Category: Arkansas

Photo: Daniel Schwen, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

An Arkansas age waiver lets a driver under 16 drive without the usual adult supervision, but only for a documented true hardship. Arkansas Code § 27-16-804 allows it, and DFA’s Office of Driver Services decides each case at an in-person hearing. This page covers who qualifies, the forms, the hearing and the limits: no driving before 6 a.m. or after 9 p.m., and no trips longer than 30 miles one way.

Key facts (as of November 2026)

• For minors under 16 who can document a true hardship that would cause “extreme privation and/or suffering” (DFA’s wording).
• You must already hold a valid Arkansas driver’s license with your correct address on it.
• You need at least 6 months of driving experience, counted from the date your learner’s permit was issued.
• Your record must show no at-fault accidents, traffic violations or suspensions, in Arkansas or any other state.
• Hours: never before 6 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Distance: no more than 30 miles one way.
• You apply online through MyDMV, then attend an in-person hearing with Driver Control.

Who should apply for an Arkansas age waiver?

DFA says only applicants who can give verifiable documentation of a true hardship should apply. Its forms show the kinds of need it reviews:

• School: getting to the school you attend, when school transportation is not available to you.
• Work: a job at a single location, backed by your employer.
• Medical: a serious illness of the applicant, or of an immediate family member (a parent, grandparent, stepparent or legal guardian living in the same household).

What an age waiver will not cover

• Voluntary service, church, or extracurricular activities outside of school activities
• Taking siblings anywhere except the school you attend
• Jobs that involve deliveries, driving a company vehicle, lawn care, babysitting, or driving to several job sites
• Out-of-state travel
• Driving before 6 a.m. or after 9 p.m.
• Trips of more than 30 miles one way

A waiver tied to an extracurricular activity lasts only for as long as that activity runs.

Forms you need

Form	Who completes it	What it asks
Age Waiver Application	Applicant and parent, online through MyDMV	The main application
Age Waiver Insurance Verification	As directed on the form	Insurance verification
Age Waiver School Verification	Your school’s superintendent or principal	Class times, whether you can use school transportation, miles from home to school, academic eligibility and a list of activities
Age Waiver Work Verification	Your employer	Type of work, whether you are scheduled for more than 10 hours a week, and miles to work. Attach a paystub if available and your work schedule.
Age Waiver Medical Verification	Doctor or nurse	Diagnosis, visit frequency, prognosis, and whether the condition or medicines affect driving

All letters must be signed and dated within the last 30 days. If someone other than a parent has legal custody, include the custody documents. Incomplete applications are denied.

Step by step

1. Check eligibility: a valid Arkansas license, 6 months of experience since your permit date and a clean record.
2. Collect the verification forms that fit your need: school, work or medical, plus insurance.
3. Submit the application online through MyDMV.
4. Request a hearing with your local Driver Control office once everything is gathered.
5. Attend in person, together. The parent or guardian and the young driver must both be present. The parent needs an Arkansas driver’s license or ID, and must be the same person who signed for financial responsibility.

Rules once you have a waiver

• Drive only for the approved purpose, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., and within 30 miles one way.
• If the waiver is for school and school transportation is provided, you must use it, including for away extracurricular events (School Verification form).
• Arkansas’s under-18 phone ban still applies: no phone use, hands-free included, except in an emergency. See the teen phone law.
• Driver Control may review the waiver at any time.

How you lose an age waiver

A moving traffic conviction, any violation of the waiver’s terms or any at-fault accident revokes the waiver. After a revocation, no other waiver will be considered.

Common questions

Can you get an age waiver at 14 in Arkansas?

Only if you meet every condition, including 6 months of driving experience since your learner’s permit was issued and a valid Arkansas license. The waiver is for minors under 16.

Can I use an age waiver to drive to sports practice?

Only for school activities. The waiver lasts only for the period of the activity, and you must use school transportation where it is provided.

Is an age waiver the same as an early unrestricted license?

No. The age waiver is a limited hardship permission for under-16s. The early unrestricted Class D at 16 or 17 is for drivers who are emancipated, have graduated, are married or have enlisted. See the Arkansas learner driver guide.

Is there a fee for the age waiver?

DFA’s age waiver page does not list one. Ask your local Driver Control office.

Can I get a waiver to drive to my job in another state?

No. Waivers are not approved for out-of-state travel.

Can I drive my younger brother to his school?

Only if he attends the same school as you. Waivers do not cover taking siblings to any other destination.

Related: Arkansas intermediate license rules, the Arkansas permit test and GDL laws by state compared.

Sources

• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Age Waiver Information” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Age Waiver School Verification” (12/2020) (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Age Waiver Work Verification” (12/2020) (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Age Waiver Medical Verification” (12/2020) (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Graduated Licenses” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas State Police, “Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, Edition 10” (October 2026) (media.ark.org/dps)

Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Arkansas sets its phone rules by age. Under 18 you may not use a cell phone at all while driving, hands-free included, except in an emergency. From 18 to 20 you may use a hands-free device only. Texting is banned at every age. This page sets out each tier, the extra school zone and work zone rules, and how a phone ticket affects a teen’s license.

Key facts (as of November 2026)

• Under 18: no phone use while driving, including hands-free, except in an emergency.
• Ages 18 to 20: hands-free only. Hand-held use is for emergencies only.
• 21 and older: the study guide allows phone use, but texting is still banned.
• All ages: no texting. Arkansas State Police say no hand-held phone use in school zones or highway work zones.
• Texting is a primary offense, so an officer can stop you for it alone.

Arkansas phone rules by age

Driver	Hand-held calls	Hands-free calls	Texting
Under 18 (permit, learner’s, intermediate)	No (emergency only)	No (emergency only)	No
18 to 20 (Class D)	Emergency only	Yes	No
21 and older	Allowed by the study guide, except in school and work zones	Yes	No

Sources for the table: the distracted driving section and license descriptions in the October 2026 study guide, and an ASP Highway Safety Office release. The guide cites Arkansas Code § 27-51-1501 (the no-texting law) and § 27-51-1601 (the Fewer Distractions Means Safer Driving Act).

What counts as texting in Arkansas?

ASP describes the all-ages ban as covering a hand-held phone used for texting, typing, email or accessing the internet while driving. The study guide’s work zone section adds that holding your phone to take a call, send a text, look up directions or scroll social media counts as a moving violation there. ASP’s advice: if you cannot use a hands-free connection, do not use your phone.

