Arkansas License PlatesArkansas license plates are alphanumeric characters printed on aluminum plates used for official verification of vehicles. According to the Arkansas Motor Vehicle and Traffic Laws, all passenger vehicles, motorhomes, trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, motorcycles, and buses must be registered in the state. The Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), under the state's Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), is responsible for issuing a license plate in the state.
The following are the kinds of license plates issued by the OMV in Arkansas:
Arkansas issues each vehicle registrant one license plate, which must be attached to the rear of a vehicle. The plate is made up of six characters and has "Arkansas" written on the top at the center of the plate in addition to a release date sticker and an expiry date on the left and right side of the plate.
Arkansas License Plate Design and FormatsA standard license plate in Arkansas is made from an aluminum sheet containing six characters. It is rectangular in shape and has a format consisting of three letters, two alphabets, and one last letter embossed on it. Arkansas license plates used to be a combination of three numbers and three letters, but these series were exhausted. They also have registration and expiry date stickers on them.
The Arkansas license plate design has a blue and white gradient, a white diamond in the background, and the serials embossed in black. This license plate has the slogan "The Natural State" at the bottom and "Arkansas" centered at the top, both in red.
In 1967, Arkansas passenger plates design had an embossed blue serial on a reflective white plate with a borderline and the slogan " land of opportunity" written at the bottom". They were coded by county of issuance (1 or 10).
Special license plates have a slogan at the bottom of the plate. These plates usually have a logo representing the cause you stand for, state your achievements, they are used to show the type of occupation you belong in or to symbolize a vehicle of historical significance.
Standard license plates are issued to passenger cars, 1/2-ton and 3/4-ton trucks, and 1-ton trucks used for private transportation:
Special license plate:
Arkansas Vanity License PlateVanity license plates are kinds of plates that are customized, personalized or designed to reflect a person's hobby, personal message, or interest in an activity or association.
The Arkansas OMV issues two types of custom license plates. They are:
Personalized plates cost $25 annually and are in addition to the regular license registration fee. The $25 check or money order is payable to the Department of Finance and Administration which is due upon receiving your application for a license plate.
If your vehicle registration is up to date, you can select any combination of custom license plates as long as you qualify. You can check for the availability of the custom license plate you want in-person or online with the OMV in Arkansas. The OMV will reject a license plate suggestion that contains illegal connotations, vulgar words or themes, and/or inappropriate monikers. A license plate suggestion that contains a character that is greater than seven will also be rejected.
The OMV offers this license plate online or in-person at the special license office. You will be required to fill a specialized license plate form.
Most Popular Arkansas Special Plate NumbersThe following are the most available special license plates used by vehicle owners in Arkansas:
Arkansas License Plate LookupA license plate lookup involves searching for details about a vehicle or its owner using its plate number. Some of the information you will find when doing a license plate look up are the vehicle history, current registration status of a vehicle, vehicle title, and a safety and emission inspection record.
An Arkansas resident may need a license plate search due to some of these reasons:
You can conduct a license plate lookup online or in person on the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicles website. Additionally, you can conduct a license plate search via third-party license plate lookup services like Recordsfinder. This website provides details about a searched vehicle.
Due to Arkansas privacy law and the Data Protection Privacy Act, only certain authorities, like law enforcement agencies and recognized courts, can access the personal information of the owner of a vehicle.
Anyone looking to do a reverse lookup on an Arkansas license plate can find a number of websites providing this service. Make sure to use one that provides up-to-date information and protects your data. When trying to find out more about a vehicle registered to an Arkansas plate number, you can securely and safely do a reverse license plate number lookup on Recordsfinder website.
What Do I Need to Get a License Plate in Arkansas?To obtain your Arkansas license plate, you may need to visit the OMV to make enquiries, apply online or by mail.
You will need to meet these requirements before obtaining a license plate in Arkansas:
Follow these steps to procure your license plate in Arkansas:
It is worth knowing that vehicle registration fees are not the same for all vehicles. They are dependent on factors such as the vehicle's weight, type, amount it was valued at, type, tax paid on the property (vehicle), and your location. Be aware that the OMV does not offer registration-only tags in the state you will need to title (can be a manufacturer statement of origin (MSO), a vehicle title from your home state, or a properly completed car title for used cars) when registering your vehicle.
