Arkansas Driving Points are the hidden cost of a speeding ticket — they pile up on your license, and enough of them in a set time window will suspend your right to drive. This guide explains the Arkansas point system in plain English: exactly how many points a speeding ticket adds at each speed bracket, how many arkansas driving points trigger a suspension, how long points stay on your record, and how to check and reduce them.
All figures are estimates for general guidance, verified against Arkansas sources as of June 2026.
In This Arkansas Guide:
How Arkansas Driving Points Work
Arkansas uses a demerit POINT system administered by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Office of Driver Services. Points are assessed against a driver’s record upon conviction of moving violations, tracked on a rolling 36-month window.
Arkansas Driving Points by Speed Bracket
Here is how many arkansas driving points a speeding ticket typically adds, based on how far over the limit you were going:
| How Fast Over the Limit | Points Added |
|---|---|
| 1-10 mph over | 3 |
| 11-20 mph over | 4 |
| 21+ mph over | 5 points for 21-30 mph over; 8 points for 31+ mph over |
How long points last: 36 months (3 years) from the date of conviction, then points expire automatically
How Many Arkansas Driving Points Until Suspension?
In Arkansas, 14 points within a rolling 36-month window triggers a suspension hearing and potential suspension of up to 5 business days. 18-23 points results in up to 10 business days suspension. 24+ points results in up to 20 business days suspension. A second suspension within 3 years extends to 6 months; a third suspension extends to 1 year.
At 10-13 points, a warning letter is sent and the driver must complete a defensive driving course. Each new speeding ticket pushes you closer to that limit, which is why watching your arkansas driving points matters even when a single ticket seems minor.
How to Check and Reduce Your Arkansas Driving Points
How to check your points: Request a driving record online through the Arkansas DFA portal at mydmv.arkansas.gov or portal.arkansas.gov/service/request-your-driving-records/. Records are also available in person at any DFA Revenue Office or by mail. The fee is 12.70 for a standard driving record. You may also call the DFA Driver Control Office at (501) 682-1631.
How to reduce your arkansas driving points: Arkansas does NOT allow proactive early removal of points — points expire automatically after 36 months. However, many drivers may be able to have a ticket dismissed (preventing points from being added) by completing a court-approved defensive driving course BEFORE conviction. You must contact your local Arkansas court to confirm eligibility before enrolling.
At the 10-point warning stage, drivers are required to complete an approved defensive driving course. Fighting the ticket and obtaining a dismissal or reduction also prevents points from being assessed. See our Arkansas traffic school guide for the full point-reduction process.
Reinstating a suspended license: To reinstate a point-suspended license, serve the full suspension period, satisfy any court requirements, submit clearance documents to DFA, file an SR-22 (proof of financial responsibility) if required, pass any required driving or knowledge tests, and pay a reinstatement fee of 100 per suspension order (150 for DWI-related suspensions). Fees can be paid online at portal.arkansas.gov/service/drivers-license-reinstatement-online-fee-payment/, in person at any State Revenue Office, or by mail.
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Insurance Points vs DMV Points in Arkansas
Insurance companies in Arkansas use their own internal point systems and rating algorithms that are separate from the DFA’s point system. Even if DFA points expire after 36 months, insurers typically review your driving record independently and may raise premiums based on violations for 3-5 years or longer. Your DFA point total does not directly control your insurance rate. A ticket can raise your premium for years — compare cheaper car insurance at Car Cover Guide if a ticket has pushed your rate up.
How Arkansas Driving Points Actually Work
A point system is the state’s way of tracking risky driving. Each moving violation adds a set number of points to your license, and the points stay on your record for a fixed period before they drop off. If you collect too many Arkansas driving points inside that window, the DMV suspends your license — which is why even a minor speeding ticket matters if you already have points.
It is important to separate two different kinds of points. DMV points are what the state uses to suspend your license. Insurance points are a separate system your insurer uses to set your premium, and they often last longer than DMV points. A single speeding ticket can therefore cost you twice: once toward a possible suspension, and again as a higher insurance bill.
Some states do not use points at all and instead apply a surcharge or simply track convictions, but the practical effect is the same — more violations mean a higher chance of losing your license and paying more to drive.
Keeping your Arkansas driving points low protects more than your license — it protects your wallet. Drivers with a clean record qualify for the best insurance rates, while each added violation can move you into a higher-risk tier. If a ticket has pushed your points up, acting quickly to reduce or contest it is usually worth the effort.
What to Do About Your Arkansas Speeding Ticket
Once you have a Arkansas speeding ticket, you generally have three choices, and the right one depends on the points involved, your driving record, and your insurance:
- Pay it — the fastest option, but paying is an admission of guilt that adds points and can raise your premium for years.
- Fight it — contesting can get the ticket reduced or dismissed, especially if the officer does not appear or the evidence is weak. See how to fight a speeding ticket in Arkansas.
- Take traffic school — if you qualify, a state-approved course can keep points off your record. See the Arkansas traffic school guide.
Before deciding, it helps to know the full cost — use our speeding ticket cost calculator and the Arkansas points guide to see how close a ticket puts you to a suspension. There is no single right answer for everyone; the best choice depends on how many points the ticket adds, what your record looks like, and how much your insurance would rise.
Other Arkansas rules to know: Arkansas treats speeding as a criminal misdemeanor with escalating penalties within a 1-year period: 1st offense up to 100 fine and 10 days jail; 2nd offense up to 200 fine and 20 days jail; 3rd offense up to 500 fine and 6 months jail. Arkansas suspensions for points are measured in business days (5, 10, or 20 business days) rather than calendar days for first offenses, which is unusual compared to most states.
The DFA automatically schedules a hearing with a Hearing Officer when a driver reaches 14 points, where the officer explains laws, regulations, and consequences — the outcome may be probation rather than immediate suspension.
Official Arkansas Sources & Resources
- Arkansas DMV: https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/driver-services/
- Arkansas Point Schedule: https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/office/driver-services/driver-improvements/violations-and-points/
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: nhtsa.gov
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex
Statute reference: Arkansas Code Annotated (A.C.A.) Title 27, Subtitle 2, Chapter 16, Subchapter 9 (§§ 27-16-901 through 27-16-916), particularly § 27-16-907 (Suspension or revocation of licenses). The specific point-value schedule is published administratively by the DFA under authority granted by these statutes.
This Arkansas driving points guide was last verified against official sources in June 2026. Always confirm your current point total with the Arkansas DMV.
More Arkansas Traffic Ticket Guides
- Arkansas Speeding Ticket Cost
- How to Fight a Speeding Ticket in Arkansas
- Arkansas Traffic School & Dismissal
- Speeding Ticket Cost Calculator
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Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal advice. Fines, points, and procedures are estimates for general guidance and change when state laws change. Always verify the exact amount and process with your state DMV or the court listed on your citation, and consult a licensed traffic attorney in your state for advice on your specific situation.