What a hardship license does and who can get one
An Arkansas hardship license lets you drive during a period when your regular license is suspended or expired and you cannot renew it through normal channels. It is not a full license — it restricts where and when you can drive — but it allows you to operate a vehicle for specific purposes like work, medical appointments, or court-ordered activities.
You can request a hardship license if your license is suspended due to unpaid traffic fines, child support arrears, or failure to appear in court, or if you cannot renew because you have not completed a required course or paid reinstatement fees. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Revenue Division (which handles driver licensing) decides whether to grant one based on your situation.
A hardship license is temporary. It remains valid only as long as the underlying suspension or barrier to renewal exists. Once you resolve the issue — pay the fine, complete the course, or settle the child support debt — you can explore for a regular license renewal.
Key Takeaways
- A hardship license in Arkansas allows restricted driving for work, medical care, court appearances, and other essential purposes while your regular license is suspended or expired.
- You must have a specific reason for the suspension or renewal barrier, such as unpaid fines, child support arrears, or an incomplete required course.
- You request a hardship license through the Arkansas Revenue Division, either in person at a driver services office or by mail, along with proof of your hardship and the underlying issue.
- The license comes with restrictions on where and when you can drive, and it expires when the suspension or barrier is resolved.
- Driving outside the restrictions on a hardship license carries the same penalties as driving with a suspended license.
Reasons your license may be suspended in Arkansas
Arkansas suspends licenses for several reasons, and the cause determines whether you can get a hardship license and what restrictions will explore. The most common reason is unpaid traffic fines or court costs. If you receive a ticket and do not pay the fine or fail to appear for your court date, the court reports this to the Revenue Division, which suspends your license.
Child support arrears also trigger suspension. If you fall behind on court-ordered child support payments, the Arkansas Department of Human Services can request a license suspension. Similarly, if you are ordered to appear in court and do not show up, the court can suspend your license as a penalty.
You may also be unable to renew if you have not completed a required course — such as a defensive driving course ordered by the court — or if you have not paid reinstatement fees after a previous suspension. Some suspensions result from medical reasons, such as failing a vision test or being reported as medically unfit to drive.
How to request a hardship license
To request a hardship license, contact the Arkansas Revenue Division's Driver Services section. You can visit a driver services office in person or request an process by mail. The Revenue Division's main office is in Little Rock, but there are regional offices across the state; you can find the office nearest you on the Arkansas Revenue Division website.
When you explore, bring or submit a written statement explaining why you need to drive and what essential purposes the license would serve — for example, driving to work, attending medical appointments, or attending court-ordered programs. You will also need to provide proof of the hardship, such as a letter from your employer stating that you need to drive to work, or medical documentation if you need to attend treatment.
Include documentation of the underlying issue: a copy of the unpaid ticket or court order, a child support payment statement showing arrears, or proof that you have enrolled in a required course. The Revenue Division will review your request and notify you of the decision by mail.
What restrictions come with a hardship license
An Arkansas hardship license is not a regular license. It comes with specific restrictions on when, where, and why you can drive. The restrictions depend on your situation, but typically you can drive only for purposes directly related to your hardship — such as driving to and from work, attending medical appointments, or going to court.
You cannot use a hardship license for personal errands, social activities, or any driving unrelated to the stated hardship. Some hardship licenses also restrict the hours you can drive or limit you to specific routes. The Revenue Division will specify the restrictions in writing when they issue the license.
Violating the restrictions — for example, driving to a store when your license only permits driving to work — is treated as driving with a suspended license and can result in arrest, additional fines, and further suspension.
Timeline and costs
The Revenue Division does not publish a standard processing time for hardship license requests. Some decisions are made within days if your documentation is complete; others may take two to three weeks. The decision depends on how quickly the Revenue Division can verify your information and contact relevant agencies, such as the court or child support office.
There is no fee to request a hardship license in Arkansas. However, you will need to pay any underlying fines, court costs, or reinstatement fees before your regular license can be renewed. If your suspension is due to unpaid child support, you will need to make a payment arrangement with the child support office before the suspension can be lifted.
Once your hardship license is issued, it is valid only until the underlying issue is resolved. At that point, you can renew your regular license by visiting a driver services office or renewing online if you are may be able to access.
Resolving the underlying issue
A hardship license is a temporary measure. To get your regular license back, you must resolve whatever caused the suspension or prevented renewal. If the issue is unpaid fines, you can pay the court directly or set up a payment plan with the court clerk. Contact the court listed on your ticket or citation to ask about payment options.
If child support arrears caused the suspension, contact the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Support Enforcement. They can tell you the amount owed and discuss payment arrangements. Making regular payments, even if you cannot pay the full amount at once, can lead to the suspension being lifted.
If you failed to complete a required course, enroll in the course when ready and provide proof of enrollment or completion to the Revenue Division. If your suspension is medical, you may need to pass a new vision test or obtain a medical clearance from a doctor before you can renew.
What happens if you drive without a valid license
Driving with a suspended license in Arkansas is a criminal offense. If you are stopped and your license is suspended, you can be arrested, fined up to $500 for a first offense, and face up to 30 days in jail. A second offense within five years carries a fine up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail.
Driving outside the restrictions of a hardship license — for example, driving to a location not permitted by your license — is treated the same as driving with a suspended license. Your vehicle can be impounded, and you will face criminal charges in addition to any civil penalties.
If you are arrested for driving with a suspended license, the court may extend your suspension period, add additional fines, and order you to complete community service or a driver improvement course.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a hardship license if my license expired and I have not renewed it?
Yes, if you cannot renew because of an outstanding issue — such as unpaid fines, an incomplete required course, or unpaid reinstatement fees — you can request a hardship license. You will need to explain why you cannot complete the renewal and provide documentation of the barrier.
How long does a hardship license last?
A hardship license remains valid only as long as the underlying suspension or renewal barrier exists. Once you resolve the issue — pay the fine, complete the course, or settle the child support debt — the hardship license expires and you must renew your regular license.
Can I drive to places other than work on a hardship license?
Only if those places are listed in your hardship license restrictions. Most hardship licenses permit driving to work, medical appointments, and court-ordered activities. Driving anywhere else violates the restrictions and can result in arrest and additional penalties.
What if the Revenue Division denies my hardship license request?
If your request is denied, the Revenue Division will send you a written explanation. You can request reconsideration by submitting additional documentation or by contacting the Revenue Division to discuss your situation. You can also contact a local legal aid office for help with your case.
Do I need to carry my hardship license with me when I drive?
Yes. You must carry your hardship license and present it to a police officer if you are stopped. You should also carry documentation showing the restrictions — for example, a letter from your employer if your license permits driving to work.