What are Arkansas Traffic Tickets?

Arkansas traffic tickets refer to official notices issued to motorists that have committed traffic violations. Law enforcement officers are responsible for issuing these tickets, and they typically detail:

• The offender’s personal information
• A description of the offender’s vehicle
• Details of the alleged traffic violation.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration is responsible for maintaining driving records in the state. Failure to address a traffic ticket by paying the indicated fine or contesting the ticket may result in an increased fine, arrest and possible jail time.

Public records (including those pertaining to traffic violations) can also be accessed through third-party aggregate sites. These websites are a convenient alternative to government-owned resources since they are typically accessible remotely and aggregate records from multiple jurisdictions in one database. To use third-party search engines, inquirers are typically required to provide the following information:

• The name of the person involved in the record, unless said person is a juvenile
• The location or assumed location of the record or person involved

Third-party sites are operated independent of government sources. Thus, record availability, accuracy and validity may not be guaranteed.

What Does a Traffic Citation Mean?

A traffic citation refers to a summons issued to a traffic violator. While the terms ‘traffic citations’ and ‘traffic tickets’ are used interchangeably, traffic citations require the offending party to appear before a court. In contrast, offenders may resolve traffic tickets with the payment of a fine.

How Do I Pay a Traffic Ticket in Arkansas?

Parties that wish to pay for a traffic ticket issued to them may do so by contacting the district court in the county where the traffic violation occurred. Traffic tickets typically include a hearing date, and offenders who have either not paid the appropriate fines or contested the traffic ticket in court may end up with additional penalties such as a suspended driver’s license or a warrant issued for their arrest. In addition to this, certain district courts in the Arkansas Judiciary offer interested parties the option of paying for traffic tickets online.

Can You Pay Arkansas Traffic Tickets Online?

Yes. The Arkansas Judiciary offers state residents the option of paying for traffic tickets online through its online court payment portal. However, this service is only available to selected district courts in the state.

How Do I Pay a Ticket Online in Arkansas?

Persons who wish to make online traffic ticket payments in Arkansas should first verify that the district court in the county where the ticket was issued accepts online citation payments. Interested parties may do so via the web directory provided by the Arkansas Judiciary. If the appropriate court accepts online citation payments, the requester may proceed to visit the Arkansas Judiciary’s online court payment portal and select the “Pay a Citation” option. The requesting party will then be prompted to provide their full names and citation number or their driver’s license/state I. D. number and birth date. A service fee may be charged for payments made online.

Alternatively, parties that wish to pay for Arkansas traffic tickets online can utilize the services of a third-party aggregate site. Members of the public that opt to use these third-party websites may be required to provide information that includes their full names, date of birth, the citation number on the traffic ticket, and the jurisdiction where the traffic ticket was issued.

What is the Arkansas Traffic Ticketing System?

Arkansas operates a point system which it uses to access and identify problematic drivers in the state. Depending on the severity of the traffic violation, a range of points, from 3–8, can be issued to the violator. When a driver’s record crosses 10 points, a warning letter is mailed to the driver by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. The warning letter notifies the driver that additional traffic tickets and increased accumulated points could lead to license sanctions.

A hearing is usually automatically scheduled when a driver gets up to 14 or more points on their record. When this happens, a Hearing Officer is assigned to the driver, who explains the laws and regulations concerning the Arkansas points system to the driver and the consequences of the accumulated points/violations on the driver’s record. Drivers that fail to attend the scheduled hearing may have their driving license automatically suspended.

How Do I Know if I Have a Traffic Ticket in Arkansas?

Interested persons may search for traffic citations through the Arkansas Administrative Office of Courts’ CourtConnect website.

Alternatively, members of the public can also request for copies of driving records in person at:

Ragland Building
1900 W. 7th St.
Room 1130
Little Rock, AR 72203
Phone: (501) 682–7204

Requestors can also access copies of driving records by mailing a request form and a signed release form (where necessary), to:

Department of Finance and Administration
P.O. Box 1272
Room 1070
Little Rock, AR 72203–1272

Driving records are considered confidential in the state of Arkansas. Therefore, access to these records is restricted, and copies are only issued to requestors with a signed release form from the record’s subject. The signed release remains in effect for five years, unless a written withdrawal is filed by the party that authorized it.

Alternatively, requests for driving records can be made online via the Arkansas Online Driver Record Request System. Requestors are typically required to provide the driver’s full name, date of birth, state-issued license number and license issue date, and the last five digits of the driver’s social security number.

How Can I Find a Lost Traffic Ticket in Arkansas?

Interested persons may find lost Arkansas traffic tickets by contacting the court in the jurisdiction where the ticket was issued.

How Can I Find Out How Much My Traffic Ticket is in Arkansas?

Parties that wish to find out the total fine issued on a traffic ticket may contact the county’s district court. Contact information can be retrieved from the online directory provided by the Arkansas Judiciary.

How Long Does a Traffic Ticket Stay on Your Record in Arkansas?

Demerit points in the state of Arkansas typically remain on the driver’s record for three years. Drivers with up to 14 points on their records also face the possibility of having their licenses suspended.

Parties that have had their driver’s license suspended are usually required to pay a reinstatement fee and pass the required tests before having their driving privileges reinstated. Reinstatement fees can be paid online. Queries may also be directed to the Arkansas Office of Driver Control at (501) 682–1631.

Is a Summons Worse Than a Ticket in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, summons are not necessarily worse than traffic tickets. Traffic tickets typically don’t require the violator’s presence in court, except in situations that involve a serious offense, such as a DUI/DWI. In cases such as these, a summons is issued, which requires the violator’s appearance before a court. Failure to comply with a court summons at the hearing’s stipulated time may lead to criminal charges and possible jail time.