What happens when Arkansas suspends your license and how to get it back
Arkansas suspends driver's licenses for specific reasons — unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, medical conditions reported by a doctor, or conviction of certain traffic offenses. The state does not automatically reinstate your license once the underlying problem is resolved. You must take action to request reinstatement, and the process and cost depend on why your license was suspended in the first place.
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Driver Services Division handles reinstatement requests. You cannot straightforward pay a fee and walk away; you must first clear the reason for suspension, then submit proof to the state, and then pay the reinstatement fee. The timeline and specific steps vary by suspension type.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas does not automatically reinstate your license after the suspension reason is resolved — you must request reinstatement in writing or in person.
- You must first clear the underlying reason for suspension (pay fines, appear in court, resolve child support debt, or obtain medical clearance) before the state will consider your request.
- The reinstatement fee is typically $100, but some suspension types carry additional fees or requirements.
- You can request reinstatement by mail, in person at a Driver Services office, or online through the Arkansas DMV website if your suspension type allows it.
- Processing takes 5 to 10 business days after the state receives your request and verifies that the suspension reason has been cleared.
Why Arkansas suspended your license and what you need to clear first
The reason your license was suspended determines what you must do before reinstatement is possible. Arkansas issues a suspension notice that states the reason and, in most cases, what action clears it. If you lost the notice, you can contact Driver Services or check your driving record online through the Arkansas DMV website.
Common suspension reasons include unpaid traffic fines or court costs (you must pay the full amount owed to the court that issued the citation), failure to appear in court (you must appear or resolve the underlying case), child support arrears (the Arkansas Department of Human Services must confirm the debt is paid or a payment plan is in place), medical suspension (an Arkansas-licensed physician must clear you in writing), and conviction of certain traffic offenses like DWI (you may need to complete a substance abuse program or install an ignition interlock device). Some suspensions have multiple conditions — for example, a DWI suspension may require both program completion and interlock installation.
Before you contact Driver Services about reinstatement, confirm with the relevant agency (the court, child support office, or medical examiner) that the suspension reason has been fully cleared. The state will not process your reinstatement request if the underlying issue remains unresolved.
How to request reinstatement by mail
Mail is the slowest but most straightforward route. Send a letter to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Driver Services Division, P.O. Box 1272, Little Rock, AR 72203. Include your full name, date of birth, driver's license number, the reason your license was suspended (if you know it), and proof that the suspension reason has been cleared.
Proof depends on the suspension type. For unpaid fines, include a receipt from the court showing payment in full. For failure to appear, include a letter from the court or your attorney confirming the case has been resolved. For child support, include a letter from the Arkansas Department of Human Services confirming the debt is paid or a payment plan is active. For medical suspension, include a signed statement from an Arkansas-licensed physician. For DWI or other traffic convictions, include proof of program completion or interlock installation.
Enclose a check or money order for the $100 reinstatement fee, payable to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Do not send cash. Mail takes 5 to 10 business days to arrive, and processing takes another 5 to 10 business days after that. Your new license will be mailed to the address on file.
Requesting reinstatement in person at a Driver Services office
Visiting a Driver Services office in person is faster than mail if you have all required documents. Bring your proof that the suspension reason has been cleared, your driver's license (if you still have it), and a valid form of identification. Bring a check or money order for $100, or ask the office which payment methods they accept — some locations accept debit or credit cards.
Arkansas has Driver Services offices in Little Rock, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, Fayetteville, and Hot Springs, plus several smaller locations. Hours and exact addresses are listed on the Arkansas DMV website. Offices are typically open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but call ahead to confirm current hours and any wait times.
Processing at the office usually takes 15 to 30 minutes if your documents are in order. You will receive a temporary driving permit on the spot, and your permanent license will be mailed within 5 to 10 business days.
Online reinstatement through the Arkansas DMV website
Not all suspension types can be handled online. The Arkansas DMV website allows online reinstatement requests for suspensions related to unpaid fines or failure to appear, provided the underlying issue has been resolved and you can pay the $100 fee by debit or credit card.
Log in to your account on the Arkansas DMV website, navigate to the reinstatement section, and follow the prompts. You will need your driver's license number, date of birth, and proof that the suspension reason has been cleared (a court receipt, letter, or confirmation number). Upload or enter the required information, pay the fee, and submit. The state will send you a confirmation email and process your request within 5 to 10 business days.
If your suspension is medical, child support-related, or conviction-based, you cannot use the online system. You must request reinstatement by mail or in person.
What to do if your reinstatement request is denied
Reinstatement requests are denied when the state cannot verify that the suspension reason has been cleared. This usually means the proof you submitted does not match the state's records, or the underlying issue is not actually resolved.
If your request is denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. Contact the relevant agency when ready — the court, child support office, or medical examiner — and ask them to send updated documentation directly to Driver Services or to you. Then resubmit your reinstatement request with the new proof. Do not assume the problem is fixed; confirm it in writing with the agency that imposed the suspension.
If you believe the denial is an error, you can request a hearing with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. The denial letter will include instructions for requesting a hearing. Hearings are typically held by phone or video conference within 30 days of your request.
Reinstatement fees and additional costs
The standard reinstatement fee is $100. Some suspension types carry additional costs. If your license was suspended for DWI, you may also be required to pay for a substance abuse program (cost varies by provider, typically $300 to $1,000) and ignition interlock installation and monitoring (typically $100 to $200 for installation, plus $50 to $100 per month for monitoring). These costs are separate from the reinstatement fee and must be paid before the state will process your request.
If your suspension was for unpaid fines or court costs, you must pay the original fine or cost in full to the court. The reinstatement fee is separate and goes to the state. Ask the court or Driver Services whether any portion of what you owe can be waived or reduced; some courts offer payment plans or hardship waivers, but these are decided case by case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive while my reinstatement request is being processed?
No, not unless you receive a temporary driving permit. If you request reinstatement in person at a Driver Services office, you will receive a temporary permit when ready. If you request by mail or online, you cannot drive until your new license arrives. Driving on a suspended license is a separate criminal offense and can result in arrest, fines, and jail time.
How long does reinstatement take?
Processing takes 5 to 10 business days after the state receives your request and confirms the suspension reason has been cleared. Mail delivery adds 5 to 10 days on each end. In-person requests at a Driver Services office are fastest — you may receive a temporary permit the same day and your permanent license within a week.
What if I do not know why my license was suspended?
Check your driving record online through the Arkansas DMV website or call Driver Services at the number listed on their website. You can also visit a Driver Services office in person and ask a staff member to look up your record. Bring your driver's license and a valid form of identification.
Can I reinstate my license if I still owe money to the court?
No. You must pay the full amount owed or reach a payment plan with the court before the state will process reinstatement. Contact the court that issued the citation and ask about payment options. Some courts allow installment plans or offer hardship waivers, but you must ask.
What if my license was suspended for a medical reason and I have recovered?
You must obtain a written statement from an Arkansas-licensed physician confirming that you are medically fit to drive. The statement must address the specific condition that led to the suspension. Submit this letter with your reinstatement request by mail, in person, or through the Driver Services office. Medical clearance cannot be done online.