What you need to do to reinstate a suspended license in Arkansas
To reinstate a suspended Arkansas driver's license, you must first find out why it was suspended — the reason determines what you do next. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division (which handles driver's licenses) does not reinstate licenses automatically. You have to contact them, pay any required fees, and sometimes complete additional steps like paying fines, completing a defensive driving course, or providing proof of insurance.
The reinstatement process takes different paths depending on whether your suspension was for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, driving without insurance, accumulating too many points, or other reasons. Some suspensions lift on their own after a set time period, but most require you to take action. Starting with a call to the Revenue Division is the fastest way to learn exactly what your suspension requires.
Key Takeaways
- Contact the Arkansas Revenue Division at 501-682-7060 to find out the specific reason your license was suspended and what steps you must take.
- Most suspensions require you to pay a reinstatement fee (typically $100 to $200) plus any outstanding fines or court costs related to the suspension.
- Some suspensions require proof of insurance, completion of a defensive driving course, or payment to the court before the Revenue Division will reinstate your license.
- Once you complete all requirements, you can request reinstatement by mail, online, or in person at a Revenue Division office.
- Reinstatement usually takes one to two weeks after the Revenue Division receives your completed paperwork and payment.
Common reasons for license suspension in Arkansas
Arkansas suspends licenses for several reasons, and each has its own reinstatement path. The most common are unpaid traffic fines or court costs, failure to appear for a traffic court date, driving without proof of insurance, accumulating 12 or more points on your driving record within three years, and DUI or DWI convictions.
If your suspension is for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the full amount owed before reinstatement. If it is for failure to appear in court, you typically need to appear in the court that issued the suspension, resolve the case, and then request reinstatement. Insurance-related suspensions require you to provide proof of current coverage. Point-based suspensions (from multiple traffic violations) may require a defensive driving course in addition to the reinstatement fee.
How to find out why your license was suspended
Call the Arkansas Revenue Division at 501-682-7060 during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Central Time). Have your driver's license number or Social Security number ready. The staff member will tell you the reason for the suspension, what fees or actions are required, and whether any court involvement is necessary.
You can also check your suspension status online through the Arkansas Revenue Division website, though the online system may not show as much detail as a phone call. If you prefer to visit in person, the Revenue Division office is located at 1900 West Seventh Street in Little Rock, but calling first saves you a trip since you will need specific information before you can proceed.
Paying reinstatement fees and outstanding fines
The reinstatement fee itself is typically $100 to $200, depending on the reason for suspension. This is separate from any fines, court costs, or other money you owe related to the traffic violation that caused the suspension. You must pay both the reinstatement fee and any outstanding balance before your license will be reinstated.
Payment methods include by mail (check or money order), online through the Revenue Division website, or in person at a Revenue Division office. If you are paying by mail, send your payment to the address the Revenue Division provides when you call. Include your driver's license number and a note explaining what the payment is for. Allow extra time if paying by mail — the Revenue Division must receive and process your payment before your reinstatement can be completed.
Additional requirements beyond payment
Depending on your suspension reason, you may need to complete steps beyond paying fees. If your suspension involved driving without insurance, you must provide proof of current auto insurance coverage before reinstatement. This proof can be a current insurance card, a declaration page from your policy, or a letter from your insurance company.
If your suspension resulted from accumulating too many points, Arkansas may require you to complete a defensive driving course. The Revenue Division will tell you whether this is required when you call. Approved courses are offered online and in person throughout Arkansas, and completion typically takes four to eight hours. Once you finish, you will receive a certificate to submit to the Revenue Division along with your reinstatement request.
If your suspension involved a failure to appear in court or an active warrant, you must resolve that court matter first. This usually means appearing in the court that issued the suspension, speaking with the prosecutor or judge, and resolving the case. Only after the court case is resolved can you request reinstatement from the Revenue Division.
How to request reinstatement
Once you have completed all requirements — paid all fees and fines, obtained any required documents, and resolved any court matters — you can request reinstatement. You have three options: by mail, online, or in person.
By mail: Send a letter to the Arkansas Revenue Division that includes your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended, and proof that you have met all requirements (receipts for payment, insurance proof, course completion certificate, or court documents). Mail it to the address provided by the Revenue Division.
Online: Visit the Arkansas Revenue Division website and follow the reinstatement request process. You will need to upload copies of any required documents and pay the reinstatement fee online if you have not already done so.
In person: Visit a Revenue Division office with your identification, proof of payment, and any other required documents. Staff can process your reinstatement request on the spot, though you may still need to wait one to two weeks for the suspension to be lifted in the system.
Timeline for reinstatement
Once the Revenue Division receives your completed reinstatement request and all required documents and payments, the process typically takes one to two weeks. During this time, the Revenue Division verifies that you have met all requirements and processes the reinstatement in their system.
If you are paying by mail, add extra time for postal delivery and processing. If you submitted documents online, reinstatement may be faster. You can call the Revenue Division to check the status of your reinstatement request if more than two weeks have passed since you submitted everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No. Your license remains suspended until the Revenue Division completes the reinstatement process and updates their system. Driving with a suspended license is illegal and can result in additional fines, criminal charges, and further suspension. Wait until you receive confirmation that your license has been reinstated.
What if I cannot pay the full amount owed right now?
Contact the Revenue Division or the court that issued the suspension to ask about payment plans. Some courts allow you to pay fines in installments. The Revenue Division can tell you whether a payment plan is an option for your specific situation. Until the full amount is paid, your license will remain suspended.
Do I need a defensive driving course if my suspension was for unpaid fines?
No. A defensive driving course is required only if your suspension resulted from accumulating too many points on your driving record. The Revenue Division will tell you whether a course is required when you call about your suspension. If it is not required, you do not need to take one.
What happens if I move out of state after my license is suspended?
Your Arkansas suspension remains in effect and will show up on your driving record in any state. Most states share suspension information through a national database. You will need to resolve the Arkansas suspension before you can obtain a license in another state. Contact the Arkansas Revenue Division to proceed with reinstatement even if you no longer live in Arkansas.
How long does a suspension stay on my driving record?
Once your license is reinstated, the suspension itself is removed from your active status. However, the traffic violation that caused the suspension remains on your driving record. Points from violations typically stay on your record for three years from the date of the violation. You can request a copy of your driving record from the Revenue Division to see what violations are currently listed.