School zones and work zones

• ASP says using a hand-held cell phone in a school zone or highway work zone is prohibited for all drivers.
• When workers are present in a work zone, fines double for any moving violation, distracted driving included. The study guide says doubled fines can reach $5,000, depending on the violation.
• Speed enforcement cameras are used in Interstate work zones.

What a phone ticket means for a teen driver

• DFA’s violations list classes texting while driving as a serious violation.
• A serious traffic conviction can delay your next license stage. ASP cites a 6-month clean record for a learner’s license and 12 months for an intermediate license. See the intermediate license rules.
• DFA’s list also includes a record code for a “cell phone violation, warning for minor”.
• Parents who signed for financial responsibility carry the legal risk of a teen’s negligent driving (Arkansas Code § 27-16-702).

Practical setup for Arkansas teens

1. Under 18: turn on your phone’s driving focus or do-not-disturb mode before you start the car. Hands-free is not a legal option for you.
2. Set navigation before you move off. Typing a destination while driving is typing on a hand-held phone.
3. If you must call, pull off the road and park first.
4. Passengers can handle the phone for you.
5. Emergencies are the only exception. Call 911 when it is safe to do so.

Common questions

Can a 17-year-old use Bluetooth or CarPlay calls in Arkansas?

No. Under 18, hands-free devices are not allowed either, except in an emergency.

Can an 18-year-old talk on the phone while driving in Arkansas?

Only hands-free. Hand-held use is for emergencies, and texting is banned.

Can I use GPS on my phone?

The study guide treats looking up directions on a hand-held phone as a violation in work zones. Mount the phone and set your route before you drive. If you are under 18, the official sources do not spell out how mounted navigation is treated, so ask DFA or ASP.

Is texting at a red light allowed?

The official Arkansas pages describe the ban as applying while driving or operating a vehicle. They do not carve out stops in traffic, so do not text at a light.

Is there a phone question on the Arkansas permit test?

The distracted driving section is marked “required” in the study guide, so expect questions on the age tiers.

Does the under-18 ban apply on a learner’s license with a parent in the car?

Yes. The study guide says cell phone use on a learner’s or intermediate license is prohibited except in an emergency.

Back to the Arkansas learner driver guide. Compare states: hands-free and texting laws for US drivers. Related: the Arkansas permit test.

Sources

• Arkansas State Police, “Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, Edition 10”, Distracted Driving and Work Zone sections (October 2026) (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas Department of Public Safety, “April Is Distracted Driving Prevention Month” (dps.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Violations and Points” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Graduated Licenses” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Public Safety, “Driver Examination” (dps.arkansas.gov)

Photo: Sgt. Brianna Rodriguez-Munns, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

An Arkansas intermediate license is for drivers aged 16 and 17. It comes with a curfew of 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., a limit of one unrelated minor passenger and a total phone ban, all with set exceptions. A licensed adult aged 21 or older must also ride with you until you have 6 months of driving experience. This page explains each rule, the restriction codes on your card and how to get unrestricted early.

Key facts (as of November 2026)

• Ages 16 to 17. It expires 1 month past your 18th birthday.
• Restriction code 3: licensed adult aged 21 or older with you until 6 months of experience from your permit date.
• Curfew: no driving 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., with exceptions.
• Passengers: no more than one unrelated minor unless a licensed driver aged 21 or older is in the front seat.
• Restriction code 5: every passenger wears a seat belt.
• Phone: no talking or texting, hands-free included, except in an emergency.

The 6-month adult supervision restriction

Your intermediate license stays restricted for six months from the date your instruction permit was issued, or until your 16th birthday. If you already have 6 months of experience when you turn 16, no supervision restriction is added. While the restriction lasts, a licensed driver aged 21 or older must be with you. The end date is printed on the back of your license.

Permit issued	Intermediate license at 16
At 14 or 15, 6+ months before your 16th birthday	No adult supervision restriction
Less than 6 months before 16, or after 16	Adult 21+ required until 6 months after the permit date

What time is the Arkansas intermediate license curfew?

You may not drive between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. The exceptions in the October 2026 study guide are:

• with a licensed driver aged 21 or older
• driving to and from a school activity
• driving to and from a church activity
• driving to and from a job
• an emergency

The guide joins the adult rule and the trip list with “and”. If you plan to rely on a school, church or work exception without an adult, check the exact wording with DFA’s Office of Driver Services first.

Can a 16-year-old drive friends in Arkansas?

One, at most. With an intermediate license you may not carry more than one unrelated minor passenger, unless a licensed driver aged 21 or older is in the front seat. Siblings and other related minors are not counted under this rule. Every passenger must wear a seat belt (restriction code 5).

Who is in the car	Allowed?
You plus one friend aged 16	Yes
You plus two friends aged 16 and 17	No, unless a licensed driver 21+ is in the front seat
You plus your two younger siblings	Yes (related), all belted
You plus a friend who is 18	Yes (not a minor)

Phone rules on an intermediate license

Under 18, any cell phone use while driving is banned, hands-free included, except in an emergency. Texting is banned at every age. Full detail: the Arkansas teen phone law.

Arkansas restriction and endorsement codes

Code	Meaning (DFA)
2	Act 394 of 2009 (graduated license law)
3	With licensed adult 21+ (learner’s license, or intermediate without 6 months of driving experience)
5	Seat belt on all passengers
MD (endorsement)	May ride a motor-driven cycle of 250 cc or less

Clean record: what can delay your license

• ASP cites Arkansas Code § 27-16-704(7): your record must be free of any serious accident or serious traffic violation conviction for the previous 6 months for a learner’s license and the previous 12 months for an intermediate license.
• DFA’s page says the intermediate license depends on no serious violations or at-fault accidents in the previous 6 months. It says the regular license at 18 depends on a clean record for the previous year.
• DFA lists texting while driving as a serious violation.

The two agencies word the time periods differently. Plan on a clean 12 months, and check your own dates with DFA.

Getting unrestricted before 18

A 16 or 17 year old can get a full Class D early with 6 months of driving experience and one of these:

• legally emancipated, aged 17 or older
• high school diploma or GED, aged 16 or older
• married, aged 16 or older, with a marriage certificate or license
• already enlisted in the U.S. military, aged 16 or older

Otherwise, at 18 you apply for a regular Class D. Expect hands-free-only phone rules until 21.

