What a hardship license is and who can get one in Arkansas
A hardship license in Arkansas is a restricted driver's license that lets you drive during a suspension period for specific reasons — usually work, school, medical care, or court-ordered obligations. It does not restore your full driving privileges. Instead, it permits you to drive only for the purposes listed on the license itself, during the hours specified, and only in the routes you describe to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
Arkansas law allows hardship licenses for drivers whose licenses have been suspended for certain violations. The most common reason is a suspension due to a DWI conviction, but hardship licenses are also available for suspensions tied to unpaid traffic fines, failure to maintain insurance, or accumulation of points. You cannot get a hardship license if your suspension is for a criminal offense unrelated to driving, a medical disqualification, or a suspension ordered by a court for reasons other than traffic violations.
The state does not automatically grant hardship licenses. You must request one, show genuine hardship, and meet specific requirements. The process takes time — typically two to four weeks — so plan ahead if you know a suspension is coming.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license lets you drive only for approved purposes (work, school, medical, court obligations) during a suspension, not for personal errands or social trips.
- You must file a request with the Arkansas DFA, provide proof of hardship, and show that you have no other transportation options.
- The DFA will review your driving record and the reason for your suspension before deciding whether to issue a hardship license.
- A hardship license is not a full license — it comes with restrictions on where, when, and why you can drive.
- If you are suspended for a DWI, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device even with a hardship license.
Reasons Arkansas suspends licenses and who qualifies for hardship relief
Arkansas suspends licenses for several reasons, and not all of them make you may be able to access for a hardship license. The most common suspensions that do may have access to are those tied to DWI convictions, unpaid traffic fines, failure to maintain liability insurance, and accumulation of too many points in a short time. If your suspension falls into one of these categories, you have a path to request hardship relief.
Suspensions that do not may have access to for hardship licenses include those ordered by a court for criminal convictions unrelated to driving, medical suspensions (when the state determines you are unsafe to drive due to a health condition), and suspensions for refusing a breath or blood test during a DWI stop. If your suspension is medical or criminal in nature, a hardship license is not an option.
The DFA will also consider your driving history. If you have multiple suspensions, prior hardship license denials, or a pattern of violations, your request is less likely to be approved. The state wants to see that a hardship license would genuinely help you meet a real need, not that you are trying to avoid the consequences of repeated violations.
Documents and information you need to gather before you request a hardship license
Before you contact the DFA, collect the documents that prove your hardship and your need to drive. Start with your current suspension notice — this letter from the DFA explains why your license was suspended and when the suspension began. You will need the case number or suspension number from this notice.
Next, gather proof of your hardship. This means different things depending on your situation. If you are requesting a hardship license to drive to work, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, your work schedule, and the address of your workplace. The letter should confirm that you have no other way to get to work and that losing your job would cause financial hardship. If you are a student, bring a letter from your school showing your enrollment status and class schedule. If you need to drive for medical reasons, bring a letter from your doctor explaining the medical need and the frequency of appointments.
You will also need proof of your identity (a state ID card or passport), your Social Security number, and a list of the specific routes you plan to drive — for example, "home to work on Main Street to Industrial Boulevard" or "home to school on Oak Avenue." The more specific you are about your routes and times, the stronger your request.
How to submit your hardship license request to the Arkansas DFA
You can request a hardship license by mail or in person at a DFA driver services office. The mailing address is on your suspension notice, but you can also find it on the DFA website under "Driver Services Locations." If you go in person, bring all your documents and be prepared to wait — offices can be busy, and you may not complete the process in one visit.
There is no official form for a hardship license request in Arkansas. Instead, you write a letter to the DFA explaining your hardship, why you need to drive, and the specific purposes for which you are requesting permission. Keep the letter clear and factual. Explain what will happen if you cannot drive — for example, "I will lose my job" or "I cannot attend medical appointments." Attach copies (not originals) of all your supporting documents: the employer letter, school enrollment, medical documentation, and your suspension notice.
