is required.
Renewing by Mail
To renew by mail, read the DL-43 form from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website or request one by calling 501-682-7060. Fill out the form with your current information, sign it, and mail it along with your current license, proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address to the address listed on the form.
Include a check or money order for $24.50 made payable to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Do not send cash. Mail renewal takes 7 to 10 business days from the date the office receives your packet, plus the time for mail to travel both ways — typically two to three weeks total.
Keep a copy of everything you mail for your records. If your packet is lost in the mail, you will have proof of what you sent. The office does not send a receipt or confirmation that your renewal was received, so consider using certified mail if you want proof of delivery.
Renewing in Person at a Driver License Office
Visit any Arkansas driver license office with your current license, proof of your Social Security number, proof of your current address, and payment of $24.50 in cash, check, or card. You will be photographed and your new license will be printed on site. The entire process takes 30 minutes to an hour depending on how busy the office is.
You can drive home on your current license; your new license is valid when ready even though you leave with your old one. The office will keep your old license and destroy it. If you need to drive before your new license arrives by mail, you can request a temporary paper license valid for 30 days.
Arkansas driver license offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some locations open on Saturday mornings. Find the office nearest you and its hours at adem.arkansas.gov. You do not need an appointment, but wait times vary by location and time of day.
What Happens If Your License Has Expired More Than Five Years
If your Arkansas driver license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license. This means you must visit a driver license office in person, bring proof of identity (a passport, birth certificate, or military ID), proof of your Social Security number, and proof of your current address. You will be photographed and tested on traffic laws and road signs.
The written test covers Arkansas traffic rules and safe driving practices. You can study the official Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, available free on the Department of Finance and Administration website. The test has 25 questions and you must answer at least 20 correctly to pass.
The fee for a new license is $24.50. If you have not held an Arkansas license before, you may also be required to pass a vision test and a driving test. Contact your local driver license office to find out what tests are required in your situation.
Address Changes and Other Updates
If you move to a new address in Arkansas, you can update your address online, by mail, or in person without renewing your license. Go to adem.arkansas.gov, log in with your license number and date of birth, and update your address. The change is processed when ready and a new license with your updated address is mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days. There is no fee for an address change.
If you change your name due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you must renew your license in person or by mail with a certified copy of the document showing the name change. You cannot update your name online. The renewal fee is $24.50.
If you need to change your sex designation on your license, you must visit a driver license office in person with a letter from a physician or mental health professional stating that you have undergone or are undergoing treatment for gender transition. The office will issue a new license with your updated sex designation at no additional cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get my new license after I renew?
Online and mail renewal take 7 to 10 business days from the date the office receives your materials, plus mail delivery time. In-person renewal is when ready — your new license is printed while you wait, though you leave with your old license and the new one is mailed to you. Most people receive their new license within two to three weeks of renewal.
Can I renew my license if I have an outstanding traffic ticket or unpaid fine?
Arkansas does not automatically block renewal for unpaid traffic fines, but some courts may place a hold on your license. If you attempt to renew online and are told you are ineligible, contact the driver license office at 501-682-7060 to find out whether a court hold is preventing renewal. You may need to pay the fine or contact the court before you can renew.
What if I lose my license before the new one arrives?
Contact your local driver license office and request a replacement. You will need to pay a $24.50 fee and bring proof of identity and your Social Security number. The office will print a temporary paper license valid for 30 days while your replacement is mailed. If you have already renewed and are waiting for your new license, call the office to confirm it has been mailed and ask for a temporary license in the meantime.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew by mail or online?
No. Mail and online renewal use your photo from your current license. Only in-person renewal requires a new photo. If you want a new photo on your license, you must renew in person at a driver license office.
Can someone else mail in my renewal for me?
Yes. You can have a family member or trusted person mail your renewal packet on your behalf. You must sign the DL-43 form yourself, but the other person can gather your documents, put them in an envelope, and mail them. Keep a copy of everything for your records in case the packet is lost.