Parents: what signing means

Before any license is issued to someone under 18, a parent or guardian must accept financial responsibility (Arkansas Code § 27-16-702). Any negligence or willful misconduct by the teen driver is imputed to the person who signed.

Common questions

What time can a 16-year-old drive in Arkansas?

From 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. on an intermediate license. Night driving outside those hours needs one of the listed exceptions.

Do siblings count toward the passenger limit?

No. The limit is on unrelated minor passengers.

When can I drive without an adult?

Once you are 16 and 6 months have passed since your instruction permit was issued.

Can I drive to work after 11 p.m.?

Driving to and from a job is a listed exception. Because of the “and” wording in the study guide, confirm with DFA whether you also need an adult 21+ with you.

What happens at 18?

Your intermediate license expires 1 month past your 18th birthday. You can then renew into a Class D, which is prorated to 1 month past your 21st birthday.

Does the curfew apply on weekends?

The study guide gives no weekend exception. The 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. rule is stated without reference to days.

Back to the Arkansas learner driver guide. Related: the Arkansas age waiver and GDL laws by state compared.

Sources

• Arkansas State Police, “Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, Edition 10” (October 2026) (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Learner’s and Intermediate License” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Graduated Licenses” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Violations and Points” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Public Safety, “Driver Examination” (dps.arkansas.gov)

Photo: Brandonrush, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Arkansas driving test (the State Police call it the skills exam) is the last test before your learner’s, intermediate or Class D license. You drive your own car with an Arkansas State Police (ASP) examiner. The examiner first checks your paperwork and the car, then asks you to find the controls, then scores your driving. Here is what gets a car turned away, how scoring works and what a fail costs you.

Key facts (as of November 2026)

• You must hold an instruction permit and book an appointment for the driving portion.
• A licensed driver aged 21 or older must come with you, show a hard-copy license and ride in the front passenger seat.
• You can miss up to three controls in the controls check before you fail.
• Two mistakes in the same category on the road is a fail with a two-week wait. An automatic failure means a 30-day wait.
• Window tint darker than 25% on the front or 10% on the back means no test.
• Pass the test and buy your license before your permit’s 2-year expiry, or you retake every part of the exam.

What to bring to the Arkansas skills test

ASP’s 1-2-3 Skills Checklist (revised October 6, 2026):

1. Your original instruction permit. No photocopies, and it must not be laminated.
2. A valid licensed driver aged 21 or older with a hard-copy license that is not expired, suspended or revoked.
3. Current proof of insurance (paper or electronic) and current vehicle registration.

Also bring glasses or contacts if you wear them, and all immigration documents if you have them. Cameras and recording devices are not allowed.

Will your car pass? The pre-test inspection

The examiner inspects the car for defects. Under the study guide and the skills checklist, there is no test if:

• the interior is excessively dirty
• any light does not work
• the windshield has damage in the driver’s line of view (cracks elsewhere are reviewed first)
• the windshield has any tint, or a tint brow more than 5 inches from the center of the windshield
• side and rear tint is darker than 25% on the front or 10% on the back
• the muffler or exhaust is faulty, or the horn or speedometer does not work
• the tires are unsafe (no tread or exposed wires), or a donut spare is fitted
• there are serious mechanical defects, such as bad brakes
• the car is not properly licensed, with the plate properly displayed
• you are unfamiliar with the car’s controls

Make sure no warning lights are showing on the dashboard. If you are unsure about a windshield, your local Troop Headquarters can check it before test day.

Quick home check

Item	How to check
Brake lights	Have a helper press the brake while you look at both sides of the rear
Turn signals, tail lights, headlights	Switch them on, step out and walk around the car
Tires	Penny test: put Lincoln’s head upside down in the tread. If you can see the top of his head, replace the tire. Tread under 1/16 inch is unsafe.
Windshield	Clean, and no more than one crack in the 8-inch-wide strip through the center of the driver’s wiper area
Horn, wipers, speedometer	All working

Part 1: the vehicle controls check

The examiner asks you to identify each control below. You are allowed three missed controls before the test is failed.

• Rear turn signals
• Brake lights
• Horn
• Adjusting the side and rearview mirrors
• Emergency flashers
• Headlights (on and off)
• Front turn signals
• Windshield wipers

The examiner also checks the tire tread at this stage.

Part 2: the road test

You are graded on how well you know and follow the rules of the road. The study guide refers you to the rules in the driver’s manual, and it says a violation of any law may result in a failing grade.

How scoring works

• Two misses in the same category is a fail. The guide’s example: the examiner warns you on your first rolling stop. A second rolling stop fails you, and you wait two weeks before retesting.
• An automatic failure brings a 30-day wait. The guide does not list which errors count as automatic failures. Any breach of traffic law can fail you.

Rules from the study guide worth drilling

• Stop fully at the stop line, or before the crosswalk. No rolling stops, including right on red.
• Signal at least 100 feet before a turn or lane change, and check blind spots over your shoulder.
• Yield to pedestrians in or entering a crosswalk.
• Keep two seconds of following distance.
• Steer hand-over-hand on sharp turns and keep your hands on opposite sides of the wheel.
• Do not back up in a travel lane. If you miss a turn, keep going.
• Parking: within 18 inches of the curb. On a hill, turn the wheels so the car cannot roll into traffic, and set the parking brake.

Common fails across states: common reasons people fail the US driving test. Stop sign order: four-way stops explained.

Weather and cancellations

ASP gives skills tests only in weather that is safe for testing, and the Troop Commander decides on cancellations. Your permit cannot be extended because of bad weather, so do not leave the test until the last weeks of your 2 years.

After you pass

Take your paperwork to a DFA State Revenue Office to buy the license for your age: learner’s (14 to 15), intermediate (16 to 17) or Class D (18+). The $5 knowledge exam fee for each attempt is added at this point. If you are under 18, check the clean record rule in the Arkansas learner driver guide. Intermediate rules: curfew and passenger limits.

Common questions

Is parallel parking on the Arkansas driving test?

The October 2026 study guide does not list parallel parking, or any other specific maneuver, in its skills test section. Practice it anyway, ending within 18 inches of the curb, because the examiner can test any rule in the guide.

Can I use a rental car or someone else’s car?

The checklist only requires current insurance and registration for the vehicle. Ask your testing site about rental cars before you book.

