An Arkansas trailer bill of sale is a legal document that serves as a written record for negotiations and transactions involving a carrying platform. The form confirms the seller’s ownership of the trailer and ensures no outstanding loans are associated with it. If a lien exists, the seller must contact the lienholder and make the necessary arrangements to facilitate the sale.
You could face penalties in Arkansas if you pull the trailer on public roads without the proper tags. You will also want to secure a bill of sale to help ensure it is legal for use.
REQUIREMENTS
Bill of Sale: Not Required
Registration: Required
Title: Not Required
Insurance: Not Required
Signing: Buyer and seller
LAWS
Statutes: § 27-14-601, §§ 27-14-701 to 27-14-703, §§ 27-14-1201 to 27-14-1218
Registering a Trailer in Arkansas
It is illegal to neglect to register a trailer when required by law [1] . You cannot legally take your trailer onto public roads without tagging it through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
You have 30 days after purchasing a trailer to register it. Registration must occur in person at a DMV location. Online registration services are only available for motor vehicles.
What Paperwork Is Required To Register a Trailer in Arkansas?
The registration process is fairly simple. You will only need the following documents:
- Completed application
- Trailer bill of sale, manufacturer’s certificate, or out-of-state title – must include all details of the sale, especially the date. You also should make sure it contains the trailer’s specifications.
Registration Fees
Most registration charges depend on the weight of the trailer when loaded. It is your responsibility to ensure the registration matches the loaded gross weight. If you haul heavier, you must re-register for the new weight class.
A trailer with a load capacity of one ton or less, drawn by automobiles and Class One trucks (gross loaded weight of less than one ton), will cost $21 every three years. Permanent registration costs $36 but does not transfer to a new owner.
A full trailer used in farming or natural resources has a flat rate of $8 for registration. Other full trailers not specified have an annual fee based on the gross loaded weight.
If you are unsure of the weight, consult your bill of sale. Loaded weight may vary, but you should be able to estimate based on the hauling capacity.
Title for Trailer
The state has no titling requirement for trailers without motive power [2] .
Insurance
Most of the time, your auto insurance will cover any trailer you haul with the covered vehicle. Still, you may need supplemental insurance based on your policy coverage limits. The insurance may not cover actual damage to the trailer and offer only liability coverage should you cause an accident that harms someone else or their property. You can usually add coverage for the trailer to your existing policy.
Note there is no state requirement to have insurance on a trailer.
Exemptions
You do not have to register your trailer in Arkansas if you use it only to cross a roadway to get from one property to another. Another exemption arises if you are transporting logs or timber to their first processing area. You may wish to specify on the bill of sale that it meets one of these exceptions.
Arkansas Trailer Bill of Sale Sample
