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.

Arkansas
Drowsy Driving Law

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).

Arkansas
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

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 Universal helmet law repealed 1997.

Arkansas
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

8 years

Arkansas
Provisions for Mature Drivers

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

Arkansas
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

None

Arkansas
Marijuana Possession and Use

Legal for medical use

Arkansas
Marijuana Impaired Driving

None

Arkansas
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

75

Arkansas
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

70

Arkansas
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65 (60 on specified roads)

Arkansas
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65 (60 on specified roads)

Arkansas
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

75

Arkansas
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

75

Arkansas
Open container laws

Yes

Arkansas
Repeat Offender Laws

Yes

Arkansas
Increased penalty for high BAC

None

Arkansas
Administrative license suspension on first offense

6 months

Arkansas
Limited driving privileges during suspension

Yes

Arkansas
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for all convictions

Arkansas
Child Restraint Required

5 yrs and under and under 60 lbs

Arkansas
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

6-14 yrs or 60 lbs and over

Arkansas
Full Privilege Minimum Age

18 years

Arkansas
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

14

Arkansas
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

Arkansas
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

None

Arkansas
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Arkansas
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

11 p.m. - 4 a.m.

Arkansas
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

No more than 1 under 21

Arkansas
Type of Law

Primary

Arkansas
Who is Covered?

15 and over

Arkansas
In What Seat?

Front

Arkansas
Hand-Held Ban?

School and work zones only. Primary law.

Arkansas
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

Arkansas
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers under 18. Secondary law.

Arkansas
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Arkansas
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Arkansas
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

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

Arkansas
Red Light Cameras: State Law

None

Arkansas
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

n/a

Drunk Driving Repeat Offenses Drop With Ignition Interlock Removal Laws

States that have laws to govern when ignition interlock devices may be removed from drunk driving offenders’ vehicles have significantly lower rates of repeat driving under the influence (DUI) offenses than states which do not. Those are the main findings of a new study recently released by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), a nonprofit organization representing state highway safety offices, that addressed measures to help reduce the number of drunk driving repeat incidents.

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