Just Moved to Arkansas. How Do I Transfer My Driver's License and Vehicle Registration?

by Jim on July 19, 2022

Tags: Arkansas drivers license, AR DOR, Arkansas

You’re now home in the Natural State! Welcome. Before you start touring the town, you need to transfer your out-of-state driver’s license and vehicle registration to the Arkansas DMV to avoid unnecessary penalties and fees. Here’s your guide to transferring your license and vehicle registration to Arkansas.

Required Documentation to Transfer Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to Arkansas

There is certain documentation that is required to correctly transfer your out-of-state driver’s license to the state of Arkansas. These documents include:

Your out-of-state driver’s license
Proof of legal presence in the U.S. (U.S. birth certificate or a valid U.S. passport)
2 documents proving your identity, which can include:
- Photo driver’s license
- U.S. birth certificate
- Valid passport
- Vehicle registration or vehicle title
- Health insurance card
Social security number or an affidavit stating that you do not have an SSN
Payment for $40 for the AR driver’s license fee

Exceptions to Transferring Your Out-of-State Driver’s License to Arkansas

There are some exceptions to transferring your out-of-state driver’s license to the state of Arkansas. If your driver’s license is current or expired for 31 days or less, you will not be required to retake the Arkansas written and vision exams.

If your driver’s license has been expired for more than 31 days, you will need to retake the Arkansas written and vision tests upon application, but not the road test. If your driver’s license has been expired for more than 1 year, you must take all three exams, which include the Arkansas written, vision, and driving tests.

Arkansas Vision Screening

In Arkansas, the Office of Driver Services will perform a vision screening test for acuity and visual fields for AR drivers who are renewing their driver’s licenses. You must obtain a minimum uncorrected (without wearing glasses or corrective lenses) visual acuity of 20/40 to qualify for an unrestricted Arkansas driver’s license.

You must have a minimum corrected (wearing glasses or corrective lenses) visual acuity of 20/50 to qualify for a restricted AR driver’s license. You must wear your glasses or corrective lenses when operating a motor vehicle.

If you are a driver who has a visual acuity of 20/60, you will be restricted to daytime driving hours ONLY. An individual who has two functional eyes is required to obtain a field of vision of 140 degrees. Individuals who have one functional eye are required to have a field of vision of 105 degrees.

Applicants who fail the AR vision test are required to go to an ophthalmologist or optometrist for visual correction and provide a form to the Office of Driver Services from their vision care specialist stating that their vision has been corrected.

Arkansas Written Exam

The Arkansas written examination consists of 30 questions. You must answer 24 of the 30 questions correctly to pass the exam with a minimum passing score of 80%. You have to be at least 14 years of age to apply and complete your AR DMV written exam. The permit test is $5. There is an additional $40 license fee if you pass this exam.

Arkansas Road Test (in-car)

The Arkansas road test is an in-car test that determines your ability to operate a motor vehicle safely while on the roads and highways of Arkansas. You will be tested on parking, using your turn signals, following traffic laws and road signs, and more.

Transferring Your Vehicle Registration to Arkansas

In Arkansas, vehicle registrations are handled through the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV). As a new resident of this state or a resident who recently purchased a vehicle, you must have your vehicle registered within 30 days.

New Residents of Arkansas

As a new resident of the state of Arkansas, you are required to register your vehicle with the AR Office of Motor Vehicles within 30 days of establishing residency. Before you can register your vehicle, you are required to purchase an Arkansas auto insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum coverage requirements and transfer your out-of-state vehicle title to an Arkansas vehicle title.

You will be able to transfer your vehicle title at the same time you register your vehicle. To register your vehicle as a new resident, you need to visit any AR OMV branch and present:

Your current vehicle registration certificate from your previous state
Your certificate of title, or proof that your vehicle is financed and that your lienholder is in possession of your vehicle title
Proof of a valid AR auto insurance policy
A completed Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381) This form acts as both the vehicle registration application and the vehicle title application.
A bill of sale
Odometer disclosure statement
Proof from your county assessor that your vehicle has been assessed or is listed to be assessed within the current year
Proof that you don’t owe personal property taxes (can be a receipt from your county’s tax office or a stamp that reads First Assessment on your assessment papers)
Proof of a VIN inspection (if required)
Payment for your vehicle registration fees

Be advised that you can contact your local AR OMV office or the OMV help desk at (501) 682-4692 if you have additional questions regarding your obligations as a new resident of Arkansas.

