How to Complete a VIN Inspection in Arkansas
A VIN verification in Arkansas is not required for the majority of vehicles in the state. Instead, cars are only required to undergo a VIN inspection in AR if they are transferred from a different state and have been damaged in a significant way. Overall, there are a number of different titles that may be issued to a vehicle that has sustained extensive damage.
Consequently, VIN number validation procedures are required for these cars, because they allow the state Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to ensure that it is issuing a title to the vehicles’ proper owners. Furthermore, this procedure allows the DFA to ensure that no vehicle is being driven on the road that could pose a danger to other motorists.
In this article, you will learn about the methods and requirements that relate to how to verify your VIN number in Arkansas. The sections below outline when you need to get a VIN verified, who is allowed to verify it, where this procedure may take place and what documents you need to bring to an inspection. Moreover, you will discover what to do with a DMV VIN verification form after it has been issued.
When is an Arkansas VIN verification required?
You will need to request an Arkansas VIN inspection if you are bringing in a vehicle from out of state, and that vehicle has been significantly damaged due to certain circumstances. Generally, damaged vehicles coming into AR will have one of the following titles:
- Salvage title – This type of title indicates that the repairs that a damaged vehicle would have to undergo were estimated to cost more than 70 percent of the car’s market price.
- Rebuilt title – Sometimes referred to as a “prior salvage title,” this credential indicates that the vehicle was at one point categorized as salvage. However, repairs were made, and the car is once again deemed roadworthy.
- Parts-only title – Also known as a “not for registration title,” this document indicates that the car has been so seriously damaged that it does not have a traditional market price. Instead, only certain parts are suitable to be sold.
- Water-damaged title – This title is issued to vehicles that were immersed in water, to the point that their dashboards were fully underwater. In general, this title is applied no matter how much damage the car undertook.
If your vehicle was seriously damaged in Arkansas, you will not need to get a car verification in the state, but you will need to obtain a salvage title. Moreover, if you are bringing a vehicle in from out of state but it does not have one of the abovementioned titles, you will not be required to request an inspection.
Overall, the vehicle VIN verification process should not be confused with a standard VIN check, which simply allows a buyer to determine the history of a car prior to purchasing it.
Where can I go to obtain a VIN inspection in Arkansas?
A VIN number validation in Arkansas can be performed by any member of law enforcement, as long as they are certified to conduct these procedures. However, it is important to note that a state car inspection performed by a law enforcement officer in a different state will not be valid for the purposes of a car registration in AR.
Because a VIN inspection is only performed by law enforcement officers, you should not visit a DFA location or tax office in order to request this procedure. Instead, local police stations will function as car inspection stations.
What to Bring to a VIN Number Verification in Arkansas
The main purpose of a vehicle inspection in Arkansas is to verify your ownership rights over a car that you are bringing in from a different state. Furthermore, this procedure is also important to ensure that the vehicle is suitable for driving on state roads, thus being deemed roadworthy. Thus, during a VIN verification, you must submit all of the ownership documents in your possession.
If possible, you must bring the vehicle’s title and registration, as well as a form of state-issued credential to identify you, such as a driver’s license or an ID card. Furthermore, the vehicle in question must certainly be present for the VIN inspection.
Note: If you are unable to go in person to request a vehicle inspection, a different Arkansas resident with a state-issued photo ID will be eligible to bring your vehicle to the procedure in your place.
What to Do After Completing a VIN Inspection in Arkansas
Your approved Arkansas DMV VIN verification form will be required when you register your vehicle with the state’s DFA. Thus, make sure to take this form with you upon registering your car. If you are bringing a vehicle from out of state, the deadline for registration is 30 days after you have declared your state residency.
For that reason, be mindful that you need to get your car’s VIN number validation and registration within 30 days of moving to AR. As a general rule, this deadline applies regardless of whether you are transferring a new or used vehicle to the state.