Mail your request to the address listed on your suspension notice or take it to a driver services office in person. Keep a copy for your records. The DFA will review your request and send you a written decision by mail, usually within two to four weeks. If approved, your hardship license will be mailed to you. If denied, the letter will explain why and whether you can reapply later.
What happens if you are approved for a hardship license
If the DFA approves your request, you will receive a hardship license in the mail. This license looks different from a regular Arkansas driver's license — it will be marked as a hardship license and will list the specific purposes for which you can drive, the hours you are permitted to drive, and the routes you described in your request. You must carry this license whenever you drive, and you must follow the restrictions exactly.
Driving outside the approved purposes, hours, or routes is a violation and can result in additional charges. For example, if your hardship license says you can drive to work between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays, driving to the grocery store on a Saturday is a violation. Police can stop you and cite you for driving with a suspended license if you are outside your approved parameters.
If your suspension was due to a DWI, you may also be required to install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle. This device measures your breath alcohol before the engine will start. You will need to pay for the installation and monthly monitoring fees, which vary by provider. The DFA will tell you whether this is required as part of your hardship license conditions.
What to do if your hardship license request is denied
If the DFA denies your request, the denial letter will explain the reason. Common reasons for denial include insufficient proof of hardship, a pattern of violations, or a information that you have other transportation options available. Read the letter carefully to understand what the DFA found.
You can request reconsideration by sending a new letter to the DFA with additional information or documents that address the reason for denial. For example, if the DFA said you did not prove you have no other transportation, you could provide a statement from a family member confirming they cannot help you, or proof that public transportation is not available in your area. You can reapply, but there is usually a waiting period — typically 30 to 90 days — before the DFA will review a new request.
If you believe the DFA made an error or treated you unfairly, you can request a hearing before an administrative law judge. This process is more formal and requires you to present your case in writing or in person. Contact the DFA to ask about the hearing process and important date.
How long a hardship license lasts and what happens when your suspension ends
A hardship license is valid only during your suspension period. Once your suspension ends, your hardship license expires and you can explore for a regular license renewal. The length of your suspension depends on the reason for the suspension — a DWI suspension might last six months to three years, while a suspension for unpaid fines might last until you pay them.
The DFA will notify you when your suspension period ends. At that point, you can go to a driver services office and renew your regular license. You do not need to do anything special — your hardship license straightforward stops working, and you explore for a standard license renewal.
If you violate the terms of your hardship license — for example, by driving outside your approved routes or purposes — the DFA can revoke it when ready. This means you will be back to having a fully suspended license with no driving privileges at all. Violations can also result in additional criminal charges for driving with a suspended license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive anywhere I want with a hardship license, or only certain places?
You can drive only to the specific places and for the specific purposes listed on your hardship license. If your license says you can drive to work and to medical appointments, you cannot use it to go to the grocery store, visit friends, or run errands. Police can stop you if you are driving outside your approved purposes, and you can be cited for driving with a suspended license.
How much does a hardship license cost in Arkansas?
The hardship license itself does not have a separate fee — it is issued as part of your suspension case. However, if you are required to install an ignition interlock device (common for DWI suspensions), you will pay for installation and monthly monitoring, which typically ranges from $50 to $150 per month depending on the provider.
What if I get pulled over while driving on my hardship license?
Have your hardship license and proof of insurance ready. If you are driving within your approved purposes, hours, and routes, you should not be cited. If the officer believes you are outside your approved parameters, you can be cited for driving with a suspended license. If you believe the citation is wrong, you can contest it in traffic court.
Can I get a hardship license if I owe child support or have other court orders against me?
A hardship license request is reviewed based on your driving suspension, not on other court orders. However, if you have an active child support arrearage or other judgment, the court can place a hold on your license that prevents the DFA from issuing a hardship license. You would need to resolve the court order first.
How long does it take to get a hardship license after I request one?
The DFA typically takes two to four weeks to review a hardship license request and mail you a decision. If approved, the license itself arrives by mail within a few days. If you need to drive sooner, you can ask the DFA whether you can pick up your license in person at a driver services office once it is approved.