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:
Streamline Auto Renewal: STAR
By Telephone Toll free: 1-888-389-8336
By Mail:
Department of Finance and Administration,
Office of Motor Vehicle
P O Box 3153,
Little Rock, AR 72203-3153
In Person:
You may go to any State Revenue Office or participating Wal-Mart store.
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:
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, whichever date is later.
(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 10 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 10th 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%, 7% for Texarkana residents, of the taxable price of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers with a gross purchase price of $2500.00 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. For a list of cities and counties with local taxes and their rates visit the web page http://www.arkansas.gov/dfa/excise_tax_v2/st_index.html
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 45 days prior to, or within 45 days after the purchase of a newly acquired vehicle. If sold 45 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, 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 45 days after the purchase of the newly
acquired vehicle, visit the website:
http://www.arkansas.gov/dfa/excise_tax_v2/et_tc_credit_car.html for
information on how to apply for a refund.
For registration fees, click on the appropriate vehicle document below:
Penalties - If not registered within 30 calendar days, registration and sales tax penalties are 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 can not 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 30 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:
The last titled owner(s) must sign an application for title. A lien release is required if the original title reflected a lien. If the lien is still in effect, the lien holder must complete and sign a PERMISSION TO ISSUE A REPLACEMENT TITLE form, form # 10-315, and the title will be mailed to the lien holder.If a direct lien is also filed against the vehicle, a letter of permission or a release of lien from that lien holder is required. In addition to the above requirements, you will need something to identify the vehicle.A vehicle registration certificate, a license plate number, a title number or the vehicle identification number can be used. The cost for a replacement title is $5.00. Checks should be made out to the Department of Finance and Administration.
Arkansas residents can apply at any state revenue office. Please allow a minimum of two weeks processing time to receive your title. Rush titles can be issued in three to five working days but applications must be made in person at the following address:
Charles D. Ragland Taxpayer Services Center
Room 1040
1900 West 7th
Little Rock, AR 72201
Out of state applicants can down load a title application form from this web site. You may also call 1-501-682-7076 to request a form. Be sure to complete the address block where the title should be mailed and mail the signed application, a check for $5.00 made out to the Department of Finance and Administration, a copy of the vehicle registration certificate and applicable lien releases to:
Department of Finance and Administration
Special License Unit
P O Box 1272
Little Rock, AR 72203
Please allow a minimum of two weeks processing time to receive your title.
