Renewing your Arkansas driver's license in person or by mail
Arkansas lets you renew your driver's license by mail if you meet certain conditions, or you can renew in person at a Driver Services office. The mail route is faster if you're not changing your address, photo, or signature — it takes about two weeks. If you need a new photo or are moving, you must go to an office in person.
Your current license must not be expired by more than five years, and you cannot have any medical suspensions or restrictions that need review. If either of those applies to you, the mail option is closed and you'll need to visit a Driver Services office.
Key Takeaways
- Mail renewal works only if your license expired within the last five years and you have no medical holds or suspensions.
- By mail, you send your current license, a completed form, and the renewal fee to the address on the form — no notary required.
- In-person renewal at any Driver Services office takes about 30 minutes and requires your current license, proof of residency, and the renewal fee.
- Arkansas charges different fees depending on whether you renew for four years or eight years, and the fee is the same whether you go by mail or in person.
- Your new license arrives by mail within two weeks of approval, whether you renewed in person or by mail.
Renewing by mail: what you need and where to send it
To renew by mail, you'll fill out Form DL-43, which you can read from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website or request by phone at 501-682-7060. You'll need your current driver's license, a check or money order for the renewal fee (made payable to the State of Arkansas), and the completed form.
Mail the form, your license, and payment to the address printed on the form itself — it's the Driver Services office in Little Rock. Do not send cash. Your license will be mailed back to you at the address on file, so if you've moved, you must renew in person instead.
Processing takes about two weeks from the day they receive your envelope. There's no way to track the status online, so if you haven't received your new license within three weeks, call 501-682-7060 to check on it.
Renewing in person at a Driver Services office
You can walk into any Driver Services office in Arkansas without an appointment. Bring your current driver's license, one document proving your current address (a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days), and payment for the renewal fee. The office will take a new photo and print your license on the spot, though you'll receive it by mail within two weeks.
Most offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with some variation by location. The process usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, but wait times are longer on Thursdays and Fridays. You can find the office nearest you and its exact hours on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website.
If you're renewing in person because you moved, bring your proof of new address. If you're changing your signature or need a corrected name, tell the staff member before they take your photo — corrections made at the counter are faster than corrections made by mail later.
Renewal fees and license validity periods
Arkansas offers two renewal periods: four years or eight years. A four-year renewal costs less than an eight-year renewal. The exact fee amounts change periodically, so call 501-682-7060 or check the website before you go to confirm the current price.
Your new license will be valid for whichever period you choose at the time of renewal. If you're under 21, your license will expire on your 21st birthday regardless of the renewal period you pick, so a four-year renewal may be the better value.
What happens if your license has been expired for more than five years
If your license expired more than five years ago, you cannot renew it — you must explore for a new license instead. This requires taking a written test, a vision test, and a driving test at a Driver Services office. You'll also need to provide proof of citizenship and Social Security number, which you don't need for a regular renewal.
Contact a Driver Services office or visit the website to find out what documents count as proof of citizenship in Arkansas. The process takes longer than renewal and costs more, so if your license is close to the five-year mark, renewing now is worth doing.
If you need your license before the mail arrives
Arkansas does not issue temporary licenses or paper permits while you wait for your new one to arrive. If you need to drive before your license arrives, you have two options: carry your old license and the receipt showing you renewed it, or go to a Driver Services office and renew in person so you can get a license printed when ready (though you'll still receive the official one by mail).
Some employers and banks will accept the receipt as proof of renewal while you wait. Call ahead to confirm before you rely on this.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Arkansas license online?
No, Arkansas does not offer online renewal. You can renew by mail or in person at a Driver Services office, but there is no digital option.
What if I moved since my last license and want to renew by mail?
You cannot renew by mail if you've moved, because your new license will be mailed to your old address on file. You must renew in person and bring proof of your new address — a utility bill, lease, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
Do I need to take a new photo when I renew?
If you renew by mail, your old photo stays on your license. If you renew in person, a new photo is taken automatically. You cannot request a new photo by mail.
What if my name has changed since my last license?
Bring proof of the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order — to your in-person renewal. If you're renewing by mail, include a copy of the document with your form. The office will update your name before your new license is printed.
How long does my new license take to arrive if I renew in person?
Even though your photo is taken at the office, your official license is mailed to you and arrives within two weeks. You cannot take it home the same day.