How long do I wait if I fail?

Two weeks for failing on two misses in the same category. 30 days for an automatic failure.

Who can ride with me to the test?

A licensed driver aged 21 or older, who rides in the front passenger seat while you drive.

Do I need to bring my parent?

The skills checklist only asks for the 21+ licensed driver. Parental consent is handled at the knowledge test. Under 18, your parent signs for financial responsibility.

Can I record my test?

No. Cameras and recording devices are not allowed.

Compare states: road tests by state. Earlier step: the Arkansas permit test.

Sources

• Arkansas State Police, “Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, Edition 10”, Chapter 10 Skills Test Guidelines (October 2026) (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas State Police, “Driver’s Testing 1-2-3 Skills Checklist” (revised October 6, 2026) (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas Department of Public Safety, “Driver Examination” (dps.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Learner’s and Intermediate License” (dfa.arkansas.gov)

Photo: w_lemay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Arkansas permit test is a computer-based knowledge exam run by the Arkansas State Police (ASP). You can take it from age 14. Pass it with the vision test and you get an instruction permit. Pass the skills test later and you can buy a learner’s license (ages 14 to 15). This page covers what to bring, how the test works, the fee and what the permit lets you do.

Key facts (as of November 2026)

• Minimum age: 14.
• Fee: $5 for each written exam, added to the cost of your license and collected by DFA (Act 1289 of 2015).
• You need 20 correct answers to pass, according to ASP’s audio testing instructions.
• The permit is valid for 2 years from the date you pass. It cannot be renewed or extended.
• Permit drivers must have a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the seat beside them.
• Under 18: bring an original U.S. birth certificate and a parent or guardian, or a notarized ASP-33 form.

Before you book: the required video

ASP requires every applicant to watch a 1-minute video, “What to Do During a Basic Traffic Stop”, before scheduling any knowledge or skills test. Then book your appointment online through ASP’s statewide scheduler. Tests are given in all Arkansas counties.

What to bring to the Arkansas permit test if you are under 18

ASP’s 1-2-3 Checklist (effective January 8, 2026) lists three things:

1. An original or certified U.S. birth certificate. Hospital certificates and birth registration cards are not accepted, and neither are laminated, photocopied or scanned copies. U.S. citizen minors cannot use a U.S. passport as their primary document. If you were born abroad to U.S. parents, bring a Birth Abroad Certificate. Non-citizens bring a passport with U.S. visa and current I-94, a Permanent Resident Card, an Employment Authorization Card, a Naturalization Certificate or a Certificate of Citizenship.
2. A parent or legal guardian’s signature (Arkansas Code § 27-16-702). The parent can come with a state driver’s license or state ID, or sign the ASP-33 Financial Responsibility Acceptance Form. Guardians bring court documents. A stepparent can sign only with proof of adoption. Foster parents bring a Foster Resource Home Agreement Addendum or an approved caseworker letter.
3. Secondary identification: an ASP-33 Parent Affidavit. Either sign it in front of the examiner, or have it notarized and hand it in within 30 days.

Also bring your glasses or contacts if you wear them.

Birth certificate from a neighboring state?

If your birth certificate is from Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas or Tennessee, ASP also asks for proof of Arkansas residency. Examples are a lease, a mortgage statement, a property assessment or a certified Arkansas school transcript for the current year.

18 or older

Bring two primary documents, or one primary and one secondary, from ASP’s 18 and older checklist (effective May 20, 2025). Primary documents include a U.S. birth certificate, U.S. passport or passport card and a Permanent Resident Card. Secondary documents include a state ID, a current Arkansas school ID, a certified school transcript and an IRS tax return from the last 2 years (not a W-2).

How the Arkansas knowledge test works

• You take it on a computer kiosk at an ASP testing site.
• Questions come from the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1 (October 2026 edition). Spanish and Vietnamese editions of the guide are also published.
• You can skip up to two questions. Skipped questions move to the end and do not count against you. If you reach 20 correct answers first, you will not see them again.
• Ask your ASP testing site for the total number of questions.
• You also take a vision test. You need 20/40 without lenses for an unrestricted license, or 20/70 with lenses for a restricted one.

Oral test for learning differences

If you have a diagnosed disability, show the examiner your IEP, 504 Plan or another professional evaluation. You can then take an oral exam, where the kiosk reads questions and answers through headphones. Examiners can explain words you do not understand. Book the “Driver’s License Test for Learning Differences” appointment type. Not every location offers it.

How to study for the Arkansas permit test

• Read the whole study guide. ASP says the guide is what prepares you for both the knowledge and skills tests.
• Use the official ASP practice test online or the AR Driver Testing app (Google Play and Apple App Store). ASP says it is not associated with third-party practice-test websites.
• Focus on Arkansas-specific rules: the phone law by age, school bus stops (median of 20 feet or more), move over, work zone double fines, parking distances and the underage 0.02% alcohol limit. The guide flags the school bus danger zones as a “test question”.

National topics that appear on most permit tests: road signs by shape and color, pavement markings and right on red.

If you fail

The Code of Arkansas Rules (27 CAR § 52-101) sets a five-calendar-day wait before you can retest after failing the knowledge test for a learner’s permit, learner’s license or intermediate license. Each attempt adds another $5 to your license cost. There is no limit on the number of exams charged.

What your instruction permit and learner’s license allow

	Instruction permit	Learner’s license
Age	14+	14 to 15
Tests passed	Knowledge and vision	Knowledge, vision and skills
Supervision	Licensed driver 21+ in the seat beside you	Licensed driver 21+ with you
Passengers	All must wear seat belts	All must wear seat belts
Phone	Under 18: no phone use, including hands-free, except emergencies	No calls or texting except emergencies
Expires	2 years after you pass the knowledge exam	1 month past your 16th birthday

You get the learner’s license from a State Revenue Office after passing the skills test. Your record must be free of serious accidents and serious traffic convictions for the 6 months before you apply. The fee is prorated. Next step: the Arkansas driving skills test.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to get a permit in Arkansas?

14.

How many questions are on the Arkansas permit test?

Check the total with ASP. Its audio testing instructions say you need 20 correct answers to pass.

How much is the Arkansas permit test?

$5 per attempt, added to your license cost at the Revenue Office. The learner’s license itself is prorated. Check the current amount with DFA.

