Little Rock testing office flooded with people in line. (Photo and article by Anna Colby)
Due to COVID-19, Arkansas testing centers were closed to written driving exams (permit tests) and skills tests (driver’s tests) for much of the season. However, recently, some offices have begun to reopen. Pictured above, testers have eagerly flooded to the Arkansas State Police Headquarters in Little Rock to take the written exam. Since the office reopened on May 4th, the line has been up to a two-hour wait.
Many people are interested in earning a learner’s permit or driver’s license before school starts up again in the fall, and for residents of Saline County, the Little Rock Revenue Office is the closest open testing location.
At this time, it is unclear when the Benton and Bryant testing centers offices will reopen.
For those seeking a permit, the Little Rock Revenue Office takes written exam testers from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. A list of everything you need to bring to your written exam can be found here.
For those seeking a driver’s license, all skill tests can be scheduled here, and a list of everything you need to bring to your skills test can be found here.
But what other sites besides Little Rock are open?
Effective May 4th, the Arkansas State Police (ASP) restored testing at twelve locations across Arkansas. These locations can be found on the ASP website and are also listed below. Regarding the availability for written exams (learner’s permit exams), I called each location to verify the hours. Locations I was not able to reach are starred and this information comes directly from the ASP website.
Little Rock, AR
- Arkansas State Police Headquarters, Troop A
- # 1 State Police Plaza Drive
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 1PM – 4PM
Newport, AR
- Arkansas State Police Drivers Testing Center
- 3720 Comet Drive
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 8AM – 11AM
Jonesboro, AR
- Arkansas State Police Headquarters, Troop C
- 2216 Browns Lane Access Road
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 8:15AM – 11:30AM
Forrest City, AR
- Arkansas State Police, Troop D
- 3205 North Washington
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 1PM – 4PM*
Pine Bluff, AR
- Arkansas State Police Headquarters, Troop E
- 6816 Princeton Pike
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 1PM – 4PM
Warren, AR
- Arkansas State Police Headquarters, Troop F
- 1237 North Myrtle
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 1PM – 4PM*
Hope, AR
- Arkansas State Police Headquarters, Troop G
- 2501 North Hazel
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 8AM – 11:30AM
Fort Smith, AR
- Arkansas State Police Headquarters, Troop H
- 5728 Kelley Highway
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 1PM – 4PM*
Harrison, AR
- Arkansas State Police Headquarters, Troop I
- 5196 Hwy 65 South
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 8AM – 12PM*
Russellville, AR
- Arkansas State Police Substation
- 765 Hob Nob Road
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 1PM – 4PM*
Hot Springs, AR
- Arkansas state Police Headquarters, Troop K
- 200 Karen Lane
- (Bypass and Carpenter Dam Road)
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 1PM – 4PM*
Lowell, AR
- Arkansas State Police Headquarters, Troop L
- 1120 W Monroe Avenue
- Written Exams: Monday through Friday, 1PM – 4:30PM
Social distancing practices are mandatory. Testers are required to wear an appropriate face mask covering on both the mouth and nose, pass a health assessment survey, and be willing to submit a body temperature scan.
Anna Colby is a high school senior. She enjoys consuming ungodly amounts of green tea and banging her head on her desk until a new idea pops into her mind and she can write once again. She also enjoys petting her dog. See a list of all her columns at www.mysaline.com/anna.
It is ridiculous that the ASP office is only open 1-4pm 5 days a week for a metro population of 750,000 (same hours as before covid). I talked to both Rep Fite and Sen Hammer about it. They both assured me they would discuss with ASP. I havent heard back from either.