Wal-Mart Tests Vehicle Registration

The state of Arkansas has teamed up with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. to make it a little easier to renew vehicle license plates.

The state has installed kiosks in five Wal-Mart stores to allow customers to renew their vehicle registration there. The kiosks are located in stores in Rogers, Little Rock, Russellville, Forrest City and McGehee.

“This is all part of the governor’s e-government initiative,” said Fred Porter, Arkansas’ administrator of motor vehicles. “This is part of bringing government to the people instead of requiring them to come to us.”

“We like for our stores to be one-stop shopping,” said Sharon Weber, a spokeswoman for Wal-Mart. “This is just an added convenience we’re testing.”

The state mails out renewal notices, which motorists can take to a participating Wal-Mart to renew. A computer will know if personal property taxes have been paid and automobile insurance purchased, Porter said. Motorists can pay for the renewal at the Wal-Mart check-out counter and receive new license-plate stickers there in the store.

“They don’t have to bring anything with them but their renewal notice,” Porter said.

Porter said motorists also may renew their vehicle registration by telephone or via the Internet.

Weber said she renewed her tags at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Rogers.

“It took me five minutes,” she said.

Weber said she doesn’t know how long Wal-Mart will test the service.

“We’re just playing it by ear,” she said. “The testing is going very well.”