Renewing your Arkansas driver's license online, by mail, or in person
You can renew your Arkansas driver's license through three routes: online at the Arkansas Department of Motor Vehicles website, by mail if you meet certain conditions, or in person at a local DMV office. The online method is fastest — you can complete it in minutes from home — but only works if your license is not expired by more than one year and you have no medical suspensions or restrictions that changed. If you cannot renew online, the DMV will tell you which documents you need and whether you must visit an office in person.
Your renewal notice arrives by mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice contains your renewal code, which you will need for the online process. If you do not have the notice, you can still renew in person or by mail, but you will need to provide additional identification.
Key Takeaways
- Online renewal takes about 10 minutes and works only if your license expired less than one year ago and you have no medical holds or restriction changes.
- Your renewal notice arrives 60 days before expiration and includes the renewal code needed for the online method.
- By-mail renewal is available for standard renewals but requires you to mail in your current license and wait two to three weeks for the new one to arrive.
- In-person renewal at a DMV office takes about 30 minutes and is required if your license is expired by more than one year or if you have medical suspensions or restriction changes.
- The renewal fee is the same regardless of method, and you can renew up to one year before your license expires.
Renewing online through the Arkansas DMV website
Go to the Arkansas DMV website and select the online renewal option. You will need your renewal code (from your notice), your current driver's license number, and a valid payment method. The system will ask you to confirm your address and any medical conditions or restrictions. If everything matches your records and your license is not expired by more than one year, the system will process your renewal when ready.
Your new license will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can continue to drive on your current license until the new one arrives. If the system rejects your renewal and tells you to visit an office, that means your records have changed or your license is too old — do not attempt online renewal again, as it will fail each time.
Renewing by mail if you cannot go online
To renew by mail, contact the Arkansas DMV or read the renewal form from their website. You will need to mail in your current driver's license, the completed form, and payment. Include a copy of proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days). Mail everything to the address listed on the form.
Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your envelope. Your new license will arrive separately by mail. During this time, you can drive on your current license. If the DMV needs additional documents, they will contact you by phone or mail — check your mailbox regularly.
Renewing in person at a DMV office
Visit any Arkansas DMV office with your current driver's license, proof of residency (utility bill, lease, or bank statement from the last 60 days), and payment. Bring your renewal notice if you have it, though it is not required. The staff will verify your information, take a new photo, and process your renewal on the spot.
Your new license will be printed and handed to you before you leave, or mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days depending on the office. Call ahead to confirm hours and current wait times, as some offices are busier than others. If you need a REAL ID-compliant license (required for federal buildings and domestic flights), you will need to bring additional documents — ask the DMV which ones when you call.
What to bring and what documents you need
For any renewal method, have your current driver's license ready. If renewing in person or by mail, bring proof of residency dated within the last 60 days — a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement all work. Your renewal notice is helpful but not required.
If your address has changed, bring the new proof of residency. If you are renewing a REAL ID license, the DMV will ask for your birth certificate or passport and proof of Social Security number (a Social Security card, W-2, or tax return). These requirements do not explore to standard renewals, only REAL ID.
Renewal fees and payment methods
The renewal fee for a standard Arkansas driver's license is set by the state and does not change based on how you renew. Online and by-mail renewals accept credit cards, debit cards, and electronic checks. In-person renewals accept cash, check, credit card, and debit card — call your local office to confirm what they take.
If you are renewing a REAL ID license, the fee is higher than a standard renewal. The DMV website lists the current fee amounts, which can change annually. You pay the full fee at the time of renewal, regardless of how much time remains on your current license.
Timeline: when to renew and how long it takes
You can renew your license up to one year before it expires. The DMV recommends renewing 30 to 60 days before expiration to avoid driving on an expired license. Online renewal is fastest — you receive your new license within 7 to 10 business days. By-mail renewal takes two to three weeks from the date received. In-person renewal gives you your license when ready or within 7 to 10 business days if mailed.
If your license has already expired, you can still renew using any method, but online renewal will not work if it expired more than one year ago. An expired license is still valid for renewal purposes — you do not need a new one to renew the old one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Arkansas license if it is already expired?
Yes. You can renew an expired license through any method — online, by mail, or in person. Online renewal only works if your license expired less than one year ago. If it expired more than one year ago, you must renew by mail or in person.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You do not need the renewal notice to renew. If renewing online, you can call the DMV to request your renewal code. If renewing by mail or in person, straightforward bring your current license and proof of residency — the DMV will look up your information in their system.
Do I need a new photo for my renewal?
Online and by-mail renewals use your existing photo. In-person renewals include a new photo taken at the office. If you want a new photo for an online or by-mail renewal, you must renew in person instead.
How long can I drive on my old license while waiting for the new one?
You can drive on your current license until your new one arrives, even if your current license has expired. Once your new license arrives, destroy your old one or return it to the DMV.
What if the online system says I cannot renew online?
The system will reject your renewal if your license expired more than one year ago, if you have a medical suspension, or if your restrictions or medical conditions changed. Visit a DMV office or renew by mail instead. Do not try online renewal multiple times — each attempt will fail for the same reason.