What You Pay to Get Your Arkansas License Back
You finished the suspension period. You filed proof of insurance. You completed the DWI school or satisfied the court order. The only thing left is the reinstatement fee, and you need to know exactly what Arkansas charges before you can drive legally again.
That figure applies whether the suspension came from a DUI conviction, an administrative action by the Department of Finance and Administration Driver Control, or a court order following a serious traffic offense. The fee is the same regardless of cause, but the state's multi-tier suspension structure means some drivers end up paying it more than once for violations that trigger overlapping suspension periods.
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Get Your Free QuoteArkansas Reinstatement Fee
The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services charges this flat fee to reinstate a suspended license, regardless of the suspension's underlying cause. The fee applies to administrative suspensions, court-ordered suspensions, and DWI-related suspensions alike.
Arkansas Dept of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services
Why Arkansas Multi-Tier Suspensions Can Double Your Fee
Arkansas operates a multi-tier suspension system. A single violation can trigger both an administrative suspension from Driver Control and a separate court-ordered suspension. Each suspension carries its own reinstatement fee, even when both stem from the same incident.
A DWI arrest commonly produces two suspensions: an administrative license suspension that begins immediately after arrest, and a court-ordered suspension that begins after conviction. Driver Control processes the administrative suspension independently of the court.
The multi-tier structure also applies to drivers who accumulate multiple violations during a single suspension period. If you receive a second moving violation while already suspended, Driver Control can extend the suspension and assess an additional reinstatement fee when the extended period ends. The state does not consolidate fees across overlapping suspension actions.
How to Pay the Arkansas Reinstatement Fee
Most Arkansas drivers pay the reinstatement fee in person at a state revenue office or by mail to the Driver Control office in Little Rock. The state accepts payment by money order, cashier's check, or personal check made payable to the Department of Finance and Administration. Some revenue offices accept credit cards, but Driver Control does not process card payments by mail. Bring your suspension notice, proof of insurance filing if required, and any court completion documents when you pay in person.
If your suspension required SR-22 filing, you must submit proof of insurance before Driver Control will accept your reinstatement fee. Arkansas requires SR-22 filing for Safety Responsibility actions following a reportable accident without insurance. The SR-22 must remain on file for the duration specified in your suspension notice, typically three years. Your carrier files the SR-22 electronically with Driver Control; confirm the filing is active before you attempt to pay the reinstatement fee, or the payment will be rejected and your license will remain suspended.
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What Happens If You Drive Before Paying the Fee
Driving on a suspended license in Arkansas is a misdemeanor. The charge carries a fine up to $500 and potential jail time up to 90 days for a first offense. A second offense within three years escalates to a fine up to $1,000 and jail time up to one year. The conviction adds points to your driving record and extends your suspension period, which means another reinstatement fee when the extended suspension ends.
Insurance becomes significantly more expensive after a driving-while-suspended conviction. Carriers classify the offense as a serious violation, similar to reckless driving. Some carriers will not write coverage for drivers with a recent suspended-license conviction. Those that do typically assign the driver to a non-standard tier with premiums substantially higher than standard rates. The conviction remains on your Arkansas driving record for three years and affects your insurance rates for the entire period.
The state does not offer payment plans for the reinstatement fee, but the fee is a one-time charge that clears your path to legal driving.
Arkansas Minimum Liability Limits
25/50/25
Arkansas requires $25,000 bodily injury per person, $50,000 bodily injury per accident, and $25,000 property damage. Drivers reinstating after a suspension must carry at least these minimums and file proof of insurance with Driver Control before the state will accept the reinstatement fee.
Arkansas state minimum liability requirements
Restricted Driving Permits During Suspension
Arkansas offers a restricted driving permit that allows limited driving during a suspension period. The permit is available to drivers whose suspension meets specific eligibility criteria. You request the permit through an uncontested hearing with a Driver Control Hearing Officer, who determines whether your situation qualifies.
DWI suspensions in Arkansas may qualify for an interlock restricted license, which is a separate program from the standard restricted driving permit. The interlock license requires installation of an ignition interlock device on every vehicle you operate. The device prevents the car from starting if it detects alcohol on your breath. The interlock restricted license allows you to drive to work, school, medical appointments, and court-ordered programs while the underlying suspension remains in effect.
Insurance Requirements After Reinstatement
Arkansas requires continuous proof of insurance after reinstatement. If your suspension involved a Safety Responsibility action, you must maintain SR-22 filing for the period specified in your suspension notice. The SR-22 filing period typically runs three years from the date of the violation, not from the date you paid the reinstatement fee. Your carrier files the SR-22 electronically with Driver Control and notifies the state immediately if your policy lapses or cancels.
A lapse in coverage during the SR-22 filing period triggers an automatic suspension. The three-year SR-22 filing period does not pause during the lapse suspension—it continues to run, which means a lapse early in the filing period can extend your total time under SR-22 filing by the length of the lapse suspension. Compare carriers that write SR-22 coverage in Arkansas and choose one with a strong record of maintaining continuous filing to avoid lapse-triggered suspensions and additional reinstatement fees.
Pay the Fee and Secure Continuous Coverage
Gather your suspension notice, proof of insurance, and any court completion documents. Pay the fee in person at an Arkansas revenue office or by mail to Driver Control. Confirm that Driver Control has processed your reinstatement before you drive—the state does not issue a new physical license immediately, but your driving record will show the reinstatement once the fee is paid and all other requirements are satisfied.
If your reinstatement requires SR-22 filing, compare Arkansas carriers that write SR-22 coverage and secure a policy before you pay the reinstatement fee. Continuous coverage during the SR-22 filing period protects you from lapse suspensions and additional fees. The reinstatement fee clears your suspension; continuous insurance keeps you legally on the road.