What you need to know about Arkansas driver's license renewal
In Arkansas, you can renew your driver's license online, by mail, or in person at a Driver Services office. The method you choose depends on how much time you have and whether your license has expired. Online renewal is the fastest option if you are may be able to access — it takes about 10 minutes and you can do it from home. If you cannot renew online, the mail option takes roughly two to three weeks, and in-person renewal at a Driver Services office is when ready.
Your renewal notice will arrive in the mail about 60 days before your license expires. That notice tells you whether you are may be able to access for online or mail renewal, or whether you must come in person. Do not wait until your license expires to start the process — expired licenses cannot be renewed by mail or online and will require an in-person visit.
Key Takeaways
- Arkansas sends a renewal notice about 60 days before your license expires; check that notice to see which renewal method you are may be able to access for.
- Online renewal through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website takes 10 minutes and costs less than mail or in-person renewal.
- If you renew by mail, include your renewal notice, a check or money order, and a new photo if your license is more than 8 years old.
- In-person renewal at a Driver Services office requires a current ID, proof of residency, and your renewal notice, and you will receive your new license the same day.
- If your license has already expired, you cannot use online or mail renewal and must visit a Driver Services office in person.
Online renewal through the Arkansas website
Online renewal is available if your license is not yet expired and you meet a few basic requirements. You must have a valid email address, a current Arkansas driver's license, and a debit or credit card to pay the fee. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website walks you through the process step by step.
When you renew online, you will use the photo already on file with the state — you do not upload a new one. The fee is $20.50 for a four-year renewal or $41 for an eight-year renewal. Once you submit your process, you will receive a temporary digital license on your phone that you can use when ready while your physical card is mailed to you. The physical license typically arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Online renewal is not available if your address has changed, if you need to update your name, or if your license is suspended or revoked. If any of those explore to you, you will need to renew in person at a Driver Services office.
Mail renewal with your renewal notice
Mail renewal works if your license is not expired and you are may be able to access according to your renewal notice. You will need to send your renewal notice, a check or money order for the renewal fee, and a new photo if your license is more than 8 years old. The fee is $20.50 for a four-year renewal or $41 for an eight-year renewal.
Mail your materials to the address printed on your renewal notice. Do not send cash. Include a return envelope if you want your old license back, though the state does not require it. Processing takes about two to three weeks from the time the state receives your materials. You can track the status of your renewal by calling the Arkansas Driver Services office at 501-682-7060.
If your photo is more than 8 years old, you must include a new one with your mail renewal. The photo should be a color headshot taken within the last 30 days, 2 inches by 2 inches, and show your face clearly against a plain background. If you do not include a photo when one is required, the state will return your process and you will have to resubmit it.
In-person renewal at a Driver Services office
Visit a Driver Services office if your license has expired, if you are not may be able to access for online or mail renewal, or if you prefer to renew in person. You will receive your new license the same day. Bring your current driver's license, proof of your current Arkansas address, and your renewal notice if you have it. Acceptable proof of residency includes a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days.
The fee for in-person renewal is $20.50 for a four-year license or $41 for an eight-year license. You will have a new photo taken at the office unless you renewed online within the last four years. Driver Services offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and some locations have extended hours. You can find the office nearest you and check its hours on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website.
Bring your Social Security number or a document that shows it, such as a Social Security card or W-2 form. If you have changed your name since your last license, bring a document that proves the change, such as a marriage certificate or court order.
What happens if your license has already expired
An expired Arkansas driver's license cannot be renewed by mail or online. You must visit a Driver Services office in person. Bring the same documents you would for a regular in-person renewal: your expired license, proof of your current address, and your Social Security number or a document showing it.
The fee is the same as a regular renewal — $20.50 for four years or $41 for eight years. You will receive your new license the same day. If your license has been expired for more than a year, the state may require you to pass a vision test or written test before issuing a new one. Call your local Driver Services office to ask whether a test is required before you go in.
Choosing between a four-year and eight-year license
Arkansas offers two renewal lengths: a four-year license for $20.50 or an eight-year license for $41. The choice is yours at renewal time. An eight-year license costs more upfront but means you will not have to renew again for eight years instead of four. If you are renewing online or by mail, you will choose the length when you submit your process. If you are renewing in person, tell the staff member which length you want.
Some people prefer the four-year option because the fee is lower and they may want to update their photo sooner. Others choose the eight-year option to avoid the hassle of renewal for longer. There is no penalty for choosing either one — it is purely a matter of what works best for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I renew my Arkansas license if I have an out-of-state address?
No. To renew in Arkansas, you must have a current Arkansas address. If you have moved out of state, you will need to get a license from your new state instead. Contact that state's driver licensing agency to start the process.
What if I lost my renewal notice?
You can still renew online or in person without it. If you want to renew by mail, call the Arkansas Driver Services office at 501-682-7060 and ask them to send you a new notice, or visit a Driver Services office in person to renew instead.
How do I know if my license is may be able to access for online renewal?
Your renewal notice will tell you. If you did not receive a notice or cannot find it, you can call Driver Services at 501-682-7060 to ask. Generally, you are may be able to access for online renewal if your license is not expired, your address has not changed, and your name is the same as on your current license.
Can I renew my license before the renewal notice arrives?
Yes. You can renew online anytime your license is not expired, even if you have not received your renewal notice yet. You can also visit a Driver Services office in person to renew early. Mail renewal requires your renewal notice, so you will need to wait for it to arrive or call to request one.
What if I need a new photo but I am renewing online?
Online renewal uses your existing photo on file. If you need a new photo, you must renew in person at a Driver Services office. You can do this anytime — you do not have to wait until your license expires.