I'm a new resident in Arkansas: what do I do with my license?

Compare with the state you moved from

Choose the state you came from to see the main differences from Arkansas. Every value comes from that state's official manual (with the page number) or from its license guide. Where a manual does not state a rule, we say so instead of guessing.

Key rules in Arkansas

Each rule comes from the Arkansas driver manual or from the license guide, with its source.

Licensing and paperwork

• Deadline to switch your license

  Within 30 calendar days of becoming a resident; nonresidents present six months also need one.

  What the manual says

  • How soon you need an Arkansas license

    A person who becomes a resident of Arkansas must get an Arkansas driver’s license within thirty calendar days. A nonresident who has been physically present in Arkansas for six months must also get an Arkansas license.

  • How soon you need an Arkansas license

    A person who becomes a resident of Arkansas must get an Arkansas driver’s license within thirty calendar days. A nonresident who has been physically present in Arkansas for six months must also get an Arkansas license.

  Source: [1]

• Liability insurance

  Drivers must show proof of insurance when an officer asks; the minimum coverage is not stated.

  What the manual says

  • Arkansas law requires the driver’s license, proof of insurance and vehicle registration when requested by the officer.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page

Road rules

• Teen driving hours

  Intermediate license: no driving 11 p.m.-4 a.m. unless with a licensed driver 21+, going to/from school, church, job or emergency.

  What the manual says

  • Intermediate license rules

    With an intermediate license:

    • Until your restricted time is complete, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21. The period of restricted time is recorded on the back of the license.
    • You may not carry more than one unrelated minor passenger unless a licensed driver who is 21 or older sits in the front seat.
    • You may not drive between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. unless you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 or older and driving to or from a school activity, church activity, job, or an emergency.
  • The restriction runs from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 4

  Source: [1]

• Passengers for teen drivers

  Intermediate license: at most one unrelated minor passenger unless a licensed driver 21+ is in the front seat.

  What the manual says

  • Intermediate license rules

    With an intermediate license:

    • Until your restricted time is complete, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21. The period of restricted time is recorded on the back of the license.
    • You may not carry more than one unrelated minor passenger unless a licensed driver who is 21 or older sits in the front seat.
    • You may not drive between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. unless you are accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 or older and driving to or from a school activity, church activity, job, or an emergency.
  • More than one unrelated minor passenger is not allowed without a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 4

  Source: [1]

• Alcohol limit under 21

  A driver under 21 can be arrested for underage DUI at 0.02%; license may be revoked until 21.

  What the manual says

  • A driver under 21 can be arrested for underage DUI at an alcohol concentration of 0.02% in the breath or blood.
  • The manual says the license could be revoked until age twenty-one and the driver could be fined $2000.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 75

• Refusing a chemical test

  You are required by law to take the test; refusing can cost you your driver's license.

  What the manual says

  • You are compelled by law to take the test, and you can lose your driver’s license if you refuse.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 74

• Seat belts

  Driver and front-seat passenger must wear safety belts; all children under 15 need appropriate restraints.

  What the manual says

  • Arkansas law makes it illegal to drive or to be a front-seat passenger without wearing a safety belt.
  • The Child Passenger Protection Act says all children under the age of fifteen must wear appropriate safety restraints while the vehicle is moving.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 9

• Child safety seats

  A child under 6 and under 60 pounds needs a child safety seat; all under 15 need restraints.

  What the manual says

  • The Act requires a child who is less than six years old and weighs less than sixty pounds to be in a child passenger safety seat.
  • The Child Passenger Protection Act says all children under the age of fifteen must wear appropriate safety restraints while the vehicle is moving.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 9

• Phone use while driving

  Texting banned at any age; under 18: no phone or hands-free except emergencies; 18-20: hands-free only, hand-held for emergencies.

  What the manual says

  • Text messages are not allowed regardless of age.
  • The manual says that under 18, neither cell phone use nor hands-free devices are allowed; a phone may be used only in an emergency.

