ARKANSAS

The earliest registration of automobiles was enacted by cities, and Little Rock appears to have been the first to pass an ordinance providing for registration; the exact date is uncertain but is believed to be in the 1901-04 period.  City registration was subsequently adopted by Fort Smith, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff and perhaps others, before the new state law in 1911 killed off local registration for all but public vehicles for hire.

The first state law to regulate automobiles was 1911 Act 134, passed March 24, 1911.  The law itself states that it would take effect immediately upon passage, but it is suspected that it did not officially become effective until August 13, 1911, which would account for Fort Smith city plates being issued as late as July 1911 with a "JULY 1912" expiration date.  The law required all automobile owners to register with the Secretary of State, pay a $5 fee, and display an annual state-issued pair of plates.  In addition, a small disc was issued, and the owner's license number was to be painted on both front headlight lens in 1-inch-tall numbers.  These discs continued to be issued annually through 1921.  The registration year was to be January 1 through December 31, and no provision was made for half-year fees in 1911 or any other year.

Non-residents were exempted if from a state that extended similar reciprocity to Arkansas.  Local registration and plates were expressly prohibited with the only exception being vehicles operated for hire.  Motorcycles were not registered at all until a new law was passed in 1921 requiring issuance of plates for motorcycles and side cars.  Dealers were registered at the same $5 rate as automobiles, but distinctive Dealer plates were apparently not issued until a few years later.  Passenger plates were used through 1915.  The earliest known Dealer plate is from 1916.

There were 1,611 registrations in 1911 but the highest 1911 plate made was #1600, so the last 11 registrants probably received permits or temporary tags.