The signaling pathway of G protein-coupled receptors is strongly linked to their trafficking profile. Little is known about the molecular mechanisms involved in the vasopressin receptor V 1b subtype (V 1b R) trafficking and its impact on receptor signaling and regulation. For this purpose, we investigated the role of β-arrestins in receptor desensitization, internalization and recycling and attempted to dissect the V 1b R-mediated MAP kinase pathway. Using MEF cells Knockedout for β-arrestins 1 and 2, we demonstrated that both β-arrestins 1 and 2 play a fundamental role in internalization and recycling of V 1b R with a rapid and transient V 1b R-β-arrestin interaction in contrast to a slow and long-lasting β-arrestin recruitment of the V 2 vasopressin receptor subtype (V 2 R). Using V 1b R-V 2 R chimeras and V 1b R C-terminus truncations, we demonstrated the critical role of the V 1b R C-terminus in its interaction with β-arrestins thereby regulating the receptor internalization and recycling kinetics in a phosphorylation-independent manner. In parallel, V 1b R MAP kinase activation was dependent on arrestins and Src-kinase but independent on G proteins. Interestingly, Src interacted with hV 1b R at basal state and dissociated when receptor internalization occurred. Altogether, our data describe for the first time the trafficking profile and MAP kinase pathway of V 1b R involving both arrestins and Src kinase family.