Arkansas Traffic Violations

In Arkansas, a traffic violation includes any offense that results from failure to comply with the state's Uniform Traffic Regulation Act. Traffic violations in Arkansas are divided into three main categories: Class A, B, and C misdemeanors. To avoid costly fines and legal issues, Arkansas drivers should understand what counts as a traffic violation, the most common types of offenses, how penalties and license points are applied, and how to check their official driving records.

What Is Considered a Traffic Violation in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, a traffic violation refers to any behavior that goes against the state's traffic laws. Title 27 of the Arkansas Code details the traffic offenses in the state. This legislation forbids not only certain violations of road rules but also more general unsafe driving behaviors. Some examples are ignoring traffic signals, driving recklessly, and exceeding the speed limit by more than 15 miles per hour.

In Arkansas, Driving Under the Influence (DUI) is also illegal if your Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) is 0.08 or higher for adults. Drivers under 21 are subject to a different "underage DUI" law that can be enforced at a BAC of 0.02.

Types of Traffic Violations in Arkansas

There are many kinds of traffic violations in Arkansas, including:

• Speeding. Driving more than fifteen miles per hour (15 m.p.h.) is considered a Class C misdemeanor. This can lead to a maximum fine of $500 and/or a jail sentence of up to 30 days.
• Driving without a license/while suspended. Driving without a valid license or when it is suspended/revoked is considered a misdemeanor. This offense can result in a fine of up to $500, jail time of up to 90 days, or both a fine and jail time.
• Reckless or careless driving. Reckless or careless driving is considered a Class B misdemeanor. This offense can attract a jail term of up to 90 days and a fine of up to $1,000.
• Driving with the lights off. Driving with lights off to avoid detection, identification, or apprehension is charged as a Class B misdemeanor. Potential penalties include a fine of up to $1,000 and a jail term of up to 90 days.
• Hit-and-run (leaving the scene). Hit-and-run involving only property damage is classified as a Class C misdemeanor. However, the penalty may be strict if it requires injury/death.

Traffic Violation Penalties in Arkansas

Arkansas has a points system to track drivers who violate traffic laws. If you get moving violations, you earn points. However, if you get too many points in a specific time frame, the Office of Driver Services (Driver Control) will take action against you.

Suspension thresholds (by regulation):

• If you have 14–17 points in 36 months, you could face a suspension of up to 3 months.
• If you have 18–23 points in 36 months, the suspension could be up to 6 months.
• If you have 24 or more points in 36 months, your driving license may be suspended for up to 1 year.

For DUI/DWI, license suspensions start at 6 months for a first offense and increase in length for repeat offenses. The legal limit for BAC is 0.08 for adults. However, for drivers under 21, DUI laws can be enforced at 0.02.

If you are charged with distracted driving, expect to pay a fine of up to $250 for the first offense, and up to $500 for any second or later offenses. If there is a crash involved, the fines double. This law is a primary offense, meaning officers can pull you over just for texting while driving.

How to Search for Traffic Violation Records in Arkansas

1) Court case lookup (citations and dockets). The Arkansas Judiciary allows the public to access numerous case dockets on the ARCourts portal (CourtConnect). The availability of information can differ based on the court and the type of case. For current district-court tickets, you can use your local court's eTraffic portal.

This portal allows you to search and pay traffic tickets using citation, name, or case number. Online docket/ticket information includes the case or citation number, violation statute, date of offense, scheduled court date, fines/costs, and the outcome.

2) Driving record (MVR / “Traffic Violation Report”).The Department of Finance & Administration (DFA) provides driving records for sale online to the license holder. You can order through the DFA’s Driving Records service or get forms for requests made at the counter or by mail. Arkansas has different types of records. These include insurance records (3-year), commercial driver records, and full history. Note that the fees and eligibility for requestors vary by type.

How Long Do Traffic Violations Stay on Record in Arkansas?

Arkansas uses a 36-month look-back for points calculation. This means that points given after three years are no longer considered in deciding new convictions. However, records of these points and prior convictions are available to the public unless they are sealed or expunged.

A violation might disappear from your points count while the court record is still visible. Insurance companies typically check 3-year "insurance" MVRs, but employers, especially in the transportation sector, might request a commercial or complete history record that goes back even further.