Overview
Buying a bike still triggers the same tax machinery as a car: the used-vehicle price bands (0% under $4,000, 3.5% from $4,000–$9,999.99, 6.5% at $10,000 and up) apply to motorcycles exactly as they do to cars and trucks, and local city/county tax is still capped at the first $2,500 of the price. Add the $10 title fee on a new purchase, and the numbers below cover it all.
01 - Official fees
Arkansas motorcycle fees fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycle, 250cc and over | $7.00 | annual |
| Motor-driven cycle, under 250cc | $3.00 | annual |
| Title fee (new purchase) | $10.00 | |
| State sales tax - used, under $4,000 | $0 | same bands as cars |
| State sales tax - used, $4,000–$9,999.99 | 3.5% | |
| State sales tax - used $10,000+ / new | 6.5% | |
| Local city & county tax | capped at first $2,500 | of taxable price |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your local Arkansas DFA Revenue Office - counties can add small local fees.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Arkansas vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Arkansas motorcycle fees FAQ
Is $7 a year really the full registration cost for a motorcycle in Arkansas?
That's the base state registration fee, yes - genuinely among the cheapest in the US. You'll still separately owe the annual county personal property assessment and tax, and the $10 title fee if you just bought the bike.
Do motorcycles get the same used-vehicle tax bands as cars in Arkansas?
Yes - a used motorcycle priced under $4,000 owes no state sales tax, one from $4,000 to $9,999.99 is taxed at the reduced 3.5% rate, and $10,000 and above pays the full 6.5%, identical thresholds to cars and trucks under Act 1013.
What counts as 'under 250cc' for the cheaper $3 rate?
Engine displacement as listed on the title or manufacturer specs - small-displacement bikes, scooters, and some mopeds fall into this motor-driven cycle category. Anything at or above 250cc pays the standard $7 motorcycle rate.
Does the $2,500 local tax cap apply to motorcycle purchases?
Yes - motorcycles are motor vehicles licensed for highway use, so the same rule that caps car and truck local tax to the first $2,500 of price applies to bikes too, regardless of the sale price.
How do I register a custom-built or imported motorcycle in Arkansas?
A DFA-assigned VIN and an approved inspection are required before the normal title-and-registration process at a Revenue Office, similar to any assembled or previously out-of-state vehicle. Budget extra time for the inspection appointment.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.