Can my parent skip the visit?

Yes. A parent or guardian can sign the ASP-33 form in front of a notary instead. You must hand it to the examiner within 30 days of the notary’s signature.

Can I use my passport instead of my birth certificate?

Not if you are a U.S. citizen under 18. ASP requires the original or certified U.S. birth certificate.

What happens if my permit expires?

It lasts 2 years and cannot be renewed or extended, even for bad weather. If you have not passed the skills test and bought a license by then, you retake every part of the exam.

Can I take the permit test online?

You take the knowledge test at an ASP testing site, so check with ASP before you look for an online option.

Back to the Arkansas learner driver guide. Compare states: permit tests by state.

Sources

• Arkansas State Police, “Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, Edition 10” (October 2026) (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas Department of Public Safety, “Driver Examination” (dps.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas State Police, “Driver’s Testing 1-2-3 Checklist, Under 18” (January 2026) (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas State Police, “Driver’s Testing 1-2-3 Checklist, 18 and Older” (May 2025) (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas State Police, “ASP 33 DL Financial Responsibility Acceptance Form” (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas State Police, “Driver’s Audio Testing Instructions” (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas State Police, “1-2-3 Skills Checklist” (October 2026) (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Learner’s and Intermediate License” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Bureau of Legislative Research, “27 CAR § 52-101, Noncommercial driver’s license testing, Waiting period” (codeofarrules.arkansas.gov)

Photo: Cliff, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Arkansas you can start at 14 with an instruction permit, move to a learner’s license and then an intermediate license at 16, and get an unrestricted Class D license at 18. This guide is for Arkansas teens, their parents and adult first-time drivers. It covers each stage, the tests, the documents and every chapter of the October 2026 Arkansas Driver License Study Guide.

Key facts (as of November 2026)

• Two agencies: the Arkansas State Police (ASP) run the knowledge, vision and skills tests. The Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Office of Driver Services issues licenses at State Revenue Offices.
• Instruction permit from 14: pass the knowledge and vision tests. Drive only with a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the seat beside you. Valid 2 years and cannot be renewed.
• Learner’s license: ages 14 to 15. Intermediate license: ages 16 to 17. Class D (unrestricted): 18 and older.
• The knowledge test fee is $5 per attempt, added to your license cost (Act 1289 of 2015).
• Under 18: a parent or legal guardian must sign and accept financial responsibility (Arkansas Code § 27-16-702).
• Under 18: no phone use at all while driving, not even hands-free, except in an emergency.
• Intermediate drivers: no driving 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. and no more than one unrelated minor passenger, with exceptions.

Arkansas graduated license stages at a glance

Stage	Age	How you get it	Main rules
Instruction permit	14+	Pass the knowledge exam and vision test at an ASP testing site	Licensed driver 21+ in the seat beside you; all passengers belted
Learner’s license	14 to 15	Pass the skills test on your permit, then visit a State Revenue Office	Licensed driver 21+ with you; all passengers belted; no phone except emergencies
Intermediate license	16 to 17	Same tests; issued at a State Revenue Office	Adult 21+ until you have 6 months of experience; curfew 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.; one unrelated minor passenger; no phone
Class D	18+	Same tests, or move up from intermediate at 18	Ages 18 to 20: hands-free phone only; texting banned at every age

Full detail: Arkansas intermediate license curfew and passenger rules.

Step by step for an Arkansas teen

1. Watch the required video. ASP requires a 1-minute video, “What to Do During a Basic Traffic Stop”, before you schedule any test.
2. Study the guide and use the official practice test. ASP offers a free online practice test and the AR Driver Testing app. ASP says it is not associated with third-party practice sites.
3. Book and take the knowledge and vision tests at an ASP testing site. Tests are given in every county. Bring an original U.S. birth certificate and a parent or guardian (or a notarized ASP-33 form). See the Arkansas permit test guide.
4. Practice with a licensed driver aged 21 or older on your instruction permit.
5. Take the skills (driving) test in your own car, by appointment. See what to expect on the Arkansas driving test.
6. Buy your license at a State Revenue Office before the permit’s 2-year expiry. If you miss it, you retake every part of the exam.
7. Keep a clean record. A serious accident or serious traffic conviction can delay your next stage (details below).

Do you need supervised hours or driver’s ed in Arkansas?

The October 2026 study guide, the DFA graduated license pages and the ASP testing page set no minimum number of supervised hours and do not require driver education. The time rule that does apply is 6 months of driving experience, counted from the date your instruction permit was issued, before the adult-supervision restriction ends. Compare states in supervised driving hours by state.

Clean record rules

ASP quotes Arkansas Code § 27-16-704(7): your record must be free of any serious accident or serious traffic violation conviction for the previous 6 months for a learner’s license and the previous 12 months for an intermediate license. DFA’s page describes it as 6 months before the intermediate license and a clean year before the regular license at 18. Breaking the rule can delay your license. DFA lists texting while driving as a serious violation.

Points also go on your record. DFA’s violations list gives 3 points for speeding up to 10 mph over, a stop sign violation, following too closely or careless driving, 4 to 5 points for higher speeds and 8 points for reckless driving, racing or leaving the scene of a crash. DUI and underage DUI are handled as major offenses with their own suspensions. Ask Driver Services about the point totals that trigger a suspension if you have several tickets.

Early unrestricted license at 16 or 17

DFA can issue a full Class D before 18 if you have 6 months of driving experience and one of these applies:

• Emancipated: 17 or older and legally emancipated
• Graduated: 16 or older with a high school diploma or GED
• Married: 16 or older with a marriage certificate or license
• Military: 16 or older and already enlisted in the U.S. military

Under 16 with a real hardship? See the Arkansas age waiver guide.

Getting an Arkansas license at 18 or older

You still start with an instruction permit (knowledge and vision tests), then pass the skills test with a licensed driver aged 21 or older. For the knowledge test you need two primary documents, or one primary and one secondary, from ASP’s 18 and older checklist. Examples are a U.S. birth certificate or passport, plus a state ID or a certified school transcript. Drivers 18 to 20 may use only a hands-free phone.

Arkansas license fees (as of November 2026)

Item	Fee (DFA / study guide)	Expires
Knowledge exam	$5 per attempt, added to the license cost	n/a
Learner’s license	Prorated	1 month past your 16th birthday
Intermediate license	Prorated	1 month past your 18th birthday
Class D, ages 18 to 21	Prorated	1 month past your 21st birthday
Class D, ages 21+	$40.00	8 years

Ask at a State Revenue Office for the prorated dollar amounts.

