Navigating the Road to Driving: Arkansas Driver's Education Requirements

Obtaining a driver's license is a significant milestone. In Arkansas, the process involves several steps, including understanding the state's Graduated Driver License (GDL) program and fulfilling specific requirements. While Arkansas doesn't legally mandate a driver's education program for obtaining an unrestricted license, it's highly recommended for enhancing road safety and minimizing traffic-related incidents. This article will give all the information needed for aspiring drivers from Fayetteville, Little Rock, Hot Springs and all other Arkansas cities.

The Graduated Driver License (GDL) Program

Arkansas employs a Graduated Driver License (GDL) program (Act 394, 2009) designed to provide young drivers with a structured approach to gaining driving experience. This program allows teens to safely gain driving experience before obtaining full driving privileges. The GDL program has three stages:

Learner's License

Age Requirement: 14-15 years old
Privileges: Authorizes the licensee to operate a motor vehicle when accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older and seated in the front passenger seat.
Requirements:
- Must be at least fourteen (14) chronological years of age.
- Students shall obtain and have in their possession a valid learner's permit when receiving behind-the-wheel instruction on public streets and highways.
- Study the Arkansas Driver’s Manual. It can pick this up at the McGee Center 3800 College Ave, Conway, AR 72034.
- Bring your passport, I-94 and I-20/DS-2019 (I-20s showing “Initial” status are not accepted). If you do not pass the written exam, you may take it again as many times as you would like.
- If you pass the written exam, you will be given a Learner’s Permit. This will allow you to drive with another licensed driver over the age of 21 in the vehicle with you. You do not have permission to drive alone yet.

Intermediate License

Age Requirement: 16-17 years old
Privileges: Authorizes the licensee to operate a non-commercial motor vehicle, but with certain restrictions. No more than one unrelated minor passenger is allowed unless there is an adult 21 years of age or older in the front passenger seat of the car.
Requirements:
- Must have held a learner's license for six months with no serious traffic violations or at-fault accidents.

Unrestricted/Regular License

Age Requirement: 18+ years old
Requirements:
- You can apply for a driver's license once you have held your intermediate license with a clean driving record for one year.

Driver's Education: Not Mandatory, but Highly Recommended

Unlike most other states, aspiring drivers from Fayetteville, Little Rock, Hot Springs and all other Arkansas cities are not legally required to pass a drivers ed program in order to achieve an unrestricted license. Taking driver’s ed is still necessary for learners of all ages, as it is understood to be one of the best ways to improve road user safety and cut back on traffic-related deaths. The fact that you are not bound to taking a state-mandated driver’s education course simply means you have greater flexibility and control regarding your studies. While Arkansas doesn't mandate driver's education, its importance in fostering safe driving habits cannot be overstated.

Benefits of Driver's Education

Improved Road Safety: Driver's education equips learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate roads safely, reducing the risk of accidents.
Defensive Driving Techniques: A reputable drivers ed course provides detailed information on defensive driving techniques, driving in different environments, roadway scanning best practices and other essential issues.
Comprehensive Knowledge: Driver's education teaches you the rules of the road, vehicle safety, and everything that you need to know before you get behind the wheel for the first time.
Potential Insurance Discounts: For many insurance providers, a Certificate of Completion from our online drivers education course qualifies you for a discount on your auto insurance.

Arkansas Teen Drivers Ed

The Arkansas legislature has not yet authorized online drivers education.Anybody!

Course Structure and Content

Curriculum: A prescribed course of study of driver education shall be designed to develop knowledge of those provisions of the Arkansas Vehicle Code and other laws of this state relating to the operation of motor vehicles, acceptance of personal responsibility in traffic, appreciation of the causes, seriousness, and consequences of traffic accidents, and to develop the knowledge, attitudes, habits, and skills necessary for the safe operation of motor vehicles.
Classroom Instruction: Students taking driver education seventeen (17) years of age or younger shall receive a minimum of forty (40) hours of classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.
- Not less than thirty (30) hours of classroom instruction on driving techniques and rules of the road in Arkansas.
- Six (6) of the thirty (30) hours shall include instruction on traffic law changes that have occurred within the last ten (10) years;
Behind-the-Wheel Training: The program shall include a minimum of six (6) hours of actual driving in the vehicle, while accompanied by and under the supervision of a qualified driver education instructor; and The program shall include a minimum of four (4) hours of actual driving in the vehicle, while accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or a qualified driver education instructor. Two (2) of the four (4) hours shall be nighttime driving;
Course of study for beginners: Using an appropriate textbook and/or other material, instruction shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
- Signs, signals, highway markings, and highway design;
- Rules of the road, state laws, and local ordinances;
- Driving attitude toward motorcyclists, bicyclists, and pedestrians;
- Basic driving maneuvers;
- Operation of motor vehicle on streets and highways;
- Familiarity with the Arkansas Driver's Manual;
- Insurance law of the state;
- Financial responsibility;
- Seat belt use and laws;
- Effect of natural laws on driving;
- Alcohol and drug substance abuse and the effect on driving;
- Basic vehicle maintenance including fluid levels, tire pressure, and lighting systems; and
- Skills:
  - Starting;
  - Backing;
  - Parallel parking;
  - Hill parking;
  - Starting on a hill;
  - Intersection movement and observance;
  - Lane observance and changing;
  - Left and right turns;
  - Pedestrian and vehicle right-of-way;
  - Proper use of automatic and/or standard transmission;
  - Use of brake and accelerator; and
  - Traffic lights or signals.

