Welcome to the increasingly popular world of
alcohol delivery in Arkansas, where legal compliance and certification are no longer optional—they're essential. With rising demand across cities like
Hot Springs and
Little Rock, both drivers and business owners must understand the state's rules and know how to protect themselves legally and professionally.
This guide will break down
how to get certified to deliver alcohol in Arkansas, whether you’re an individual gig driver, a liquor store owner, or a restaurant manager. You’ll also learn how platforms like
Uber Eats, Amazon Flex, and
Grubhub work with alcohol orders—and why completing the
National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification is one of the smartest steps you can take.
Let’s explore Arkansas laws, uncover new opportunities, and help you deliver responsibly and profitably.
Arkansas allows alcohol delivery under several state laws, each outlining who may deliver, what can be delivered, and how deliveries must be handled. Whether you’re a business owner or a third-party courier, it’s essential to understand these rules to stay compliant with the
Arkansas Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Division.
- Act 158 of 2021 — Retail Liquor, Breweries & Microbrewery-Restaurants
Act 158 (codified under Ark. Code §3-4-107) authorizes retail liquor stores, microbrewery-restaurants, and small breweries to deliver sealed alcoholic beverages directly to a consumer’s private residence in wet counties during legal operating hours.
- Act 703 of 2021 — Restaurant Alcohol “To-Go” & Delivery
Act 703 allows restaurants holding a valid alcoholic beverage permit to sell sealed alcohol with a meal for off-premise consumption. This includes delivery, curbside pickup, and drive-through sales, provided all ABC requirements are met.
- Act 157 of 2025 (SB98) — Third-Party Delivery Permit
Since 2025, Act 157 establishes a Third-Party Delivery Permit issued by Arkansas ABC. This allows delivery companies—such as on-demand apps, courier services, and logistics platforms—to legally deliver alcohol on behalf of licensed retailers, provided they meet strict criteria:
- Drivers must be 21+ years old
- No felony convictions
- Completion of ABC-approved alcohol delivery training
- Deliveries only to wet areas and eligible addresses
- Permit holders must maintain delivery logs and follow ABC enforcement guidelines
Regardless of whether delivery is done by a restaurant employee, liquor store staff, or a third-party permit holder, the following rules apply:
- Driver must be 21+ and authorized under the business or third-party permit
- Valid ID must be checked at delivery (no doorstep drops, no “leave at door”)
- Delivery cannot be made to intoxicated or underage individuals
- All alcohol must remain sealed and transported directly to the consumer
- Deliveries are only allowed in wet counties or wet municipalities
- Local governments may impose stricter rules or prohibit alcohol delivery entirely. (Example: Some municipalities in dry counties restrict deliveries even when state law allows certain exceptions.)
Failure to comply with Arkansas’s alcohol delivery laws can result in:
- ABC license suspension or revocation
- Third-party delivery permit suspension
- Fines for both the business and the driver
- Civil liability or criminal charges in cases of underage delivery or negligence
- Removal from delivery platforms (e.g., Uber Eats, DoorDash, Amazon Flex)
These penalties apply even for first-time violations, making training and compliance essential for all delivery personnel.
Whether you're delivering for yourself, a business, or a third-party app, getting certified protects you and your employer.
Drivers who benefit from certification include:
-
Amazon Flex couriers
- Uber Eats and Grubhub drivers
- DoorDash dashers
- Liquor store employees
-
Bar and restaurant staff offering delivery
Business owners should also ensure their staff completes training to reduce risk and improve compliance—especially with
Arkansas’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) regulations in mind.
Additionally, for staff working within venues like bars or restaurants, the
Arkansas Alcohol Awareness Training is an excellent state-approved resource to promote responsible service and handling.
While alcohol delivery offers new revenue streams, it also brings new obstacles. Here are some of the top pain points drivers and business owners face in Arkansas:
Many aren’t sure whether training is required or which programs are accepted. This confusion leads to risky shortcuts.