Vision standards

• Unrestricted: at least 20/40 without glasses or contacts.
• Restricted (must wear lenses): at least 20/70 corrected.
• Field of vision: 140 degrees with two functional eyes, 105 degrees with one.
• A vision referral form (ASP-90) must be completed by an Arkansas optometrist. Out-of-state and online optometrists are not accepted. The form is valid for one year.

What the Arkansas study guide covers, chapter by chapter

The knowledge test comes from the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, Edition 10 (October 2026). A Spanish edition (January 2018) and a Vietnamese edition (February 2024) are also available.

The driver’s license and ID

License types (instruction permit, learner’s, intermediate, Class D, Class M motorcycle, Class MD motor-driven cycle, motorized bicycle certificate), vision rules, the countries exempt from testing (Manitoba in Canada, Germany, France, Taiwan and South Korea) and the ID checklists. New residents must get an Arkansas license within 30 days. To transfer an out-of-state license, bring the valid hard copy; it cannot have been expired for more than 30 days. Active-duty military and non-resident college or exchange students aged 16 or older may drive on a valid license from another state. Non-residents need one after 6 months in the state.

Chapter 1: Arkansas law

• Seat belts: a primary offense for the driver and front-seat passenger, with a fine of up to $25 plus court costs. A child under 6 and under 60 pounds must ride in a child safety seat. All children under 15 must be restrained. See seat belt and child seat laws.
• No smoking tobacco in a vehicle with a child under 14.
• Littering fines of up to $1,000 for a first offense.
• Move over for stopped emergency, police, ARDOT, utility and tow vehicles with lights on. See move over laws.
• School buses: stop in every direction for red flashing lights, unless the bus is across a median 20 feet or wider. Fines run from $250 to $1,000, with up to 90 days in jail. Under Isaac’s Law, negligently causing a death by passing a stopped school bus is a Class C felony. See school bus laws.
• Never leave a child or pet alone in a parked car. The guide’s chart shows the inside of a car reaching 99°F within 10 minutes on an 80°F day.
• Accessible parking rules: misusing someone else’s placard or plate is a Class A misdemeanor, with a fine of $100 to $500 for a first offense. Also covered: what to do when you are stopped by an officer.

Chapter 2: Rules, signs and signals

Yield signs: slow down and stop if needed. Failing to yield can bring a fine of up to $1,000 and a 180-day suspension. Work zones: fines double for moving violations when workers are present, and speed cameras are used in Interstate work zones. Also covered: flaggers, flashing green lights on work vehicles, traffic lights and arrows (a flashing yellow arrow means turn left after yielding), right on red after a full stop, sign shapes and colors, and railroad crossings. On county roads without a posted limit, the limit is 40 mph. See traffic signals, road signs by shape and color and railroad crossings.

Chapter 3: General driving

Lane markings, shared center turn lanes (not an acceleration lane), passing, turns, crosswalks, right of way, roundabouts, all-way stops (first to arrive goes first) and parking. Parking limits: within 18 inches of the curb, no closer than 15 feet to a fire hydrant, 20 feet to a crosswalk at an intersection, 30 feet to a stop sign or signal, and 50 feet to a railroad crossing. See pavement markings, roundabouts, four-way stops and parking rules.

Chapter 4: Safe driving and distracted driving

Seat belt fit, steering (hand-over-hand for sharp turns), scanning 15 seconds ahead, signaling at least 100 feet before a lane change, blind spots and backing. The distracted driving section sets out the phone rules by age: see the Arkansas teen phone law.

Chapter 5: See and be seen

Arkansas law requires headlights whenever you need your windshield wipers. Headlights also go on from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, or whenever you cannot see clearly within 500 feet. Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle, and use low beams within 200 feet when following. Use the two-second rule, and more space in bad conditions. In rain or fog with under 200 feet of visibility, drive no faster than 30 mph. A car at 55 mph needs about 225 feet to stop. Arkansas Code § 27-51-301 reserves the left lane of a multilane highway for passing, with limited exceptions. See driving in snow, fog and rain.

Chapters 6 and 7: Trucks, bicycles and motorcycles

Truck no-zones, wide right turns and following motorcycles at a greater distance. See sharing the road.

Chapter 8: Driving fitness, alcohol and drugs

Vision, fatigue and health. The guide says you may drive with epilepsy if you are under a doctor’s care and have been seizure free for one year. The legal limit is 0.08% for adults, but after a crash or a serious traffic offense you can be charged with DWI at 0.04% or more. A first DWI conviction carries a fine of $150 to $1,000, up to 1 year in jail and a 120-day suspension. A driver under 21 can be arrested for underage DUI at 0.02%, and the guide warns of revocation until 21 and a fine of up to $2,000. Under 21, buying or possessing alcohol also costs your driving privileges. Refusing a test can cost your license. DFA’s underage DUI suspensions are 90 days for a first offense, 1 year for a second, and 3 years or until 21 for a third. See zero tolerance laws and implied consent.

Chapter 9: Emergencies and crashes

Brake failure, blowouts, skids and stopping with and without ABS. After a crash, move your car off the road if you can. Notify police right away if anyone is hurt or property damage exceeds $1,000. Report the crash to DFA’s Office of Driver Services within 30 days if there is injury, death or more than $3,000 damage to one person’s property. See what to do after a crash.

Chapter 10: Skills test guidelines

Vehicle inspection, the controls you must locate and how the driving test is scored. See the Arkansas skills test guide.

Common questions

Can you get a permit at 14 in Arkansas?

Yes. At 14 you can take the knowledge and vision tests for an instruction permit, and pass the skills test for a learner’s license. You must drive with a licensed driver aged 21 or older.

Can a 16-year-old drive alone in Arkansas?

Yes, on an intermediate license once you have 6 months of driving experience from your permit date. Until then a licensed driver aged 21 or older must be with you.

Is driver’s ed required in Arkansas?

The study guide and DFA pages do not require it, and they set no supervised hour total.

Where do I take the test and where do I get the license?

Tests are given at Arkansas State Police testing sites by appointment. The license is issued and paid for at a DFA State Revenue Office.

Do I need a REAL ID?

