Arkansas Vehicle Registration Fee Calculator
Estimate your AR Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) fees
Estimated Summary
* Sales tax applies only if purchase price is $4,000 or more. This is an estimate; actual fees may vary at the DFA office.
How Arkansas Registration Fees are Calculated
In Arkansas, vehicle registration is managed by the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). The primary cost of registering a passenger vehicle is determined by its unladen weight (curb weight). Here is the breakdown of the current fee structure:
- 3,000 lbs or less: $17.00 registration fee.
- 3,001 to 4,500 lbs: $25.00 registration fee.
- 4,501 lbs and over: $30.00 registration fee.
- Pickups (Class 1): Typically $21.00 for 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton models.
- Motorcycles: $3.00 registration fee.
Additional Administrative Fees
Beyond the base registration fee, several mandatory administrative costs apply to almost every vehicle transaction in Arkansas:
- Title Fee: $6.50 for the issuance of a new certificate of title.
- Validation Decal: $2.50 for the license plate sticker.
- Lien Recording: $1.00 if the vehicle is financed and a lienholder is noted.
- Postage: $1.00 if you choose to receive your materials via mail.
Sales Tax Requirements
Arkansas has a specific rule regarding sales tax: if the vehicle's purchase price is $4,000 or more, you must pay sales tax. If the price is below $4,000, it is exempt from state and local sales tax. The state tax rate is 6.5%, plus your specific city and county rates.
Example Calculation
Suppose you purchased a sedan weighing 3,400 lbs for $10,000 in a city with a 2% local tax rate. Your fees would be:
- Registration: $25.00
- Title Fee: $6.50
- Decal: $2.50
- Sales Tax: $850.00 (8.5% of $10,000)
- Total: $884.00