How to Get a Arkansas Learners Permit

The first step in getting your Arkansas driver’s license is applying for a learner’s permit. This guide will tell you everything you need to get started.
Written by Sarah Gray
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
If you’re between the ages of 14 and 15, you’re qualified to apply for an
Arkansas
learner’s permit. But before you start practicing you’ll need to pass a vision test and written driving knowledge test to get an instruction permit. Once you have this for 30 days, you’ll need to pass a road test to get your learner’s permit.
  • You have to be between the ages of 14–15 to get your Arkansas learner’s permit.
  • Schedule an appointment at an Arkansas State Police testing site, where you’ll take a vision and written test.
  • Bring your birth certificate, proof of school enrollment and GPA, and a parent or guardian with you to the testing appointment.
  • After you pass your test, visit an Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Revenue Office to complete your permit application.
  • You’ll have to follow special rules while driving under a learner’s permit, like only driving when there’s a licensed driver 21 or older in the vehicle.

How to get a Arkansas learner’s permit

We’ve already covered the first step in the journey toward an Arkansas Learner’s License, and that’s simply being at least 14 to 15 years old. Once you tick that box, it’s time to get the ball rolling toward picking up your
driver's permit
.
The first thing you’ll want to do is start studying—and you don’t even need to be 14 to do that! Arkansas provides an online
Driver License Test Study Guide
to help you prepare for the written test you’ll need to pass to get your permit. You can also take
free practice tests online
.
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What to bring to the State Police testing site

Once you feel ready, you’ll need to
schedule an appointment
to visit an Arkansas State Police (ASP) testing site to complete a vision and written test. Before you can begin your test, you’ll be required to present some specific documents and records for identification. 
  • An original or certified copy of a US birth certificate
  • A parent or legal guardian
  • Proof of enrollment in school
  • Proof of at least 2.0 G.P.A.
The state provides a handy
Driver’s Testing 1-2-3 checklist
to help you determine what can stand in for a birth certificate if need be, and what other documents can be used as secondary identification.

What to bring to the Arkansas DFA Revenue Office

After successfully passing your vision and written tests, it’s time to apply for your Learner’s License at the
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Revenue Office
You’ll need to bring your exam records and your parent or legal guardian to submit your application for a permit. Once the application is submitted, and the $40 permit fee is paid, you’ll have your license photo and fingerprints taken. 
MORE: How education level affects car insurance

Arkansas learner’s permit regulations

Once you pass your written and vision tests, you’ll be issued an instruction permit. This permit is valid for one year, and the purpose is to allow you time to practice driving in preparation for the road test required to get our actual Learner’s License
While driving on your instruction permit, you must always be accompanied by a licensed driver over the age of 21, seated in the front seat. In addition, you and your passenger are required to wear seat belts at all times, and you may not use cell phones or other wireless devices except for emergencies.
To graduate from an instruction permit to a Learner’s License, you must have held your instruction permit for at least 30 days. At that time, you’ll need to return to the
ASP testing site
with your own vehicle to take the road test. In addition to your own vehicle, you’ll need to bring:
  • Your instruction permit
  • Proof of insurance
    for the vehicle you’ll be driving
  • The same identification documents you provided to get the instruction permit
  • A driver who is at least 21 years of age or older who has a valid
    Arkansas driver’s license
Upon passing your test, the test administrator will stamp your permit. Take your stamped permit to the DFA Revenue Office, and submit it to get your Learner’s License.
With your Learner’s License, you should continue to practice supervised driving for at least six months. As with your instruction permit, you are required to have a licensed driver of at least 21 with you in the front passenger seat at all times. You must also continue to follow
Arkansas seat belt laws
and texting and driving laws.
Once you reach 16, and you’ve had your Learner’s License for at least 6 months, you’ll be eligible to apply for an intermediate license. To qualify, you must:
  • Not have any serious accidents or traffic convictions 
  • Apply in person at the DFA Revenue Office
  • Provide proof of legal presence, identity, social security, and
    Arkansas residence
  • Pay a $40 fee
The first 6 months you have your intermediate license, or until you turn 18 (whichever comes first), you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who’s at least 21 years old. After 6 months or your 18th birthday, you can drive alone, but you’ll still have some restrictions. 
For example, you won’t be allowed more than one passenger under the age of 18 unless they’re immediate family. In addition, you won’t be allowed to drive between 11 pm and 4 am unless accompanied by an adult, or driving to and from school, work, or church, and you must continue to refrain from using cell phones.
Once you turn 18, if you’ve not had any serious accidents or traffic convictions on your driving record for the last 12 months, you can upgrade your license to a full driver’s license. All you have to do is head to your local DFA Revenue office with the following:
  • Your intermediate license
  • Proof of legal presence, identity, social security, and Arkansas residence
  • A $40 fee
You’ll have a new license photo taken, and you’ll be on your way with your full Arkansas driver’s license.
MORE: How to get cheap car insurance for young drivers
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