DFA offers REAL ID at any State Revenue Office. You need proof of legal presence, a Social Security card or DD214, and two proofs of residency. See REAL ID for your first license.

Can I take the Arkansas permit test in Spanish?

ASP publishes the study guide in Spanish and Vietnamese. Ask your testing site which test languages it offers.

Compare Arkansas with other states

• How to get a driver’s license in the US
• GDL laws by state compared
• Permit tests by state
• Road tests by state
• Moving to a new state with your license

Sources

• Arkansas State Police, “Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1, Edition 10” (October 2026) (media.ark.org/dps)
• Arkansas Department of Public Safety, “Driver Examination” (dps.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Learner’s and Intermediate License” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Graduated Licenses” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Non-Commercial Information (NCL)” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Underage Offenses” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Violations and Points” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “DSMV FAQs” (dfa.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas State Police, “Driver’s Testing 1-2-3 Checklist” (under 18 and 18 and older) (media.ark.org/dps)

Photo: Brandonrush, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

This free Arkansas permit practice test has 30 original multiple-choice questions on the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (October 2026 edition): signs, traffic laws, school buses, the move-over law, Arkansas’s teen phone, curfew and passenger rules, and alcohol limits. The questions are unofficial: they test the same knowledge as the Arkansas State Police (ASP) knowledge exam, but they are not ASP’s questions. ASP also publishes its own free official practice test and the AR Driver Testing app.

Arkansas knowledge test: what we know

Item	Arkansas rule (as of November 2026)
Who runs it	Arkansas State Police, on a computer kiosk at an ASP testing site
Pass mark	20 correct answers, according to ASP’s audio testing instructions
Total questions	Ask your ASP testing site
Skips	Up to two questions can be skipped and moved to the end
Fee	$5 per written exam, added to your license cost
Minimum age	14 for an instruction permit

Aim for at least 26 of 30 here before you book. What to bring and how to schedule: Arkansas permit test and learner’s license at 14.

Signs, signals and markings (questions 1 to 8)

1. A red, eight-sided sign means:

• A. Come to a full stop
• B. Yield the right of way
• C. Do not enter
• D. Slow down for a curve

Answer: A. The octagon is only used for STOP signs. Study guide topic: traffic signs.

2. A yellow, diamond-shaped sign:

• A. Shows a regulation you must obey
• B. Marks a hospital
• C. Gives directions
• D. Warns of a hazard or change ahead

Answer: D. Warning signs are yellow diamonds. Study guide topic: traffic signs.

3. A white rectangular sign with black letters is usually:

• A. A warning sign
• B. A recreation sign
• C. A construction sign
• D. A regulatory sign, such as a speed limit

Answer: D. Speed limit signs are regulatory. They can show both the maximum and minimum speed. Study guide topic: speed limit signs.

4. Orange signs warn you that you are entering:

• A. A truck route
• B. A scenic area
• C. A work zone
• D. A school zone

Answer: C. In Arkansas, fines double in a work zone when workers are present. Study guide topic: work zones.

5. A flashing yellow light means:

• A. Slow down and proceed with caution
• B. Stop completely
• C. The light is broken; ignore it
• D. Only buses may proceed

Answer: A. A flashing yellow is a warning. A flashing red means stop. Study guide topic: traffic signals.

6. A flashing yellow left-turn arrow means:

• A. Do not turn left
• B. Wait for a police officer
• C. You have a protected turn
• D. Turn left only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians

Answer: D. Oncoming cars may have a green light. Study guide topic: traffic signals.

7. A solid yellow line on your side of the center line means:

• A. The lane is ending
• B. Do not pass
• C. A bike lane begins
• D. You may pass with care

Answer: B. You may pass only when the broken line is on your side and the way is clear. Study guide topic: pavement markings.

8. A round yellow sign with an X and two Rs means:

• A. Rest room ahead
• B. A railroad crossing is ahead
• C. Right lane reduces
• D. Road repairs ahead

Answer: B. Slow down, look and listen. School buses must stop at all railroad crossings, so be ready to stop behind one. Study guide topic: railroad crossings.

Right of way, speed and space (questions 9 to 17)

9. At an intersection with stop signs on all corners, who goes first?

• A. The driver turning left
• B. The driver on the busier road
• C. The driver who reached the intersection first, after a complete stop
• D. The largest vehicle

Answer: C. At an intersection with no signs or signals at all, yield to vehicles approaching from your right. Study guide topic: right of way at stop signs.

10. You are entering a road from a driveway. You must:

• A. Expect traffic to let you in
• B. Yield to vehicles already on the road and to pedestrians on the sidewalk
• C. Honk and pull out
• D. Yield only to trucks

Answer: B. Drivers crossing a sidewalk yield to pedestrians, and drivers entering from a driveway, alley or roadside yield to traffic on the main road. Study guide topic: general right of way rules.

11. How far before a turn or lane change should you signal in Arkansas?

• A. At least 100 feet
• B. At least 300 feet
• C. At least 50 feet
• D. At least 200 feet

Answer: A. The study guide says to signal at least 100 feet before turns, lane changes and merges. Study guide topic: signaling.

12. What following distance does the Arkansas study guide recommend behind a car in normal conditions?

• A. At least 4 seconds
• B. At least 2 seconds
• C. At least 1 second
• D. At least 10 seconds

Answer: B. Count from when the car ahead passes a fixed point. Leave more room for motorcycles and in bad weather. Study guide topic: following distance.

13. If rain or fog keeps you from seeing more than 200 feet ahead, you should not drive faster than:

• A. 20 mph
• B. 30 mph
• C. 40 mph
• D. 50 mph

Answer: B. If you can’t see the road ahead at all, pull over in a safe place. Study guide topic: speed and visibility.

14. About how far does a car traveling 55 mph need to stop, according to the study guide?

• A. 75 feet
• B. 125 feet
• C. 225 feet
• D. 500 feet

Answer: C. The guide gives about 124 feet at 40 mph and about 225 feet at 55 mph. Study guide topic: stopping distance.

15. On a county road where the county judge has not set a speed limit, the limit is:

• A. 30 mph
• B. 35 mph
• C. 40 mph
• D. 55 mph

Answer: C. Arkansas Code 27-51-216 sets 40 mph as the default on such county roads. Study guide topic: speed limits.

