Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 27 - TRANSPORTATION (§§ 27-1-101 — 27-117-105) › Subtitle 2 - MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION AND LICENSING (§§ 27-13-101 — 27-25-113) › Chapter 16 - DRIVER'S LICENSES GENERALLY (§§ 27-16-101 — 27-16-1309) › Subchapter 8 - ISSUANCE OF LICENSES AND PERMITS (§§ 27-16-801 — 27-16-817) › Section 27-16-817 - [Effective 2/1/2025] Digitized driver's license - Definitions

(a)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Current status" means the record maintained by the Office of Driver Services reflecting a driver's license holder's present status, including without limitation whether the driver's license is:
(A)
Valid;
(B)
Expired;
(C)
Cancelled;
(D)
Suspended;
(E)
Disqualified;
(F)
A special restricted license; or
(G)
Held by a driver required to use an ignition interlock device;
(2)
"Digitized driver's license" means a data file:
(A)
Available on a mobile device which has connectivity to the internet through an application that allows the mobile device to download the data file from the Office of Driver Services or its authorized representative;
(B)
Containing all of the same data elements visible on the face and back of the driver's license; and
(C)
Displays the current status of the driver's license;
(3)
"Private entity" means a natural person, corporation, general partnership, limited liability corporation, limited partnership, joint venture, business trust, public benefit corporation, nonprofit entity, and other business entity; and
(4)
"Public entity" means an agency or instrumentality of the state, including without limitation a department, an institution of higher education, a board, or a commission.
(b)
(1)
The Office of Driver Services shall offer an additional option to view a digitized driver's license upon payment of ten dollars ($10.00) to an applicant:
(A)
With a valid Arkansas driver's license; or
(B)
Renewing his or her Arkansas driver's license.
(2)
The digitized driver's license shall be available for view at any time until the expiration of the applicant's Arkansas driver's license issued under §
27-16-801(a)(1)
.
(3)
The fee for the option to view a digitized driver's license required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section is in addition to any other fees charged by the Office of Driver Services for the issuance of an Arkansas driver's license.
(c)
A digital copy, photograph, or image of a driver's license which is not downloaded through the application on a mobile device shall not be a valid digitized driver's license as provided in this section.
(d)
(1)
The display of a digitized driver's license shall not serve as consent or authorization for a law enforcement officer, or any other person, to search, view, or access any other data or application on the mobile device.
(2)
If a person presents their mobile device to a law enforcement officer for purposes of displaying the person's digitized driver's license, the law enforcement officer shall promptly return the mobile device to the person once the law enforcement officer has had an opportunity to verify the identity and license status of the person.
(3)
A law that requires a person to surrender his or her Arkansas driver's license to a law enforcement officer shall not apply to the mobile device used to display his or her digitized driver's license.
(e)
A digitized driver's license:
(1)
May be accepted by a public entity for all state purposes authorized for a driver's license; and
(2)
May be accepted by a private entity for all state purposes for a driver's license.
(f)
The fees collected under subsection (b) this section shall be deposited into the State Treasury to the credit of the State Central Services Fund as direct revenue to be used by the Revenue Division of the Department of Finance and Administration to defray the cost of administering a digitized driver's license and for other related purposes as required by the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration in carrying out the functions, powers, and duties of the division.
(g)
The Department of Finance and Administration may promulgate rules for the implementation of this section.
Added by Act 2023, No. 261,§ 4, eff. 2/1/2025.