License Plates & Placards in Arkansas

SUMMARY: Arkansas License Plates

To apply for a license plate, you simply need to register your vehicle. You'll renew your tags by renewing your vehicle registration. The AR OMV also makes it easy to transfer your license plates from one car to the next. You'll need to order replacement tags if yours are lost, stolen, or damaged. Unfortunately, the state does not offer a way to look up license plate information, but you can contact the OMV directly with questions.

Keep reading for details about standard Arkansas license plates.

Looking for unique license plates? Visit our page about Types of Specialty Plates for more information.

Are you a driver with a disability? Learn more about disabled parking plates on our Disability Plates and Placards page.

Types of Arkansas License Plates

In Arkansas, you need a license plate issued by the Arkansas Office of Motor Vehicle (OMV) for most vehicles, including:

  • Passenger cars, trucks, and vans.
  • Motorcycles.
  • Motorhomes.
  • All-terrain vehicles (ATVs).

Vehicles must have a license plate on the rear. Some vehicles may also need to have plates on the front. The OMV will issue the correct number of plates for your vehicle type.

Rear license plates will also have a validation sticker showing the expiration date of the registration.

Special License Plates

The AR OMV offers special license plates in addition to the standard plate. There are several types of special plates, including personalized plates and military plates.

For application information, see our Special Plates Application page.

If you have a disability, you may be eligible for a disabled parking license plate. Our Disability Plates and Placards page has complete details.

Temporary Tags

If you buy a car from an AR dealership and you don't have tags to transfer, you must get temporary buyer's tags within 5 business days of the purchase.

You can get your temporary tag:

  • From your vehicle dealer.
  • In person at an OMV office.

To get a temporary tag from the AR OMV, you must submit:

  • A bill of sale that includes the purchase date.
  • Documentation showing the dealer's name.
  • Vehicle information:
    • Vehicle identification number (VIN).
    • Make and model.
  • Payment for the temporary tag fee: Up to $1.

This tag will be valid until the car is properly registered, up to 30 days from the sale date. The tag can be extended for an additional 30 days if necessary.

If you buy a car in a private sale, you will transfer ownership and register the car at an Arkansas OMV office at the time of purchase.

Apply for Arkansas License Plates

To get your AR license plates, you have to register your vehicle with the AR OMV.

You must register within:

  • 30 days of moving to Arkansas.
  • 30 days of buying a vehicle.

See our Vehicle Registration page for more details.

Renew Vehicle Tags

Before the sticker on your license plate expires, you must renew your vehicle registration.

When you renew, you'll get a new sticker with a new date to put over the old one.

The AR OMV offers registration renewal online, by phone, by mail, and in person.

Our Registration Renewal in Arkansas page has complete details.

Replace Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Plates

If your license plate or expiration sticker is lost, stolen, or damaged, you should replace it immediately.

For replacement requirements, contact the Arkansas OMV at (501) 682-4692 or go in person to your nearest OMV branch.

Transfer or Surrender AR Tags

In Arkansas, you can transfer your plate to a new car when you register your new vehicle. You will pay the:

  • $1 transfer fee.
    PLUS
  • Any difference in registration fees, if the vehicles are different types.

You can surrender a license plate at your local AR OMV office if you do not want to transfer it or don't need it because your vehicle is inoperable or you're leaving the state.

Fees for License Plates

The fees below are standard registration fees that you'll need to pay in order to get Arkansas license plates for your vehicle. In addition to these fees, you may be subject to taxes, service fees, or other charges.

The fees for new standard plates and plate renewal are based on vehicle type and weight:

  • Passenger cars and motorhomes up to 3,000 lbs.:
    • $17 registration fee.
    • $2.50 decal fee.
  • Passenger cars and motorhomes 3,001 to 4,500 lbs.:
    • $25 registration fee.
    • $2.50 decal fee.
  • Passenger cars and motorhomes 4,501 lbs. or more:
    • $30 registration fee.
    • $2.50 decal fee.
  • Trucks and vans:
    • $21 registration fee.
    • $2.50 decal fee.
  • Motorcycles of 250 cc or larger:
    • $7 registration fee.
    • $2.50 decal fee.
  • Motorcycles under 250 cc:
    • $3 registration fee.
    • $2.50 decal fee.

Contact the Arkansas OMV at (501) 682-4692 for replacement license plate and decal fees.

Look Up License Plates in AR

The Arkansas OMV DOES NOT offer any way to look up license plate information.

When you apply for a personalized plate, you'll need to provide several options for your plate in case your first choice is unavailable. The AR OMV will check to see if your requested plates are available.

You CANNOT look up license plate details to find the owner of a vehicle. If you are concerned about a vehicle or driver, you should contact the police.

For accident and repair information about a specific vehicle you're interested in buying, you can order a vehicle history report using its vehicle identification number (VIN).

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