  • Phone use for drivers aged 18 to under 21

    A Class D driver aged 18 to under 21 may use a hands-free device for interactive communication and may use a hand-held phone only for an emergency. Text messages are not allowed at any age.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 4, 46

  Source: [1]

• School buses

  Stop until the red lights go off; no stop if the bus is across a 20-foot-plus median.

  What the manual says

  • A driver must make a complete stop until the lights are turned off, wherever the vehicle is positioned relative to the bus.
  • Drivers are not required to stop if the bus approaches along an opposite lane separated by a median twenty feet or more in width.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 12

• Move Over law

  Multilane highways: stopped police, Arkansas DOT, utility or tow vehicle with lights on: move over if possible, else slow down.

  What the manual says

  • Arkansas law requires any vehicle on a multilane highway to move over, whenever possible, to the farthest lane away from a stopped law enforcement vehicle with its lights on.
  • The law names an enforcement vehicle, an Arkansas DOT vehicle, a utility vehicle or a towing vehicle.
  • The manual says to slow down to a safe level for conditions, or a legally mandated speed, if you cannot move over.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 11, 15, 21

• Headlights

  Half hour after sunset to half hour before sunrise; wipers needed; objects unclear within 500 feet.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says to turn headlights on a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise.
  • Arkansas law requires drivers to turn on their headlights when windshield wipers are needed.
  • The manual says to use headlights anytime you cannot see a person or object clearly within 500 feet.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 51

• Right turn on red

  Allowed after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it; check for pedestrians and opposing traffic.

  What the manual says

  • The manual says you may turn right on red after a complete stop unless a sign prohibits it.
  • The right on red rule requires a complete stop and a check for opposing traffic before turning right.
  • The manual says drivers must always look for pedestrians in or about the crosswalks.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 48, 25

• Speed limits

  County roads: 40 mph unless the county judge has set another limit.

  What the manual says

  • If no limit has been established, the statute sets the speed limit on the county road at forty miles per hour.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 26

• Left lane and keeping right

  Multilane highways: no driving in the left lane except listed cases, e.g. passing or all other lanes closed for construction.

  What the manual says

  • The manual cites Arkansas Code Annotated 27-51-301 for the left-lane rule.
  • The manual lists overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction as an exception.
  • The manual lists closure of all other lanes for construction or repair as an exception to the left-lane rule.

  Source: Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Volume 1, Edition 10, October 2026), page 63

Official steps for moving to Arkansas

• How soon you need an Arkansas license

  A person who becomes a resident of Arkansas must get an Arkansas driver’s license within thirty calendar days. A nonresident who has been physically present in Arkansas for six months must also get an Arkansas license.

  Source: [1]

• Who can use a license from another state

  Members of the armed forces on active duty (and foreign military on temporary duty), and non-resident students, may drive with a valid license from another state if they are at least 16.

  Source: [1]

• Your license from another state

  You may need a valid hard-copy driver’s license from another state that has not been expired for more than 30 calendar days. When you apply for an Arkansas license or ID, bring proof of legal presence, a Social Security card, and your out-of-state license or ID if you have one.

  Source: [1] [2]

• When testing is not required

  Applicants from Manitoba (Canada), Germany, France, Taiwan and South Korea are not required to test under reciprocal agreements and are referred to DFA for further help. Military spouses who held a license that expired while living outside the United States may get an Arkansas license without testing (Act 235 of 2005).

  Source: [1]

• Registering your vehicle

  If you are new to Arkansas or have recently bought a vehicle, you must register it within 60 days.

  Source: [2] [3]

Sources

1. Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1 – Edition 10 (October 2026) (media.ark.org) — Arkansas State Police
2. DSMV FAQs (dfa.arkansas.gov) — Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services and Motor Vehicle
3. MyDMV online services (dfa.arkansas.gov) — Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration