Free Arkansas Vehicle Bill of Sale
Arkansas has no dedicated state bill-of-sale form — the DFA Motor Vehicle Division accepts any clearly written bill of sale, but the buyer must pay sales tax (often 9–11% of the purchase price) at the local revenue office before the title will transfer. Missing the 30-day title-transfer deadline can cost the buyer late fees and leave the seller exposed to liability for any tickets or accidents tied to the vehicle.
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Arkansas Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
6.5% state sales tax plus local levies; total effective rate is typically 9–11% depending on county. Pulaski County (Little Rock) and Benton County both run ~9.5%.
Inspection Requirements
No statewide safety inspection required. Federal odometer disclosure is mandatory for vehicles under 10 model years old and under 16,000 lbs GVWR.
Arkansas Vehicle Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Write a bill of sale that includes the full VIN, year/make/model, odometer reading, sale price, both parties' names and addresses, and the date of sale.
- Complete the odometer disclosure section on the back of the title (required by federal law for vehicles under 10 years old and under 16,000 lbs GVWR).
- Seller signs the title over to the buyer — both parties keep a signed copy of the bill of sale.
- If the title shows a lienholder, obtain a lien-release document before the sale.
- Buyer takes the signed title, bill of sale, and proof of insurance to the nearest DFA revenue office within 30 days.
- Buyer pays state + local sales tax at the revenue office (budget for 9–11% in most Arkansas counties).
- New Arkansas residents have 30 days from establishing residency to register the vehicle.
Common Pitfalls
- Accepting a hand-written amount lower than the actual sale price — Arkansas DFA can assess tax on fair market value if the reported price appears unreasonably low.
- Forgetting the lien release: a lienholder still listed on the title will block the transfer at the revenue office.
- Waiting past 30 days to transfer: the buyer incurs late-title fees and the seller remains on record as owner during that window.
- Skipping the odometer disclosure on the title itself — a separate piece of paper does not satisfy federal law; it must appear on the title or an official odometer disclosure statement.
Pro Tip
Pro tip: both parties should sign two originals of the bill of sale and each keep one. The seller should also write "sold as-is" and the exact odometer reading on the document to prevent future disputes about the vehicle's condition at the time of transfer.