You should know that a late registration fee of $3 for every 10-day period will apply if you failed to register your vehicle properly.
Differences Between a Passenger License Plate and a Commercial License Plate in ArkansasA passenger license plate is a license plate issued to a vehicle that is used for personal purposes. In contrast, commercial license plates are issued to vehicles that are used to convey humans, goods, and properties from one place to another. Note that, passenger vehicles in Arkansas can be used for commercial purposes as long as you register them commercially and they are used for hire or other commercial purposes.
The following are the differences between a passenger license plate and a commercial license plate in Arkansas:
| Features | Passenger License Plate | Commercial License Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle use |
|
|
| Design and color |
* special interest and special license plates may have additional background designs and colors |
* special interest and special license plates may have additional background designs and colors |
| Use limitation | None | Commercial purposes |
| Requirements for obtaining |
|
To apply for a commercial driver's license in Arkansas, you must first obtain a regular license plate in addition to the following requirements:
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How to Renew License Plate in ArkansasLicense plates are renewed in Arkansas annually at the Office of Motor Vehicles in Arkansas. A request for renewal must be submitted at least 90 days before an expiration date. Instructions for renewal (your renewal date, fee, and any renewal restrictions that may be on your registration) are sent in a mail from the OMV and you can choose to receive reminders by text messages too. If you lost your notice or did not receive one, you are still required to renew your vehicle registration on time. Ensure you find out your expiration date so as not to be caught with a late renewal penalty.
You can renew your license tags online from the Arkansas government portal and also apply for property tax and vehicle registration reminders. Be aware that your address must be up to date before you apply for renewal. You also have to ensure if you are eligible to apply online or not. You are allowed to also renew your license plate by phone, via mail or in-person at the Arkansas any State Revenue Office.
To renew by mail, send your renewal notice and any required document to the Office of Motor Vehicle at:
Office of Motor VehicleBy phone, you can call 1-800-541-2580 to request a renewal. Also, bear in mind that your address must be up to date before your request for a vehicle renewal. Arkansas law requires you to assess your vehicle with your county assessor, pay the required personal property tax, and maintain liability insurance on your vehicle before applying for a renewal. It takes 5 business working days to get your decal or license tags when you apply for a renewal. 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 your license tags, you will be unable to renew your plates by phone or internet.
For an in-person or mail application, you must provide a 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 or your vehicle liability insurance coverage).
You can also renew in person by visiting the nearest OMV office to your address. You will be required to provide the following:
The following is a list of fees charged according to your vehicle type when renewing your license plate in Arkansas. When you renew, you will get a new sticker with a new date to put over the old sticker.
You can check your vehicle registration renewal status in Arkansas by dialing 501-682-4692 or send a mail to MVInformation@dfa.arkansas.gov.
How to Transfer a License Plate in ArkansasIn Arkansas, you can transfer ownership of a license plate from one vehicle to another when you sell a vehicle and buy another. To be eligible for this, you have to provide the following:
In addition, you are required to pay the difference in fees if you are transferring your registration to a vehicle that has a higher weight class (e.g., a car registration to a truck or van). However, there are no refunds for transferring from a higher-weight class vehicle to a lower-weight class (e.g., half-ton truck to car). If you do not plan to use the license plate you can also return it to the OMV in Arkansas.
Arkansas License Plate Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)There are certain laws that protect the information of vehicle owners from being available to the public. The Arkansas Personal Information Protection Act (APIPA) requires entities that collect personal information to use reasonable security procedures and practices to protect this information. This law mandates that in the event that such information is compromised, the entity must notify the affected individuals in a timely manner to allow them take steps to mitigate the potential misuse of their information.
Per the Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the Arkansas Personal Information Protection Act, and the Arkansas' Vehicle Codepersonal Act, information on vehicle registration, such as name, date of birth, address, contact details, and driver's license number, can only be disclosed to law enforcement agencies, courts, local state authorities and other authorized parties.
Importantly, due to the state's privacy laws, you may not be able to find the owner of a licensed plate in Arkansas. However, you can use a trustworthy website such as Recordsfinder for a license plate search to find non-personal information using a license plate.
Yes, you can get a replacement for your lost license plate in Arkansas. If your license plate is lost in Arkansas, you should immediately apply for a replacement. The cost of replacing a lost license plate in Arkansas depends on the type of plate. To obtain information about the requirements, you can contact the Arkansas OMV at 501-682-4692.
When the police search your license plate in Arkansas, they can find out the following information:
Yes. You can use a free license plate search in Arkansas for the following reasons:
You can find the following information when you conduct a license plate search in Arkansas using the Recordsfinder website:
Note that you will only obtain basic information when you use a third-party website for license plate search.
In Arkansas, you are required to renew your vehicle registration annually, and you must do this on or before the expiration of your vehicle registration. Driving with an expired license plate is a traffic offense that incurs a penalty. You will be charged a fee of $50 to $100 for the first time. If you do this the second time in the same year, your vehicle will be impounded, and you will be fined $100 to $250 until proof of motor vehicle registration is submitted to the Office of Motor Vehicles in Arkansas. The vehicle owner will also be responsible for all costs of impoundment.
When you no longer need your plates, or you sold your vehicle in Arkansas, you can cancel your vehicle registration and return your plates. You must also surrender damaged plates to the OMV. Additionally, if you sold your vehicle, you can transfer your title/interest or license plate to another person in Arkansas. You are required to submit a Notice of Transfer of Ownership of a Motor Vehicle to the Office of Motor Vehicles promptly in person or by mail. This will notify them and protect you from being responsible for any liability related to the vehicle after transferring it. You will also need to give the buyer an Official Release of Lien or Permission to Issue a Replacement Title Form 10-315. If the title transfer does not take place within 30 days of the vehicle sale, the OMV will fine you.
Can I Keep My Arkansas License Plate If I Move to Another State?
Yes, you can. Unlike some states that make it mandatory to submit your license plates when you are relocating to another state, Arkansas does not require you to surrender your license plates when moving out of the state. Whether you are moving temporarily or permanently to another state, you have no obligation to hand over, cancel, or destroy your license plates at the Office of Motor Vehicles in Arkansas.
However, you must keep in mind that Arkansas will not refund your vehicle registration fee when you leave the state, even if you did not use your vehicle after registering it.
License plate size in Arkansas varies according to the type of vehicle in the state. The following are examples:
Arkansas issues you a temporary license plate before you get a permanent one when you buy a car and register your vehicle. You must obtain a temporary tag in Arkansas within 5 business working days if you do not have a tag to transfer in order to begin using your vehicle. Arkansas issues you a temporary license plate if you have applied for a vehicle registration and yet to receive your license plate. You can get your temporary operating permit either from a vehicle dealer or from the Office of Motor Vehicles in Arkansas. The following are the different types of temporary license plates issued to Arkansas residents:
To obtain a TOP in Arkansas, you will need a bill of sale including a purchase date, a document showing the name of the dealer you bought your vehicle from, your vehicle identification number (VIN), make and model of your vehicle. You will pay a temporary tag, which costs $1.
A tag will be valid until the car is properly registered and up to 30 days from the date the vehicle was sold. Temporary tags can be extended for an additional 30 days if necessary and depending on the type of vehicle.
The following are the steps to renew your license plate in Arkansas:
For a lost or stolen license plate or expiration sticker in Arkansas, you should report the loss to the police and immediately order a replacement with the OMV. You can contact the office of the OMV on 501-682-4692, apply online, or visit any of the OMV branches closest to you for an in-person application.
If your license plate is lost, stolen, or damaged, it is important to replace it as soon as possible. You will be required to follow these steps when ordering a replacement license plate in Arkansas.
Your online application requires you to follow these steps:
An in-person replacement license plate application requires the applicant to:
If you have any questions regarding your license plate replacement, you can contact the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
Personalized license plate replacements can be done by mail or an in-person application. You can also choose up to seven characters and have to submit varying combinations in case any of your combinations have been taken by a different person. To replace your personalized license plate by mail, you should mail your application to:
Office of Motor VehicleTo submit a personalized license plate replacement application in person, you should visit:
Charles Ragland Building,You will need to provide the following when requesting a replacement for a personalized license plate in Arkansas:
If you are replacing your license plate due to damage, a picture of the damaged plate will be requested. If you lost it and want a replacement, a copy of the police report will be required. Pick-up fees cost 6.50 dollars for a replacement license plate in Little Rock, while mailing it to your address costs 11.50 dollars.
Be aware that you must send your completed form and fees to:
Department of Finance and Administration