Driving Tests

Arkansas Driver's License Documents: What to Bring and REAL ID

informational·how to guide·Published April 8, 2026

What documents do you need for the Arkansas permit test and driver's license?

For the Arkansas written test, a U.S. citizen under 18 brings an original or certified U.S. birth certificate and an ASP-33 form signed by a parent or guardian. Applicants 18 or older bring two primary documents, or one primary and one secondary. At the Revenue Office, bring proof of legal presence, a Social Security card and proof of identity. A REAL ID also needs two proofs of residency.

Where the Arkansas document rules come from

The written-test lists come from the Arkansas State Police (ASP) 1-2-3 Checklists, the ASP checklist for applicants under 18 and the checklist for applicants over 18, plus the ASP skills checklist, the ASP-33 form and the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide. The Revenue Office lists come from the DFA proof of legal presence PDF, the DFA FAQ and the DFA REAL ID page. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Arkansas DFA Office of Driver Services (dfa.arkansas.gov) and the Arkansas State Police before you drive.

Which agency asks for which documents in Arkansas?

The Arkansas State Police (ASP) give the knowledge exam, the vision test and the skills test. You get the instruction permit after you pass the knowledge exam and the vision test. After the skills test, you go to any Arkansas State Revenue Office, run by the DFA, for your learner's, intermediate or Class D license.
Each agency checks its own list. A U.S. passport is a good example: a U.S. citizen under 18 cannot use it as the primary document at the ASP written test, but the DFA list accepts it as proof of legal presence at the Revenue Office.

What do you bring to the Arkansas written test?

You are under 18 and a U.S. citizen

Bring your original or certified U.S. birth certificate. ASP does not accept hospital birth certificates, birth registration cards, or laminated, photocopied or scanned documents. If you were born outside the U.S., bring a Birth Abroad Certificate. Also bring the parent or guardian items below.

You are under 18 and not a U.S. citizen

Bring a passport with a U.S. visa and a current I-94, or a Permanent Resident Card, Employment Authorization Card, Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship. ASP accepts no photocopies or translated documents. Also bring the parent or guardian items below.

You are 18 or older

Bring two primary documents, or one primary and one secondary. See the table below.

What does the parent or guardian do for an Arkansas applicant under 18?

Arkansas law requires a parent or guardian to accept financial responsibility before a license goes to anyone under 18. At the ASP written test, you show this with the ASP-33 Parent Affidavit:
- Your parent comes to the test with a state driver's license or state ID and signs the ASP-33 in front of the examiner, or
- Your parent signs the ASP-33 with a notary. This form is valid for 30 calendar days from the notary's signature. After that, you need a new form.
A legal guardian comes with a state driver's license or state ID and court documents that establish guardianship.

Documents for the Arkansas written test at age 18 or older

Documents for the Arkansas written test at age 18 or older
Type	Examples	Notes
Primary	U.S. original or certified birth certificate; U.S. passport or passport card; Permanent Resident Card; foreign passport with a U.S. visa and I-94	No foreign birth certificates.
Secondary	Arkansas state ID or valid out-of-state ID; current Arkansas school ID; Arkansas vehicle registration or title	Bring one, together with one primary document.
Different names	Marriage license, adoption decree or divorce decree	Bring one when the name on your primary and secondary documents does not match.

Do you need glasses or an eye form for the Arkansas vision test?

Every applicant must pass a vision test before Arkansas issues a permit or license. If you wear contacts or glasses, bring them to the test. If you need a vision referral form (ASP-90), an Arkansas optometrist must complete it. ASP does not accept forms from out-of-state or online optometrists. The vision test and the ASP-90 are valid for one year from the test date. Our free question on what a corrective-lens restriction means shows the rule that applies after you pass.

What do you bring to the Arkansas skills test?

