Driving Tests

Can International Students Drive in Arkansas? License Rules for F-1 and J-1

informational·how to guide·Published October 4, 2026

Do I need an Arkansas license as an international student?

Arkansas lets students who are nonresidents under the tuition rules, such as college or exchange students, drive with "a valid license from another state" if they are 16 or older. A nonresident who has been in Arkansas for 6 months must get an Arkansas license. The rule names a license from another state, so confirm a license from your home country with the Arkansas State Police or DFA first.

Where the Arkansas student driving facts come from

The student rule, the 6-month rule, the permit steps and the exempt countries come from the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide (Edition 10, October 2026) of the Arkansas State Police (ASP). The exam documents come from the ASP 1-2-3 Checklist for age 18 and older, and the Revenue Office documents come from the DFA Proof of Legal Presence sheet. Other facts come from the ASP under-18 and skills checklists, the ASP-33 form and DFA web pages, 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.

Can an F-1 or J-1 student drive in Arkansas with a license from home?

Anyone who drives on public roads in Arkansas needs a license. The study guide names some groups who may drive on a license from another state. One group is students in class who are nonresidents under the tuition rules, for example college or exchange students. They may drive with "a valid license from another state" if they are at least 16.
Ask your school's international office for your tuition status. Before you drive on a license from your home country, confirm with ASP or DFA. Our guide to the Arkansas foreign driver's license covers licenses from other countries.

When must you get an Arkansas license?

You are a nonresident and you have been in Arkansas for 6 months

Under section 27-16-606(b), a nonresident who has been physically present in Arkansas for 6 months must get an Arkansas driver's license to drive on its roads.

You become a resident of Arkansas

You must get an Arkansas license within 30 calendar days of becoming a resident.

You get an Arkansas license and you hold a license or ID from another state

The Arkansas license or ID cancels any license or ID issued in another state.

How an international student gets a first Arkansas license

1
Check that you can apply
You must legally reside in the United States and show proof of name, residential address and date of birth. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must consent.
2
Book the knowledge exam
Book on the ASP scheduling site (telegov.egov.com/aspdlskills). If you are not a U.S. citizen and you have immigration documents, select the "Driver's License/Motorcycle Instruction Permit Test" type. It gives you more time with the examiner. Not all test locations offer this feature. Bring all your immigration documents to each visit.
3
Get the Instruction Permit
You must be at least 14, and you must pass the knowledge exam and the vision test. If you use a vision referral form (ASP-90), it must come from an Arkansas optometrist. Forms from out-of-state or online optometrists are not accepted.
4
Practice with a licensed driver
With the permit, you may drive with a licensed driver who is 21 or older and sits beside you. The permit lasts 2 years and cannot be renewed. See our free question on who must ride with an instruction-permit driver.
5
Pass the skills test
You provide your own vehicle, with current proof of insurance and current registration. A licensed driver 21 or older must ride in the front passenger seat.
6
Get the license at a Revenue Office
At 18 or older, take your Instruction Permit, which shows the passed knowledge exam, vision test and skills test, to any Arkansas Revenue Office. There you get the Class D License, the non-restricted license.

Which documents does each office check?

Which documents does each office check?
Office	What it checks	Documents for an international student
Arkansas State Police (knowledge exam, age 18 and older)	Two primary documents, or one primary and one secondary	A foreign passport with U.S. visa and I-94 is a primary document. A valid out-of-state ID is a secondary document. Foreign birth certificates are not accepted.
Arkansas State Police (knowledge exam, under 18)	Identity, status and a parent's signature	Passport with U.S. visa and current I-94, or another listed document. A parent comes with a state driver's license or ID, or signs an ASP-33 form.
DFA Revenue Office (license)	Proof of legal presence, Social Security number, and an out-of-state license or ID if you have one	Foreign passport with valid U.S. visa and I-94, original or certified. Social Security card (or DD214).

What changes for a student under 18?

Under 18, your first license is a restricted license: a learner's license from 14 to 16, or an intermediate license from 16 to 18. Before Arkansas issues a license to anyone under 18, a parent or guardian must assume financial responsibility.
If you hold a foreign passport and your parent signs the ASP-33 form, bring a copy of your application for that document, or another USCIS document, that shows your parents' names. A translated foreign birth certificate from your home country also works for this. Under 18, you may not use a cell phone while you drive, hands-free devices included.

Do some countries skip the Arkansas test?

Arkansas has a reciprocal agreement with the Canadian province of Manitoba, Germany, France, Taiwan and South Korea. A license holder from one of these places does not have to test and may get an Arkansas license. The exam office refers these applicants to DFA. If your license comes from another country, contact ASP or DFA before you apply. For the Revenue Office papers, see our guide to Arkansas license documents and REAL ID.

What does an Arkansas license cost a student?

Each written knowledge exam costs $5. There is no limit on the number of exam fees charged, and DFA adds all exam fees to the cost of the license.
For ages 18 to 20, the Class D fee is prorated. The license is valid until 1 month after your 21st birthday.
For ages 21 and older, a Class D License costs $40 and is valid for 8 years.

Key takeaways

Students who are nonresidents under the tuition rules may drive on a valid license from another state if they are 16 or older. Confirm a home-country license with ASP or DFA.
A nonresident who has been in Arkansas for 6 months must get an Arkansas license. A new resident has 30 calendar days.
On the ASP scheduling site, select the immigration-documents appointment type, and bring all immigration documents each time.
Only license holders from the Canadian province of Manitoba, Germany, France, Taiwan and South Korea are exempt from testing.
Next step: practice on the free Arkansas Class D practice test.

Arkansas student driving: common questions

Am I a nonresident student in Arkansas on an F-1 or J-1 visa?

The Arkansas rule covers students in class who are nonresidents under the tuition rules, for example college or exchange students. Ask your school's international office for your tuition status. Then confirm with the Arkansas State Police or DFA that you may drive on your license. After 6 months in Arkansas, a nonresident must get an Arkansas license.

Where do I get my I-94 for the Arkansas permit test?

You can print your I-94 online at i94.cbp.dhs.gov. At the knowledge exam, applicants 18 and older can use a foreign passport with a U.S. visa and an I-94 as a primary document. Also bring a second primary document or a secondary one, for example a current Arkansas school ID card or a certified school transcript.

What do I need for a REAL ID as a student in Arkansas?

Any state Revenue Office issues REAL IDs. DFA asks for proof of legal presence, a Social Security card (or DD214), proof of identity and two proofs of Arkansas residency. The residency proofs must be dated within 6 months unless the list says otherwise. A tuition invoice, official mail from your college or university, or a school record or transcript is on the list.

Can my host family sign for my Arkansas permit if I am under 18?

The ASP checklist asks for the signature of a parent or legal guardian. A host parent can sign as a legal guardian only with a state driver's license or state ID and the court documents that establish the guardianship. A parent who cannot come can sign the ASP-33 form before a notary. The form is valid for 30 calendar days from the notary's signature.