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. You cannot use it for errands, social trips, or any driving outside the approved purposes. The state issues it through the Department of Finance and Administration, Motor Vehicle Division, and it is not automatic; you have to request it and meet certain conditions.
Arkansas allows hardship licenses for most suspension reasons, including unpaid traffic fines, failure to appear in court, child support arrears, or administrative suspensions. The main exception is a suspension for driving under the influence (DUI) — those cases have stricter rules and usually require a different process involving an ignition interlock device rather than a hardship license.
You can request a hardship license at any point during your suspension, but the state will not grant one until you have met specific requirements tied to why your license was suspended in the first place.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license lets you drive only to work, school, medical care, or court-ordered programs — not for personal errands or social trips.
- You must resolve the underlying reason for your suspension (pay fines, appear in court, or arrange child support payments) before the state will issue a hardship license.
- The Motor Vehicle Division processes hardship license requests, and you can submit yours by mail, in person, or through their online system.
- A hardship license is temporary and tied to your suspension period — once your suspension ends, you must return it and renew your regular license.
Requirements that depend on why your license was suspended
Arkansas does not have a single hardship license requirement — what you must do depends on the reason your license was suspended. If your suspension is for unpaid traffic fines or court costs, you must pay those in full or arrange a payment plan with the court before the Motor Vehicle Division will issue a hardship license. If your suspension is for failure to appear in court, you must appear and resolve the case, then provide proof to the Motor Vehicle Division.
For child support suspensions, you must contact the Arkansas Division of Child Support Services and either bring your payments current or sign a payment agreement. The Division will then send a release to the Motor Vehicle Division, which clears the way for your hardship license request. If your suspension is administrative — meaning the Motor Vehicle Division suspended you directly for reasons like not paying a citation or not responding to a notice — you may need to pay the associated fee or fine and provide proof of payment.
Before you request a hardship license, contact the Motor Vehicle Division or the court that issued your suspension to confirm exactly what you need to do. This step saves time because submitting an incomplete request will delay your hardship license.
How to request a hardship license from the Motor Vehicle Division
You can request a hardship license in three ways: by mail, in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office, or through their online system if you have an account. The easiest route is usually the online system if you are comfortable with it, because you get confirmation when ready and do not have to wait for mail processing.
To request by mail, write a letter to the Motor Vehicle Division at P.O. Box 1272, Little Rock, AR 72203. Include your full name, driver's license number, date of birth, current address, the reason your license was suspended, proof that you have resolved the underlying issue (a receipt for paid fines, a court order, or a child support payment agreement), and a statement of the specific places you need to drive to (your workplace address, school address, or medical provider address). Mail your request with copies of all supporting documents — do not send originals.
If you go in person, bring the same documents to any Motor Vehicle Division office. The staff can tell you on the spot whether your request is complete and can often process it faster than mail. If you use the online system, log into your account on the Motor Vehicle Division website, select "Request Hardship License," and upload scans of your supporting documents. The Division will contact you by phone or email if they need anything else.
What information and documents you need to include
The Motor Vehicle Division requires proof that you have resolved the reason for your suspension. This proof takes different forms depending on your situation. If you paid fines or court costs, bring a receipt or court-issued payment confirmation showing the amount paid and the date. If you appeared in court, bring a copy of the court order or disposition showing the case was resolved. If you arranged child support payments, bring a letter from the Division of Child Support Services or a signed payment agreement.
You also need to provide the specific addresses where you will be driving. Write down your workplace address (including the employer name), school address if you are a student, any medical provider addresses for regular appointments, and the address of any court-ordered program you must attend. The hardship license will list these addresses, and you can only drive to them and back home. If you need to add a location later, you can request an amendment, but it is faster to list everything upfront.
Bring or include a valid form of identification with your request — your suspended license itself counts, along with a birth certificate, passport, or state ID card. The Motor Vehicle Division also needs your current phone number and email address so they can contact you about your request.
