Driving Tests

Moving to Arkansas: How to Transfer Your Driver's License Within 30 Days

informational·how to guide·Published October 6, 2026

How long do I have to get an Arkansas driver's license after I move?

Under Arkansas law, you must get an Arkansas driver's license within 30 calendar days of becoming a resident. Go to any Arkansas State Revenue Office with proof of legal presence, your Social Security card and your out-of-state license. Every applicant must pass a vision test. A Class D license for age 21 and older costs $40 for 8 years.

Where the Arkansas transfer facts come from

The 30-day rule, the license requirements, the vision standard and the exam fee come from the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide of the Arkansas State Police (October 2026). The document list, the REAL ID office and the vehicle rules come from the DFA FAQs for Driver Services and Motor Vehicle. The proof of legal presence and residency lists come from the DFA Proof of Legal Presence sheet. The fee, REAL ID, graduated license, appointment and contact facts come from DFA web pages. 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.

What is the 30-day rule for new Arkansas residents?

Arkansas Code 27-16-606 says that within 30 calendar days of becoming a resident, you must get an Arkansas driver's license to drive on Arkansas streets and highways. The count starts on the day you become a resident.
The same law has a second rule for people who do not live in Arkansas. A nonresident who has been physically present in Arkansas for 6 months must also get an Arkansas license.

Who must switch to an Arkansas license, and who can drive on an out-of-state license?

You moved to Arkansas and you now live here

You are a resident. Get an Arkansas license within 30 calendar days.

You are on active duty in the Armed Forces

You can drive on Arkansas roads with a valid license from another state if you are at least 16 years old.

You are a college or exchange student who counts as a nonresident under the tuition rules

You can drive with a valid license from another state if you are at least 16 years old.

You are the spouse of a U.S. military member and your license expired while you lived outside the United States

Act 235 of 2005 allows an Arkansas license without testing. Ask DFA how to apply.

Rules for your out-of-state license and driving record

Your license must be a valid hard copy. It cannot be expired for more than 30 calendar days.
You must not be suspended, revoked or denied by Arkansas or any other state. After a revocation, one year must pass.
You must legally reside in the United States.
Your Arkansas license cancels the license from your old state, so you cannot hold both.

Which tests do you take when you move to Arkansas?

Every applicant must pass a vision test before a license is issued. The standard is uncorrected 20/40 vision for an unrestricted license, or corrected 20/70 for a restricted license. Your field of vision must be 140 degrees with two functional eyes, or 105 degrees with one functional eye. With a corrective-lens restriction, you must wear your glasses or contact lenses when you drive: try our free question on the corrective-lens restriction.
Before your visit, call the DFA Office of Driver Services (Issuance) at (501) 682-7059 and ask if you must also take the knowledge exam or the skills test. Each written exam costs $5.

Documents to bring to the Arkansas Revenue Office

Documents to bring to the Arkansas Revenue Office
Document	What to know
Proof of legal presence	Original or certified. A U.S. citizen brings one, such as a U.S. Passport or Passport Card, a U.S. birth certificate or a Certificate of Naturalization.
Non-citizen proof	A foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa and I-94, a Permanent Resident card (I-551) or an Employment Authorization card (I-766).
Social Security number	Your Social Security card, or a DD214.
Out-of-state license or ID	Bring it if you have one.
Name, birth date or Social Security number change	Documents that link the old information to the new information.

How to get your Arkansas license in 4 steps

1
Check your old license
Make sure it is a valid hard copy, not expired for more than 30 calendar days, and that no state has suspended or revoked it.
2
If you bring an eye form, use an Arkansas optometrist
If you bring a vision referral form (ASP-90), an Arkansas optometrist must complete it. Forms from out-of-state or online optometrists are not accepted. The form is valid for one year.
3
Gather your documents
Collect proof of legal presence, proof of your Social Security number and your out-of-state license. For a REAL ID, add two proofs of your Arkansas address.
4
Visit any State Revenue Office
Any Arkansas Revenue Office issues the Class D license. You can book an appointment online, but walk-ins are accepted at all offices.

What does an Arkansas license cost after a move?

The Class D license is the non-restricted license for drivers who are 18 or older. See our free question on the age for an unrestricted Class D license. For ages 21 and older, the fee is $40.00 and the license lasts 8 years. For ages 18 to 21, the fee is prorated and the license lasts until one month past your 21st birthday. For fees by age and the exam fees, read our guide to the Arkansas driver's license cost.

Should you get a REAL ID when you move to Arkansas?

Any State Revenue Office in Arkansas can issue a REAL ID. For a REAL ID, bring two proofs of Arkansas residency dated within 6 months, such as a gas, water or electric bill, or a current lease, rental agreement or mortgage statement. Also bring your Social Security card.
For the full document lists, see our guide to Arkansas driver's license documents and REAL ID.

Key takeaways

Get an Arkansas license within 30 calendar days of becoming a resident.
Your out-of-state license must be a valid hard copy, not expired for more than 30 calendar days. The Arkansas license cancels it.
Every applicant passes a vision test. Ask DFA at (501) 682-7059 if you must also take the knowledge exam or the skills test.
Bring proof of legal presence, your Social Security card and your out-of-state license to any State Revenue Office. A Class D license for age 21 and older costs $40 for 8 years.
Next step: practice on the free Arkansas Class D practice test (English only).

Moving to Arkansas: common questions

What if my out-of-state license is expired?

Your out-of-state license cannot be expired for more than 30 calendar days when you apply. If it expired longer ago, call the DFA Office of Driver Services (Issuance) at (501) 682-7059 before you go, and ask what you must do to get an Arkansas license.

Can my out-of-state license count as ID for a REAL ID?

Yes. For a REAL ID, DFA asks for one proof of identity, and a current driver's license or ID is one of the examples. You still need proof of legal presence, your Social Security card and two proofs of Arkansas residency dated within 6 months.

What do I need to register my car after I move to Arkansas?

Bring the title and an odometer statement. If you have a loan on the car and the lienholder has the title, bring your out-of-state registration instead. You can book a Revenue Office appointment for vehicle registration, or walk in. If you buy a vehicle in Arkansas, you have 60 days from the date of purchase to register it.

Can I use a P.O. box as my address?

No. DFA does not accept a post office box or a business address as your residence address. Use the address where you live. For a REAL ID, your two residency documents must also be dated within 6 months, unless DFA says otherwise for that document type.

I am 17 and just moved to Arkansas. Can I get a license?

The Class D license is for drivers 18 or older. Arkansas has restricted licenses for younger drivers: the learner's license from age 14 and the intermediate license from age 16. Before any license is issued to an applicant under 18, a parent or guardian must accept financial responsibility. Ask DFA which license you can get.