What a hardship license does and who can get one
A hardship license in Arkansas lets you drive to specific places—work, school, medical appointments, court-ordered programs—when your regular license is suspended. You cannot use it for any other reason. The state issues it through the Department of Finance and Administration, Motor Vehicle Division, and it is not automatic; you have to request it and show the court or the MVD that driving is genuinely necessary for your daily life.
You can request a hardship license if your suspension is for certain reasons: unpaid traffic fines or child support, failure to pay court costs, or a suspended license due to accumulating points. You cannot get one if your suspension is for a DWI conviction, a serious traffic violation, or a medical suspension. The rules are strict because the state is making an exception to a suspension order, and the court or MVD will want to see real hardship, not convenience.
The process differs slightly depending on why your license was suspended. If it was suspended for financial reasons (unpaid fines, child support, court costs), you work with the court that issued the suspension. If it was suspended for points or other traffic reasons, you work with the Motor Vehicle Division. Either way, you will need to prove that you have a legitimate need to drive and that you have made steps to resolve the underlying problem.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license restricts you to driving only to work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered programs; any other driving can result in arrest.
- You cannot get a hardship license if your suspension is for DWI, a serious traffic violation, or a medical suspension.
- If your suspension is for unpaid fines or child support, you request the hardship license from the court that suspended your license; for points-based suspensions, you request it from the Motor Vehicle Division.
- You will need to show proof of employment or school enrollment, proof of the hardship, and often proof that you have paid at least part of what you owe.
- A hardship license is temporary and lasts only as long as your suspension; once the suspension is lifted, the hardship license ends.
Hardship license for unpaid fines, child support, or court costs
If your license was suspended because you owe money—traffic fines, child support, court costs—you request the hardship license directly from the circuit court that suspended it. You will need to contact that court's clerk's office. The court will want to see that you have made a good-faith effort to pay what you owe. This does not mean you have to pay it all; it means you have paid something, or you have a payment plan in place, or you can show the court why you cannot pay right now but have a genuine reason to drive.
Bring documentation of your hardship: a job offer letter, a pay stub, proof of school enrollment, or a medical appointment notice. The court wants to see that driving is not optional for you—that you will lose your job, cannot reach school, or cannot get to necessary medical care without it. You will also need to show the court your current address and a valid ID. Some courts require you to fill out a form; others handle it as a hearing. Call the clerk's office first to ask what they need and whether you can submit documents by mail or must appear in person.
Hardship license for points-based or traffic suspensions
If your license was suspended because you accumulated too many points or received a serious traffic violation, you request the hardship license from the Motor Vehicle Division, not from a court. You can do this in person at any MVD office or by mail. The MVD will ask you to explain why you need to drive and to provide proof of that need.
Bring the same documentation you would bring to a court: proof of employment (job offer, pay stub, letter from your employer), proof of school enrollment, proof of medical necessity, or proof of court-ordered programs you must attend. The MVD will review your request and decide whether to grant it. The process usually takes one to two weeks if you explore in person, longer if you mail your request. Ask the MVD office what specific documents they want before you submit anything; requirements can vary slightly between offices.
What you can and cannot do with a hardship license
A hardship license comes with strict limits. You can drive to and from work, to and from school, to medical appointments, and to court-ordered programs like DWI education or community service. You can also drive to the locations where you attend those activities—for example, if you work at a location that requires you to travel to a client site, that travel is covered. You cannot drive for any other reason: no grocery shopping, no social visits, no driving friends around, no pleasure driving.
The state can impose additional restrictions. Some hardship licenses require you to carry proof of your destination (a work schedule, a class schedule, a medical appointment card). Police can stop you and ask where you are going; if you cannot show a legitimate reason, you can be arrested for driving on a suspended license. The penalties are the same as driving without any license at all. Keep your hardship license and proof of your destination with you every time you drive.
How long a hardship license lasts
A hardship license is temporary. It lasts only as long as your suspension lasts. Once you have resolved the underlying problem—paid your fines, paid your child support, completed your points suspension period, or finished a court-ordered program—your regular license is restored and your hardship license ends automatically. You do not need to do anything; the MVD will update your record.
If your suspension is lifted before your hardship license expires, stop using the hardship license when ready. Using it after your suspension is lifted is the same as driving on a suspended license and can result in arrest. If you are unsure whether your suspension has been lifted, contact the MVD or the court that suspended your license and ask for your current status.
Cost and timeline for getting a hardship license
Arkansas does not charge a fee for a hardship license. However, you may have to pay court costs or filing fees if you request it through a court, depending on that court's local rules. Call the clerk's office and ask whether there is a fee before you go in.
The timeline depends on how you explore. If you explore in person at an MVD office, you can often get a decision the same day or within a few days. If you mail your request, allow one to two weeks. If you request it through a court, the timeline depends on the court's schedule; some courts handle these requests quickly, others may take several weeks. Call ahead and ask how long the court typically takes.
What happens if you drive outside the hardship license limits
Driving anywhere other than the places listed on your hardship license is driving on a suspended license. You can be stopped, cited, and arrested. The penalties include fines (usually $100 to $500 for a first offense), possible jail time (up to 30 days for a first offense), and an additional suspension on top of your current one. Your vehicle can also be impounded.
If you are stopped and cannot show a legitimate reason for where you are going, do not argue with the officer. Provide your hardship license, your ID, and proof of your destination if you have it. If you do not have proof, you may still be cited. You can explain the situation to a judge later. The key is to avoid giving the officer reason to believe you are deliberately violating the terms of your hardship license.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if I owe child support?
Yes. If your license was suspended specifically because of unpaid child support, you can request a hardship license from the circuit court that suspended it. You will need to show that you have paid something toward what you owe or have a payment plan in place, and that you have a genuine need to drive (work, school, medical care).
What if I was suspended for a DWI?
You cannot get a hardship license for a DWI suspension. Arkansas law does not allow hardship licenses for DWI convictions. Your only option is to wait out the suspension period or pursue a formal license reinstatement through the court after the suspension ends.
Do I need a lawyer to request a hardship license?
No. You can request a hardship license on your own by contacting the court or the Motor Vehicle Division. However, if your situation is complicated—for example, if you owe money to multiple courts or have multiple suspensions—a lawyer can help you navigate the process more quickly.
Can I use my hardship license to drive to the grocery store if I work nearby?
No. A hardship license covers only the specific purposes listed: work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered programs. Grocery shopping is not covered, even if you are on your way home from work. Stick to the permitted routes only.
What if my hardship license is lost or stolen?
Contact the Motor Vehicle Division or the court that issued it and ask for a replacement. You will need to provide your ID and explain what happened. There may be a small fee for a replacement, depending on who issued it.