Roadwise States Arkansas Driving lessons Who needs a license & your instruction permit Arkansas driving lesson · Your License
Who needs a license & your instruction permit A 4-minute lesson from the Arkansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 4 minutes
Course unit Your License
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 14, 15 Anyone who drives a motor vehicle, motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle on Arkansas public highways needs a license or certificate. Your first step is the instruction permit, which lets you practice with an experienced driver beside you.
Know the rule
A new resident must get an Arkansas driver's license within 30 calendar days of becoming a resident.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
A nonresident who has been physically present in Arkansas for 6 months must get an Arkansas driver's license.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ These drivers may use a valid license from another state: Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty Members of a foreign military on temporary duty with the U.S. Armed Forces Nonresident students under tuition rules, such as college or exchange students Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
Act 235 of 2005 lets U.S. military spouses get an Arkansas license without testing if their license expired while they lived outside the United States.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ You may get an Arkansas driver's license if: You are at least 14 (restricted license) or at least 18 (non-restricted license) You can prove your name, residential address, and date of birth A parent or legal guardian consents, if you are under 18 You pass a driver's knowledge test and skills test You have a valid hard-copy license from another state, not expired more than 30 calendar days You are not suspended, revoked, expired or denied anywhere, or one year has passed since a revocation You legally reside in the United States No court has judged you mentally incompetent, an alcoholic, or a habitual user of illegal narcotics You have no judgments pending for a moving traffic violation Handbook p. 14 ↗ Know the rule
To get an instruction permit you must pass the knowledge exam and the vision test.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Know the rule
A permit holder may drive only with a licensed driver 21 or older sitting in the seat beside them, and all passengers must wear seat belts.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ 2 years An instruction permit is valid from the date you pass the knowledge exam
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Under 26,001 lb Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) you may drive on a permit, Learner's, Intermediate or Class D license
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Know the rule
A vehicle designed to carry 16 or more passengers, or to haul hazardous material, requires a Commercial License.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Put it into practice
You're 15 and just passed your knowledge and vision tests. Your 19-year-old brother offers to ride along so you can practice. He can't: your supervising driver must be licensed, at least 21, and sitting in the seat beside you, and everyone in the car must buckle up.
A useful reminder Two different clocks: a new resident has 30 days, a nonresident gets 6 months of physical presence before needing an Arkansas license.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
At what minimum age can you apply for an Arkansas instruction permit? 14 15 16 18 Answer: 14
An applicant for an Arkansas instruction permit must be at least fourteen (14) years old.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Who must sit beside a driver who only holds an instruction permit? Any licensed adult passenger A licensed driver at least 21 years old A licensed driver at least 18 years old A parent or legal guardian only Answer: A licensed driver at least 21 years old
Instruction permit holders may only drive with a licensed driver 21 or older occupying the seat beside them.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ A new Arkansas resident must obtain an Arkansas driver's license within how many days of becoming a resident? 30 days 10 days 60 days 90 days Answer: 30 days
Arkansas law requires a new resident to get an Arkansas license within thirty (30) calendar days.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ A nonresident must obtain an Arkansas driver's license after being physically present in the state for how long? 30 days 6 months 9 months 1 year Answer: 6 months
A nonresident must get an Arkansas license after six (6) months of physical presence, unlike the 30-day rule for residents.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ A valid hard-copy out-of-state license can be expired for how long and still be accepted when applying in Arkansas? Up to 10 days Up to 60 days Up to 6 months Up to 30 days Answer: Up to 30 days
Arkansas accepts a valid out-of-state license that has not been expired for more than thirty (30) calendar days.
Handbook p. 14 ↗ An instruction permit holder may practice driving with any licensed adult seated beside them. True False Answer: False
The accompanying licensed driver must be at least 21 years old, not just any licensed adult.
Handbook p. 15 ↗ Next lesson Learner's, Intermediate & Class D licenses About the source Roadwise’s Arkansas course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 14, 15. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
For current application requirements, fees, appointments, and the format that applies to your age or license type, check Arkansas’s DFA. Roadwise provides study material and does not issue permits or licenses.