Timeline and what happens after you submit your request
Processing time varies depending on how you submit your request. Online requests usually receive a response within 3 to 5 business days. Mail requests typically take 7 to 10 business days from the date the Division receives them. In-person requests can sometimes be processed the same day if your documents are complete, though you may be asked to come back after the Division verifies your information.
If your request is approved, the Motor Vehicle Division will mail your hardship license to the address you provided, or you can pick it up in person at a Motor Vehicle Division office. The hardship license is valid only during your suspension period — if your suspension was for six months, your hardship license expires after six months. You cannot renew a hardship license; once your suspension ends, you must explore for a regular license renewal.
If the Division denies your request, they will send you a letter explaining why. Common reasons include incomplete documentation, failure to resolve the underlying issue, or providing addresses that do not match the approved purposes for a hardship license (for example, listing a shopping mall as a destination). You can resubmit your request once you have addressed the reason for denial.
Restrictions on where and when you can drive
A hardship license is not a regular license — it comes with strict limitations. You can drive only to and from the specific addresses listed on your license, and only for the purposes listed (work, school, medical care, or court-ordered programs). You cannot make stops along the way, even brief ones. If you are pulled over and cannot explain why you are at your current location, you can be cited for violating the terms of your hardship license, which can result in additional fines or suspension.
Most hardship licenses do not restrict the time of day you can drive, but some do — for example, if your suspension was for a DUI-related offense and you were issued a hardship license instead of the standard interlock requirement, you may have restrictions on nighttime driving. Check the back of your hardship license for any time-of-day restrictions before you drive.
You must carry your hardship license with you whenever you drive, along with proof of insurance. If you are stopped by law enforcement, show both documents. Driving without your hardship license in your possession, even if you are going to an approved location, is a violation.
When you cannot get a hardship license and what to do instead
If your suspension is for a DUI conviction, Arkansas does not issue a traditional hardship license. Instead, you must install an ignition interlock device in your vehicle, which requires you to blow into a breathalyzer before the car will start. This is a separate process from the hardship license request and is handled through the court or a certified interlock provider. Contact the court that handled your DUI case to learn about interlock requirements and providers.
If you have multiple suspensions on your record, you must resolve all of them before the Motor Vehicle Division will issue a hardship license. If one suspension is for unpaid fines and another is for child support arrears, you must address both issues. If you are unsure whether you have multiple suspensions, call the Motor Vehicle Division at 501-682-7060 to check your record before you submit a request.
If your suspension is very recent and you have not yet resolved the underlying issue, wait until you have done so before requesting a hardship license. Submitting a request prematurely will be denied and will delay your ability to request again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive to places other than work if I list them on my hardship license?
No. Your hardship license lists specific addresses, and you can drive only to those addresses for the purposes listed. If you need to add a location — for example, a new doctor's office — you must request an amendment from the Motor Vehicle Division. Driving to unlisted locations violates the terms of your hardship license.
What happens if I get pulled over while driving on my hardship license?
Show the officer your hardship license and your proof of insurance. If you are at an approved location, you should not be cited. If you are somewhere not listed on your license, you can be cited for violating the hardship license terms, which may result in additional fines or an extension of your suspension.
Do I have to pay a fee to request a hardship license?
Arkansas does not charge a separate fee for a hardship license request, but you must have resolved the underlying reason for your suspension, which may involve paying fines, court costs, or arranging child support payments. Check with the Motor Vehicle Division or the court about any costs tied to your specific suspension.
Can I use my hardship license after my suspension ends?
No. Your hardship license is valid only during your suspension period. Once your suspension ends, you must return your hardship license and explore for a regular license renewal through the Motor Vehicle Division.
How do I know if my suspension has ended?
The Motor Vehicle Division will send you a notice when your suspension period is complete. You can also call them at 501-682-7060 to confirm. Do not assume your suspension has ended based on the date — wait for official confirmation from the Division before you stop using your hardship license.