Arkansas DFA Practice Test – Driver's License Knowledge Exam

Arkansas does not have a Department of Motor Vehicles. All driver licensing functions in Arkansas are handled by the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Revenue Division. DFA driver licensing offices are located in cities and counties throughout the state. When searching for where to get your Arkansas driver's license, look for 'DFA Revenue Division' or 'Arkansas driver's license office' — not 'DMV.' The DFA's unusual placement within a tax and revenue agency means it is often confused with tax offices, but driver licensing is a core DFA Revenue Division function.

Arkansas Act 1018, effective January 1, 2024, prohibits all drivers from physically holding a wireless communications device while operating a motor vehicle. Hands-free use — via Bluetooth, a mounted holder, or speakerphone without touching the device — is permitted. The law is primary enforcement and applies to all drivers regardless of age. First offense fine: $250. Subsequent offenses: $500. Before Act 1018, Arkansas only prohibited texting while driving for novice (under-18) drivers — adult handheld phone use was unrestricted statewide.

ACA § 27-51-1404 makes it a Class A misdemeanor — a criminal offense — to drive around or past a 'Road Closed' sign or flood barrier in Arkansas. The law was enacted because drivers who ignore flood barriers frequently become flood fatalities. In the Ozark and Ouachita mountain regions, rivers and streams can rise dramatically within minutes of heavy rain, turning paved road crossings into deadly traps. The official safety guidance is 'Turn Around, Don't Drown.' Even water that appears shallow can be moving fast enough to sweep away a vehicle. Class A misdemeanor consequences include potential jail time and a criminal record.

Arkansas has approximately 2+ million feral hogs — one of the highest concentrations in the eastern U.S. Feral hogs travel in family groups called sounders of 10 to 30 animals, each weighing 200 to 400 pounds. When a sounder crosses a rural road at night (when hogs are most active), a driver may collide with multiple large animals before being able to stop — causing catastrophic vehicle damage and serious injury risk. Standard deer-avoidance techniques (single braking event) are not adequate when multiple large animals block the road. Feral hog collisions are treated as wildlife collisions — not covered by standard livestock collision liability.

Arkansas GDL stages: (1) Instruction permit at age 14 — must be accompanied by a licensed driver 21+ in the front seat at all times; (2) Restricted license at age 16 after holding the permit for at least 6 months and completing 30 hours of supervised driving (10 at night) — restricted driving hours and passenger limits apply; (3) Full unrestricted license at age 18. Arkansas's 14-year-old permit age is one of the youngest in the United States and reflects the rural character of much of the state.

Arkansas uses DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) under ACA § 5-65-103 — not DUI. The distinction is purely terminological; the legal structure is similar to DUI laws in other states. Adult threshold: 0.08% BAC. Under-21: 0.02% BAC. CDL holders in a commercial vehicle: 0.04%. First-offense DWI penalties: 6-month license suspension, $150–$1,000 fine, and possible jail time. Second DWI within 5 years: harsher penalties including possible IID. The DWI terminology is tested on the Arkansas knowledge exam.

The Buffalo National River corridor includes AR-74, AR-21, AR-7 (Scenic 7 Byway), and other Ozark Mountain roads characterized by: narrow two-lane pavement with minimal shoulders; tight switchbacks and steep grades; minimal or no guardrails; some unpaved sections; seasonal closure periods; and high flood risk at low-water crossings during spring rainfall. The Buffalo National River itself floods rapidly after rain, closing adjacent road crossings without much warning. Check NPS.gov/buff and ARDOT for current road conditions before traveling in this area.

Arkansas maximum speed limits: 75 mph on rural interstates (passenger vehicles), 70 mph for commercial motor vehicles on those same rural interstates; 65 mph on urban controlled-access highways; 55 mph on most two-lane state highways; lower posted limits on mountain roads in the Ozarks and Ouachitas. School zones are 25 mph when children are present. Urban districts default to 30 mph when no sign is posted. Always observe posted signs, which take precedence over default limits.

Act 1018 fines: $250 for a first offense; $500 for subsequent offenses. The law is primary enforcement — officers can stop a driver solely for observing them holding a wireless device. There is no grace period or warning phase. The law applies to all drivers regardless of age, to all wireless devices, and while the vehicle is in motion. Before Act 1018 (effective January 1, 2024), Arkansas only prohibited texting for novice drivers — the statewide adult handheld ban is a significant recent change that is directly tested.

Arkansas requires minimum visual acuity of at least 20/50 in the better eye (with or without corrective lenses) to obtain a standard driver's license. If corrective lenses are required to meet this standard, the license will carry a restriction requiring the driver to wear glasses or contacts while driving. Applicants who cannot meet the 20/50 standard with correction may be eligible for a restricted license or may be referred to a vision specialist for further evaluation. Vision is screened at the DFA office during the license application process.