Arkansas DFA Permit Test 2026

Who Can Get a Learner's Permit

To apply for a learner's permit (officially called an “instruction permit”) in Arkansas, you must be at least 14 years old. Arkansas is one of the states with a lower minimum age for instruction permits, giving teens an earlier start on the driving process.

If you're under 18, a parent or legal guardian must sign your application to give consent. The parent or guardian assumes financial responsibility for any negligence or willful misconduct by the minor driver.

Driver education: Arkansas does not require driver education to get an instruction permit. However, completing a driver education course is highly recommended and can help you prepare for both the written test and behind-the-wheel driving.

Residency: You must be an Arkansas resident to apply. You'll prove residency with documents like a utility bill, bank statement, or school records showing your Arkansas address.

How to Apply

Arkansas allows you to start the application process online through the DFA online services portal. Once you submit your application online, you'll receive a case number to bring with you to the DFA Revenue Office, where you'll complete the process in person.

What to bring: You'll need to bring all required documents (detailed below), payment for the permit fee, and if you're under 18, your parent or guardian must accompany you to sign the application.

Where to go: The written knowledge test and all other permit services are handled at DFA Revenue Offices across the state. You can find your nearest office using the MyDMV office locator.

Fees and What You Pay For

The instruction permit fee is $40. If you pay by credit card, there is an additional $2 surcharge. The DFA also accepts cash and checks (payable to DFA).

If you fail the test: You must wait 5 calendar days before retaking the written test. There is a $5 retest fee for each additional attempt. You get up to 3 attempts within 90 days of your application date. If you fail all 3 or exceed 90 days, your application is closed and you must start over with a new application and fee.

How long is the permit valid? Your Arkansas instruction permit is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. The permit will not be renewed — if it expires before you get your license, you'll need to start the process over with a new application and test.

Documents You Need

You'll need to bring several documents to the DFA Revenue Office. Here's what's required:

Applicants under 18: You'll also need your parent or legal guardian to accompany you and sign the application in person at the DFA office.

Use the DFA “Do You Have What You Need?” tool to verify exactly which documents you need before your visit.

Where to Go

In Arkansas, driver licensing services — including the written knowledge test — are handled by the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) at Revenue Offices throughout the state.

Find your nearest DFA Revenue Office using the MyDMV office locator. Not all offices offer testing services, so check before you go.

Do you need an appointment? Appointments are not required — you can walk in during business hours. However, wait times can vary, so arriving early is recommended.

What Happens at the DFA Office

Here's what to expect when you visit the DFA Revenue Office:

The Vision Screening

The vision screening is a quick test to check your visual acuity. You'll look into a testing machine and read letters or numbers. Arkansas requires a minimum visual acuity of 20/40 in at least one eye (with or without corrective lenses).

If you pass the screening with corrective lenses, your permit and license will have a restriction noting that you must wear them while driving. If you cannot meet the vision standard, you may be asked to get an eye exam from an optometrist or ophthalmologist and return with documentation.

The Written Knowledge Test

The Arkansas written test covers traffic laws, road signs, and safe driving practices. All questions are based on the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide. The test is multiple-choice and there is no time limit, so you can take as long as you need.

The test covers a wide range of topics including: traffic laws and regulations, road signs and signals, safe driving practices, alcohol and drug laws, sharing the road with pedestrians and cyclists, and driving in adverse conditions.

The test is available in English and Spanish. If you need the test in Spanish, request it ahead of time when scheduling your visit.

Can you take the test online? No — the Arkansas knowledge test must be taken in person at a DFA Revenue Office. Online testing is not available. However, the Arkansas State Police offers a free official practice test online to help you prepare.

What the Test Looks Like

At the DFA office, you'll take the test on a computer terminal. Each screen shows one question with multiple-choice answers. You select your answer and move to the next question.

The testing environment is quiet and monitored. You cannot use your phone, notes, or any reference materials during the test.

Take your time — there is no time limit, and you can think through each question carefully before answering.

Passing Score and Results

The Arkansas written test has 25 questions. To pass, you need to answer at least 20 questions correctly — that's an 80% passing threshold. You're allowed up to 5 wrong answers.

You'll receive your results immediately after completing the test. The screen will show whether you passed or failed, along with your score.

After You Pass

When you pass the written test, your instruction permit will be issued at the DFA Revenue Office that same day. You'll walk out with your permit in hand.

