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How to Get a CDL in Arkansas — Step-by-Step Process

The Arkansas CDL pathway involves two state agencies plus a federally registered CDL school. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) Office of Driver Services issues the Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) and the CDL itself. The Arkansas State Police (ASP) administers both the knowledge tests for the CLP and the skills tests required for the CDL. Federal regulations layer on top: ELDT at an FMCSA Training Provider Registry-listed school, the 14-day CLP holding period, and DOT medical certification. Class A applicants must also complete the Arkansas Act 922 Human Trafficking Prevention course. This guide walks the full process step by step.

Quick Answer

  • Two Arkansas agencies handle CDLs: DFA issues the CLP and CDL; Arkansas State Police administers both knowledge and skills tests.
  • Many full-time Class A programs are structured around a 4–8 week path; Class B programs are often shorter.
  • Federal rules require ELDT training at an FMCSA-registered school and a 14-day CLP holding period before skills testing.
  • Class A applicants must complete a one-time Act 922 Human Trafficking Prevention course before Class A issuance; once completed, it does not need to be repeated for each renewal.
  • Get matched with Arkansas CDL training options at no cost. Get matched free →

The 9 Steps to Get an Arkansas CDL

Here's the full path from "thinking about a CDL" to a license in your wallet. Some steps overlap in time — for example, you can complete Act 922 and ELDT during the 14-day CLP holding period rather than in strict sequence.

1. Confirm Eligibility

You must be at least 18 to operate a commercial motor vehicle within Arkansas (intrastate), and at least 21 for interstate driving or to transport hazardous materials. You'll also need a valid Arkansas driver's license, proof of legal presence in the U.S., and a clean enough driving record to qualify for a CDL. The DFA will not issue a CLP or CDL to applicants with disqualifying offenses on their record.

2. Get Your DOT Medical Certification

All CDL drivers must hold a current DOT medical certification. Federal medical-certification rules apply to CDL drivers, and your DOT medical examiner may submit medical-certificate information electronically through the FMCSA National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. Confirm current submission requirements with your CDL school or your local DFA Office of Driver Services. Use a medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry.

3. Pass the CDL Knowledge Tests at Arkansas State Police

Visit an Arkansas State Police testing site to take your CDL knowledge tests in person. The general knowledge test is required for any CDL class; additional tests apply if you're seeking endorsements (HazMat, tanker, doubles/triples, passenger, school bus). Knowledge tests are administered at all ASP troop testing sites. Bring your DFA CDL-1 form packet, a valid Arkansas driver's license, and proof of legal presence.

4. Get Your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) from DFA

After you pass the CDL knowledge tests at Arkansas State Police, the DFA Office of Driver Services issues your Commercial Learner's Permit. The CLP is valid for up to one year. With a CLP, you can operate a commercial vehicle on public roads only when accompanied by someone who holds a valid CDL with the matching class and endorsements.

5. Hold the CLP for 14 Days (Federal Minimum)

Federal regulations require holding the CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the skills test. This holding period runs in parallel with your training — you'll typically use this window to start ELDT classroom and behind-the-wheel work.

6. Complete ELDT Training at an FMCSA-Registered School

Federal regulations require Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) at a school listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry — classroom theory plus behind-the-wheel training. Some students complete the ELDT theory portion online through an online ELDT theory provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, while behind-the-wheel training and the Arkansas skills test still happen in person.

7. Complete the Act 922 Human Trafficking Prevention Course (Class A only)

Class A CDL applicants in Arkansas must complete a one-time Human Trafficking Prevention course required under Act 922 before the Class A CDL can be issued. Drivers can satisfy the requirement three ways: a course administered by Arkansas State Police, an ASP-endorsed third-party course, or the free Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) online certification (a 26-minute video plus a 15-question quiz). When you complete the TAT course, evidence of completion is sent to DFA. Class B applicants are not subject to Act 922.

8. Pass the Skills Exam at Arkansas State Police

Schedule and pass your Arkansas CDL skills exam through Arkansas State Police. Skills tests are administered at specific ASP troop testing locations (not all troop sites administer skills tests). The skills exam has three sections: pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control skills, and on-road driving. Skills-test scheduling questions can be directed to the Arkansas State Police at cdl.helpdesk@asp.arkansas.gov.

