What a hardship license is and when you need one
An Arkansas hardship license (also called a restricted license) lets you drive for specific purposes when your regular license is suspended. It does not restore your full driving privileges — it permits only the trips the state approves, like driving to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs.
You can request one if your license was suspended for reasons like unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, or a DUI conviction. The state will not grant a hardship license if your suspension is for medical reasons (like failing a vision test) or if you are a habitual traffic offender.
The hardship license is temporary. It lasts only as long as your suspension period, and you must follow the restrictions exactly — driving outside the approved purposes can result in arrest and additional charges.
Key Takeaways
- You request a hardship license through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division, not through a local office.
- The form you need is the process for Restricted License, and you must include proof of the hardship (such as a job letter or school enrollment) and proof of insurance.
- The fee is $25, and processing typically takes one to two weeks after the office receives your complete process.
- A hardship license only permits driving for the specific purposes listed on the document — work, school, medical care, or court-ordered treatment — and violating those restrictions is a criminal offense.
- If your suspension was for unpaid fines or child support, you may need to show a payment plan or proof of payment before the state will consider your request.
How to get the process for Restricted License form
The form is called the process for Restricted License, and you can obtain it in three ways. You can read it from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website under the Revenue Division section, request it by mail by contacting the office directly, or pick it up in person at the Revenue Division office in Little Rock.
The office address is 1900 West Seventh Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Their phone number is (501) 682-7000. If you call, ask specifically for the process for Restricted License form — staff can tell you whether your suspension type qualifies for a hardship license before you fill anything out.
You can also ask the court that suspended your license whether they have the form on hand. Some circuit courts keep copies available for people in your situation.
Documents you must include with your process
The state requires proof of the hardship itself. If you are requesting the license to drive to work, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, work schedule, and the address where you work. The letter should be dated within the last 30 days. If you are requesting it for school, bring an enrollment letter or class schedule from the school.
For medical appointments or court-ordered treatment, bring documentation from the provider or court showing the appointment dates and location. If the hardship is related to child support or unpaid fines, bring proof of a payment plan you have set up, or proof that you have paid part of what you owe.
You must also provide proof of insurance. This means a current auto insurance card or a letter from your insurance company showing your policy is active. The vehicle must be insured in your name or you must have written permission from the owner to drive it.
Finally, include a copy of your suspended license or a government-issued ID if you no longer have the license. The Revenue Division needs to verify your identity and confirm the suspension is real.
The $25 fee and payment methods
The process fee is $25. You can pay by check or money order made out to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Do not send cash in the mail.
If you are explore in person at the Little Rock office, you can also pay by debit card or credit card. Call ahead to confirm current payment methods, as procedures can change.
Include the payment with your process if you are mailing it. If the fee is missing, the office will return your process without processing it.
Where to send your completed process
Mail your completed form, all supporting documents, and the $25 fee to:
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Revenue Division 1900 West Seventh Street Little Rock, AR 72201
Write "Restricted License process" on the envelope so the mail room routes it correctly. Processing usually takes one to two weeks after the office receives your process, though it can take longer during busy periods.
If you want to know whether your process arrived, call (501) 682-7000 and provide your driver's license number. The staff can tell you the status and whether they need any additional documents.
What happens after you submit your process
The Revenue Division will review your process to confirm that your suspension reason qualifies for a hardship license and that your hardship is genuine. If everything is in order, they will mail you the restricted license to the address on your process.
The license will list the specific purposes you are permitted to drive for — such as "work only" or "work and medical appointments" — and the times you are allowed to drive. You must carry this license with you whenever you drive, along with your proof of insurance.
If the state denies your request, they will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons for denial include incomplete documentation, a suspension type that does not may have access to, or failure to show a genuine hardship. You can request reconsideration by submitting additional documents or by appealing to the circuit court that issued the suspension.
Restrictions and what you cannot do with a hardship license
A hardship license is not a regular license. You can only drive for the purposes listed on the document. If your license says "work only," you cannot stop at a grocery store on the way home, take a detour to a friend's house, or drive anywhere else. Violating these restrictions is a criminal offense and can result in arrest, additional fines, and an extended suspension.
You also cannot drive during hours outside those listed on the license. If the license permits driving between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., you cannot drive at night, even if it is for an approved purpose.
Some suspensions do not may have access to for a hardship license at all. If your suspension is for medical reasons (such as failing a vision or hearing test), you cannot get one. If you are a habitual traffic offender — meaning you have accumulated multiple violations over a set period — you are also ineligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to the gas station or grocery store with a hardship license?
Only if those stops are listed as approved purposes on your license. Most hardship licenses restrict you to work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. A quick errand on the way is still a violation. If you need to stop for gas, ask the Revenue Division whether you can add "necessary vehicle maintenance" to your approved purposes when you submit your process.
What if I was suspended for unpaid child support or traffic fines?
You can still request a hardship license, but you will need to show a payment plan or proof that you have paid part of what you owe. Contact the agency that is collecting the debt (the court, the child support enforcement office, or the Department of Finance and Administration) and ask for a payment plan letter. Include that letter with your process.
How long does a hardship license last?
It lasts for the duration of your suspension. Once your suspension period ends and your regular license is restored, the hardship license expires. If your suspension is for one year, your hardship license is valid for one year.
Can I renew a hardship license?
No. A hardship license cannot be renewed. When your suspension ends, you must reapply for a regular license through the normal process. If your suspension is extended, you would need to request a new hardship license at that time.
What if the Revenue Division denies my process?
You will receive a letter explaining the reason. You can request reconsideration by submitting additional documents that address the reason for denial. You can also appeal to the circuit court that issued the suspension. The court can order the Revenue Division to reconsider or can issue its own restricted license order.