Arkansas (AR) Teen Auto Insurance Laws, Rates & Requirements

More than 635 Arkansas teens ages 14-19 died in car crashes between 2000 and 2006. Today, the state of Arkansas is cracking down on teen driving harder than ever. The state began enforcing new restrictions on teen drivers July 31, 2009. As a result, the state of Arkansas expects to see a significant decrease in fatal crashes. What this means for teens is zero tolerance across the board. Drinking and driving, reckless driving, and violating restricted license provisions will not be tolerated. In addition to Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL), the state has a number of new laws in place for teens, so continue reading to learn more about Arkansas’s teen driving laws and the consequences for violating them.

Arkansas Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) and Driver License Requirements

Arkansas was the 48th state to adopt the Graduated Drivers License system. Arkansas’s Graduated Driver Licensing applies to teen’s ages 14-17. There are three types of Graduated Licenses in the state of Arkansas including:

•    Instruction Permit - restricted license for beginner drivers, designed to teach the rules of the road, can only drive with parents
•    Learners License – restricted license for drivers ages 14-16, requires testing (road skills, written, and vision) and parental supervision
•    Intermediate – restricted license, must be 16-18 years of age, parental supervision is required for the first six months, final step before obtaining Class D unrestricted license

To obtain an initial application, you must be at least 14 years of age and if you are under the age of 18, you will need parental consent. In addition, the Arkansas Office of Driver Services (ODS) requires any of the following documents to prove legal status in the U.S.:

•    U.S. Birth Certificate (copies will not be accepted)
•    U.S. Visa
•    U.S. Passport
•    Social Security Card
•    Military ID
•    INS Documents
•    Naturalization Certificate

All applicants must also show proof of identification by providing two primary documents or one primary and one secondary document:

Primary Documents

•    An Arkansas Photo ID issued by the Arkansas Department of Finance
•    and Administration, Office of Revenue
•    Out of State Driver License or State Issued Photo ID
•    Birth Certificate (If foreign, must have notarized translation)
•    Photo INS Document (except Border Crosser)
•    Passport (If foreign, INS Card or U.S. Visa required)
•    Naturalization Certificate
•    Court Order (Must contain full name, date of birth & court seal)
•    Military/Military Dependent Photo ID
•    Draft Registration Card
•    Armed Forces Discharge Papers

Secondary Documents

•    Photo Medicaid Card
•    Employment or School Photo ID
•    Social Security Card (No metal cards)
•    Vehicle Registration/Title
•    Bureau of Indian Affairs/Indian Treaty Card (No Tribal Cards)
•    Marriage License
•    Health Insurance Card
•    IRS/State Tax Forms (W-2 Form is not acceptable)
•    Court Order (Date of birth not present)
•    Medical Records (From doctor or hospital)
•    Concealed Handgun License
•    Certified School Transcript
•    Pilot’s License
•    Parent’s Affidavit (Parent must appear in person, prove his/her identity and submit notarized affidavit of child’s identity. Applies to minors only)
•    Court Records
•    Prison Release Documents

Arkansas Teen Driving Laws and Enforcement

In the state of Arkansas, learner’s licenses expire on the teens 16th birthday. During the learning period, the driver must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or licensed driver 21 years of age or older at all times. All passengers must wear their seatbelts at all times.

The intermediate license expires on the teens 18th birthday. During the first 6 months, the teen must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or licensed driver 21 or over. The adult must be ride in the front passengers seat. All occupants must wear a seatbelt at all times. In addition, a teen driver with an intermediate license:

•    Cannot operate a motor vehicle on public streets or highways between the hours 11 p.m. and 4 a.m., unless the driver is accompanied by a licensed driver who is 21 years of age or older; driving to or from a school activity, church related activity, or job; or driving because of an emergency

•    Is not allowed to have more than one additional minor passenger unless accompanied by a parent/legal guardian or a person 21 years of age or older. Minor passenger means anyone other than a sibling, step-sibling, or other minor that resides in the household.

If you violate any of the laws listed above, your restricted license will be extended. In some cases, you will not be able to apply for an unrestricted license until your 18th birthday or beyond and in others, you could lose your driving privileges altogether.

Arkansas Cell Phone Use/Texting While Driving Laws

In the state of Arkansas, it is against the law for anyone under the age of 21 to hold a cell phone and talk while driving. For drivers under the age of 18, hands-free talking is restricted as well. For driver’s ages 18-21, talking on the cell phone is allowed if using a hands-free device. There are no restrictions on driver’s over the age of 21. Texting while driving is banned for all drivers – regardless of age. Violation of Arkansas cell phone and texting laws could result in fines. Multiple offenses could lead to additional fines and license suspension.

Arkansas Teen DUI Laws

In the state of Arkansas, it is a crime for a teen to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration level (BAC) of 0.00% or higher. This means that the state of Arkansas has a true zero tolerance law pertaining to teen drinking and driving. Most state laws regarding teen drinking and driving set the BAC limit at 0.02%. If you think you can pass a chemical or Breathalyzer test with a 0.00% if you have only consumed one beer, think again. A BAC of 0.02%  is equal to as little as one beer, one glass of wine or one mixed drink for most people. It can be even less for some.

Proof of a BAC over 0.00% is all that is needed to convict an Arkansas teen of DUI. If you are under the age of 21 and you get caught and convicted of DUI, the penalties are severe. The penalties are even more severe if your BAC is between 0.04% and 0.08%. If your BAC is between 0.04%-0.08% you could be prosecuted under the laws that apply to driver’s 21 and over. The Arkansas underage drinking law states that:

•    First-time offenders will lose their license for 90 days
•    First-time offenders will have to perform community service - the judge will set the punishment
•    First-time offenders will be fined a minimum of $100 up to $500
•    Must complete an alcoholism treatment program, an alcohol and driving education program for underage drivers, or both

Second-time offenders:

•    Will lose their licenses for 1 year
•    Will have to perform community service for 30 days
•    Will have to pay a fine ranging from $100-$500
•    Must complete an alcoholism treatment program, an alcohol and driving education program for underage drivers, or both

Multiple offenders, third offense or higher will be fined anywhere from $500-$2,000, and he will have to perform community service for a minimum of 60 days. He will also lose his driving privileges until the age of 21 or three years -- whichever is longer. Multiple offenders will also have to complete an alcoholism treatment program, an alcohol and driving education program for underage drivers, or both.

Arkansas Teen Auto Insurance Requirements

The state of Arkansas requires that all registered vehicles carry minimum auto liability insurance in the amount of 25/50/25, that is $25,000 per person per accident, $50,000 for all persons, and $25,000 to cover property damage of the other party. It is important to keep in mind that these amounts are only the minimum amounts required by law. Because the risk of an auto collision is significantly higher during a teen’s first year behind the wheel and because Arkansas is a Tort state, Arkansas auto insurance companies recommend that driver’s consider carrying higher coverages than the state minimums. If you plan to add a teen driver to your policy instead of purchasing a separate policy, keep in mind that your annual rate will increase anywhere from $1,200 to $4,900 a year, with an average of $2,171 a year.

Although auto insurance premiums will increase if you add a teen to your policy or purchasing teen auto insurance will always be pricier than other policies, there are ways to qualify for discounts on teen auto insurance. Auto insurance companies offer discounts ranging from 10-15% or more for:

•    Maintaining at least a B average
•    Successful completion of a state approved safe driver course

You can also lower your premiums on teen auto insurance if you avoid purchasing sports and luxury cars for your teen, if you opt for a higher deductible, or if you combine insurance policies into one (i.e. life, home, health, renter’s, etc.).