What a hardship license is and who can get one
A hardship license in Arkansas is a restricted driving permit that lets you drive during a suspension period for specific reasons — usually work, school, medical care, or court-ordered obligations. You cannot use it for pleasure driving, errands, or any trip outside the stated purpose. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division (which handles driver licensing) issues these permits only when your regular license is suspended, not when it is revoked.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, or certain other traffic violations. You cannot get one if your license was revoked for DWI, reckless driving causing injury, or habitual traffic offender status. The state also will not issue a hardship license if you have an active suspension for unpaid child support or failure to pay court costs.
The hardship license does not restore your full driving privileges. It is a temporary measure that allows you to drive only to and from the specific places you list on your request — your workplace, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs. Any other driving violates the permit and can result in additional charges.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license lets you drive to work, school, medical care, or court-ordered programs during a suspension, but not for any other purpose.
- You must have an active suspension (not a revocation) and a documented hardship reason to request one from the Arkansas Revenue Division.
- You will need your suspension notice, proof of the hardship (such as a job letter or school enrollment), and a completed process form.
- The Revenue Division will mail you a decision within two to three weeks of receiving your complete request.
- Driving outside the permitted purpose or time frame can result in new criminal charges and a longer suspension.
Gather your suspension notice and proof of hardship
Before you contact the Revenue Division, locate the notice that informed you of your suspension. This document shows the suspension start date, the reason for the suspension, and the length of the suspension period. If you cannot find the original notice, you can call the Revenue Division at 501-682-7060 to confirm your suspension status and get a copy mailed to you.
Next, collect documentation that proves your hardship. If your hardship is employment, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, the dates and times you work, and that your employment depends on your ability to drive. If your hardship is school, bring an enrollment letter from the school or university showing your course schedule. If your hardship is medical care, bring a letter from your doctor or healthcare provider stating the type of care you need and how often you must attend appointments. If your hardship is a court-ordered program (such as substance abuse treatment or anger management), bring documentation from the program showing your enrollment and attendance schedule.
The Revenue Division will not accept a general statement that you need to drive. The documentation must be specific and on official letterhead or from an official source. A personal letter from a friend or family member will not be accepted.
Complete the hardship license request form
The Arkansas Revenue Division uses a form called the process for Hardship License. You can read this form from the Revenue Division website (revenue.arkansas.gov) or request it by phone at 501-682-7060. The form asks for your name, driver's license number, date of birth, the reason for your suspension, the hardship you are claiming, and the specific locations you need to drive to (such as your workplace address or school address).
Fill out the form completely and legibly. Leave no blank fields — if a question does not explore to you, write "N/A" rather than leaving it empty. Be specific about your hardship reason. Instead of writing "work," write the name and address of your employer and the days and times you work. Instead of writing "school," write the name of the school and your course schedule. The more specific you are, the faster the Revenue Division can process your request.
Sign and date the form. An unsigned form will be returned to you without being reviewed. Make a copy for your records before you mail it.
Submit your process by mail or in person
Mail your completed form, a copy of your suspension notice, and your hardship documentation to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division, at P.O. Box 1272, Little Rock, AR 72203. Include a cover letter with your name, driver's license number, phone number, and email address so the Revenue Division can contact you if they need more information.
If you prefer to submit your request in person, you can visit a Revenue Division office. The main office is located at 1900 West Seventh Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Other regional offices are located in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Jonesboro, and Pine Bluff. Call 501-682-7060 to confirm office hours and locations before you visit.
Do not send your original suspension notice or original hardship documentation. Send copies only, and keep the originals for your records. The Revenue Division will not return documents you mail to them.
What happens after you submit your request
The Revenue Division typically mails a decision within two to three weeks of receiving your complete request. If your request is missing information or documentation, they will mail you a notice asking you to provide it within 10 days. If you do not respond within that time, your request will be denied.
If your request is approved, the Revenue Division will mail you a hardship license document. This document shows the specific purposes for which you are permitted to drive, the dates and times you can drive, and the locations you can drive to. You must carry this document with you whenever you drive. If you are stopped by law enforcement, you must show both your hardship license and your regular driver's license (even though your regular license is suspended).
If your request is denied, the Revenue Division will mail you a notice explaining the reason. Common reasons for denial include incomplete documentation, a hardship reason that does not meet state criteria, or a suspension type that does not allow for a hardship license. You can request reconsideration by mailing a new process with additional documentation, but you must wait at least 30 days before reapplying.
Understand the restrictions and consequences of your hardship license
Your hardship license is valid only for the specific purposes listed on the document. If your hardship license permits you to drive to work and to medical appointments, you cannot use it to drive to the grocery store, to visit friends, or to run errands. Driving outside the permitted purpose is a violation and can result in new criminal charges, a fine, and an extension of your suspension period.
You also must drive only during the times specified on your hardship license. If your license permits you to drive between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., you cannot drive at 7 p.m., even if you are driving to a permitted location. Time violations are treated the same as purpose violations.
If you are stopped by law enforcement and cannot produce your hardship license, or if the officer determines you are driving outside the permitted purpose or time, you can be charged with driving on a suspended license. This is a criminal offense in Arkansas and can result in jail time, a fine, and a longer suspension. The hardship license is a privilege, not a right, and misusing it will result in losing it.
What to do if your circumstances change
If your job, school, medical care, or court-ordered program changes during your hardship license period, you must request a new hardship license with updated information. Do not continue driving under an outdated hardship license. Contact the Revenue Division at 501-682-7060 to request a revised form.
If your suspension period ends before your hardship license expires, your hardship license automatically becomes invalid on the date your suspension ends. You do not need to return it, but you should not drive under it after that date. Your regular driver's license will be restored automatically, and you can resume normal driving.
If you are arrested or charged with a new traffic violation while your hardship license is active, contact an attorney when ready. A new violation can result in additional suspension time and may disqualify you from future hardship licenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to places other than work if I have a hardship license?
Only if those places are listed on your hardship license document. If your license permits driving to work and to medical appointments, you can drive to both. You cannot drive anywhere else, including to the store, to visit family, or to social events. Driving outside the permitted purposes is a violation.
How long does a hardship license last?
A hardship license is valid for the duration of your suspension period. When your suspension ends, your hardship license automatically expires. If your suspension is for six months, your hardship license lasts six months. The Revenue Division will tell you the end date on your hardship license document.
What if the Revenue Division denies my hardship license request?
You can reapply after 30 days with additional or corrected documentation. Common reasons for denial are incomplete hardship proof, a suspension type that does not allow hardship licenses, or a hardship reason that does not meet state criteria. Call 501-682-7060 to ask why your request was denied before you reapply.
Do I need to carry both my hardship license and my regular driver's license?
Yes. You must carry both documents whenever you drive. Your regular license is suspended, but you still need to show it to law enforcement along with your hardship license to prove you have permission to drive during the suspension period.
Can I get a hardship license if my suspension is for unpaid child support?
No. Arkansas does not issue hardship licenses for suspensions related to unpaid child support or failure to pay court costs. You must resolve the child support or court cost issue to restore your license. Contact the Arkansas Department of Human Services or your local court for information about payment plans.