Registering Your Vehicle in Arkansas

You are required to title and register your vehicle with the AR OMV within 30 days of purchasing or having the vehicle’s title signed over to you regardless of whether the vehicle was inherited, gifted, or transferred between family members.

To complete your vehicle registration, you are required to visit any AR OMV branch in person and submit the following:

Proof of ownership (can be the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) signed over to you if you purchase a new vehicle from a dealership or a vehicle title that is signed by you and the vehicle’s seller if you purchased or transferred from a private party).
A signed copy of your lien agreement (if you are registering a leased or financed vehicle)
A completed Vehicle Registration Application (Form 10-381) This form acts as your vehicle registration and vehicle titling application
Odometer disclosure statement on the back of the vehicle title (for vehicles less than 20 years old, or a State of Arkansas Vehicle Bill of Sale Odometer Disclosure Statement Form (Form 10-313) - If the vehicle’s title control number is less than 3003001, or it is an out-of-state vehicle title, you will be required to submit a separate State of Arkansas Vehicle Bill of Sale Odometer Disclosure Statement Form (Form 10-313).
Proof of VIN verification (if you’re registering a vehicle purchased from out of state with salvage or similar designation.
Proof from your county assessor that your vehicle has been assessed or is listed for assessment within the current year
Proof that you have paid all personal property taxes (can be a county tax collector receipt or a stamp on your assessment papers that certifies your tax payment)
Proof of a valid AR auto insurance policy
Payment for the AR vehicle registration fees
Your current AR vehicle registration certificate (required if you plan to transfer your vehicle’s license plates from your old vehicle to your new vehicle).

Arkansas Vehicle Registration Fees

The Arkansas OMV vehicle registration fees are calculated based on different factors, such as:

The gross weight of your vehicle
The type of vehicle you own (ex. Truck, car, motorcycle, etc.)
Vehicle title fees
License plate type
City and county taxes

While specific totals may differ based on the above-listed factors, the base vehicle registration fees and taxes in the state of Arkansas are:

Title and Registration Fees

Passenger cars and motor homes:
- 3,000 lbs and under: $17
- 3,001 to 4,5000 lbs: $25
- 4,501 lbs and over: $30
Trucks and vans: $21
Motorcycles:
- Less than 250CC: $3
- 250 CC or more: $7

Vehicle Taxes

6.5% of the taxable price of any vehicle with a purchase price of $4,000 or more (for Texarkana residents, the sales tax is 7%.)
Local taxes, if required, are based on where you live (local taxes will not exceed $25 for each 1% of the tax due.)

Be advised that there is also a standard validation decal fee that will apply to all vehicles. You can contact the AR OMV at (501) 682-4692 for help calculating your fees.

Late Vehicle Registration Fees

Keep in mind that you have 30 days to register your vehicle in the state of Arkansas. Once this period ends, you will be subject to the following late vehicle registration fees:

Late vehicle registration: $3 for every 10 days you do not complete your vehicle registration
Late payment of sales tax: 10% of the amount you owe for your sales tax

Non-Use Vehicle Registration Fee Waiver

If you registered your vehicle within the required 30 days, but have not operated your vehicle in the meantime, you are not required to pay any late vehicle registration fees. You need to complete and submit an Affidavit of Non-Use (Form 10-300) to claim your late fee exemption. This form is available at any AR OMV revenue office.

Tag Transfer Fee

The fee for transferring your vehicle registration, such as transferring your tags and license plates to a different vehicle you own is $1. You are also required to pay the difference in fees if you are transferring your vehicle registration to a vehicle in a higher weight class, such as a vehicle registration to a van or truck. Keep in mind that there are no refunds for transferring from a higher-weight class vehicle to a lower-weight class vehicle, such as a half-ton truck to a car.

Arkansas Vehicle Inspections

If your vehicle’s title specifies the vehicle as a salvage or prior salvage vehicle, or a similar designation, you must complete a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection before you can register your vehicle with the state of Arkansas. To have your VIN inspection completed, you need to visit your local law enforcement office and request the inspection. Any county or certified city law enforcement officer or State Police officer or representative can perform this inspection.

Arkansas MVO Locations

There are different motor vehicle offices located throughout the state of Arkansas where you can complete vehicle title transfers, out-of-state vehicle registrations, and other vehicle-related transactions.

Arkansas Motor Vehicle Office - Little Rock Branch

1900 W 7th St

Rm 1040

Little Rock, AR 72201