Graduated Driver’s Licensing (GDL) Programs in Arkansas

1. What are the minimum age requirements for obtaining a driver’s license in Arkansas?


In Arkansas, the minimum age requirement for obtaining a driver’s license is 16 years old. Applicants must have held an instructional permit for at least 6 months prior to applying for a driver’s license.

2. What are the age-specific restrictions of the GDL program in Arkansas?


In Arkansas, the GDL program requires that all teenagers under the age of 18 must hold a learner’s permit for a minimum of 6 months before applying for an intermediate license. The intermediate license is granted to those between the ages of 16 and 18 who have held a learner’s permit for at least 6 months and have completed at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice – including 10 hours at night – and the written and skills tests. Intermediate license holders must also observe additional restrictions including having no more than one non-family passenger in the vehicle and no driving between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. unless it is for school or work related activities. Upon turning 18, teens are eligible for a full license.

3. How does the GDL program in Arkansas define a supervised driving period?


The GDL program in Arkansas defines a supervised driving period as the time during which a person under the age of 18 must have parental/adult supervision while operating a motor vehicle. This period includes the following:

• A minimum of 6 months (180 days) of supervised driving for individuals ages 16-17
• A minimum of 12 months (365 days) of supervised driving for individuals ages 14-15
• A minimum of 18 months (540 days) of supervised driving for individuals under the age of 14. During this period, the supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and must possess a valid driver’s license; they must also be in the front seat, passenger side of the vehicle during the entire duration of the supervised driving period.

4. What are the restrictions on night-time driving for drivers under the age of 18 in Arkansas?


Drivers under the age of 18 who have a restricted license are prohibited from driving between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. unless they are going to or coming from work, or are accompanied by a responsible adult who is at least 21 years old.

5. Are there any common exceptions to the GDL program in Arkansas?


Yes, there are several common exceptions to the GDL program in Arkansas. These include: those who are 16 years of age or older and have completed a Department of Education-approved driver education course; those who are 18 years of age or older; those who are employed in the agricultural industry; active military personnel and their dependents; and certain medical professionals such as physicians and nurses.

6. How many hours of supervised driving must be completed before a provisional license can be obtained in Arkansas?


In Arkansas, a provisional license requires that a driver must have at least 40 hours of supervised driving (10 of which must be at night).

7. What type of restrictions are placed on drivers with a provisional license in Arkansas?


In Arkansas, drivers with a provisional license must observe a number of restrictions. These restrictions include:
not driving between 11 pm and 5 am, unless accompanied by a licensed parent or guardian,
the number of passengers must be limited to one non-family member under the age of 21,
the driver must have no alcohol in their system while driving, and
they must have no moving violations in the past six months.

8. How many passengers is a driver with a provisional license allowed to carry in Arkansas?


In Arkansas, a driver with a provisional license is not allowed to carry any passengers other than an immediate family member.

9. How long must a driver keep a provisional license before they can apply for an unrestricted license in Arkansas?


In Arkansas, a driver must hold a provisional license for a minimum of 6 months before they are eligible to apply for an unrestricted license.

10. Is there an age requirement for drivers to be accompanied by an adult when driving in Arkansas?


Yes. According to Arkansas law, drivers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years of age or older at all times while driving.

11. Are there any restrictions on cell phone use for drivers under 18 years old in Arkansas?


Yes, there are restrictions on cell phone use for drivers under 18 years old in Arkansas. Drivers with a learner’s permit or intermediate license are prohibited from using any wireless communication device while operating a motor vehicle. This includes talking on a cell phone, texting, or using any other electronic device. Exemptions to this rule include hands-free devices and emergency calls.

12. Are drivers with provisional licenses allowed to drive on highways in Arkansas?


No, drivers with provisional licenses are not allowed to drive on highways in Arkansas.

13. Are there any restrictions on where drivers with provisional licenses can drive in Arkansas?


Yes. Drivers with a provisional license in Arkansas can only drive between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 or older, and they must be completely free of any alcohol or drugs while driving. Additionally, they must not have more than one passenger who is not an immediate family member in the vehicle at any given time.

14. What are the requirements for taking a driving test to receive a driver’s license in Arkansas?


In order to obtain a driver’s license in Arkansas, applicants must be at least 16 years of age, have a valid learner’s permit for at least six months, have a parent or guardian sign their application, and pass a written and driving test. Applicants must also provide proof of residency and identity, and must have their vision tested.

15. Are drivers with provisional licenses required to take and pass a road test before being granted an unrestricted license in Arkansas?


Yes, drivers with provisional licenses in Arkansas are required to take and pass a road test before being granted an unrestricted license.

16. Does the GDL program in Arkansas require drivers to keep a log of supervised hours driven?


No, the GDL program in Arkansas does not require drivers to keep a log of supervised hours driven. However, it is recommended that drivers maintain a log of their driving experience to help them track their progress in becoming a safe and responsible driver.

17. Are there any special provisions for GDL program participants who complete a driver’s education program in Arkansas?


No, there are no special provisions for GDL program participants who complete a driver’s education program in Arkansas. All Arkansas teen drivers must still follow the guidelines set forth in the state’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) program. This includes obtaining a learners permit, meeting the supervised driving requirements, and taking the road skills test before being issued a full driver’s license.

18. Are there any exceptions to the GDL program regulations for drivers under 18 years old in Arkansas?


Yes, there are several exceptions to the GDL program regulations for drivers under 18 years old in Arkansas. For example, a 16-year-old may obtain a full driver’s license if they pass all of the required tests and have held an instructional permit for at least 6 months. Additionally, a driver under 18 may be exempt from the nighttime driving restriction if they need to drive to and from school or work-related activities.

19. Is there an age at which drivers are no longer subject to the GDL program regulations in Arkansas?


Yes, drivers who are 21 or older are no longer subject to the GDL program regulations in Arkansas.

20. What are the penalties for violating the GDL program rules in Arkansas?


Penalties for violating the rules of Arkansas’s graduated driver licensing (GDL) program vary depending on the offense. For example, a minor found driving alone without a valid license or permit may be fined up to $250, have their license suspended for 30 days, and be required to attend a driver improvement course. Driving with too many passengers, or with an adult who is not a licensed driver over 21, may result in a fine of up to $50. Driving between 12am and 4am may result in the suspension of the driver’s license for 30 days. All violators of the GDL program may also face additional consequences, including increased insurance premiums.