What a hardship license does and who can request one
A hardship license in Arkansas is a restricted driving permit that lets you drive to specific places — usually work, school, medical appointments, or court-ordered programs — while your license is suspended. It is not a full license. You can only drive the routes and for the purposes the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) approves on your permit.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is for certain reasons: unpaid traffic fines, failure to pay child support, failure to appear in court, or administrative suspensions related to DUI or drug convictions. Not all suspension reasons may have access to. If your license was suspended for a medical reason or because you failed a vision test, you cannot get a hardship license — you must wait out the suspension or meet the medical requirements to reinstate.
The hardship license exists because Arkansas recognizes that losing all driving privileges can make it impossible to keep a job or meet court obligations. However, the state limits where and when you can drive to prevent you from using the permit for general transportation.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license lets you drive only to approved destinations like work, school, medical care, or court programs while your license is suspended.
- You must request the hardship license in person at your local DFA office with proof of financial hardship, your suspension notice, and documentation of where you need to drive.
- The DFA will review your request and either approve it with specific routes and times, or deny it if you cannot show genuine hardship.
- A hardship license is temporary and valid only while your suspension is active; once your suspension ends, the hardship license expires automatically.
- Violating the terms of your hardship license — driving outside approved routes or times — can result in additional criminal charges and a longer suspension.
Documents you need to bring to the DFA office
Bring your current suspension notice or the letter from DFA that tells you your license is suspended. This document shows the reason for suspension and the suspension period. If you no longer have the original letter, call your local DFA office and ask them to print a copy before you visit.
Bring proof of financial hardship. This can be a recent pay stub showing your income, a letter from your employer stating your job depends on driving, a utility bill or lease showing you live in the area, or a letter from a school or medical facility confirming you have an appointment or enrollment there. The DFA wants to see that losing driving privileges would genuinely harm you — not that it would be inconvenient.
Bring documentation of where you need to drive. If you need the license for work, bring a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job duties, work address, and work schedule. If you need it for school, bring an enrollment letter or class schedule. If you need it for medical treatment, bring an appointment letter from your doctor or clinic. If you need it for a court-ordered program like substance abuse treatment, bring the court order or program enrollment letter.
Bring a valid form of identification — your passport, birth certificate, or state ID card. You will also need to pay a fee; the amount varies but is typically under $50. Call your local DFA office to confirm the current fee before you go.
How to request a hardship license at the DFA office
Visit the DFA Driver Services office in your county in person. You cannot request a hardship license by mail, phone, or online. Find your local office on the Arkansas DFA website or call 501-682-7060 to confirm the address and hours. Some offices have limited hours, so check before you go.
Bring all documents listed above. When you arrive, tell the clerk you are requesting a hardship license. They will give you a form to fill out — usually the "process for Hardship License" or a similar form specific to your suspension reason. The form asks you to describe your hardship, list the places you need to drive, and provide your work or school schedule.
Be specific and honest on the form. Write the exact address of your workplace or school, the days and times you need to drive, and explain why you cannot use public transportation or carpool. The DFA reviews these details to decide whether to approve your request. Vague answers or exaggerated claims can result in denial.
Submit the form and your documents to the clerk. They will tell you whether the DFA will make a decision on the spot or whether you will receive a decision by mail within a few days. Some offices approve hardship licenses when ready; others require a supervisor review.
What happens after you submit your request
If the DFA approves your hardship license, you will receive a physical permit in the mail or pick it up at the office, depending on the office's process. The permit shows the specific routes you can drive, the days and times you are allowed to drive, and any other restrictions. Read it carefully before you drive. The permit is not a full license — it is a conditional permit valid only under the terms printed on it.
If the DFA denies your request, you will receive a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons for denial include: insufficient proof of hardship, no documented need to drive, or the suspension reason does not may have access to for a hardship license. If you are denied, you can request a hearing before a DFA hearing officer to present additional evidence. The denial letter will explain how to request a hearing and the important date to do so.
Keep your hardship license with you whenever you drive. If you are stopped by law enforcement, show both the hardship license and your suspended license. Driving outside the approved routes, times, or purposes is a violation and can result in criminal charges, additional fines, and an extended suspension.
How long a hardship license lasts
A hardship license is valid for the duration of your suspension. When your suspension ends — either because you paid outstanding fines, resolved the child support issue, or completed the suspension period — your hardship license automatically expires. You do not need to return it, but you cannot drive with it after the suspension ends.
If your circumstances change during the suspension — for example, you lose your job or no longer need to drive to that location — you should notify the DFA. Continuing to use a hardship license for purposes other than those approved can result in additional charges.
What you cannot do with a hardship license
You cannot drive for any purpose other than those listed on your permit. If your permit says you can drive to work and medical appointments, you cannot use it to run errands, visit friends, or go to the grocery store. Law enforcement can stop you and verify that your route and purpose match your permit.
You cannot drive outside the approved times. If your permit says you can drive between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., you cannot drive at night or early morning, even if you are going to an approved destination.
You cannot drive a vehicle you do not own or that is not registered to you, unless the permit specifically allows it. Some hardship licenses restrict you to driving only your own vehicle.
You cannot lend your hardship license to anyone else. It is a personal permit tied to your name and suspension. Someone else driving with your permit is identity fraud and driving with a suspended license, both criminal offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if my suspension is for a DUI?
Yes, but only for certain purposes and only if you meet additional requirements. DUI suspensions may allow a hardship license for work, school, or court-ordered treatment programs. You may also need to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. Bring documentation of the court order or DUI conviction when you explore.
How long does it take to get approved for a hardship license?
Some DFA offices approve hardship licenses the same day you explore. Others take three to five business days and mail the permit to you. Call your local office to ask about their typical timeline before you visit.
What if I need to drive to a place not listed on my permit?
Contact the DFA office that issued your hardship license and request a modification. Bring documentation of the new need — for example, a letter from a new employer or a new medical appointment. The DFA may approve the change or deny it. Do not drive to the new location without approval; doing so violates the terms of your permit.
Can I appeal a denial of my hardship license request?
Yes. The denial letter will include instructions for requesting a hearing before a DFA hearing officer. You must request the hearing within the important date stated in the letter, usually 10 to 15 days. At the hearing, you can present additional evidence of hardship and explain why you need to drive.
Does a hardship license show up on my driving record?
A hardship license is a temporary permit issued during a suspension, not a separate driving record entry. Once your suspension ends, the hardship license expires and does not appear on your record. However, any violations of the hardship license terms — such as driving outside approved routes — will be recorded as separate offenses.