REASONS FOR DRIVER’S LICENSE SUSPENSIONS IN

There are a variety of reasons why your Arkansas driver’s license might be suspended. Some of these are related to specific driving violations, while others may be due to violation of other State laws. The following are some of the most common reasons for an Arkansas driver’s license to be suspended or revoked.

Excessive Moving Violations: The state of Arkansas operates on a point system, in which drivers accumulate points on their license for every moving violation they commit. If you accumulate 14 or more points on your current driver record, your license will be suspended. The period of suspension is given below:

• 14 to 17 points: 3-month suspension.
• 18 to 23 points: 6-month suspension.
• 24 or more points: 1-year suspension.

Driving Under the Influence: Your Arkansas driver’s license will be suspended if you are found guilty of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The length of the suspension depends on the severity of the violation and whether it is a first or repeat offense. If you are found driving with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, you will be charged with a DUI. Your license may be suspended for:

• 6 months for a 1st offense DWI/DUI.
• 180 days for a 1st offense BAC test refusal.
• 2 years for a 2nd offense within 5 years.
• 30 months for a 3rd offense within 5 years.
• 4 years for a 4th offense within 5 years.
• Your license may be revoked permanently for a 4th offense BAC test refusal within 5 years.

When your driver’s license is suspended, you should receive a suspension notice from the Arkansas DMV that includes information on how to reinstate your license and how to request a hearing. For more information, please contact the Arkansas DFA Office of Driver Control at (501) 682-1631.

• Driving with a Suspended License or No License: Driving with a suspended license will lead to an increase in the length of the suspension, and you may also be imprisoned for up to 5 years. The duration of the additional suspension varies depending on the reason for the underlying suspension. Your driver’s license may also be suspended if you do not have your license with you while you are driving.
• Driving without Insurance: All motor vehicles driven in Arkansas must be properly insured. Failure to provide proof of valid auto insurance can result in your license being suspended.
• Other Driving-Related Violations: Your Arkansas driver’s license may also be suspended for seat belt violations, if you engage in reckless driving, are found to be at fault in a fatal accident, leave the scene of an accident, or if you abandon your vehicle on a public highway.
• Physical or Psychological Disqualification: The Office of Motor Vehicles’ Chief Administrator can order a re-examination of any person who may not be fit to drive. An individual’s driving privileges may be suspended if the re-examination finds they are physically or psychologically unable to drive safely.
• Non-Driving Reasons for License Suspension: A variety of non-driving violations or issues can result in your license being suspended. These include: not responding to a Motor Vehicle Commission notice or not appearing in court; failing to pay traffic tickets, fines or surcharges; and not paying child support.

If you believe your license has been suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is advisable to speak with a Traffic Ticket Attorney or DUI Attorney.

ACTIONS TO TAKE IF YOUR ARKANSAS DRIVER’S LICENSE IS SUSPENDED

If you believe your license may be suspended due to one of the reasons listed above it is prudent to speak with a traffic ticket lawyer or a DUI-DWI lawyer. Things to be aware of following a license suspension:

• If your license has not already been taken away from you in court, you must surrender it to the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles. You can surrender your license by mailing it to:

Office of Driver Service

Driver’s License Issuance

Room 2120

P.O. Box 1272

Little Rock, AR 72203  

• While your license is suspended, you are not permitted to drive. If you are found driving with a suspended license, you may be imprisoned for up to five years, and/or the length of your suspension may be increased.
• After your suspension is over, you will receive a written notice of restoration, with instructions on how to restore your license. Do not drive until you have completed the necessary steps and received a valid, replacement license from the Arkansas OMV.

CHECK YOUR DRIVER’S LICENSE STATUS

Traffic violations and convictions will lead to points on your driving record. If you accumulate too many points, your driver’s license can be suspended.

The Arkansas DMV will send you a warning letter, after 10-13 points. After 13 points, your license will be suspended for 3 months, after 14 to 17 points; 6 months, after 18 to 23 points; and 1 year, after 24 points or above. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course.

RESTRICTED OR TEMPORARY ARKANSAS LICENSE

Depending on the circumstances of your suspension, you may be eligible for a restricted driver’s license, which allows you to drive to and from authorized locations. A vehicle with an ignition interlock device installed may be required.

For more information, refer to your suspension notice or contact the Arkansas DFA Office of Driver Control at (501) 682-1631.

ARKANSAS SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

If you receive a Notice of Scheduled Suspension from the OMV with administrative hearing information and you wish to challenge the suspension, you may request a hearing in court. An administrative law judge or the OMV Chief Administrator will hear your case, and determine whether your driver’s license should be suspended or not.

In addition, drivers whose license may be suspended due to accumulating excessive points may be eligible to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. Completing a Driver Improvement Program removes 3 points from the current driving record, and in some cases can enable an individual to avoid having his license suspended. The hearing officer will make one of the following decisions on your driver’s license: No action, Probation, Restriction, Suspension.

If your suspension was issued as a result of refusing or failing a BAC test, you must request an administrative hearing within 7 days of your arrest.

NOTE: If you fail to attend your AR DMV administrative hearing, your license will be suspended.

