State Regulations in Arkansas

Arkansas Vehicle Sale & Purchase Regulations

Buying and selling a vehicle can be very exciting, but you need to be prepared.

Research your purchase to get the safety features you want, the style you admire, and the right price for your budget.

Be sure to factor registration fees into that budget.

Along with thinking about the additional state taxes and registration/titling fees that will accompany the purchase price of your vehicle, you'll also need to keep track of the paperwork that you'll need to submit to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).

Buying a Car in Arkansas

Set aside emotions when you buy a new (or used) car. As a negotiator, you must be objective to get the best deal.

Search car classifieds online, talk to friends, and read magazines before deciding on a car, and then practice your negotiating approach.

The bill of sale is your binding contract. Read it carefully to make sure it contains the proper price, terms, and warranty.

After you Buy a New or Used Car in Arkansas

After you buy a car, you'll need to register it. There are many motor vehicle forms available online to help with this.

First, you need to transfer the title from the seller to you, and then pay the local county property taxes. You can't take possession of the car without the title. If you buy a car from a dealership, the dealer will generally help you through the title transfer and registration process.

You don't need to see or take possession of the registration.

Arkansas requires you to carry a minimum amount of car insurance on your vehicle, but if your vehicle is purchased with a loan, you'll need full insurance coverage.

When registration is complete, you will be given license plates to mount. If you're interested, ask about special plates to personalize your new vehicle.

Selling a Car in Arkansas

Selling your car as a private seller is hard work. You need to know the value of the car before you advertise and then be prepared to negotiate. Ordering a VIN check or vehicle history report for your own vehicle can prepare you for questions a potential buyer may have. Once you have a buyer with a bill of sale in hand, you are ready to sell.

As the seller, you will be able to assign the title over to the car buyer. If you have questions about how to do this, get in touch with the Office of Motor Vehicle for directions.

You'll need to produce the title in order to sell the car. If it's lost or stolen you'll need to replace it.

You don't need to produce the vehicle registration at the time of the sale, but showing it to a prospective buyer could help facilitate the sale. For example, the buyer might be able to verify that the tags are legitimate, and it might give the buyer some extra piece of mind in general.

Once you sell the car, take off your plates and then get in touch with your insurance carrier. Cancel the insurance on the sold vehicle and be sure to buy liability insurance for any new vehicles you buy instead. You may also need to notify the Arkansas DFA that you've sold the car.

Please contact the Arkansas OMV with any specific questions.

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