State comparison · Updated October 2026
Arkansas vs. Missouri Driving Laws (2026)
Arkansas and Missouri part ways on 5 of 9 topics we track: phone law, learner's permit age, car sales tax, car inspection and helmet law.
A drive from Little Rock to Kansas City crosses the state line, and 5 of the nine rules switch at the line. Main routes are I-40 on the Arkansas side and I-70 on the side of Missouri; the capitals, Little Rock and Jefferson City, write the laws for each side.
What changes most: car tax on a $30,000 purchase differs by $683. Residents of Fayetteville who travel to St. Louis, or vice versa, live under both rulebooks: Arkansas's on I-30 and Missouri's once they cross on I-44. Read the Arkansas vs Missouri guide when moving from Little Rock and Kansas City.
For a weekend trip from Little Rock to Jefferson City, pack a helmet and proof of insurance, plan the route ahead of time, and look for the same 75 mph top limit at the border.
| Topic | Arkansas | Missouri |
|---|---|---|
| Max speed limit | 75 mph | 75 mph |
| Phone law | Texting ban only | Hands-free law |
| Learner's permit age | Permit at 14 | Permit at 15 |
| Car insurance | 25/50/25 | 25/50/25 |
| Car sales tax | 6.5% | 4.225% |
| Car inspection | No regular inspection | Safety + emissions |
| New resident deadline | 30 days | 30 days |
| Helmet law | Under 21 | Under 26 |
| Lane splitting | Not allowed | Not allowed |
Driving laws: Arkansas vs Missouri
Arkansas vs Missouri: Arkansas and Missouri have the same rule for 75 mph for max speed limit.
Cell phone and texting laws: Arkansas vs Missouri
Arkansas is looser on phone law: Arkansas with texting ban only and Missouri at hands-free law. What you may do with a phone around Little Rock might not be in Kansas City.
Driving age and teen license laws: Arkansas vs Missouri
Missouri is later on learner's permit age: Arkansas at permit at 14 and Missouri with permit at 15. Teens in Little Rock taking a trip to Kansas City are bound by Missouri's teen restrictions there.
Owning a car side by side: Arkansas vs Missouri
Arkansas vs Missouri: Arkansas and Missouri match on car insurance (25/50/25) and new resident deadline (30 days).
Car sales tax: Arkansas vs Missouri
Arkansas is higher on car sales tax: Arkansas with 6.5% and Missouri with 4.225%. On a $30,000 car, state tax comes to roughly $1,950 in Arkansas versus $1,268 in Missouri. Buyers from Fayetteville and St. Louis owe the tax of their home state, not the dealer's.
Car inspection: Arkansas vs Missouri
The rule is stricter in Missouri on car inspection, with Arkansas at no regular inspection and Missouri with safety + emissions. Owners in Fayetteville answers to Arkansas laws, even if it frequently goes to St. Louis.
Motorcycle side by side: Arkansas vs Missouri
Arkansas vs Missouri: Arkansas and Missouri match on lane splitting: Not permitted.
Motorcycle helmet laws: Arkansas vs Missouri
Arkansas is looser on helmet law, with Arkansas at under 21 and Missouri at under 26. Riders heading from Little Rock to Kansas City switch to Missouri's helmet law at the border.
Crossing the line for good
- Arkansas vs Missouri: relocating from Arkansas to Missouri means 30 days for the car registration and 30 days for a license.
- The other way: 60 days for registration and 30 days to switch licenses.
Arkansas vs Missouri: questions
Where may you drive faster, Arkansas or Missouri?
Both Arkansas and Missouri top out at 75 mph.
Is car tax lower, Arkansas or Missouri?
Missouri charges less at the state level (6.5% vs. 4.225%).
Do I need a helmet in both Arkansas and Missouri?
Arkansas: Under 21; Missouri: Under 26.