9. CDL Issued by DFA

After passing the skills test (and, for Class A applicants, with Act 922 completion on record at DFA), the DFA Office of Driver Services issues your Arkansas Commercial Driver License. Per Act 753, the Arkansas Class A CDL is valid for five years.

How Long Does This Actually Take?

Real-world timing varies more than the headline numbers suggest. The 4–8 week framing for full-time Class A programs is a school-schedule estimate — the actual end-to-end timeline includes scheduling at Arkansas State Police, the federal 14-day CLP hold, and your own readiness. A few realistic checkpoints:

Typical Timing Drivers

  • 4–6 weeks: achievable for full-time Class A students who pass the knowledge tests on the first attempt and have skills-test availability at their nearest ASP troop site.
  • 6–10 weeks: common when knowledge-test or skills-test scheduling has a backlog, or when a student needs additional behind-the-wheel time before the skills exam.
  • 10–16 weeks: realistic for part-time and weekend programs, where students keep their current job while training.
  • Skills-test retests can add 1–3 weeks per attempt depending on troop scheduling.

If you're choosing between full-time and part-time formats, be honest about what you can finish. Quitting a paycheck for a 6-week program isn't realistic for everyone. See the full hub for Arkansas school options and the full requirements list.

Common Pitfalls (and How to Avoid Them)

What Trips Students Up

  • Skipping Act 922 until the last minute. Class A applicants sometimes leave the Truckers Against Trafficking course for the day of CDL issuance, then discover the certificate hasn't reached DFA yet. Complete Act 922 early — the TAT course is free and takes about 30 minutes.
  • Trying to test before the 14-day CLP hold expires. The 14-day federal hold is a hard cutoff. ASP cannot administer your skills test before it expires.
  • Paper med-cert assumptions. Federal medical-certification submission has been moving toward an electronic system. Your medical examiner should be listed on the FMCSA National Registry. Confirm current submission expectations with your school or DFA when you schedule your DOT physical.
  • Choosing a CDL school not on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Without ELDT completion on record, you may not be eligible to take the CDL skills exam. Verify the school is TPR-listed before you enroll.
  • Skills-test scheduling assumptions. Not every ASP troop site administers skills tests. Confirm the troop testing location nearest you administers skills (not just knowledge) before assuming a particular date works.

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Common Questions

How to Get a CDL in Arkansas — FAQ

Many full-time Class A programs are structured around a 4–8 week path, and Class B programs are often shorter. Real-world timing depends on your CDL school's class schedule, when you can complete the CDL knowledge tests at Arkansas State Police, the federal 14-day CLP holding period before skills testing, when an ASP skills-test appointment is available at your nearest troop testing location, and your own readiness and study time. Some full-time students may finish near the shorter end of that range; others take 8–12 weeks or longer.
The federal Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) theory portion can be completed online through a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, and the Act 922 Human Trafficking Prevention course can be completed online through the free Truckers Against Trafficking certification. However, the behind-the-wheel ELDT training, the CDL knowledge tests at Arkansas State Police, the skills exam at ASP, and the in-person CDL issuance through DFA all happen in person.
A Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP) lets you drive a commercial vehicle on public roads only when accompanied by someone who holds a valid CDL with the matching class and endorsements. The CLP is issued by DFA after you pass the CDL knowledge tests at Arkansas State Police. The Commercial Driver License (CDL) is the full credential, issued by DFA after you complete ELDT, hold the CLP for at least 14 days, complete Act 922 (Class A applicants only), and pass the skills exam at Arkansas State Police.
Act 922 applies to Class A applicants only. The Human Trafficking Prevention course must be completed before your Class A CDL is issued, but the order is flexible — you can complete it anytime during the process. The free Truckers Against Trafficking online certification (a 26-minute video plus a 15-question quiz) automatically sends documentation to DFA when you complete it. Class B applicants are not subject to Act 922.
Failing a section of the skills test is common. The test has three sections (pre-trip vehicle inspection, basic vehicle control skills, and on-road driving), and some students need a second attempt on one section. You can reschedule a retest through Arkansas State Police. Your CDL school can typically arrange additional behind-the-wheel practice between attempts. Skills-test scheduling and retest questions can be directed to the Arkansas State Police at cdl.helpdesk@asp.arkansas.gov.
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