Arkansas

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Arkansas.For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
      6 months Yes

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for all convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    Yes Yes

     

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    5 yrs and under and under 60 lbs

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    6-14 yrs or 60 lbs and over

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    School and work zones only. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes. Primary law.

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers under 18. Secondary law.

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drowsy Driving

    Effective 2013. Defines fatigue as being without sleep for a period in excess of 24 consecutive hours "or in the state of being asleep” (Arkansas General Assembly, 2013).

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • None

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Legal for medical use
    • Impaired Driving: None
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    8 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    70 and over: choice of 4- or 8-year renewal

     

  • Motorcyclists

    Helmets required for riders under 21. Universal helmet law repealed 1997.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Primary

    Who Is Covered?

    15 and over

    In What Seat?

    Front

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

    School zones, rail crossings and work zones, though a police officer must issue citation at time of violation

    Red Light Cameras

    No state law or programs

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    75  70

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 (60 on specified limits) 65 (60 on specified limits)

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    75 75

     

  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    18 years

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)
    14 6 None

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    		 Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)
    16 11 p.m. - 4 a.m. No more than 1 under 21