If you intend to own a vehicle in Arkansas, you must register it at the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
Go to any DMV in Arkansas to obtain license plates for your registered vehicle.
If you've just moved to Arkansas or just purchased a new motor vehicle, you need to register your vehicle within 60 days. After you do that, you can apply for your title, transfer your license plate, and pay sales tax online.
Be sure to place your plates on both the front and rear of your vehicle to comply with state law.
Sample Arkansas License Plate

Apply for License Plates in Arkansas
You must visit an Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) in Arkansas to register and apply for license plates.After Purchasing a New Vehicle: 60 Days
After Moving to Arkansas: 60 Days
Keep in mind that before you register, you have to:
Purchase vehicle insurance [with minimum coverage]
Transfer title to an Arkansas title [for those from out of state]
What Vehicles Need License Plates in Arkansas?
You are required to register your vehicle if it is:A motorcycle
A motorhome
An all-terrain vehicle (ATV)
A car, truck, or van
Personalized Arkansas License Plates
If you want to personalize your Arkansas license plate, you should look it up to see if the characters you want are available. Be aware that you are limited to a maximum of 7 characters for your license plate number.Personalized license plates cost an additional $25 along with the registration fees. It's an annual recurring cost, so you'll be expected to pay this again at the time of renewal.
Specialty Arkansas License Plates
You can apply for custom and specialty plates either in person, online, or by mail. Certain license plate styles have eligibility requirements, which means that although you may want a certain style, your application may be rejected.Also, additional fees vary depending on the type of license plate you want. Some of the specialty license plates available in Arkansas include:
Organ Donor Awareness Plate
Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Arkansas Down Syndrome Association
Autism Awareness
Elk Plate
Butterfly Plate
Arkansas State Parks
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Plate
Humane Society of the Ozarks Plate
Realtor Plate
Armed Forces Retired Plate
Congressional Medal of Honor Plate
Ex-Prisoner of War Plate
Antique Vehicle Plate
Street Rod/Custom Vehicle Plates
Cost of License Plates in Arkansas
The cost for license plates in Arkansas are subject to a standard fee. But you may be required to pay additional fees such as taxes, speciality fees, or other charges.The following is a list of fees you can expect from the OMV in Arkansas:
Vans & Trucks for Personal Use: $21 fee for registration
Cars & Motorhomes [3000 lbs or less]: $17 fee for registration
Cars & Motorhomes [3001 to 4500 lbs]: $25 fee for registration
Cars & Motorhomes [4501 lbs or more]: $30 fee for registration
Motorcycles [under 250cc]: $3.00 fee for registration
Motorcycles [250cc or more]: $7 fee for registration
Additional Fees: $2.50 for decals, $1.00 for transfer, $1.00 for temporary tag
Additional Registration Fees for Arkansas License Plates
In addition to the fees listed above, your total registration fee will be based on a calculation using the following:Type of license plate (standard vs. specialty)
Vehicle’s gross weight
Type of vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, etc.)
Title Fee
City taxes
County taxes
Timeline for New and Used Vehicle Registration in Arkansas
Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and commercial trucks, must be titled and registered within 60 calendar days of the date of transfer or within 60 calendar days of the date on which a prior lien was released.Trailers, mobile homes, ATVs, and motorboats must be titled and registered within 30 calendar days of the date of transfer or within 30 calendar days of the date on which a prior lien was released.
If you are late, you will have to pay late registration fees, which are:
$3 for every 10 days your vehicle remains unregistered
10% additional sales tax
Transfer or Surrender License Plates in Arkansas
Unlike some states, Arkansas permits you to transfer your plates to a new vehicle upon registration. If you are transferring a plate, the registration must be current. All you have to do is pay the transfer fee and any additional fees based on the vehicle type being registered.Also, if you don’t want to transfer your plates, or if you no longer need them for any reason, you can surrender your license plates to your local OMV centre.
Lost or Stolen License Plates in Arkansas
If you lose your license plates or they are stolen, you should contact the authorities immediately. Afterward, you should contact the OMV to get your license plates replaced as soon as possible.Disability Placard & License Plates in Arkansas
If you have a disability and require a disability placard or license plates, you can apply for those at the OMV. The OMV offers the following:Renewable permanent placard
Permanent license plates (must be renewed when vehicle registration expires)
Visitors with Disabilities to Arkansas
Visitors from out of state can use the disability placard or license plate provided from their home state. If you decide to move to Arkansas, you should apply promptly for an Arkansas license plate.How to Look Up Arkansas Licence Plates
If you’re uncertain about a vehicle you are about to buy, you can look up the license plates. This service is entirely free and is not provided by the OMV in Arkansas. You can use this service to check if the personalized plates you want are available. You can also obtain some background information and history associated with a particular license plate number.Here is a step-by-step guide on how to look up Arkansas License Plates and report bad drivers:
Open a web browser
Go to FindByPlate.com
Enter the plate number and select state
View the report
View images submitted by the community
View videos submitted by the community
Add comments
Add pictures of the vehicle
Add videos related to the vehicle
Car Ownership in Arkansas
94.00% of households in Arkansas have at least one vehicle.
Arkansas ranks 22 in the United States in car ownership rate. Idaho and Wyoming have the highest car ownership rates while the District of Columbia has the lowest car ownership rate in the US.
Arkansas ranks 45 in the US for electric vehicle ownership. Only 0.09% of all registered vehicles in Arkansas are electric vehicles. California has the highest EV ownership nationwide (1.61%).
Arkansas ranks 29th (tied) in the list of most expensive states in the US to own a car. The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Arkansas is $2,061 per year. The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Arkansas is $382.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I pay my Arkansas motor vehicle license fees?
You can see the motor vehicle license fees due for your vehicle by entering your vehicle information on the MyDVM Arkansas website. You will need the VIN or HIN to pay the fees for your vehicle, for example, the fees for an approved personalized plate. You can also use the letter ID or reference number to find out outstanding fees.How do I check my car title status in Arkansas?
You can check your car title status on the MyDMV Arkansas website by entering the VIN and Title Number.What documents will I need for vehicle registration and title in Arkansas?
You will need the following documents for a vehicle registration and title in Arkansas:Primary document (Arkansas Title, Bill of Sale, Manufacture statement of Origin, Out of State Title)
Federal Odometer Statement
Insurance Card
Personal Property Tax Number (PPAN) assigned by your county assessor
Current Year County Tax Assessment
Lien Contract/Security Agreement
Proof of paid tax receipt
What types of vehicles can you register online in Arkansas?
You can only register passenger cars online, including personal cars, vans, pickup trucks, and motor homes.If you are applying for or using a Title Purpose Only Certificate (TPOC), you cannot register online. TPOCs do not require insurance proof. No license plate is issued. You will only receive a title.
How to renew vehicle tags in Arkansas?
You can renew previously issued car tags by phone, online, or mail (as long as you do not need to change any information other than your address). These are the quickest and most efficient ways to renew vehicle tags in Arkansas. The notice from the Office of Motor Vehicle will include instructions for renewal along with the renewal notice you are sent.
**Note: Before renewing your license, Arkansas law requires that the county assessor assess your vehicle and you pay all personal property taxes owed. You must also maintain liability insurance on your vehicle.
These requirements are automatically checked when you are renewing on the computer. If you select "NO" on your vehicle registration record when attempting to renew vehicle tags, you won’t be able to renew the tags by phone or online. You must renew by mail or in person by furnishing written proof of compliance for any items listed as "NO". This includes a paper copy of 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. You can call 1-888-389-8336 for toll-free assistance.