Can you start driving immediately? Yes — but only with supervision. Your instruction permit allows you to drive when accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old and seated in the front passenger seat.

Your permit is valid for 1 year. During this time, you'll need to complete the requirements of Arkansas's Graduated Driver Licensing program before you can get your full license.

If You Don't Pass

If you fail the written test, you must wait 5 calendar days before retaking it. Each retake costs a $5 retest fee.

How many times can you retake it? You get up to 3 attempts within 90 days of your application date. If you don't pass after 3 tries or the 90-day window expires, your application is closed. You'll need to submit a new application and pay the full $40 fee again to start over.

If you fail, review the areas where you missed questions. The test pulls from a question bank, so you'll get different questions on each attempt. Study the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide thoroughly and take practice tests until you're consistently scoring above 90%.

Instruction Permit Rules

While driving with an Arkansas instruction permit, you must follow these rules:

Carry your permit: You must have your instruction permit with you every time you drive.

Arkansas's Graduated Driver Licensing Program

Arkansas has a Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program for drivers under 18. This program gradually increases driving privileges as you gain experience:

Each phase has specific requirements and restrictions designed to help new drivers build skills gradually in lower-risk situations before earning full driving privileges.

Getting Your Intermediate License

After holding your instruction permit for at least 6 months and reaching age 16, you can apply for an intermediate (restricted) license. You'll need to pass a behind-the-wheel driving test.

Intermediate license restrictions:

These restrictions remain in effect until you turn 18 and qualify for a full unrestricted license.

Getting Your Full Unrestricted License

Once you turn 18 and have maintained a clean driving record during the intermediate phase, you can apply for a full unrestricted driver license. At this point, the nighttime curfew, passenger restrictions, and cell phone restrictions are lifted.

Adults (18 and over): If you're 18 or older and applying for your first license, you can skip the GDL phases entirely. You'll get your instruction permit, and once you pass the behind-the-wheel driving test, you'll receive a full unrestricted license with no holding period requirement.

Out-of-State Transfers

If you have a valid driver license from another U.S. state, you can transfer it to Arkansas. You'll need to visit a DFA Revenue Office with your out-of-state license and required documentation (proof of identity, SSN, and Arkansas residency).

Will you need to take the written test? In most cases, the written test is waived for out-of-state transfers if you hold a valid, unexpired license from another state. You will need to pass the vision screening.

Your out-of-state license will be surrendered when you receive your Arkansas license. Issuance of an Arkansas driver license automatically cancels any license held in another state.

International License Holders

International visitors can drive in Arkansas with a valid, unexpired foreign driver license along with an International Driving Permit (IDP) for up to 6 months after entering the U.S.

If you become an Arkansas resident, you must apply for an Arkansas driver license. You'll go through the full process as a first-time applicant: application, documents, vision test, written knowledge test, and behind-the-wheel driving test.

Reciprocal agreements: Arkansas has reciprocal license agreements with certain countries including Manitoba (Canada), Germany, France, Taiwan, and South Korea. License holders from these jurisdictions may have a simplified transfer process.

The Driver License Study Guide

The Arkansas Driver License Study Guide is the official study material for the written test. Every question on the exam is based on information in this guide. It covers Arkansas traffic laws, right-of-way rules, road signs and signals, safe driving practices, and alcohol/drug laws.

The study guide is available for free as a downloadable PDF from the Arkansas Department of Public Safety website. It is available in English and Spanish.

Pay special attention to sections on road signs, traffic signals, right-of-way rules, speed limits, and Arkansas-specific laws — these are heavily tested topics.

Practice Tests

Taking practice tests is one of the most effective ways to prepare. They help you identify gaps in your knowledge and get comfortable with the question format.

Official practice test: The Arkansas State Police offers a free official practice test on their website. This gives you a feel for the type and difficulty of questions you'll encounter.

DMV Question Bank practice tests: For more thorough preparation, you can take Arkansas DFA practice tests on DMV Question Bank. The question bank covers all topics from the Arkansas Driver License Study Guide and simulates the real test experience with the same question format and instant feedback.

A good study strategy: read through the study guide once, then take practice tests to see where you're weak. Go back and re-read the sections you missed questions on, then test again. Repeat until you're consistently scoring above 90%.

Quick Reference

Official Links