16. When you merge into another lane of traffic, you need a gap of about:

• A. 1 second
• B. 2 seconds
• C. 4 seconds
• D. 8 seconds

Answer: C. The guide recommends about four seconds when merging. Study guide topic: space to merge.

17. Large trucks have blind spots. Behind a tractor-trailer, a car can disappear from the driver’s view up to about:

• A. 20 feet
• B. 50 feet
• C. 100 feet
• D. 200 feet

Answer: D. The no-zone extends up to 200 feet behind the truck and about 20 feet in front of the cab. Study guide topic: sharing the road with trucks.

School buses, emergency vehicles and parking (questions 18 to 22)

18. A school bus is stopped with its red lights flashing. Where must you stop?

• A. Wherever you are in relation to the bus (same lane, opposite lane or at an intersection) unless a median of 20 feet or more separates you
• B. Only when children are visible
• C. Only if you are behind it
• D. Only on two-lane roads

Answer: A. Stay stopped until the bus moves on without its red lights. The guide calls the danger zones a test question. Study guide topic: school bus law.

19. What is the minimum fine for passing a stopped Arkansas school bus with red lights flashing?

• A. $100
• B. $250
• C. $500
• D. $1,000

Answer: B. Fines run from $250 to $1,000, with up to 90 days in jail. Causing a death is a felony. Study guide topic: school bus law.

20. You are in an intersection when you hear a siren behind you. You should:

• A. Stop in the intersection
• B. Drive through the intersection, then pull to the right edge and stop
• C. Speed up and keep going
• D. Turn left immediately

Answer: B. Never stop in an intersection for an emergency vehicle; clear it first. Study guide topic: move over law.

21. On a multilane highway you see a police car stopped on the shoulder with its lights on. Arkansas law requires you to:

• A. Flash your lights and keep your lane
• B. Speed up to pass quickly
• C. Move over, whenever possible, to the lane farthest from it
• D. Stop behind it

Answer: C. If you can’t move over safely, slow down. Violations can mean a fine, jail time or license suspension. Study guide topic: move over law.

22. You may not park within how many feet of a fire hydrant?

• A. 10 feet
• B. 15 feet
• C. 20 feet
• D. 30 feet

Answer: B. Other Arkansas limits: 20 feet from a crosswalk at an intersection, 30 feet from a signal or stop or yield sign, and 50 feet from a railroad crossing. Study guide topic: parking.

Alcohol and drugs (questions 23 to 25)

23. A driver under 21 can be arrested for underage DUI in Arkansas at a breath or blood alcohol concentration of:

• A. 0.02%
• B. 0.04%
• C. 0.05%
• D. 0.08%

Answer: A. The adult DWI limit is 0.08%. An underage driver found guilty could lose their license until 21 and be fined $2,000. Study guide topic: alcohol.

24. In Arkansas, after a crash or a serious traffic offense, a driver can be charged with DWI with a blood alcohol content as low as:

• A. 0.02%
• B. 0.04%
• C. 0.06%
• D. 0.10%

Answer: B. The study guide says DWI can be charged between 0.04% and 0.08% in those situations. Study guide topic: alcohol.

25. Which is the only thing that will sober a person up?

• A. A cold shower
• B. Black coffee
• C. Food
• D. Time

Answer: D. Food slows how fast alcohol enters the blood, but it does not prevent intoxication. Study guide topic: alcohol.

Arkansas teen license, phone and night driving rules (questions 26 to 30)

26. Who must ride beside an Arkansas instruction permit holder?

• A. A parent only
• B. A licensed driver aged 21 or older
• C. Any licensed driver
• D. A passenger aged 18 or older

Answer: B. The permit is valid for 2 years from the date you pass and can’t be renewed. Study guide topic: instruction permit.

27. Arkansas intermediate license holders may not drive between:

• A. 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., unless an exception applies
• B. Midnight and 5 a.m.
• C. 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
• D. 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

Answer: A. The study guide lists a licensed driver 21 or older and trips to and from school, church, work or an emergency. Study guide topic: intermediate license.

28. An Arkansas driver under 18 may use a cell phone while driving:

• A. At red lights
• B. Only in an emergency
• C. Only hands-free
• D. For GPS and calls

Answer: B. Under 18, even hands-free calls are banned. Drivers 18 to 20 may use hands-free only, and texting is banned at every age. Study guide topic: distracted driving.

29. With an intermediate license, how many unrelated minor passengers may you carry without a licensed driver 21 or older in the front seat?

• A. 0
• B. 1
• C. 2
• D. 3

Answer: B. Every passenger must also wear a seat belt. Study guide topic: intermediate license.

30. When must you turn on your headlights in Arkansas?

• A. From half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise, whenever you can’t see clearly 500 feet ahead, and whenever your wipers are needed
• B. Only on interstates
• C. Only after 9 p.m.
• D. Only in fog

Answer: A. Dim your high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and when following within 200 feet. Study guide topic: headlights.

How did you do?

• 26 to 30: you are ready. Take ASP’s official practice test too.
• 20 to 25: close. Reread the study guide sections named in your wrong answers.
• Below 20: read the study guide again from the start, especially the school bus, move over and teen license sections.

After the permit: what to expect on the Arkansas driving skills test and Arkansas intermediate license curfew and passenger rules.

Common questions

How many questions are on the Arkansas permit test?

ASP’s audio testing instructions say you need 20 correct answers to pass. Ask at your testing site for the total number of questions.

How old do you have to be?

14 for an instruction permit. Under 18, bring an original US birth certificate and a parent or guardian, or a notarized ASP-33 form.

Is there an official Arkansas practice test?

Yes. ASP offers a free online practice test and the AR Driver Testing app. ASP says it is not associated with third-party practice-test sites. These questions are an unofficial extra.

Can I take the test orally?

If you have a diagnosed learning difference, show your IEP, 504 Plan or evaluation and book the learning differences appointment for a headphone kiosk test.

What phone rules apply to teens?

See the Arkansas teen phone law.

Where can I practice for other states?

See the US permit practice tests hub. The full Arkansas route: learning to drive in Arkansas.

Sources

• Arkansas State Police, “Arkansas Driver License Study Guide, Volume 1” (October 2026 edition) (dps.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas State Police, “Audio Testing Instructions” and “Driver Knowledge Testing 1-2-3 Checklist” (dps.arkansas.gov)
• Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, “Graduated Licenses” (dfa.arkansas.gov)