Arkansas driver license and state ID — guide for immigrants

Arkansas has no driver license or ID program for undocumented residents — every applicant must prove lawful presence, and the proof must be an original or certified document, not a photocopy. Lawfully-present non-citizens can get a standard Arkansas driver license or state ID by presenting a valid foreign passport with a U.S. visa and I-94, an Employment Authorization Document, or another DHS/USCIS legal-presence document. The Arkansas state ID card is among the lowest-cost in the country at $5, and the Class D driver license is $40 for eight years.

Quick answer

  • Undocumented DL access: NO — proof of lawful presence required for every applicant
  • Lawfully-present non-citizens: YES — with a valid passport + U.S. visa + I-94, an EAD, or another DHS/USCIS legal-presence document
  • Legal-presence document must be: the original or a certified copy (no photocopies)
  • State ID card fee: $5 (ages 21-59 valid 4 years; 60+ non-expiring and non-REAL-ID; 5-14 valid 2 years)
  • Driver license (Class D, age 21+) fee: $40, valid 8 years (age 70: $20 for 4 years or $40 for 8 years)
  • REAL ID: available at all Arkansas state revenue offices; a Social Security card is required
  • Agency: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Office of Driver Services
  • Website: dfa.arkansas.gov — Driver Services
  • Phone: (501) 682-1631

Which immigration statuses qualify in Arkansas

Arkansas does not publish a status-by-status table the way some states do. Instead, it requires every non-citizen to present a document proving legal presence. You generally qualify if you can show one of:

  • a valid foreign passport with a valid U.S. visa and an I-94;
  • an Employment Authorization Document (EAD);
  • a valid passport; or
  • another DHS or USCIS document establishing lawful presence (for example, a green card / I-551).

There is no program for undocumented residents, and no driver-privilege or limited-term card for people without lawful status. Lawfully-present non-citizens receive the same standard Arkansas credential as citizens — there is no separate non-citizen card.

The original-or-certified document rule

Arkansas’s distinctive requirement is that your legal-presence document must be presented as an original or a certified copy. The Office of Driver Services will not accept a photocopy or a digital image of your passport, EAD, or other DHS/USCIS document — you must bring the physical document with you. Because the same standard credential is issued to lawfully-present non-citizens and citizens alike, the same document standards apply to everyone, and any card can be made REAL ID-compliant if you also provide a Social Security card. Plan to bring originals of each required item to your appointment.

The Social Security number rule

A Social Security card is required for a REAL ID in Arkansas. Most lawfully-present, work-authorized applicants — including green-card holders and most work-visa holders — already have an SSN, so this is rarely a barrier. If you are not eligible for a Social Security number, you may not be able to obtain a REAL ID-compliant card; Arkansas does issue some non-REAL-ID credentials (for example, the non-expiring ID card for applicants 60 and older), so confirm your specific options with the Office of Driver Services before visiting.

What is REAL ID?

REAL ID is a federal standard for state-issued IDs. A REAL ID-compliant card (gold star) can be used to board domestic flights (enforced since May 7, 2025), enter federal buildings, and access secure federal facilities. In Arkansas, REAL ID is available at all state revenue offices, and appointments are available. To get one you must provide proof of legal presence, proof of identity, a Social Security card, and proof of Arkansas residency. A non-REAL-ID card remains valid for driving and many state purposes but cannot replace a passport for federal or flight purposes.

How to apply in Arkansas

  1. Confirm you have lawful presence and gather your legal-presence document (passport + visa + I-94, EAD, green card, or other DHS/USCIS document).
  2. Make an appointment at an Arkansas state revenue office (Office of Driver Services); appointments are available statewide.
  3. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are not accepted. Include proof of identity, your legal-presence document, your Social Security card (for a REAL ID), and proof of Arkansas residency.
  4. Take the knowledge and vision tests (and a road test) if this is your first Arkansas driver license.
  5. Pay the fee — $5 for a state ID card, or $40 for a Class D driver license valid 8 years (age 70 may choose $20 for 4 years or $40 for 8 years).

If you are undocumented or cannot get an SSN

Arkansas has no driver-privilege card for undocumented residents. Practical alternatives:

  • Use your foreign passport as primary ID for banking, employment (with an EAD), and federal flights.
  • Get a matrícula consular from your home-country consulate (see Consulates in Arkansas).
  • Use an International Driving Permit (IDP) obtained in your home country before travel.
  • Open an ITIN-friendly bank account to bank without an SSN.
  • Consider an AB60-equivalent state if you must drive regularly (CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NV, NJ, NM, NY, OR, RI, UT, VA, VT, WA).

Last verified: 2026-06-29. Sources: Arkansas DFA — Non-Commercial Information (Driver Services), Identification Only, and the DFA Proof of Legal Presence requirements.

General procedural information. DMV policies, fees, and document requirements change frequently — verify with the Arkansas Office of Driver Services before visiting. Not legal or immigration advice. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney.