Arkansas learner’s permit requirements
Everything here comes from Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services pages, handbooks or state law, and each fact links to its source. Where Arkansas doesn’t publish something, we say so rather than guess.
Last checked September 22, 2026.
At a glance
- Minimum age
- 14 years
- To pass the knowledge test
- 20 correct
- Fees
- Varies / not published
- Where you take the test
- In person
The knowledge test and your permit
- Time limit
- None published
- Permit and test fees
- Varies / not publishedArkansas charges $5 for each written exam, added to the license cost and collected by DFA, but publishes no fixed instruction-permit or learner's-license fee (DFA lists the learner's license as prorated), so the total isn't published.Sources 123
- Minimum age for a permit
- 14 yearsInstruction permit at 14 (knowledge + vision test); Learner's License at 14-15 after also passing the skills test; permit valid 2 years.Sources 15
From permit to full license
- Instruction permit at 14 (drive with licensed driver 21+ beside you).
- Learner's License (14-15) after knowledge, vision and skills tests; restricted until 16th birthday and 6 months of restricted driving, supervised by licensed driver 21+, no cell phone use, no crash/serious violation in prior 6 months.
- Intermediate License (16-17): restricted 6 months from permit issuance (supervised by 21+), then no more than one unrelated minor passenger, no driving 11 p.m.-4 a.m. except with 21+ driver or to/from school, church, work, or emergency; no cell phone use.
- Class D unrestricted at 18.
Before you go
Rules and fees change. Confirm appointments, documents and current fees on the official Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services website: dfa.arkansas.gov.