How to get your license back after a DUI in Arkansas
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the suspension period
The DFA Office of Driver Services lists suspension periods for DWI/BWI alcohol offenses of 6 months (1st offense), 24 months (2nd within 5 years), 30 months (3rd within 5 years) and a 4-year revocation (4th within 5 years), and states the following requirements must be completed before the licensee may be reinstated.
What the source says
“1 st offense = 6 months suspension. 2 nd offense = 24-month suspension (if 2 nd offense was within a 5-year time span). 3 rd offense = 30-months suspension (if 3 rd offense was within a 5-year time span). 4 th offense = 4-year revocation (if 4 th offense was within a 5-year time span)”
- 2
Complete a state-sanctioned Drug and Alcohol Education or treatment program
The individual must complete a state sanctioned Drug and Alcohol Education or treatment program and submit the original signed completion certificate to Driver Control.
What the source says
“Individual must complete a state sanctioned Drug and Alcohol Education or treatment program. They must submit the “original” signed completion certificate to Driver Control.”
- 3
Attend a Victim Impact Panel
The individual must attend a Victim Impact Panel class and submit a completion certificate to Driver Control. DFA states Arkansas does not accept online MADD certificates or out-of-state certificates for reinstatement; panels are provided by the DASEP providers.
What the source says
“Individual must attend a Victim Impact Panel class and submit a completion certificate to Driver Control.”
- 4
Install an ignition interlock device for a period equal to the suspension
The individual must have an ignition interlock device installed for a period equal to the driver's license suspension time and submit a 'Confirmation of Interlock Requirement' form to Driver Control.
What the source says
“Individual must have an ignition interlock device installed in their vehicle for a period equal to the driver’s license suspension time. They must submit a “Confirmation of Interlock Requirement” form to Driver Control.”
- 5
Pay the $150 reinstatement fee
Payment may be made in person at any State Revenue Office, by mail, or online at mydmv.arkansas.gov.
What the source says
“Individual must pay a $150 reinstatement fee. Payments may be made in person at any State Revenue Office, by mail or online at mydmv.arkansas.gov.”
- 6
If revoked, pass all phases of the Arkansas Driver's License Exam
An individual with a 'Revoked' license status is required to pass all phases of the Arkansas Driver's License Exam.
What the source says
“Individual with a “Revoked” license status will be required to pass all phases of the Arkansas Driver’s License Exam.”
Official reinstatement page: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Driver Services
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $150 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | No — details |
| Ignition interlock | Arkansas interlock rule |
| Required program | Alcohol education program (Drug and Alcohol Safety Educational Program, DASEP) or licensed alcoholism treatment program |
| Driving during the suspension | Interlock restricted license (ignition interlock restricted license under § 5-65-104) or restricted driving permit |
Required program: Alcohol education program (Drug and Alcohol Safety Educational Program, DASEP) or licensed alcoholism treatment program
DFA states a person whose driving privileges are suspended or revoked for violating § 5-65-103 (among others) must complete an alcohol education program provided by a contractor with the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Services, or an alcoholism treatment program licensed by that division; a certificate from an approved treatment provider does not have to be converted by an education provider. DFA's directory lists the DASEP providers by area.
“A person whose driving privileges are suspended or revoked for violating § 5-65-103, § 5-65-303, § 5-65-310, or § 3-3-203 is required to complete an alcohol education program provided by a contractor with the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Service”
Driving during the suspension: Interlock restricted license (ignition interlock restricted license under § 5-65-104) or restricted driving permit
DFA's DUI/DWI Information page states the individual may request an uncontested hearing with Driver Control to determine eligibility for an interlock restricted license or a restricted driving permit, contingent on the type of DUI/DWI/BUI/BWI offense. Act 841 of 2025 provides that when the office restricts a person to an interlock in conjunction with an ignition interlock restricted license under § 5-65-104, the interlock period runs until the original suspension imposed under § 5-65-104 has been completed. DFA's forms page links a 'Restricted Permit Request Form'. The codified eligibility conditions in § 5-65-104 could not be fetched (see notes).
“The individual may also request an uncontested hearing with Driver Control to determine their eligibility for an interlock restricted license or a restricted driving permit contingent on the type of DUI/DWI/BUI/BWI offense.”
When the interlock can be removed
Compliance-certified removal (Act 841 of 2025, adding § 5-65-118(h), effective July 1, 2026): on completion of the required period the person requests that the interlock provider certify that there was no violation during the final 60 days (a start attempt above 0.025% BAC without a passing retest within 10 minutes, a missed random retest, a failed random retest, or failure to have the device serviced); if the provider issues a certificate of compliance the person presents it to the Office of Driver Services to remove the interlock restriction from the license. A confirmed violation extends the period by 60 days, after which the person may demand removal and the provider notifies the office. The required period itself equals the suspension period (DFA), or under Act 841 § 5-65-118(b)(1)(B) runs until the original suspension under § 5-65-104 is completed. No early-removal provision and no removal fee cap is stated.
Compliance period: final 60 days of the original period (or of an extension) violation-free, certified by the provider
“(2)(A) Upon completion of the period for which a person is required to use an ignition interlock device, the person shall request that the ignition interlock device provider certify that the person has not had a violation under subdivision (h)(1) of this section. (B) If the ignition interlock device”
Questions about reinstatement in Arkansas
- What does Arkansas require to reinstate a license after an alcohol-related DWI?
- The DFA Office of Driver Services lists five requirements: complete a state-sanctioned Drug and Alcohol Education or treatment program and submit the original certificate; attend a Victim Impact Panel and submit the certificate; have an ignition interlock installed for a period equal to the suspension and submit the Confirmation of Interlock Requirement form; pay the $150 reinstatement fee; and, if the license is revoked, pass all phases of the Arkansas driver's license exam.
- How is the ignition interlock restriction removed in Arkansas?
- Under Act 841 of 2025 (Ark. Code § 5-65-118(h), effective July 1, 2026), on completion of the interlock period the person asks the provider to certify no violation occurred in the final 60 days; with a certificate of compliance the person presents it to the Office of Driver Services to remove the restriction. A confirmed violation extends the requirement by 60 days.
- Who provides the Arkansas alcohol education program required for reinstatement?
- DFA states the program must be an alcohol education program provided by a contractor with the Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services of the Department of Human Services, or an alcoholism treatment program licensed by that division. DFA publishes the Alcohol Education Directory and Alcohol Treatment Programs lists by area; the DASEP providers also conduct the Victim Impact Panels.
Sources
- Arkansas DFA Office of Driver Services – DUI, DWI, BUI, BWI Offenses (suspension periods and reinstatement requirements)
- Arkansas DFA – Alcohol Education Directory
- Arkansas DFA – Alcohol Treatment Programs
- Arkansas DFA – Victim Impact Panel
- Arkansas DFA – DUI/DWI Information (interlock restricted license / restricted driving permit eligibility hearing)
- Arkansas DFA – Driver Services Forms (Restricted Permit Request Form link)
- Act 841 of 2025 (HB1875) amending Ark. Code § 5-65-118 – Arkansas General Assembly enrolled act PDF (removal certificate of compliance, 60-day extension)
- Arkansas DFA – Interlock Providers