If your Arkansas license plate is lost, stolen, damaged, or unreadable, the Arkansas DFA requires you to replace it under Arkansas Code Section 27-14-716. The process is quick and inexpensive, Arkansas has one of the lowest replacement fee structures in the country, and most replacements can be ordered online through mydmv.arkansas.gov.
When You Need an Arkansas Replacement Plate
Arkansas plates must be legible, securely fastened, and free of obstructions. If yours has been damaged in an accident, faded by sun, or simply lost, replacement is the right step. There is no requirement to wait for the next renewal, you can replace a plate at any time during the year.
Stolen Plate Reporting
Stolen plates should be reported to local law enforcement before applying for a replacement. The police report number is sometimes requested when filing the application online or in person. Plate theft happens most often in higher-density areas Little Rock, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and the Northwest Arkansas growth corridor, but can happen anywhere with parked vehicles.
Damaged or Faded Plates
If a plate is bent, peeling, or sun-faded to the point a camera or officer cannot read it, the DFA considers it eligible for replacement. Arkansas’s hot summers and humid conditions accelerate plate wear, particularly in the lower elevations of the eastern and southern parts of the state.
After an Accident or Storm
Plates damaged in a collision or in severe weather (hail, tornado debris, flood) should be replaced as part of recovery. Insurance may cover the small replacement fee — check with your adjuster.
How to Order an Arkansas Replacement Plate
Arkansas offers both online and in-person replacement, and the choice often depends on whether you want to keep the same plate number or take a new one. The mail-in option is also available through a downloadable form.
- mydmv.arkansas.gov for online orders
- State revenue office for in-person service
- Mail-in form available from the DFA website
- Police report number for stolen plates
- Photo ID and current registration for in-person applications
Online Process
Log in to mydmv.arkansas.gov with your plate number and VIN. Select the replacement option, confirm your delivery address, and pay the small fee. The new plate is mailed within 7 to 10 business days.
In-Person Process
Visit any state revenue office with your photo ID, your current registration (if available), and the replacement fee. The agent processes the application on the spot. Specialty and personalized plates require additional time for manufacturing.
How Much Does a Replacement Plate Cost?
The standard plate replacement fee in Arkansas is $1, which is among the lowest in the United States. A replacement registration card is $1, and a replacement decal alone is $1. Specialty plate replacement carries the same base fee plus the specialty plate fee, which varies by plate type.
Personalized Plates
Replacing a personalized plate requires the same special plate fee as the original, typically $25 to $50, depending on plate type. The new plate will carry the same custom message unless you request a change, and the message must still pass DFA review for appropriate content.
Same Number or New Number
Arkansas reissues the same plate number on replacement by default, preserving toll account and parking permit associations. Drivers who want a different number can request a new-issue plate, which costs the same as a fresh registration.
Driving While You Wait
Arkansas replacement plates are typically mailed within 7 to 10 business days. If you need to drive immediately, the revenue office can issue a paper temporary tag to bridge the gap. The temporary should be displayed on the rear of the vehicle in the same position as a regular plate.
Mounting the New Plate
Arkansas is a single-plate state, only the rear plate is required. When the replacement arrives, mount it securely and dispose of the old plate properly. The DFA recommends destroying old plates so they cannot be misused.
State-Specific Considerations for Arkansas Replacement
Arkansas’s severe weather, particularly tornadoes in the spring, ice storms in winter, and river flooding creates higher-than-average plate damage rates. After major storm events, revenue offices sometimes see surges in replacement requests. Drivers in flood-prone counties along the Arkansas, Mississippi, and White rivers should also be aware that vehicles that have been flood-damaged should have title brands updated.
Flood and Storm Considerations
If your vehicle was caught in flooding, the plate replacement is the easy part, but the title should also be branded if the vehicle suffered flood damage. NMVTIS catches flood-brand titles even when vehicles are later sold across state lines, so subsequent buyers can see the history through PlateLookup-style searches.
Tornado Belt Damage
Arkansas tornadoes can damage plates indirectly through debris even when vehicles aren’t directly struck. Hail damage to plates is common during spring severe weather, and the small replacement fee makes it easy to address.