8 Best Auto Transport Companies in Arkansas For 2024

It can be tempting to jump into your car once it arrives in Arkansas. Be sure to have your bases covered beforehand – residency status, title & registration, driver license, insurance, and so on – so you can enjoy your first road trip without any legal or safety issues.

1. Understand Arkansas Residency

This step only applies to those relocating to Arkansas from another state who plan to establish their permanent and principal residence in the state (i.e., this does not apply to snowbirds or college students living here temporarily). Arkansas legally requires new residents to take specific steps regarding insurance, car registration, and more based upon the date of residency. It may be challenging to establish an exact date of residence, but here are several steps to help establish it:

• Buy a home or sign a long-term lease
• Establish an AR mailing address
• Switch to utility providers in the state
• Obtain Arkansas driver license
• Title and register your vehicle here
• Register to vote in Arkansas
• File state income taxes
• Register your pets in the state
• Open new AR bank account

Note: Keep the date you establish residency in mind as you review the remaining steps.

2. Update Your Insurance to Comply with AR Laws

Each state sets its own laws regarding auto insurance minimums. In Arkansas, you must purchase an insurance policy from a licensed AR insurance agent with the following coverage amounts:

• $25,000 property damage liability per accident: Property liability coverage pays for any damage done to another car or property in an accident in which you are the at-fault driver.
• $25,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person/$50,000 per accident: Bodily injury liability coverage helps to cover another person’s injuries for which you are at fault.

Note: You must have proof of liability insurance coverage to title and register your vehicle in AR.

3. Title and Register Your Vehicle

If you bring a car into Arkansas from out of state, you must apply for title and registration within 30 days of establishing residency. The good news is that you can do so online at mydmv.arkansas.gov. You will need to have access to the following:

• Out-of-state title
• Insurance card
• Federal odometer statement

Also, it may be necessary to have these items on hand as well:

• Personal property tax number
• Lien contract or security agreement
• Current county tax assessment
• Proof of paid tax receipt

4. Obtain a Valid Arkansas Driver License

You must obtain an Arkansas license within 30 days of establishing residency. You must apply for your license in-person at a local Revenue Office. During the application process, you must:

• Establish residency in Arkansas
• Provide proof: ID, date of birth, social security number, change of name (if applicable), legal US presence, primary & secondary documents (official list)
• Surrender out-of-state driver license
• Pass driver exam (if the license is expired)
• Pass vision screening
• Have photo taken
• Pay applicable fees

5. Car Care Tips in AR

Looking to escape intense winter weather in the North or elsewhere? The good news is that Arkansas has mild winters! But just because there isn’t much snow here, that doesn’t mean you should not be mindful of car maintenance. To keep your vehicle in tiptop shape, here are some recommendations:

• Change oil every 3,000 miles (regular) or 5,000 (synthetic)
• Flush & replace antifreeze every 30,000 miles
• Replace brake fluid every 30,000 miles
• Change transmission fluid every 30,000 miles
• Replace the air filter every 12,000 miles or 12 months
• Replace fuel filter every 24,000 miles or 24 months
• Have a maintenance checkup at 15,000 / 30,000 / 60,000 / 90,000 miles

Another great tip is to keep a maintenance/tune-up checklist (either written out or on a device). This way, you won’t forget about the upcoming checkups that could lead to major issues if not addressed promptly. Be safe, and enjoy your time driving in the state of Arkansas!

Are you looking to ship your vehicle to Arkansas from another part of the country? Caravan Auto Transport’s network of vetted, licensed, and insured auto transporters offers safe, efficient transport of your automobile to its destination without running up the miles on the odometer. These reputable Arkansas car shipping companies provide the following services:

Open Car Transport

The most common method of car transportation, open transport carriers are ideal if you’re looking for an affordable shipping option with speedy delivery. As the name suggests, your car is loaded onto an open-air trailer along with several other vehicles headed to the same destination.

Enclosed Auto Transport

If you desire enhanced security or protection for your vehicle, you may wish to arrange enclosed carrier shipping. Inside a covered trailer, your car is protected from harsh weather conditions and road hazards like dust and dirt. Shipping your vehicle in a closed carrier also enhances its safety during transit by keeping the car concealed.

Door-to-Door Car Shipping

With a door-to-door car shipping service, you choose the desired pick-up and drop-off locations rather than having to arrange getting your vehicle to or from a transport terminal. Door-to-door shipping is the most convenient choice for shipping your car to or from Arkansas, saving you time and effort.

Expedited Shipping

In a hurry to get your car from one location to the next? Upgrading to expedited shipping ensures a seamless pick-up and drop-off of your vehicle on your schedule. As a priority customer, you receive fast, timely service, so you can get back to driving that much quicker.

Classic and Antique Car Transport

When it comes to transporting a classic car, you want an auto transport company that can deliver your vehicle without a single dent or scratch. From vintage Mustangs to antique DeVaux Sports Coupes, our network of classic auto transporters has the expertise and equipment to transport your classic car safely, so it arrives in pristine condition.

High End and Luxury Auto Shipping

Exotic car transporters use specialty equipment, like hydraulic lifts and sophisticated tie-downs, along with enclosed trucks, to keep your valuable car safe during every mile of transit. An enclosed car hauler ensures the ultimate protection for your high-end or luxury vehicle, protecting it from dirt, dust, and debris along the way.

From moving off to college to building your career, there are numerous reasons you may be interested in shipping a car to Arkansas or somewhere outside of the Natural State. Caravan Auto Transport’s network of auto shippers streamlines the car hauling process no matter your reason for transporting your vehicle to or from AR.

Moving and Relocation

When moving cross-country or out-of-state, many people choose to ship their cars rather than add a long road trip to an already stressful and exhausting relocation experience. Leave the logistics of moving your vehicle in the hands of professionals with either open or enclosed vehicle shipping services.

Snowbirds

Do you fly South for the winter? Given Arkansas’s hot summers and mild winter temps, it’s not hard to understand why. Start enjoying your escape from frigid North that much sooner by shipping your car and meeting it at your Arkansas destination -- whether you’re wintering in beautiful Bella Vista or Hot Springs.

Military

Arkansas is home to three military bases. From Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville to Fort Chaffee Army Base in Fort Smith, many military personnel are stationed in the Natural State. If you are one of the brave men and women serving our country, we’re happy to serve you with top-notch car transportation to or from Arkansas.

Online Car Buyers

Whether you’ve found the perfect vehicle on Craigslist, eBay, or AutoTrader, you may need some assistance getting it home, especially if it’s sitting on the other side of the country. Instead of flying out to pick it up and putting hundreds or thousands of miles on the odometer just to get it to your driveway, arrange for a hauler to transport your new car for you.

College Students

From the notable University of Arkansas to the more intimate Hendrix College, Arkansas has no shortage of top-tier colleges and universities for those seeking to further their education. If you have a college student moving to Arkansas from out-of-state (or vice versa), have their vehicle shipped straight to campus with a fast, affordable auto transport service.

On average, it costs between $500-$1500 to ship a car to Arkansas. Anticipate paying around $1 per mile for the first 1-500 miles, then approximately $.75 for every mile after that. Several factors influence the final cost of shipping your vehicle, including the origin and destination zip codes, the method of transport (open vs. enclosed), the speed of shipment, the type of vehicle, and the time of year. The best way to get an accurate estimate of car shipping costs is by requesting free quotes from our network of auto transport companies.