A Commercial Driver's License (CDL) is required in Arkansas to operate commercial motor vehicles over 26,000 lbs GVWR, buses carrying 16 or more passengers, or vehicles placarded for hazardous materials. Arkansas CDL fees start at $40 for a 4-year license. Three CDL classes are available: Class A for tractor-trailer combinations, Class B for single large vehicles, and Class C for passenger and HazMat vehicles. First-time applicants must complete Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test. All interstate CDL holders must maintain a valid DOT Medical Certificate. Test your knowledge with the Arkansas CDL knowledge test, then pass the skills test — pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and road driving — to earn your license.
Any combination of vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001 lbs or more, provided the GVWR of the towed vehicle exceeds 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 lbs or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle with a GVWR not exceeding 10,000 lbs.
Any single vehicle or combination not covered by Class A or B, designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or required to be placarded for hazardous materials.
TSA security threat assessment and fingerprinting required. Required for hauling fuel, chemicals, and other HazMat across Arkansas's major I-40, I-30, and I-55 corridors.
Required for bulk liquid/gas tank vehicles. Common for fuel tanker operators and liquid fertilizer haulers serving Arkansas's agricultural sector.
Required for vehicles carrying 16 or more passengers including the driver.
Requires P endorsement. Arkansas requires background check for school bus operators.
Required for double or triple trailer combinations on designated routes. Class A CDL required. Arkansas permits standard doubles on major Interstate corridors.
Combination H and N endorsements for HazMat tank vehicles. TSA background check applies. Common for fuel tanker operations on Arkansas's major highway corridors.
Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) is required by federal regulation (49 CFR Part 380, effective Feb 7, 2022) for first-time Class A or B CDL applicants and for adding H, P, or S endorsements. Arkansas has registered CDL training providers in the Little Rock, Fort Smith, and Jonesboro areas. Find registered providers at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov.
Find a registered ELDT provider in Arkansas →Interstate CDL holders must hold a valid DOT Medical Examiner's Certificate from an FMCSA-certified medical examiner. MEC valid up to 24 months. Drivers must self-certify their CDL category with Arkansas DFA/Revenue Division and submit the MEC copy. Intrastate-only drivers may qualify under Arkansas state physical standards.
Find an FMCSA-certified medical examiner →Apply at an Arkansas Revenue Division Office with proof of identity, Social Security Number, and Arkansas residency. Pass the knowledge tests for your desired class and endorsements, complete ELDT through an FMCSA-registered provider, then pass the CDL skills test. The CDL fee is $40. Visit dfa.arkansas.gov for office locations and scheduling.
Arkansas CDLs are valid for 4 years. Your DOT Medical Certificate must be renewed separately — typically every 24 months for interstate drivers. Renew your CDL at any Arkansas Revenue Division office before expiration. Arkansas has a 30-day window for transferring out-of-state CDLs, which is shorter than most states.
An Arkansas Class A CDL at age 18 permits intrastate (within Arkansas) commercial driving only. Interstate operation requires the driver to be at least 21 under federal FMCSA regulations. Arkansas's large poultry and agriculture industries offer numerous intrastate CDL positions that are accessible to 18-year-old CDL holders.
Live poultry hauling with a standard 18-wheeler requires a Class A CDL — no additional endorsements are needed for live animal transport. If hauling processed refrigerated poultry, a Class A CDL is still the primary requirement. Fuel tanker operations serving poultry processing plants require the N (Tank) or X (HazMat + Tank) endorsement depending on cargo type.
Walmart's global sourcing and distribution operations headquartered in Bentonville create substantial CDL opportunities in northwest Arkansas. Walmart's private fleet (one of the largest in the US), Walmart-contracted carriers, and hundreds of supplier logistics operations all seek Class A CDL drivers. The I-49 and US-71 corridors in northwest Arkansas see very high freight volumes serving the Bentonville supplier community.
Browse commercial trucks for sale from dealers in Arkansas on TruckRadar.
Arkansas CDL fees are $40 for original and renewal, with 4-year validity. Knowledge test fees are nominal (approximately $5 per test). Skills test fees vary by provider — budget $100–$150 for third-party testers. Verify current amounts at dfa.arkansas.gov before scheduling.
Disclaimer
The information on this page is compiled from publicly available government sources and is provided for general informational purposes only. TruckRadar is an independent search engine — we are not affiliated with any government agency and this content does not constitute legal or compliance advice. Regulations change frequently; always verify current requirements directly with the official source before making compliance decisions.
Official source: Arkansas AR Official DMVLast reviewed: April 8, 2026