REINSTATE YOUR ARKANSAS DRIVER’S LICENSE

You will receive a Notice of Restoration from the OMV after you have completed your suspension period. The notice will include complete instructions regarding how to get your license back. If you were convicted in court, you may also need to pay additional court fines. Your reinstatement requirements will vary depending on the reason for your suspension. To reinstate your driver’s license, you generally may need to:

• Satisfy your court requirements, if applicable.
• Submit any clearance documents.
• File an SR22 or proof of insurance.
• Complete an alcohol education/treatment program, if required.
• Pass the driving skills and knowledge tests, if required.
• Pay your reinstatement fees.
• Apply for a standard license renewal to obtain a new license. Driving test fees: $5 per test (up to $15 maximum). For a Class D license: $20.
• Pay a restoration fee of $150. You can mail a check or money order payable to:

Office of Driver Service

Driver License Issuance

Room 2120

P.O. Box 1272

Little Rock, AR 72203  

You can also pay your reinstatement fees online on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website. You will need to enter your: Driver’s license number, Birth date, Social Security Number (SSN), VISA, MasterCard, or Discover credit/debit card info to pay the reinstatement fee.

NOTE: After you license is restored, you will be subject to a Mandatory Probation Period of 1 year, during which any new violations may result in an additional suspension of your Arkansas driver’s license.

For fees specific to your driver’s license suspension and acceptable payment methods, refer to your suspension notice or contact the Arkansas DMV.

COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSE (CDL) SUSPENSIONS IN ARKANSAS

CDL’s are suspended more easily than standard licenses. This is because commercial drivers are held to very high standards. In Arkansas, the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) can disqualify your commercial driver’s license (CDL) if you commit certain violations in either a commercial or non-commercial vehicle. Your Arkansas CDL can also be disqualified violations you receive in a non-commercial vehicle.

Violations include:

• Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol/drugs.
• Refusing to submit to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test.
• Speeding and reckless driving.
• Violating out-of-service orders.
• Following too closely.
• Making erratic lane changes.
• Using your vehicle to commit a felony.
• Driving without the proper CDL endorsements.

Your CDL and commercial driving privileges are subject to state and federal regulations. Suspension/disqualification duration varies depending on your offense and whether or not the AR DOR also suspended your non-commercial driving privileges. For information regarding your specific CDL disqualification, contact the Arkansas DMV commercial driver’s license help desk at (501) 682-1400. Disqualifications may last:

1 year

for a 1st violation of a major offense, such as:

• DUI/DWI or drug-related offenses (You will be charged with driving under the influence if you are caught operating a CMV with a BAC of 0.04% or higher).
• Refusing to submit to a BAC, or blood alcohol concentration, test.
• Committing a hit-and-run.
• Leaving the scene of an accident.
• Using your commercial motor vehicle (CMV) in a felony.

3 years

for a 1st violation of a major offense while transporting hazardous materials (HAZMAT).

Lifetime Disqualification

for a 2nd violation of a major offense.

60 to 120 days

for multiple serious traffic violations within 3 years.

60 to 120 days

for railroad highway grade crossing violations.

For a complete list of CDL disqualifications and durations, visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration website.

NOTE: By law, you are required to notify your employer within 30 days of receiving a traffic offense conviction or by the end of the next business day after receiving a CDL disqualification notice.

CHECK YOUR COMMERCIAL DRIVER’S LICENSE STATUS

Traffic violations, convictions, and causing accidents can lead to driving record points on your driving record. Accumulating too many points can lead to a suspension/disqualification of both your commercial and non-commercial driving privileges.

The Arkansas DMV will:

• Send a warning letter after 10-13 points.
• Suspend your license for 3 months after 14-17 points.
• Suspend your license for 6 months after 18-23 points.
• Suspend your license for 1 year after 24 points or more.

You can order your driving record to check the status of your CDL and your driving record points. You may be able to dismiss traffic tickets and remove points from your driving record by completing an online defensive driving course.

ARKANSAS CDL SUSPENSION HEARINGS & APPEALS

If your CDL and/or non-commercial driver’s license is suspended, the Arkansas DMV will mail you a suspension notice and administrative hearing information.

If accumulating too many driving record points caused your suspension/disqualification, an administrative hearing will automatically be scheduled for you. The hearing officer will make one of the following decisions on your driver’s license: No action, Probation, Restriction, Suspension.

NOTE: If you fail to attend your AR DMV administrative hearing, your license will be suspended.

If you wish to contest a suspension caused by a DUI or BAC test refusal, you must request an administrative hearing within 7 days of your arrest.

REINSTATE YOUR CDL 

Reinstatement requirements vary depending on the reason for your suspension/disqualification.

Some steps needed to reinstate your CDL could include:

• Satisfying any court requirements, if applicable.
• Submitting any required clearance documents.
• Completing an alcohol education/treatment program, if necessary.
• Passing the commercial driving skills and knowledge tests, if necessary. (You must retake these tests if your CDL has been suspended for 1 year or more.)
• Paying your reinstatement fees. (See “Fees to Reinstate Your CDL in Arkansas” below.)

You can pay your reinstatement fees online on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration website. You will need to enter your:

• Arkansas CDL number.
• Date of birth.
• Social Security number (SSN).
• VISA, MasterCard, or Discover credit/debit card information to pay the reinstatement fee.

FEES TO REINSTATE YOUR CDL

Your CDL reinstatement fees will vary depending on the reason for your suspension/disqualification. If you were convicted in court, you may face additional court fines. Below are general Arkansas DFA fees that may apply to your suspension and reinstatement.

• DWI/DUI and BAC test refusal suspension reinstatements: $150.
• Commercial driver’s license: $42.
• Commercial driving tests: $50.

For fees directly related to your suspended CDL, and information about accepted payment methods, refer to your suspension notice or contact the AR DMV.