Your original instruction permit. Do not photocopy or laminate it. The permit is valid for 2 years and cannot be renewed.
A licensed driver who is 21 or older. This driver shows a valid hard copy license to the examiner and rides in the front passenger seat while you drive.
Your own vehicle, with proof of insurance (a paper or electronic card) and a valid registration.

What to bring to the Arkansas Revenue Office

What to bring to the Arkansas Revenue Office
Document	What the DFA list says	Needed for
Proof of legal presence (one)	Original or certified. U.S. citizens: U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. birth certificate, or a naturalization or citizenship certificate. Non-citizens: foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa and I-94, or a valid I-551 or I-766 card.	License and REAL ID
Social Security number (one)	Social Security card or DD214. For a REAL ID, the DFA REAL ID page asks for the Social Security card.	License and REAL ID
Proof of identity (one)	Current driver's license or ID, school ID, marriage certificate, military ID, Arkansas title or vehicle registration, and others on the list.	License and REAL ID
Proof of residency (two)	Two documents dated within 6 months unless the list says otherwise, such as a gas, water or electric bill or a bank statement. A proof of identity that shows your home address can count as one.	REAL ID

Rules that catch people at the Arkansas Revenue Office

DFA does not accept a post office box or a business address. It also does not accept birth cards or hospital birth certificates. If you change your name, date of birth or Social Security number, bring documents that link the old information to the new information. A new Arkansas license or ID cancels any license or ID from another state. If you bring a license from another state, read our guide on moving to Arkansas before your visit.

When do you need a REAL ID in Arkansas?

Beginning May 7, 2025, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requires a REAL ID to board a flight or enter a federal building. You can get a REAL ID at any state Revenue Office, and you leave the visit with it. Walking in is an option at all offices, and an appointment is not required.

Key takeaways

ASP gives the tests and the DFA Revenue Office issues the license. Each agency has its own document list.
Under 18 and a U.S. citizen: an original or certified U.S. birth certificate and an ASP-33 signed by a parent or guardian. Age 18 or older: two primary documents, or one primary and one secondary.
At the Revenue Office: one proof of legal presence, a Social Security card or DD214, and one proof of identity. A REAL ID also needs two proofs of residency.
A notarized ASP-33 is valid for 30 calendar days, so do not get it notarized too early.
Next step: practice on the free Arkansas Class D practice test.

Arkansas license documents: common questions

Can I use a U.S. passport at the Arkansas permit test?

It depends on your age. At the ASP written test, an applicant 18 or older can use a U.S. passport or passport card as a primary document. A U.S. citizen under 18 cannot, and brings the original or certified U.S. birth certificate. At the Revenue Office, the DFA list accepts a U.S. passport or passport card as proof of legal presence.

Is a W-2 accepted as a secondary document in Arkansas?

No. At the ASP written test for applicants 18 or older, a W-2 form does not count as a secondary document. An IRS tax return from the last 2 years does count. A military photo ID or a certified school transcript also counts as a secondary document.

What if I lost my birth certificate?

If you were born in Arkansas, call (501) 661-2336 to ask for a copy. If you were born in another country, contact the embassy of that country. Get the copy before your test day, because ASP does not accept a hospital birth certificate, a photocopy or a scan.

Can a stepparent or foster parent sign for a teen's Arkansas permit?

A stepparent cannot sign without proof of adoption. If a stepparent adopted the child, bring the adoption court documents and the stepparent's state driver's license or state ID. A foster parent brings a Foster Resource Home Agreement Addendum or an approved letter from the caseworker.

Can I use my parents' bills as proof of residency for a REAL ID?

Yes. DFA lets children use the residency documents of their parents, together with their birth certificate. A husband or wife can also use the residency documents of the spouse, together with the marriage certificate. You still need two residency documents for a REAL ID.

Do I need documents to renew my Arkansas REAL ID?

No, as long as your name and address do not change. In that case, DFA says you do not need to bring any documents. If your name or address changes, use the REAL ID Quiz on the DFA REAL ID page to check what to bring before your visit.