How to book your Arkansas driving test appointment
You schedule your Arkansas driving test through the Department of Finance and Administration's Driver Services Division. You can book online at dfa.arkansas.gov, by phone at 501-682-7060, or in person at any Driver Services office. The online system is fastest — you choose your test location, preferred date and time, and receive confirmation when ready.
Before you book, have your learner's permit number and a valid email address or phone number ready. The system will ask which test location you prefer; Arkansas has offices in most counties, so you can usually find one within 30 minutes of home. You cannot book more than 30 days in advance, and appointment slots fill quickly in urban areas, so book as soon as you are ready to test.
Once you submit your appointment request online, you will receive a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot — you will need it on test day. If you book by phone, the staff member will give you the confirmation number verbally; ask them to repeat it and write it down before you hang up.
Key Takeaways
- Book online at dfa.arkansas.gov, by phone at 501-682-7060, or in person at any Driver Services office; online booking is fastest and available 24 hours.
- You can only book up to 30 days in advance, and popular time slots fill quickly, especially in Little Rock and Fayetteville.
- You must bring your confirmation number, learner's permit, and proof of identity and residency on test day, or your appointment will be cancelled.
- If you miss your appointment without cancelling at least 24 hours before, you forfeit your fee and must book and pay again.
- Test appointments are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours; Saturday and evening slots are not offered.
What documents and information you need to book
Have your learner's permit number ready when you book. This is the six-digit or alphanumeric code on your permit card. If you cannot find it, you can look it up on the Driver Services website using your name and date of birth, but this takes extra time — have the permit itself in front of you when you call or book online.
You will also need a valid email address or phone number where the Driver Services Division can reach you if there is a scheduling conflict or weather closure. If you book online, the system will send your confirmation to the email you provide. If you book by phone, confirm the phone number the staff member has on file.
Do not book an appointment if you do not yet have your learner's permit. You must hold a valid permit for at least 14 days before you can test, and you must bring the physical permit card to the test site. If your permit has expired, you cannot test; renew it first through the same online system or by visiting an office in person.
Booking online versus by phone or in person
The online booking system at dfa.arkansas.gov is open 24 hours and shows you available slots in real time. You see the calendar, pick your date and time, and get a confirmation number when ready. This method works best if you have a computer or smartphone and want to avoid phone hold times.
Calling 501-682-7060 takes longer because you may wait on hold, especially during lunch hours and late afternoon. However, if you have questions about test requirements or cannot find an available slot online, a staff member can sometimes help you find alternatives or explain why a location is full. Call during morning hours (before 11 a.m.) to minimize wait time.
Visiting a Driver Services office in person lets you book face-to-face and ask questions when ready. This is useful if you are unsure whether you are ready to test or need to clarify what to bring. Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but hours vary by location — check the website for your nearest office's schedule before you go.
Test locations and how to find the one nearest you
Arkansas has Driver Services offices in most counties. The largest and busiest are in Little Rock (downtown and west locations), Fayetteville, and Hot Springs. Smaller towns usually have one office serving the county. When you book online or call, you will see a list of available locations and their addresses.
To find your nearest office before you book, go to dfa.arkansas.gov and search "Driver Services locations" or "test sites." The website lists all offices with addresses, phone numbers, and hours. If you live in a rural county with no local office, you may need to travel to the next county — plan for this when you schedule your appointment.
Popular locations fill up faster than rural ones. If you cannot find an available slot in Little Rock or Fayetteville, try a nearby county office. You do not have to test in the county where you live; you can book anywhere in the state. Some people travel 45 minutes to an hour to find an open slot rather than wait weeks for their preferred location.
Cancelling or rescheduling your appointment
If you need to cancel or move your appointment, do so at least 24 hours before your scheduled test time. You can cancel online at dfa.arkansas.gov using your confirmation number, by phone at 501-682-7060, or in person at any office. If you cancel with 24 hours' notice, you keep your fee and can rebook without paying again.
If you miss your appointment or cancel less than 24 hours before, you lose your fee. You will have to pay again and book a new appointment from scratch. This applies even if you have a legitimate reason like illness or a family emergency — the 24-hour rule is firm. If you think you might be sick on test day, cancel early rather than risk losing your money.
To reschedule, cancel your current appointment first, then book a new one. You cannot move an appointment directly; the system treats it as a cancellation and a new booking. This means you may have to pay the test fee twice if you cancel less than 24 hours before and when ready rebook — the fee is not transferred, it is forfeited.
Test fees and payment methods
The Arkansas driving test fee is $20.50 as of 2024, though this amount can change. When you book online, you pay by debit card or credit card at the time of booking. When you call or book in person, you can pay by card, cash, or check. Ask which methods the office accepts when you call.
If you book online and your card is declined, your appointment will not be confirmed. Try again with a different card or call the office to book by phone instead. If you book in person, you can pay cash on the spot. If you book by phone, some offices will let you pay when you arrive for your test, but confirm this when you schedule — do not assume.
The fee covers the test itself only. It does not include your learner's permit renewal, your license issuance, or any other services. If your permit expires before your test, you will need to renew it separately and pay that fee as well. Budget for both if your permit is close to expiration.
What to bring on test day
Bring your confirmation number, your learner's permit (the physical card), proof of identity, and proof of Arkansas residency. Proof of identity can be a passport, military ID, or state ID card. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days and showing your name and address.
Bring the original documents, not photocopies. If you arrive without your confirmation number or learner's permit, the examiner will cancel your appointment and you will lose your fee. If your proof of identity or residency is missing or expired, the same thing happens. Check your documents the night before so you have time to find them.
Do not bring your phone into the test vehicle. Do not bring passengers or family members into the testing area unless they are required by law (for example, a parent or guardian if you are under 18). Bring your vehicle with a full tank of gas, working brakes, functioning turn signals, and clean windows — the examiner will inspect it before the test begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book a test appointment if I do not have my learner's permit yet?
No. You must hold a valid learner's permit for at least 14 days before you can test. If you just got your permit, wait two weeks and then book. If your permit has expired, renew it first through the Driver Services website or an office in person.
What happens if I book online but do not receive my confirmation email?
Check your spam or junk folder first. If it is not there, call 501-682-7060 with your confirmation number (it appeared on screen after you booked) and ask staff to resend it. Keep that number safe — you need it on test day even if you never get the email.
Can I book a test for a Saturday or evening?
No. Arkansas Driver Services offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours only. The latest test appointments are usually in late afternoon, around 3 or 4 p.m. If you work during the day, you may need to take time off or book at a location with early morning slots.
What if all nearby locations are full for the next month?
Try booking at an office in a different county, even if it is farther away. Rural and smaller-town offices usually have more open slots than Little Rock or Fayetteville. You can test anywhere in Arkansas, not just in your home county. You can also call 501-682-7060 and ask if any cancellations are expected soon.
Do I have to pay the test fee again if I reschedule?
Only if you cancel less than 24 hours before your appointment. If you cancel with 24 hours' notice, your fee stays in the system and applies to your new appointment. If you miss the appointment or cancel late, the fee is forfeited and you pay again when you book the next test.