Arkansas graduated driver licence stages

By the end of this topic you can

• You can name the four stages of the Arkansas license system and the age range for each.
• You can explain who must ride with you while you hold a permit or learner's license.
• You can describe the passenger and night limits on an intermediate license.
• You can explain what record you need before moving up a stage.
• You can say what phone use is allowed at each age.

What you need to know and understand

• The instruction permit is available from age 14 after you pass the knowledge test and vision test.
• A permit holder may drive only with a licensed driver aged 21 or older in the seat beside them.
• The learner's license covers ages 14 and 15 and still requires a licensed driver aged 21 or older.
• The intermediate license covers ages 16 and 17.
• The unrestricted Class D license is available at 18 if your record is clean for the previous 12 months.
• To move from learner's to intermediate, you need no serious traffic violation or at-fault crash in the previous six months.
• All passengers must wear seat belts when a permit, learner's or intermediate driver is at the wheel.
• Drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all while driving, even hands-free, except in an emergency.

The four steps from permit to Class D

Everyone starts with an instruction permit, which lasts two years and cannot be renewed or extended, so plan your driving test well before it runs out.

1. Instruction permit (from 14): pass the knowledge and vision tests, then practice with a licensed adult aged 21 or older beside you.
2. Learner's license (ages 14 to 15): pass the driving skills test while on your permit, then buy the license at a State Revenue Office. You still drive only with a licensed adult aged 21 or older.
3. Intermediate license (ages 16 to 17): you may drive alone once you are 16 and have six months of supervised experience, but passenger and night limits apply.
4. Class D license (18 and older): no GDL limits, as long as your record has no serious violations or at-fault crashes in the previous 12 months.

Limits that come with an intermediate license

New teen drivers are most at risk with friends aboard and late at night.

• No more than one unrelated minor passenger unless a licensed driver aged 21 or older is in the front seat. An unrelated minor is someone under 21 who is not your sibling, step-sibling or a child living in your household.
• No driving between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. unless a licensed adult aged 21 or older is with you or you are going to or from a school activity, a church activity, a job or an emergency.
• Every passenger must be buckled up.
• No phone use, hand-held or hands-free, except in an emergency.

Getting full privileges early

DFA allows some 16- and 17-year-olds with six months of driving experience to get an unrestricted Class D license before 18. This applies if you are legally emancipated at 17 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, are married, or have enlisted in the US military. Our deeper guide on the Arkansas age waiver explains this in more detail.

Common mistakes

• Letting the permit expire. It lasts two years and cannot be extended, even for bad weather, so book the driving test early.
• Carrying two school friends on an intermediate license. Only one unrelated minor passenger is allowed without a licensed adult aged 21 or older in the front.
• Thinking hands-free calls are fine at 16 or 17. Under 18, any phone use is banned except emergencies.
• Picking up a ticket just before upgrading. A serious violation or at-fault crash can delay your next stage.

Test yourself: Arkansas graduated driver licence stages

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Arkansas Intermediate License
• Arkansas Permit Practice Test
• Arkansas Permit Test