Free Arkansas Vehicle Bill of Sale
Arkansas requires a bill of sale to register — the DFA lists one with the VIN, date of sale, purchase amount, and both signatures, and publishes Form 10-313 (Vehicle Bill of Sale / Odometer Disclosure Statement) — and the buyer must pay sales tax (6.5% state, 3.5% or none on used vehicles under $10,000, plus local tax on the first $2,500) at the local revenue office before the title will transfer. Missing the 60-day registration deadline can cost the buyer late penalties and leave the seller's name on the state record — the seller can file the DFA's optional Notice of Transfer of Ownership to record the sale.
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Arkansas Vehicle Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
6.5% state sales tax on new vehicles and used vehicles priced $10,000 or more; used vehicles priced $4,000–$9,999 pay a reduced 3.5% state rate, and used vehicles under $4,000 pay none. City and county taxes apply only to the first $2,500 of the price.
Inspection Requirements
No statewide safety inspection required. Federal odometer disclosure is mandatory for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer 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 of model year 2011 or newer 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 60 days.
- Buyer pays state + local sales tax at the revenue office (the state rate depends on the price band; local tax applies only to the first $2,500).
- 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 — the price on the bill of sale sets the tax band, so it must be the real price.
- Forgetting the lien release: a lienholder still listed on the title will block the transfer at the revenue office.
- Waiting past 60 days to register: the buyer incurs late penalties 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.