How to Renew Vehicle Tags
If you are renewing previously issued car tags and you do not need to change any information other than your address, you can renew by phone, internet or mail. These are the quickest and most efficient ways to renew your car tags. Instructions for renewing are included with the renewal notice that you are sent by the Office of Motor Vehicle.
Via the Internet:
Official Arkansas Vehicle Registration Renewal – Renew your vehicle registration securely online through the official Arkansas.gov portal and sign up for property tax and vehicle registration reminders.
By Telephone Toll free: 1-800-941-2580
By Mail:
Office of Motor Vehicle
P O Box 3153,
Little Rock, AR 72203-3153
In Person:
You may go to any State Revenue Office.
Vehicle Assessment
Before renewing your license you are required by Arkansas law to assess your vehicle with your county assessor and pay all personal property taxes you owe. You are also required to maintain liability insurance on your vehicle. These requirements are automatically checked using a computer. If any of the information reflects “NO” on your vehicle registration record when you attempt to renew, you will not be able to renew by phone or internet. To renew by mail or in person you must furnish written proof of compliance for any item listed as “NO”. (Written proof of compliance is a paper copy of either your personal property tax assessment for the current year, your personal property receipt for taxes due by the previous October 10th, or your vehicle liability insurance coverage).
Toll free Assistance: 1-888-389-8336
New and Used Vehicle Registration
To avoid penalties, you must apply for title and registration as follows:
*Motor vehicles including motorcycles and commercial trucks must be titled and registered within sixty (60) calendar days of the date of transfer or within sixty (60) calendar days of the date which a prior lien has been released.
*Trailers, mobile homes, ATV’s and motorboats must be titled and registered within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of transfer or within thirty (30) calendar days of the date which a prior lien has been released.
Helpful Hint
Arkansas law requires that an application for title be signed by the owner(s) of the vehicle. The signatures of all owner(s) are required on the application when joint ownership is connected by “AND” on the ownership documents such as the lien contract, the manufacturer’s statement of origin, or the title. For convenience, a title application form can be printed, signed by all of the owners and submitted to the state revenue office with the other required documents. Failure to have all signatures will result in rejection of the application for title and registration.
The following documents are required to register and title a new or used vehicle:
- Arkansas law requires that a VIN verification be performed on vehicles with out of state titles that are branded with designations such as Salvage, Prior Salvage or similar designations. A certified law enforcement officer of any city or county in Arkansas, the Arkansas State Police, or a designee of the Arkansas State Police, may conduct the inspection
- The manufacturer’s certificate of origin properly assigned to the buyer if it is a new vehicle, or the previous owner’s title properly assigned to the buyer if it is a used vehicle
- An invoice or bill of sale reflecting the full purchased price of the vehicle including any trade-in information. (Trade-in information must include VIN of the trade-in vehicle and amount of the trade-in allowance)
- Odometer Statement. Under federal guidelines, vehicles less than 20 years old must have a fully completed odometer disclosure statement signed by both the buyer and the seller
- If the control number on the back of the previous owner’s Arkansas title is less than 3003001 or an out-of-state title is being surrendered, a separate bill of sale and conforming odometer statement must accompany the title. These forms may be obtained at any Revenue Office
- If an Arkansas title is being surrendered and the control number is 3003001 or greater, the bill of sale and odometer statement on the back of the title is sufficient if it is filled out properly and fully completed
- A signed copy of the lien contract if you have financed the purchase
- Proof from your county assessor showing that the vehicle has been assessed or listed for assessment for the current year
- Proof that personal property taxes due by the previous October 15th have been paid. Acceptable proof is either your receipt from your county tax collector, or certification of payment stamped on your assessment papers
- Proof of liability insurance coverage on the vehicle being registered and titled
- A current registration certificate, if you wish to transfer the license plate from your previous vehicle
Sales tax, registration and title fees: The state sales and use tax rate is 6.5%, 7% for Texarkana residents, of the taxable price of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers with a gross purchase price of $4000.00 or greater. Tax is computed on the total delivery price, including rebate, freight charges and extra equipment. Federal Excise Tax is not included. Extended warranties are taxable, whether or not the vehicle is taxable.
