Arkansas Traffic Violation Records

Traffic violation records in Arkansas are official documents that detail traffic-related offenses committed by licensed drivers within the state. These records are maintained by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), Office of Driver Services, and by the state's courts.

Common traffic violations recorded in Arkansas include reckless driving, DWI, failure to yield, and speeding. More than 9.2% of drivers in the state have a prior speeding violation on their driving record. These offenses are tracked and may appear on a driver's Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), which may affect insurance premiums and employment opportunities.

To promote safety on Arkansas roads, the state uses a driver point system to punish traffic violators. Under this system, points are assessed for various infractions. For example, a speeding violation may result in 3 to 5 points, while reckless driving may add 8 points to a driver's record.

If a driver accumulates 14 or more points within 36 months, the Driver Services Division may suspend or revoke their license. First-time offenders may face a suspension of up to three months, with longer suspensions for repeat violations. However, the DFA also offers options such as driver improvement clinics, which may allow eligible drivers to reduce accumulated points and avoid license suspension.

Are Traffic Violations Records Public in Arkansas?

Access to driving and traffic violation records in Arkansas is governed by both state and federal laws. Under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), basic traffic violation information may be made available to the public. However, full driving records are not publicly accessible due to the restrictions imposed by the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). Only specific entities are permitted to obtain full records, including:

• The individual named in the record
• Employers
• Insurance companies
• Government agencies

In addition to driver history records, traffic offenses that are processed through the courts, such as DUI, reckless driving, and driving without a license, are maintained by the District Court Clerk in the jurisdiction where the offense occurred. These court records are public under Arkansas FOIA, and any member of the public may request copies, unless the records are sealed or involve juveniles.

How To Look Up Traffic Tickets in Arkansas?

You may look up Arkansas ticket information via the Arkansas Case Search system. To look up a traffic ticket via this system, you will need to have your citation number available.

Where Do I Pay Traffic Violations?

You may pay traffic fines in Arkansas via the following options:

• Arkansas Online Court Payment System: This system is used by some courts to receive payments for traffic fines in the state. To use this system, you must have your citation number or driver's license and date of birth information ready. The Arkansas judiciary provides a list of courts using the Arkansas Online Court Payment system to accept citation payments.
• Court-Specific Online Portals: Some courts have their own online payment systems. For example, the Fayetteville district court and the Paragould district courts have their own online systems to accept traffic fine payments.
• In-Person: Visit the district court where your ticket was issued. Accepted payment methods typically include cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.
• By Mail: Some jurisdictions allow violators to pay traffic fines by mail. Usually, violators are required to send a check or money order to the court's mailing address. Also, they must include their citation number or a copy of the citation on the check or money order.

How Much Does It Cost To Request Your Driving Records Online?

You may obtain your Arkansas driving record online, in person, or by mail. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration issues the following types of driving records:

• Insurance Record: Contains 3-year records of traffic violations. This record costs $8.50 by mail or in person, but $12.70 for requests submitted online.
• Commercial Record: Used for employment purposes. Some information remains on a commercial record longer than three years. It costs $10 by mail or person and $14.20 for online requests.
• History Record: This record contains information dating back to when you received your driver's license. Historical records are not available online or at the Revenue Office. Requests for this type of record must be made in person or by mail. The record costs $8.50.

A typical Arkansas driving record includes:

• Driver's license status
• License class and restrictions
• Traffic violations and convictions
• DUI or DWI offenses
• Points on the license
• Administrative actions

What Are Moving and Non-Moving Violations in Arkansas?

Moving violations occur when an Arkansas traffic law is violated by a driver while the vehicle is in motion. Common moving violations in Arkansas include:

• Speeding
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Reckless or careless driving
• Failure to yield
• DWI
• Improper lane changes or passing
• Failure to use turn signals

Non-moving violations typically involve offenses that occur when the vehicle is parked or stationary, or issues related to the vehicle's condition. Examples of non-moving violations in Arkansas include:

• Parking in a no-parking or restricted zone
• Expired registration or tags
• Broken headlights, taillights, or turn signals
• Improper or illegal window tinting
• Failure to display a license plate

Penalties for moving violations typically involve higher fines, and in more severe cases, such as DUI, may include mandatory court appearances, license suspension, and jail time. Additionally, moving violations result in demerit points being added to a driver's record. By contrast, the penalties for non-moving violations usually carry lower fines, but do not result in demerit points on the driver's record. Also, non-moving violations rarely impact insurance premiums and are not punishable by jail time.

How Long Does DWI Stay on Your Record in Arkansas?

A DWI conviction remains on your driving record for five years, while it stays permanently on your criminal record indefinitely unless expunged. It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle, including a car, boat, or any other type of vehicle, while impaired by alcohol or drugs. A person may be charged with Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) if they have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08% or higher, regardless of whether their driving appears affected. For commercial drivers, the legal BAC limit is 0.04%. In Arkansas, about 250 DWI arrests and 6 DWI road fatalities occur per 100,000 drivers.

The penalties for DWI in Arkansas are governed by Arkansas Code Title 5, Chapter 65, and include the following:

• First-Offense DWI
• Jail Time: 24 hours to 1 year (minimum 7 days if BAC is equal to or greater than 0.15% or aggravating factors apply)
• Fine: $150 to $1,000
• License Suspension: 6 months
• Mandatory Alcohol Education or Treatment
• Ignition Interlock Device (IID): Optional unless required by court or for hardship license
• Second-Offense DWI
• Jail Time: 7 days to 1 year
• Fine: $400 to $3,000
• License Suspension: 24 months
• Mandatory alcohol or drug treatment program
• IID: Required for reinstatement or restricted license
• Third-Offense DWI
• Jail Time: 90 days to 1 year
• Fine: $900 to $5,000
• License Suspension: 30 months
• IID: Mandatory for restricted driving privileges
• Treatment: Mandatory inpatient or outpatient program
• Fourth or Subsequent Offense (Within 5 Years)
• Prison Time: 1 to 6 years
• Fine: Up to $5,000
• License Revocation: Lifetime, with potential for reinstatement under strict conditions
• IID: Mandatory
• Substance Abuse Treatment: Court-ordered

What Are the Penalties for Breaking the Speed Limit in Arkansas?

Going over the posted or absolute speed limits in Arkansas attracts serious penalties. The following are the absolute speed limits in the state:

• School zones: 25 mph
• Urban districts: 35 mph
• Other roadways: 55 mph for large trucks and 65 mph for cars and light trucks
• Controlled-access highways: 75 mph

Arkansas punishes speeding with fines, demerit points on your driving record, and jail time in certain situations. Typically, the following penalties apply:

• First Offense (within 1 year): Up to $100 fine, up to 10 days in jail, or both
• Second Offense (within 1 year): Up to $200 fine, up to 20 days in jail, or both
• Third Offense (within 1 year): Up to $500 fine, up to 6 months in jail, or both
• Exceeding the Speed Limit by More Than 15 mph: Up to $500 fine, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

Note that fines may be doubled for violations occurring in school or construction zones. In addition, the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration assigns points to a driving record for speeding violations in the following ways:

• 1-10 mph over the limit: 3 points
• 11-20 mph over the limit: 4 points
• 21-30 mph over the limit: 5 points
• 31+ mph over the limit: 8 points

Accumulating 14 or more points within 36 months may lead to license suspension in the following ways:

• 14-17 points: Up to 3 months suspension
• 18-23 points: Up to 6 months suspension
• 24+ points: Up to 1 year suspension

Note that excessive speeding may lead to a reckless driving charge, especially if it endangers others. Penalties may include higher fines, longer jail time, and additional points on your record.

How Long Does a Speeding Ticket Stay on Your Record in Arkansas?

A speeding ticket typically stays on your Arkansas driving record for three years.

How To Appeal A Traffic Ticket?

If you receive a traffic citation in Arkansas, you may contest the charge in district court. You may represent yourself or hire an attorney to appear on your behalf. Common defenses you may use in the district court include the following:

• Faulty Speed Detection Equipment: You may argue that the radar or laser device used by the officer was improperly calibrated or maintained, making the speed reading unreliable.
• Mistaken Identity of Vehicle: If there were multiple vehicles on the road, you may claim that the officer stopped the wrong car or misidentified your vehicle as the one speeding.
• Emergency Circumstances: You may argue that you were speeding due to a medical emergency or another urgent situation that necessitated exceeding the speed limit temporarily.
• Obstructed or Missing Speed Limit Sign: If the speed limit sign was not clearly visible, missing, or blocked by foliage or construction equipment, you may argue you were unaware of the applicable speed limit.
• Officer Misjudgment: You may challenge the officer's visual estimation or other observational errors, especially if no radar or photographic evidence is presented in court.

While you can represent yourself, hiring an experienced Arkansas traffic attorney may be beneficial in situations where you are facing multiple charges, have a commercial driver's license, or when a citation may result in a license suspension.

How To Resolve an Out-of-State Traffic Ticket?

A traffic citation received when you travel out of state may be reported to your home state. Under the Driver License Compact (DLC) and the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC), your home state may be notified of unresolved violations of traffic laws and unpaid tickets. If you have been issued an out-of-state traffic ticket, you may resolve it in the following ways:

• Check the Court's Website: Visit the official website of the court listed on the ticket. Most courts provide instructions for paying fines, contesting the ticket, or requesting extensions.
• Pay the Fine: If you choose not to fight the ticket, pay it online, by mail, or in person using the methods listed by the court. Retain proof of payment
• Contact the Prosecutor: Some counties allow you to negotiate fines, plea deals, or alternative options like traffic school directly with the local prosecutor's office.
• Hire a Local Traffic Attorney: For serious charges, such as reckless driving and DUI, a licensed attorney in the issuing state may represent you and help avoid severe penalties.

How Do Arkansas Traffic Laws Differ From Other States?

Arkansas traffic laws are generally consistent with those found in most U.S. states, but some notable differences and unique enforcement practices that set the state apart. Examples include the following:

• Arkansas law explicitly grants right-of-way protections to slow-moving farm vehicles and animal-drawn wagons, especially in rural areas.
• Drivers under age 21 can be charged with Underage DUI if their BAC is 0.02% or higher, even if they're not visibly impaired.
• Arkansas law requires drivers to move over or slow down not just for emergency vehicles, but for any stopped vehicle with flashing lights, including tow trucks and utility vehicles.
• Arkansas law prohibits any cover, frame, or foreign object that obscures the license plate, even partially, including dealership tags or plate frames.
• Drivers under 18 are banned from using any mobile phone while driving; those 18 to 20 may only use hands-free devices.