Arkansas
Title Fee
$10.00
Sales Tax Rate
6.5%
Other Tax Rate
10.0%
Who must title a vehicle in Arkansas?
All registered motor vehicles, ATVs, trailers, manufactured homes, and mobile homes must be titled.
Motorboats manufactured on/after January 1, 2020 must be titled.
Exempt: Implements of husbandry, special mobile equipment, U.S. government vehicles, golf carts, snowmobiles, motorized bicycles ≤50cc, lifeboats, homemade motorboats.
Who issues titles and where are applications submitted?
Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicle (OMV), Department of Finance and Administration.
Application for Title (Form 10-381) or Watercraft Application is submitted to the OMV in Little Rock or any Revenue Office. Passenger vehicles may be titled online.
What documents are needed as proof of ownership?
New vehicles: Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) and bill of sale.
Used vehicles: Certificate of Title and bill of sale.
Non-title states: Certificate of Registration and bill of sale.
Government surplus: U.S. Government Certificate (SF97-1).
Foreign vehicles: Ownership documents plus EPA and DOT compliance letters.
How much does a title cost?
$10.00 title fee plus $0.50 lien filing fee if applicable.
Expedited service (3 business days) at Ragland Building: Additional $10.00.
Duplicate title: $10.00 (plus postage if mailed).
Are electronic signatures and titles allowed?
Electronic signatures allowed for security contracts only.
What’s the process for title transfer?
Assignment of title is required.
Transfer must be completed within 60 days of sale or lien release to avoid penalties.
Seller may submit a Notice of Transfer online or on the back of the registration certificate.
Are there special titles or brands?
Bonded titles available if ownership is unclear (bond = 1.5x value, 3 years).
Brands: Assembled Vehicle, Damaged, Junk, Non-Repairable, Not for Registration, Parts Only, Previous Damage, Rebuilt, Replacement, Replica, Salvage, and odometer brands.
Salvage: Damage ≥70% of value or significant water damage.
Rebuilt: Salvage vehicles restored for use; new title is branded “rebuilt.”
Junk/Parts Only: For vehicles with no value except for parts/scrap.
How are duplicate/corrected titles handled?
Duplicate title: Form 10-381; mailed to lienholder or owner.
Amended title: Affidavit of Alteration (10-308) required.
Other notes:
Odometer disclosure required for vehicles newer than 2010.
VIN/HIN inspection required for certain out-of-state and branded vehicles.
What taxes apply to vehicle purchases/registrations?
Gross Receipts Tax (Sales Tax): 6.5% state rate plus city/county/municipality tax at registration.If sale price < $4,000: No tax.
$4,000 to $9,999.99 (used vehicles/trailers/semitrailers): 3.5% plus local tax.
Trade-in credit: Allowed for vehicles, trailers, semitrailers (not for ATVs/watercraft).
Credit for sale of used vehicle: Allowed if sale is within 60 days of purchase of another vehicle.
Credit for taxes paid to another state: Allowed if reciprocal.
Personal Property Tax: Levied by county assessor; proof required for registration/renewal.
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: Required for vehicles ≥55,000 lbs. (IRS Form 2290).
How and when are taxes paid?
Paid at time of registration/title application at any Revenue Office or online.
Are there exemptions?
No sales tax due if sale price < $4,000.
Disabled veterans, Medal of Honor/Purple Heart recipients, Pearl Harbor survivors, and ex-POWs may be exempt from registration fees for one or more vehicles.
Nonresident military personnel may keep home state registration and are exempt from personal property tax.
Other fees:
Registration: $17–$30 (passenger vehicles, by weight), $21 (light trucks), $3–$7 (motorcycles), $5 (ATVs), $26 (manufactured home), $36 (permanent trailer), plus $2.50 validation decal fee.
Personalized plates: $25 extra.
How are liens recorded and perfected?
New title with lien shown is issued upon receipt of title application, last title, lien instrument, and fees.
$10.00 title fee, $0.50 lien fee, $1.00 for direct lien on MCO/title.
Lien is perfected as of execution if filed within 30 days; otherwise as of delivery.
No ELT program; titles are mailed to first lienholder.
How are liens released or assigned?
Lienholder must release lien on title or execute Official Release of Lien (10-315) within 10 business days of final payment.
Penalty: $25 for first five days late, doubles each five days up to $500.
Title and release sent to next lienholder or owner.
How does repossession work in Arkansas?
Lienholder may repossess after default without judicial process if peaceful.
If already shown as lienholder, repossessor need not apply for title.
To transfer, lienholder completes Affidavit of Repossession and assigns title.
Out-of-state repos: Same process if lienholder is perfected.
If vehicle was last registered outside Arkansas and lienholder not shown, new owner must obtain court order for title.
Other notes:
Mechanic/storage liens handled per state law; OMV records central lien data.
Department of Finance and Administration
Ragland Building, 1900 W 7th Street, Suite 1010, Little Rock, AR 72201
PO Box 1272, Little Rock, AR 72203
501.682.4692
Enforcement Agency:
Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Motor VehicleRagland Building, 1900 W 7th Street, Suite 1010, Little Rock, AR 72201
PO Box 1272, Little Rock, AR 72203
Phone: 501.682.4692
Email: mvinformation@dfa.arkansas.gov
DFA OMV Website
Additional Regulatory/Enforcement Contacts:
Arkansas State Police1 State Police Plaza Drive, Little Rock, AR 72209
Phone: 501.618.8000
Email: info@asp.arkansas.gov
Key Regulations:
OMV oversees titling, registration, tax collection, lien recording, and repossession.
State Police and Highway Police enforce vehicle laws, theft, and highway safety.
Financial responsibility (insurance) required: minimum $25,000/$50,000/$25,000.
No emissions inspection required; safety inspection required for certain vehicles (e.g., school buses).
Title/registration records maintained for 25 years; online search available.