Arkansas Bill of Sale for a Vehicle: What It Is and How It Works

A bill of sale is a written record documenting the transfer of a vehicle from one person to another. In Arkansas, it serves as evidence that a transaction took place — recording who sold the vehicle, who bought it, what vehicle changed hands, and for how much. It isn't always legally required to complete a private vehicle sale, but it protects both parties and plays an important role in the title transfer and registration process at the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).

What an Arkansas Vehicle Bill of Sale Actually Does

The bill of sale functions as a paper trail. For the buyer, it documents what was paid and confirms the seller had the vehicle to sell. For the seller, it creates a record that the vehicle left their possession on a specific date — which can matter if the vehicle is later involved in an accident, traffic violation, or unpaid toll before the buyer registers it.

Arkansas doesn't require a standalone bill of sale form to transfer a vehicle title, but the DFA does maintain an official form — Form 10-313 — that can be used for this purpose. Buyers and sellers can also draft their own, provided it includes the required information.

What to Include on an Arkansas Vehicle Bill of Sale

Whether you use the state form or write your own, a valid Arkansas vehicle bill of sale should contain:

• Full legal names and addresses of both the buyer and seller
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Year, make, and model of the vehicle
• Odometer reading at the time of sale
• Sale price (or notation of gift, if applicable)
• Date of sale
• Signatures of both buyer and seller

Some transactions also include a statement about the vehicle's condition — particularly whether it's sold as-is. Arkansas private party sales are typically sold as-is, meaning the seller makes no warranty about the vehicle's mechanical condition unless they specifically agree to one in writing.

Why the Sale Price Matters 💰

Arkansas calculates sales tax on vehicle purchases based on the declared sale price. When a buyer registers the vehicle with the DFA or their county revenue office, they'll owe sales tax on that amount. Underreporting the sale price is considered fraud. If the price listed is significantly below fair market value, the DFA may assess tax based on the vehicle's book value instead.

For vehicles transferred as gifts between qualifying family members, a different process may apply — but this varies by relationship and the specific circumstances of the transfer. The bill of sale should clearly indicate the nature of the transaction.

How the Bill of Sale Fits Into the Title Transfer Process

In Arkansas, transferring ownership of a vehicle requires a properly assigned title — the seller signs the back of the title over to the buyer. The bill of sale supports that process but doesn't replace it.

After a sale, the buyer typically has 30 days to register the vehicle and transfer the title into their name through their county revenue office. Required documents generally include:

Odometer disclosure requirements apply to most vehicles under 10 years old with a GVWR under 16,000 lbs — it can often be completed on the back of the title itself.

Private Sales vs. Dealer Sales

The bill of sale process works differently depending on who's selling the vehicle.

Private party sales rely heavily on the bill of sale because there's no business entity generating a receipt. Both parties should keep a signed copy.

Dealer sales in Arkansas generate their own documentation — buyers typically receive a buyer's order, purchase agreement, and related paperwork. The dealer usually handles the title transfer on the buyer's behalf, so a separate handwritten bill of sale isn't part of that transaction.

When a Bill of Sale Isn't Enough 📋

A bill of sale on its own doesn't transfer ownership. Without a properly signed title, the buyer can't legally register the vehicle in their name. If a seller claims the title is lost, the seller — not the buyer — should apply for a duplicate title from the DFA before completing the sale. Buying a vehicle without a title creates serious complications for registration and future resale.

Similarly, if a vehicle has an outstanding lien, the lienholder's name will appear on the title. That lien must be released before the title can be transferred cleanly to a new owner.

Notarization and Witnessing

Arkansas does not require a vehicle bill of sale to be notarized in most standard private sale situations. However, some buyers and sellers choose to have it notarized anyway — particularly for higher-value transactions — as an added layer of authenticity. Specific circumstances, such as certain estate transfers or out-of-state transactions, may involve additional requirements.

The Part That Varies by Situation

How the bill of sale interacts with your specific transaction depends on the vehicle type (standard title, bonded title, salvage, etc.), the county where you're registering, whether the vehicle was previously titled in another state, and the details of how the sale was structured. Arkansas's county-based registration system means some processes are handled locally, and requirements can differ slightly in practice from one county revenue office to another.

The general framework is consistent — but the specifics of your vehicle, your county, and your transaction are what determine exactly what you'll need to bring and what you'll owe.