Expired Registration in Arkansas

Arkansas residents are required to register their vehicles. The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration Office of Motor Vehicle administers vehicle registration procedures throughout the state. The Arkansas Highway Police holds primary responsibility for enforcing compliance with vehicle registration statutes on public roadways.

State Code Provisions in Arkansas

Vehicle registration requirements in Arkansas are set out in Title 27, Subtitle 2, Chapter 14 of the Arkansas Code, which addresses vehicle registration, titling, and licensing matters. This statutory framework prescribes mandatory registration procedures, establishes penalties for non-compliance, and authorizes enforcement mechanisms. Specific provisions within this chapter, including Arkansas Code § 27-14-1004 regarding late registration penalties and Arkansas Code § 27-14-701 concerning operation of unregistered vehicles, create legal obligations for vehicle owners to maintain current registration and outline consequences for violations.

Registration Terms and Expiration in Arkansas

Annual Registration System

Arkansas operates under an annual registration system for most passenger vehicles, with registrations remaining valid for one-year periods.

Standard Vehicle Registration:

• Registration periods extend for one year from the date of registration
• Registrations expire at midnight on the expiration date printed on the registration document
• Example: A vehicle registered on March 15, 2025, maintains valid registration through March 15, 2026, with expiration occurring at midnight on that date
• Vehicle owners may renew registration up to 90 days before expiration

There is no grace period for expired registration in Arkansas. Once registration expires, vehicle owners may not legally operate the vehicle on public roads until registration is renewed. The Office of Motor Vehicles administers the registration renewal process through county revenue offices and online services.

Penalties for Expired Registration in Arkansas

Administrative Penalties for Late Renewal

Arkansas imposes administrative late fees when vehicle owners renew expired registration. According to Arkansas Code § 27-14-1004, late registration penalties are structured as follows:

• Three dollars ($3.00) for each ten-day period, or fraction thereof, for which the person fails properly to register the vehicle
• The penalty continues to accrue until it reaches an amount equal to the annual license fee of the vehicle
• Annual license fees typically range from seventeen dollars ($17.00) to thirty dollars ($30.00)

Traffic Violations for Operating with Expired Registration

Arkansas law establishes criminal violations for operating vehicles with expired registration. Under Arkansas Code § 27-14-701, it is a misdemeanor for any person to drive or move, or for an owner knowingly to permit to be driven or moved, upon any highway, any vehicle required to be registered under Arkansas law that is not registered within the time period prescribed by law.

Additional Criminal Penalties:

Under Arkansas Code § 27-14-314, a person who, while driving a motor vehicle, is arrested for failure to register the motor vehicle shall be subject to additional penalties upon conviction:

• Fifty dollars ($50.00) to one hundred dollars ($100) for the first offense (minimum fine is mandatory)
• One hundred dollars ($100) to two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for the second and subsequent offenses (minimum fine is mandatory)

For second offenses committed within one year of a prior offense, the vehicle may be subject to impoundment until the owner provides proof that all obligations relating to registration and payment of personal property taxes have been satisfied.

These violations are separate from administrative late renewal fees and are imposed specifically for operating an unregistered vehicle on public highways.

Government Agencies

Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
Office of Motor Vehicle
1900 West 7th Street, Ste 1010
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: 501-682-4692
Official Website: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration

Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration
1900 West 7th Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Phone: 501-682-2242
Official Website: Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration

Arkansas Highway Police
P.O. Box 2779
Little Rock, AR 72203-2779
Phone: 501-569-2421
Official Website: Arkansas State Police

Arkansas Department of Public Safety
One State Police Plaza Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72209
Phone: 501-618-8000
Official Website: Arkansas Department of Public Safety