Local taxes may be due depending on your residence. Each local tax will not exceed $25.00 for each 1% of tax due. To find your local tax rate, use the Local Tax Lookup .
Credit for Trade-In
If the invoice or bill of sale reflects a credit given for a trade-in, tax is computed on the difference of the total consideration paid less the trade-in credit. Local taxes may be due, depending on your residence. Each local tax will not exceed $25.00 for each 1% of tax due.
Credit for vehicle sold
If a motor vehicle or trailer is sold rather than traded in, credit may be given to the owner if the sale is 60 days prior to, or within 60 days after the purchase of a newly acquired vehicle. If sold 60 days prior to registration of the newly acquired vehicle the owner may receive credit when applying for title and registration of the newly acquired vehicle. A bill of sale must be presented for the vehicle sold, signed by the buyer and seller, reflecting the year, make, VIN number and price of the vehicle purchased less amount received for the vehicle sold.
Credit for Balloon Note
If a vehicle purchased on a smart buy is turned in rather than paying a final “balloon” note, credit may be given in the amount due for the balloon payment. A copy of the document from the dealer or lien holder reflecting the “balloon” amount due is required.
If the sale is after registration of the newly acquired vehicle, and within 60 days after the purchase of the newly acquired vehicle, visit the website for information on how to apply for a refund.
For registration fees, click on the appropriate vehicle document below:
Vehicle Type Links
- Passenger Vehicles
- Trucks and Vans
- Motor Homes
- Motorcycles
- Motorcycle Side Car
- All Terrain Vehicle
- Mobile/Manufactured Homes
- Trucks classes 2 through 8
- Trailers
Penalties
If a motor vehicle including motorcycles and commercial trucks are not registered within sixty (60) calendar days, registration and sales tax penalties will be assessed. If a trailer, mobile home, ATV or motorboat is not registered within thirty (30) calendar days registration and sales tax penalties will be assessed as follows:
Registration penalty is $3.00 for each 10 day period or fraction thereof from the date of the title assignment or release date of a prior lien, which ever is later, not to exceed the full year registration fee for the vehicle per year
Penalty for late payment of sales tax is 10% of the amount due
Penalties are not due if the vehicle has not operated in this state after the time allowed for registration. An affidavit of non use, 10-300, must be completed and is available in all state revenue offices
Vehicle Registration for Military Personnel
The following documents are required to register and title a new or used vehicle:
If Arkansas is your home of record the requirements are the same as for an Arkansas resident, regardless of where you are stationed.
If Arkansas is not your home of record you are exempt from assessment and personal property taxes. You must provide a copy of your leave and earnings statement for verification of your home of record and, therefore, cannot renew by phone or internet. If your home of record is other than Arkansas and you are stationed outside of Arkansas, you must register your vehicle in one of those states.
Toll free number for registration renewal help line is 1-888-389-8336.
Vehicle Registration if Moving from Another State
You have 60 calendar days after becoming a resident to register your vehicle in Arkansas. Applications can be made in any state revenue office.
Helpful Hint
Arkansas law requires that an application for title be signed by the owner(s) of the vehicle. The signatures of all owner(s) are required on the application when joint ownership is connected by “AND” on the ownership documents such as the lien contract, the manufacturer’s statement of origin or the title. For convenience, a title application form can be printed, signed by all of the owners and submitted to the state revenue office with the other required documents. Failure to have all signatures will result in rejection of the application for title and registration.
Requirements are:
- Arkansas law requires that a VIN verification be performed on vehicles with out of state titles that are branded with designations such as Salvage, Prior Salvage or similar designations. A certified law enforcement officer of any city or county in Arkansas, the Arkansas State Police, or a designee of the Arkansas State Police may conduct the inspection
- Copy of current registration certificate from the state you are moving from
- Certificate of title or proof that the vehicle is financed and title is being held by a lien holder
- Proof from your county assessor showing that the vehicle has been assessed or listed for assessment for the current year. Proof that no personal property taxes are owed. Acceptable proof is either a statement from your county tax collector, or certification of “FIRST ASSESSMENT” stamped on your assessment papers
- Proof of liability insurance coverage on the vehicle being registered and titled
- Registration fees are based on vehicle weight
For registration fees, click on the appropriate vehicle document below:
