Arkansas State Police / DFA road test: what to expect

What the examiner checks

• Locate vehicle controls: rear and front turn signals, brake lights, horn, mirror adjustment, emergency flashers, headlights, windshield wipers (three missed controls allowed)
• Road test on rules of the road (e.g. full stops, signaling, lane use)

How it's scored

Two missed attempts in the same category fail the exam (example: a second rolling stop) with a two-week penalty before retesting; automatic failures carry a 30-day penalty. Any law violation may fail the test.

Mistakes that end the test

• Violation of any law may result in a failing grade (30-day penalty for automatic failures)

Your car

• No test if the interior is excessively dirty, lights or horn or speedometer do not work, exhaust is faulty, tires unsafe or a donut spare is on, brakes defective, or plates not displayed
• Window tint no darker than 25% front and 10% back; no windshield tint; brow no more than 5 inches
• Windshield damage in the driver's line of view is not accepted
• No cameras or recording devices

After you pass

Drivers under 18 (Class D) get a provisional or junior license first. Its restrictions:

• Learner's license (14-15): must be with a licensed driver at least 21; all passengers belted; no cell phone use (talking or texting) except in emergencies; expires one month after the 16th birthday
• To move up from a learner's license: no serious traffic violations or at-fault crashes in the previous 6 months
• Intermediate license (16-17): drive with a licensed driver 21 or older until the restricted period is over; no more than one unrelated minor passenger unless a licensed driver 21 or older is in the front seat
• Intermediate license: no driving 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. unless with a licensed driver 21 or older, or driving to or from a school activity, church activity, job, or emergency
• Intermediate license expires one month after the 18th birthday; an unrestricted Class D at 18 requires a clean driving record for the previous year
• Class D drivers 18-20 may use only hands-free devices; texting is banned at every age
• Age waiver (DFA): residents 16-17 may get an unrestricted Class D early if they meet a condition such as graduating with a diploma or GED, legal emancipation, marriage, or military enlistment

How to prepare

• Practise in the car you'll take the test in, including parking and backing up.
• Drive the kinds of roads near the test site with your supervising driver: intersections, lane changes, school zones.
• Check the car the day before: lights, signals, horn, brakes, mirrors, tires, seat belts, and current registration and insurance documents.
• On the day, signal every turn and lane change, check mirrors and blind spots visibly, and come to full stops behind the line.