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Ole_B's avatar
Ole_B
Explorer
Jan 20, 2014

vehicle license in SD

We have moved to AZ and will be RVing in the north 6-7 months a year. Does anyone know how to get a South Dakota drivers license, mail forwarding and registration for my vehicles. It would cost over $1500 a year to license my class A motorhome. Thanks for info.

20 Replies

  • Opps...should be ACA (not ADA)....got that mixed up!!

    Blue Cross/Blue Shield is one of the major players in Multi-State Plans.
    None are offered under ACA in SD (and 18 other states---FL being one also) at this time. ALL are suppose to offer muti-state plans within 4 yrs.

    At present normal/routine care (doctor/hospital/pharmacy) under ACA plans for SD are IN SD.
    Normal medical care while traveling out of state......appears to be out of pocket costs without coverage.
    Emergency treatment while on the road........?????

    Nothing clear...especially for FTrs
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    No state income tax isn't the only factor one should consider.

    Under ADA (Obama Care) SD and 18 other states do NOT at this time offer Muti-State Medical Plans.

    So one must consider medical coverage/costs and treatment as one of the factors.


    Old-Biscuit may well be right with regards to ADA (it doesn't affect me so I don't know). Actually, relatively few people are covered by Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and relatively few will be covered by the ACA (Obama Care). The final goal for ACA is only 15 million people, most with special needs (previous conditions, no employer coverage, low income, not old enough for Medicare, etc) BUT, in any case, you should be aware of where your health coverage is coming from. Many of us SD resident full timers are covered by MediCare. DW and I have MediCare and a Medicare supplemental police from Mutual of Omaha. We are fully covered where ever we go in the US.

    If you are going to be traveling but maybe spending winters in AZ you need to do your due diligence on health care coverage and make sure what you have is what you need. Bottom line, it's your responsibility to know what your health coverage is and it won't me easy. Everyone seems to be confused.
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Under ADA (Obama Care) SD and 18 other states do NOT at this time offer Multi-State Medical Plans.

    So one must consider medical coverage/costs and treatment as one of the factors.
    Then those who fall under the ACA in SD would not have medical ACA insurance if they leave SD on a trip? Must be some kind of supplemental travel insurance they can purchase.
  • We have been with Alternative Resources in Sioux Falls since 2005 also. Have
    been extremely happy with their service. Went to SD in 2005 and registered
    both vehicles, MH and toad, SD lawyer changed our wills from Indiana to SD,
    and have a MH homeowner policy which includes replacement cost. Once your
    driver license is obtained, I understand future renewals may be made over the
    internet. AR would able to give you more info on this. We renew plates over
    the internet with a direct draw from our SD bank account. We are currently
    with Medicare and have an AARP supplement policy. Have been treated in hospitals
    in different areas of the US and have never had a problem or paid any costs.
    While in Florida from 2010 to 2011, went through treatment and surgery for
    colorectal cancer--never paid a penny!

    Hapy Trails!
  • We have been full time since 2005 with Alternative Resources in Sioux Falls as our base. Remember when moving your domicile, you will also want to "move" any wills or trusts to conform to SD law also. This is to make things much easier on your heirs and take your estate out of your present state since you are no longer a resident. We use a local law firm in Sioux Falls familiar with full timers. We also connected with a nation wide banker located in Sioux Falls for direct deposits of monies due us. In other words make a clean break with your current state. You may find it's much easier to pay the $1500 than make the change.
  • No state income tax isn't the only factor one should consider.

    Under ADA (Obama Care) SD and 18 other states do NOT at this time offer Muti-State Medical Plans.

    So one must consider medical coverage/costs and treatment as one of the factors.
  • Follow Old Bisquit's advice...you cannot be "legal" residents of Arizona and do what you're proposing. The tax man will come a callin' maybe more.

    If you decide to make SD your legal residence, and you're enrolled with Medicare, make sure you check your coverage carefully and ensure it's the best move for you.......Dennis
  • Legally move from AZ to SD.

    You can't just get a SD DL, register vehicles etc. and still be legal residents of AZ just to avoid MH registration fees.

    IF you are going to become residents of SD and travel....
    Set up your new legal SD address via a mail forwarding service (can do that on-line). For DL's you will need to physically apply in person with the proper documentation. And sign an affidavit that SD is your only state of residency.

    Course as SD residents your Medical Coverage/Insurance, vehicle insurance will be based on your SD address.

    So are you ready to 'move'?
  • You will have to make a trip to SD, join a mail forwarding company (So you will have an address) turn in your current drivers license, have your picture taken for a new one, go to the courthouse and switch titles to SD....If you go to Rapid City, Americas Mailbox is located there....you can google to get phone & info