Some counties and cities have stricter delivery laws or alcohol bans entirely, creating a legal minefield for the uninformed.
Uber Eats or Amazon Flex might allow alcohol delivery in some zones but not others, leaving drivers guessing about eligibility.
Delivering to an underage or visibly intoxicated person can lead to license revocation, lawsuits, and personal fines.
Drivers often miss gigs from liquor stores or retailers because they aren’t certified—or don’t know those jobs exist.
Hotspots like BCW in Little Rock or Hot Springs liquor stores offer roles that go unnoticed without local training or contacts.
This training is designed for alcohol delivery professionals across the United States, including Arkansas. It focuses on:
-
State-specific alcohol delivery laws
-
How to check IDs accurately and legally
-
Signs of intoxication and when to refuse delivery
-
Delivery platform requirements
-
Real-world case studies for practical learning
Certification Experts’
National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification can be completed online in under two hours and is recognized by many major delivery platforms and businesses nationwide.
The alcohol delivery market in Arkansas is benefiting from several national and local developments:
The U.S. alcohol delivery market is growing quickly, valued at $1.5 billion in 2022, with Arkansas seeing new business growth.
Platforms like Amazon Flex, Uber Eats, and DoorDash are rapidly expanding alcohol services in select Arkansas cities.
Retailers now prefer working with certified drivers to ensure safety and compliance, boosting demand for trained individuals.
Delivery-friendly liquor stores and wine sellers in Little Rock and Hot Springs are hiring or contracting certified delivery drivers.
Businesses are investing in certification programs like the Alcohol Delivery Training to protect their licenses and improve public trust.
Yes, but only in eligible cities. You must:
-
Be 21+
-
Pass a background check
-
Complete their internal alcohol training
-
Follow delivery window rules and ID checks
Amazon permits alcohol delivery in Arkansas where allowed by law. Requirements:
-
Complete Amazon’s alcohol module
-
Use the Flex app to scan and verify IDs
-
Adhere to time/location restrictions
Both DoorDash and
Grubhub offer alcohol delivery in Arkansas with similar requirements:
-
Valid license and ID
-
Alcohol delivery training completion
-
Age verification tools in-app
Each of these platforms may restrict access to alcohol deliveries until your training is verified.
Don’t overlook local opportunities. Arkansas cities like Little Rock and Hot Springs are home to dozens of liquor stores, restaurants, and wine and spirits outlets seeking qualified delivery drivers.
For example:
-
BCW in Little Rock may partner with local couriers.
-
Independent liquor stores often advertise delivery roles directly.
-
Restaurants with beer/wine licenses may employ drivers for combo meal + drink orders.
Having alcohol delivery certification helps you
stand out to local employers, not just third-party apps.
1. Keep Your ID Tools Handy
Always carry a flashlight or ID scanner. If you can’t verify, don’t deliver.
2. Know Your Territory
Map out delivery boundaries by checking local “wet” and “dry” zones.
3. Keep Certification on File
Some platforms and businesses may request a digital or printed copy of your certification.
4. Communicate Clearly
If an order is rejected due to ID or sobriety issues, document it and notify the platform or store.
5. Stay Professional
You’re representing not only yourself but also a licensed alcohol seller. Dress professionally and act courteously.
Alcohol delivery in Arkansas is booming—from big-name apps like Uber Eats and Amazon Flex to partnerships with local liquor stores and restaurants. Whether you're a business owner, manager, or gig driver, understanding the laws and obtaining the right certification is no longer just a bonus—
it’s your legal and professional safety net.
By completing the
National Alcohol Delivery Training Certification, you ensure you’re equipped to handle alcohol responsibly and meet platform and legal requirements with confidence. And for anyone working behind the bar or selling alcohol directly, don’t forget to check out the
Arkansas Alcohol Awareness Training—this is
state-approved and is ideal for owners, servers, bartenders, and managers.
Stay compliant. Stay competitive. And most of all—
deliver responsibly.
