Free Arkansas Used Car Bill of Sale
In Arkansas, used-car private sales follow the 'casual sale' rule: the buyer — not the seller — pays sales tax when they register the car at the DFA revenue office, which means the seller has no obligation to collect it. That said, the seller must hand over a clean, lien-free title signed over to the buyer, or the deal can unravel entirely at the revenue office counter.
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Arkansas Used Car Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
6.5% state sales tax plus local option taxes; typical total is 9–11%. Tax is paid by the buyer at the revenue office — not collected by the private seller.
Exemption: Vehicles transferred between immediate family members may qualify for a reduced tax rate; verify current rules at the DFA revenue office.
Inspection Requirements
No state safety inspection required for used-car casual sales. Federal odometer disclosure required for vehicles under 10 years old and under 16,000 lbs GVWR.
Arkansas Used Car Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify the title is in the seller's name and matches the VIN plate on the dashboard and door jamb.
- Obtain a written lien release from the lienholder if the title shows any outstanding loan.
- Complete the odometer disclosure on the back of the Arkansas title (required for vehicles under 10 model years old).
- Write a bill of sale noting the actual sale price, VIN, year/make/model, odometer, date, and both parties' full names and addresses.
- Include an "AS TRADED" or "AS-IS" clause if selling without warranty — this is common and recognized in Arkansas private sales.
- Seller signs the title over; both parties sign the bill of sale and retain a copy.
- Buyer takes signed title and bill of sale to the DFA revenue office within 30 days to pay tax and register.
Common Pitfalls
- Selling with a lien still on the title — the DFA will not transfer title until the lien is formally released in writing.
- Underreporting the sale price to reduce the buyer's tax bill — DFA can reassess based on book value if the stated price is suspiciously low.
- Assuming "as traded" verbiage on the bill of sale alone is enough — the phrase should appear in the document body and both parties should initial it.
- Failing to note pre-existing damage or odometer discrepancies in writing, which can expose the seller to buyer complaints after the sale.
Pro Tip
Sellers: take a photo of the odometer and both sides of the signed title on the day of sale. This single step resolves the vast majority of post-sale disputes in Arkansas.