and license plate requirements date back to 1911, and remain in force for all passenger cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, motorhomes, and ATVs. If you drive with an expired license plate (or without any plates at all), you could be heavily fined and penalized for violating state laws.
within 30 days. If you just bought a new car, the dealership will help you register it. Your new license plate must be mounted on the rear of your vehicle with a validation sticker displaying the registration’s expiry date.
Wondering what your options are? Let’s review the license plate offerings in the Natural State.
Standard plates bear the default, state-issued colors and a combination of seven letters and/or numbers.
College plates let you show your support for 25 different colleges and universities across the state. Some are reserved for authorized fraternity or sorority members, while others are available for any alumni or proud parents wishing to apply.
Special interest plates shine a light on the state’s many unique causes and organizations, including the Down Syndrome Association and the Humane Society of the Ozarks. Some designs make a great pairing with a
Military plates are reserved for active-duty or retired military members.
Standard state license plates
The current standard-issue Arkansas license plates depict a blue-and-white gradient with a white diamond in the background. The top is labeled “Arkansas,” and the bottom “The Natural State”, both written in red. Every vehicle’s unique combination of seven letters and/or numbers is embossed in black in the center of each license plate.
Fun Fact The letters “U” and “V” were omitted from license plates in Arkansas between 1973 to 2015.
College license plates
Any motor vehicle owner may apply for a collegiate license plate by completing the
on the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) website.
The university or college of your choice will charge a $25 fee per issued plate. In the case of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority or Kappa Alpha PSI fraternity, you must provide proof of membership.
Choose a special interest license plate and the associated cause or organization directly benefits from your support. There are 15 pages of specialty plate designs, including graphics for:
Arkansas Rice Council: The proceeds of sales of these plates go directly to the
, which promotes U.S.-grown rice domestically and internationally.
Arkansas State Parks: True to its nickname, The Natural State, Arkansas is home to 52 state parks! Opting for this license plate directly benefits state efforts to preserve its natural, cultural, and historic assets.
: The $35 fee for this plate is split between the DFA and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC), which helps preserve fish and wildlife habitats across the state.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Every purchase donates $50 to
Unfortunately, the DFA discontinued the “Veteran” design in favor of standard license plates, with a campaign sticker replacing the state nickname at the bottom. Disabled Veteran plates remain free, and eligible veterans or their surviving spouses may purchase additional plates for $3.89 each.
Arkansas has 141 available license plate designs, split across five categories. Some specialty license plates have special requirements and/or registration fees.
Do I need a front license plate in Arkansas?
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No, you don’t need a front license plate in Arkansas. The Natural State is one of 21 states without a front license plate requirement.
What does the Arkansas license plate say?
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Arkansas license plates read, “The Natural State”, at the bottom, a nod to the 52 state parks spread across its lands.