Flexibility and Self-Paced Learning

Our driver’s ed course is entirely online and can be completed according to your own schedule. Some students like to work through the course over a few days, while others prefer to break the learning experience down and deal with a different module each week. How you approach the driver’s ed course is entirely your call!

Supporting Materials

You will also need to get a copy of the Arkansas driving handbook to support your work with the driver’s ed program. That manual contains important state-specific information pertaining to certain road rules that differ slightly around the United States, making it a vital study aid in the run-up to your initial DMV permit test. It also contains some basic information on defensive driving techniques, driving in different environments, roadway scanning best practices and other essential issues.

Learning Essential Driving Maneuvers

Once you have passed the 25-question Arkansas DMV written test and practiced driving under supervision for 30 days or longer, you can consider applying for a learner license. It is important that you use your practice time wisely, by learning how to execute essential driving maneuvers correctly. Referring to the “Driving Maneuvers” module of our driver’s education program will make sure you can perform three-point turns, parallel parking and other similar maneuvers in accordance with state guidelines.

Practice Time

As a learner license holder, you will still be required to drive under the supervision of a licensed adult for 6 months.

Obtaining an Arkansas Driver's License: A Step-by-Step Guide

Earning an Arkansas drivers license should be simple. The process is simple.

Learner's Permit Requirements

The first step in getting your Arkansas drivers permit: turn 14. The state of Arkansas allows students as young as 14 years old to get their Arkansas permit (but you are not eligible to get your drivers license until you turn 16). The Arkansas State Police handles all Arkansas drivers permit and license issuance. To apply for your permit, you’ll need to make an appointment at the nearest ASP testing office.

Read also: Comprehensive Driver Education

Age: Be at least 14 years old.
Application: A completed Application for Driver’s License/Learner’s Permit.
Social Security Number: Proof of verifiable Social Security number (e.g.
Legal Presence: Proof of legal presence (e.g.
Written Exam: The Arkansas drivers permit test is a written exam that covers material found in the Arkansas Drivers License Study Guide.
Supervision: Once you have your Arkansas learners permit, you can learn to drive. You can’t do this on your own, though; you must be accompanied by a licensed passenger age 21 years or older. That passenger must be seated in the front seat next to you at all times.

Driving Test

After 30 days from the date you received your learner’s permit, you must return to one of the locations to take a driving test.
Do not drive to the center by yourself. You are not allowed to drive alone until you pass this final requirement. You must have someone drive you there so that you will be able to drive his/her car for the test.
The owner of the car must show their registration and proof of current automobile insurance. The car must be clean inside.
When you pass the driving portion of the test you will go to the Arkansas Revenue Department where you will receive your Arkansas driver’s license! Be sure to bring your passport, I-20/DS-2019 and I-94 when you go.

Additional Considerations for Driver's Education Training

Students taking driver education seventeen (17) years of age or younger shall receive a minimum of forty (40) hours of classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction.
Students taking driver education as beginning drivers and are eighteen (18) years of age or older shall receive a minimum of thirty (30) hours of classroom instruction and/or a minimum of six (6) hours of actual driving in the vehicle, while accompanied by and under the supervision of a qualified driver education instructor.
Persons taking defensive driving courses shall receive a minimum of eight (8) hours of classroom instruction or a minimum of four (4) hours of classroom instruction and a minimum of one (1) hour of actual driving in the vehicle and one (1) hour of observation, while accompanied by and under the supervision of a qualified driver education instructor.

Vehicle Requirements for Training

Each training vehicle shall have proof of a motor vehicle liability insurance policy with the following minimum limits: Bodily injury and death benefits of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) for each person in any one (1) accident; and Property damage coverage of one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000).
Each policy shall be for a minimum of six (6) months.
Current proof of insurance shall be on file with the State Board of Private Career Education.
In the event the insurance coverage is cancelled, a copy of the written notice of cancellation must be furnished to the board within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt. Behind-the-wheel instruction will be immediately suspended until proper verification of insurance is provided to the board staff.
Each vehicle used for training shall have a current registration with the state in which it is licensed.
Each vehicle used for training shall be maintained in a safe operating condition at all times. Tires and brakes shall be in good working order at all times.

Read also: Do I Need Driver's Ed?

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