An Arkansas driver’s license replacement costs $10 and, in most cases, can be ordered online through the Department of Finance and Administration’s myDMV portal, with the new card mailed to you in three to five business days.1Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Drivers The online route works only if you want a straight duplicate of what you already had. If anything is changing, or if your license needs a new photo or vision screening, you have to go to a Revenue Office instead.
Ordering a Duplicate Online
Go to the DFA site and find the “Replace My License or ID” link under the myDMV section.2Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. MyDMV You confirm the personal information already on file, pay the $10 fee with a credit or debit card, and submit. A small convenience fee is added for online transactions. The whole thing takes a few minutes, and the system uses your existing record, so you won’t need to upload documents.
The portal will turn you away in a few situations. You can’t use it if your license is suspended or revoked, if your photo needs updating, or if a vision screening is due. In any of those cases, plan on visiting an office.
When You Have to Visit a Revenue Office
An in-person visit is required if you need a new photo, you’re changing your name or address, your license has been expired for more than 31 days, or you want to upgrade to a REAL ID-compliant card for the first time. Revenue Offices handle everything the online system can’t, including new photographs and vision tests.
You can book an appointment online through the DFA’s scheduling system to shorten your wait.3Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Online Services Walk-ins are accepted, but appointment holders get priority. At the office you’ll fill out an application, present your documents, and pay the fee. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted. You leave with a temporary paper license, and the permanent card is produced centrally and mailed, usually within about two to three weeks.
Documents to Bring
If you’re replacing a standard (non-REAL ID) license with no changes, the paperwork is lighter, but bringing proof of identity and your Social Security card is still the safest way to avoid a wasted trip. For a REAL ID-compliant license, the DFA requires documents from four categories.4Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Arkansas Real ID
- Legal presence, one document: a U.S. birth certificate or valid U.S. passport.
- Identity, one document: your current or expired driver’s license, a school ID, a vehicle registration or title, a marriage certificate, or a military ID.
- Social Security number: your physical Social Security card. A replacement card can be requested through the Social Security Administration at ssa.gov or by calling 1-800-325-0778.
- Residency, two documents: a gas, water, or electric bill in your name; a paycheck stub from the last six months; a bank statement from the last six months; a current tax return; or a current homeowners, renters, or motor vehicle insurance policy.
The two-document residency requirement is specific to REAL ID.
Should You Upgrade to REAL ID Now
Federal REAL ID enforcement began on May 7, 2025.5Transportation Security Administration. TSA Publishes Final Rule on REAL ID Enforcement Beginning May 7, 2025 A standard Arkansas license, meaning one without the gold star in the upper corner, no longer works for boarding domestic flights, entering federal buildings, or accessing military bases. If your lost or damaged card was already REAL ID-compliant, the replacement carries the same designation. If it wasn’t, a replacement is a natural moment to upgrade.
Upgrading has to happen in person at a Revenue Office with the full four-category document set. The online portal cannot upgrade you. If you don’t fly and don’t visit federal facilities, a standard replacement is still fine for driving and everyday ID.
Flying Before Your New Card Arrives
The temporary paper license issued at the Revenue Office is valid for driving in Arkansas but will not get you through airport security. The TSA does not accept temporary driver’s licenses as ID. If you have a flight coming up, use a U.S. passport, passport card, military ID, permanent resident card, or a DHS trusted traveler card such as Global Entry or NEXUS while you wait for the permanent card to arrive.6Transportation Security Administration. Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint
If Your License Was Stolen
The replacement process is the same whether your license was lost or stolen, but a stolen card exposes your name, date of birth, address, and possibly your signature to someone who may try to use them. File a police report so there is a paper trail if your information is later misused. The Social Security Administration also recommends setting up a personal my Social Security account at ssa.gov to watch for suspicious activity tied to your number.7Social Security Administration. Fraud Prevention and Reporting A fraud alert or credit freeze through the three major credit bureaus will stop new accounts from being opened in your name.
If you find your information has already been used, report it at IdentityTheft.gov to receive a recovery plan and an FTC Identity Theft Report.7Social Security Administration. Fraud Prevention and Reporting Move fast. The sooner you act, the less damage a thief can do.
Commercial Licenses Are Different
Everything above applies to standard non-commercial Class D licenses. Commercial driver’s license replacements involve different requirements and fees, so contact the DFA directly for CDL specifics.