If you just moved to Arkansas, you have 30 days to register your vehicle online or at a local DMV—but you’ll need an active auto insurance policy first.

Written by John Davis

Edited by Sarah Gray

Updated on Feb 8, 2024

Table of Contents

How to register a car in Arkansas
How to renew your Arkansas vehicle registration
What happens if you don’t properly register your vehicle?
FAQs

To renew your

Arkansas

vehicle registration yearly, you must provide your odometer reading, renewal identification number (RIN), and verification code. Once you've got all your documents, you can renew your registration by mail, phone, online, or in person!

You must provide proof of ownership, an odometer reading, a renewal identification number, and valid car insurance to register your car in Arkansas.
You have 30 days to register your vehicle if you just moved to the state.
You can register online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the Arkansas OMV.
Penalties for driving without proper registration include fines, traffic violations, and difficulty securing car insurance coverage.

How to register a car in Arkansas

Registering a vehicle in Arkansas is easier than you might think. All you’ll need is a document proving your ownership of the car, an insurance card, and a

Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement

If you just moved to Arkansas

If you’ve just moved to the Natural State, you have 30 days to register your vehicle. Luckily, registration is simple and can be completed online through

MyDMV Arkansas

or any

Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles

Before you get started, ensure you’re prepared with the following:

Primary documents (Arkansas vehicle title,

bill of sale

, manufacturer certificate of origin,

out-of-state title

)

Insurance card

Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement

You may also need:

Personal Property Tax Number (PPAN) assigned from your county assessor

Lien contract/security agreement

Current year county tax assessment

Proof of paid sales tax receipt

Once you compile all the necessary documentation, you can submit your vehicle registration application.

You’ll need to pay a fee at the end of the application form. Fees vary depending on the car’s total weight, title fees, and local taxes in the city or county.
The base registration fees in Arkansas are:
$17.00 for vehicles 3,000 lbs and under
$25.00 for vehicles between 3,001 and 4,500 lbs
$30.00 for vehicles over 4,501 lbs

Once you submit your form, you’ll receive email notifications regarding your title status. You can also check the status of your title

here

If your application is accepted, you’ll receive your

license plate

and

vehicle registration

in the mail. Your title will be mailed after all other documents have been received and processed.

If you just bought a new car

If you purchase a new vehicle as a resident of Arkansas, you’ll need to complete a first-time registration along with a certificate of

title transfer

by filling out

this form

Make auto loan refinancing easy with PriceProtect™

Check my rates!

4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars

4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers

MORE:

Buying a car in Arkansas

How much insurance coverage do you need in Arkansas?

In order to register a vehicle, a new state resident must have an active Arkansas auto insurance policy that meets the

state minimum requirements

laid out by state law.

Minimum

car insurance

requirements in the state of Arkansas includes:

At least $50,000 of

bodily injury liability insurance

per person

At least $25,000 of bodily injury liability coverage per accident

At least $25,000 of

property damage liability coverage

per accident

While a minimum requirement insurance policy will allow you to register your vehicle, it’s usually a good idea to purchase additional coverage, including extra liability,

collision insurance

, and

comprehensive coverage

How to renew your Arkansas vehicle registration

Before your Arkansas vehicle registration expires, you’ll receive a renewal notice in the mail alerting you that it’s time for renewal. If you fail to renew your registration, you'll be charged $3 every 10 days after the deadline unless you sign an affidavit stating you didn’t drive your vehicle after the expiration date.

You can complete your registration renewal online, in person, over the phone, or by mail.

If you choose to renew online, you can use the

Streamline Auto Renewal

online service. To renew online, you’ll need:

Your registration renewal card

Odometer reading

Renewal Identification Number (RIN) and verification code

A valid credit card

If you do not have a RIN, you can use the last four digits of your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), license plate number, and zip code.

If you choose to renew in person at the revenue office, you’ll need:

Your current registration or renewal card

Proof of insurance

Tax assessment

Application fees

You can call the toll-free number (888)-389-8336 to renew your registration over the phone, or you can send your paperwork and payment to the Department of Finance and Administration of Motor Vehicles.

Remember: In order to renew, you’ll need to assess and pay your personal property taxes and obtain or provide proof of auto insurance.

How to replace a lost registration sticker or license plate

If you lose your vehicle registration decal or license plates—or if they’re damaged by severe weather or vandalism—you can replace them by requesting a

duplicate vehicle registration card

MORE:

Replacement title in Arkansas

What happens if you don’t properly register your vehicle?

If you get caught driving without valid registration in Arkansas, you may face the following penalties:

Fines of $3 for every 10 days you don’t pay your registration

Traffic violation charges

Vehicle impoundment

Difficulty obtaining car insurance coverage

RECOMMENDED

Haven’t shopped for insurance in the last six months? There might be hundreds $$$ in savings waiting for you.

Judith switched to Progressive

Saved $725 annually

Alexander switched to Travelers

Saved $834 annually

Annie switched to Nationwide

Saved $668 annually

FAQs

How much does it cost to register your car in Arkansas?

The following registration fees apply to passenger cars in Arkansas:

Vehicles 3,000 pounds or less: $17 registration fee and $2.50 decal fee

Vehicles 3,001 to 4,500 pounds: $25 registration fee and $2.50 decal fee

Vehicles over 4,500 pounds: $30 registration fee and $2.50 decal fee

Where do you register your car in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, you must register your vehicle through the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV).

How do I get a copy of my vehicle registration in Arkansas?

When you register your vehicle in the state of Arkansas, the state will mail you a copy of your registration. However, if you don’t want to wait for the copy to arrive in the mail, you can visit an

Arkansas Revenue Office

and pick up a printed copy.

Does Arkansas have registration stickers?

Yes—Arkansas requires all drivers to have valid registration stickers on their license plates.

Reduce your monthly car payments in minutes?

Find out if Jerry can reduce your payments by an average of $150/month

Check your rate!