How to Get a CDL in Arkansas (2026)
Complete sequence to get your Arkansas CDL — permit test, ELDT, BTW, skills test, endorsements. State-specific rules and AR DFA requirements.
Arkansas CDL Requirements — The Complete Picture
To get a Commercial Driver's License in Arkansas, you work through Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Office of Driver Services (AR DFA). The federal FMCSA ELDT mandate (effective February 7, 2022) applies in every state including Arkansas — any new CDL applicant, class upgrade, or endorsement addition requires you to complete FMCSA-approved ELDT before sitting for the CDL skills test.
How to Get a CDL in Arkansas — Step by Step
Pass the DMV permit test at AR DFA
Study for and pass the knowledge test at Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Office of Driver Services (AR DFA) to earn your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP).
Hold your CLP for at least 14 days
Federal minimum before you can take the CDL skills test — Arkansas follows the federal 14-day rule.
Complete FMCSA-approved ELDT theory training
This is what DLA Academy provides — $20 per course, 100% online, auto-submitted to the FMCSA Training Provider Registry within 24 hours.
Complete behind-the-wheel (BTW) training
Done at a local FMCSA-registered BTW provider for CDL-A and CDL-B — separate from DLA Academy. Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus are theory-only on the federal side.
Pass the CDL skills test at AR DFA
Pre-trip inspection, basic vehicle control, and the road test. AR DFA verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA TPR before you test.
Receive your Arkansas CDL
Once you pass, AR DFA issues your CDL — you're cleared to drive commercially.
Hazmat endorsement applicants additionally need TSA threat-assessment fingerprinting through IDEMIA Universal Enroll (standard process — typical wait time 30–45 days for clearance).
Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) Training — Required, But Not From Us
For CDL-A and CDL-B applicants, federal ELDT requirements have two parts: theory (what DLA Academy provides) and behind-the-wheel training (BTW). BTW must be completed at a local FMCSA-registered BTW provider — typically a trucking school, a CDL training facility, or an employer-sponsored program. DLA Academy does not offer BTW.
BTW for CDL-A and CDL-B typically takes 40–160+ hours depending on the program, costs $3,000–$10,000+ depending on the provider, and must be done at an FMCSA-registered facility (the FMCSA TPR has a directory) — many are located in Arkansas metro areas.
For Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus endorsements: no BTW required. Those endorsements are theory-only on the federal side — though some states require additional in-vehicle testing for School Bus and Passenger at the state level.
TSA Hazmat Fingerprinting
For the Hazmat endorsement, Arkansas requires a TSA threat assessment. Schedule your fingerprinting appointment through IDEMIA (Universal Enroll). Results typically take 30–45 days. Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Office of Driver Services (AR DFA) cannot add the H endorsement to your CDL until TSA clears you.
Arkansas CDLs are issued by Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Office of Driver Services (AR DFA). The DFA is a finance and administration agency, not a standalone DMV — CDL services live inside its Office of Driver Services rather than at a dedicated motor-vehicle department. Source: www.dfa.arkansas.gov
Pre-February 2022 CDL Holders — Are You Grandfathered?
The FMCSA ELDT mandate took effect February 7, 2022. If your CDL was issued before that date, you are grandfathered for your current license class. You don't have to retroactively complete ELDT to keep driving.
BUT — grandfathering only covers your existing license class. If you're doing any of the following after February 7, 2022, ELDT is required regardless of when your CDL was issued:
- Upgrading from Class B to Class A → need CDL-A Theory ELDT
- Upgrading from Class C to Class B → need CDL-B Theory ELDT
- Adding the Hazmat (H) endorsement → need Hazmat ELDT
- Adding the Passenger (P) endorsement → need Passenger ELDT
- Adding the School Bus (S) endorsement → need School Bus ELDT
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Office of Driver Services (AR DFA) verifies your ELDT completion through the FMCSA TPR before issuing the new class or endorsement.
Apply for your CLP, schedule skills tests, and verify ELDT submission through your state agency's CDL portal.
https://www.dfa.arkansas.gov/services/category/driver-services/
Every course is FMCSA-approved and auto-submitted to the Training Provider Registry. Accepted at Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Office of Driver Services (AR DFA).
Add the H endorsement to your Arkansas CDL. Theory only — no BTW required.
Arkansas Class A CDL theory required before the skills test at AR DFA.
Arkansas Class B CDL theory for straight trucks, dump trucks, and buses.
Add the S endorsement to your Arkansas CDL to drive a school bus.
Add the P endorsement to operate 16+ passenger vehicles in Arkansas.
Save $10 by bundling Hazmat, Passenger, and School Bus for Arkansas.
More Arkansas CDL Resources
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"Took the 3-endorsement bundle (Hazmat, Passenger, School Bus). $50 total, completed on my phone, all three on the TPR within 24 hours. Done."
Verify DLA Academy by name at the FMCSA Training Provider Registry: tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov
Arkansas CDL Drivers — Start Your ELDT Today
FMCSA-approved ELDT courses starting at $20. Auto-submitted to TPR. Accepted at Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration — Office of Driver Services.