License, registration, home, visiting.... oh my!

Ron I think your friend may have some issues in regards to the Jeep and Motorhome may want to get all in the same state if the Jeep or Motorhome stays in MO.

Also I think you are wrong here (below) the residency laws I have looked up did not make mention of a 30 day rule unless you were going to become a resident anyway and the 30 days is the time limit for registration or driver's licensing one or the other maybe both now.

"I do know that California requires you to be license in California if you are there for longer than 30 consecutive daysthan 30 consecutive days. I do not know if being a camphost may provide an exclusion to this law. I have no idea about SD, MO, or KS laws.....hence my initial post."

jimR

Things can get complicated. I moved from CA to AZ but the registration on my truck was up in Aug $325 but I didn't move until Jan. So I got a mailing address in AZ but the insurance company wanted a physical address, I don't have one. My CA insurance agent said well have you ever stayed in one of the camp grounds where your going to move, yes I have, well then give them that address. The MVD wanted something other than a mail box so I gave the same address as I gave the insurance co. I registered by truck in AZ for 5 years for a whopping $178. The MVD will put any address on you drivers license . so it has my mailing address on it and not my physical address. I physically moved 5 months later. You need insurance from the same state as your drivers license is issued in other wise if you get stopped the LEO's computer will show you with no insurance at least they how it works in AZ

And thank you for your opinion also. For the record, my home address/domicile, vehicle (all five) registration and driver's license are all in California. We spend 5 month (May thru Oct) on the coast of Newport where we own a site at an mh resort. Oregon does not recognize the mh resort as a permanent residence (or else I would have registered my mh there) and therefore does not require me to register as a domicile or license my vehicles or driver's license.

My concern is for my friend who I don't want to have legal problems just because he is unaware of possible irregularities. I have spoken to him on this subject and he has made some inquiries, but just can't seem to find the necessary answers.

I do know that California requires you to be license in California if you are there for longer than 30 consecutive days. I do not know if being a camphost may provide an exclusion to this law. I have no idea about SD, MO, or KS laws.....hence my initial post.

Thanks all who provided good info.

You listed both Oregon and California on your signature page; a fact not an opinion. And another fact is that California or most states if not all do not recognize temporary living even if much longer than 30 consecutive days in the state as necessarily requiring somebody be licensed in that state. Military folks on temporary duty even if months or years and college kids are major exceptions. When temporary becomes permanent then the state has a legitimate claim on their registration requirements. How many snowbirds that go to Arizona, Florida or Texas every year go get licenses/registration in Arizona or Texas or wherever even if they are there all winter? And if you really want to help your friend have your friend contact Missouri or Kansas or wherever's DMV office and that should provide the necessary answers.

If I was looking for this information I would start by asking the question with the Escapees organization as there are many member full timers living everywhere in the nation often spending minimal time in their state of residence. In fact, your friend might benefit immensely from that great organization. Unless there is a compelling reason to be a Missouri resident and except for medical insurance for those not on Medicare there is not really a downside to having the jeep, motorhome, driver's license, and residence all in South Dakota. Of course, he will no longer be a Missouri resident if that is important but will clarify the multiple state registrations if that bothers him.

JWRoberts wrote:
It's none of my business and probably none of yours either.

Thank you for your opinion.

What a question from the person who is either from Oregon or California!!!

And thank you for your opinion also. For the record, my home address/domicile, vehicle (all five) registration and driver's license are all in California. We spend 5 month (May thru Oct) on the coast of Newport where we own a site at an mh resort. Oregon does not recognize the mh resort as a permanent residence (or else I would have registered my mh there) and therefore does not require me to register as a domicile or license my vehicles or driver's license.

My concern is for my friend who I don't want to have legal problems just because he is unaware of possible irregularities. I have spoken to him on this subject and he has made some inquiries, but just can't seem to find the necessary answers.

I do know that California requires you to be license in California if you are there for longer than 30 consecutive days. I do not know if being a camphost may provide an exclusion to this law. I have no idea about SD, MO, or KS laws.....hence my initial post.

Thanks all who provided good info.

Ron

tinner12002 wrote:
Look at semi plates, they are usually licensed from just a few states where there are less taxes and fees. I think MO is one of them.

Semi plates have a home state but pay fees to the other states where they're operating. Look up "Apportioned Registration" or "IRP".

Is all this Legal? Depends on too many things for me to answer accuratly however I can say this:

SOME States (not on the list you gave) are looking into this with an eye towards calling it tax evasion.. Some Police WILL ticket. Even if no law is broken (I've met a few like that.. In fact been the victim of one of them.. Twice, Next time (if there is one)He is going to be the defendant His department has been warned).(that said. I practice avoidance, much easier)

Best is to have MH Towed and Driver's license all in the same address.

1. A person can have more than one RESIDENCE but only ONE DOMICILE (read tax home). Think of a student in college. The student's residence is at the college, but since they do not plan to "return there after college" their domicile is at home with their parents. If the student take a summer job in a different state, their residence is in the new state for the summer. Residence can change as often as your mailing address.

2. The States wants tax $. So most states require you to purchase a new car tag if you are in the state more than 30 (?) days or if you take a job in the state or you send children to school in the state. States want you to purchase new tags when you change your mailing address and almost all have some type of such law.

3. To vote in a state most require you to live in the new voting location for a longer period of time -- say 90 days. This is to prevent people from moving to effect an election.

I would hazard a guess that anyone who travels on business and rents a car in another state would be tri-stated at some point. I know I was over last winter's trip several times renting from Enterprise. If it's an issue, it's largely ignored by LEOs.

I doubt it is illegal, if they are legally registered in those states. However, if he is home and gets pulled over in the Jeep or MH the Law Enforcement Officer might get suspicious and give him some extra scrutiny. This is assuming the Jeep and Motorhome are registered in his name.

Every state I have lived in required residence to register their vehicles in the state within in certain amount of time or face a fine. I never saw it enforced except in Maryland. While in college (not living in a college town),
I received a notice on my car after a few weeks living there that it had to be registered in the state by a certain date. I ignored it. Then one morning on my way to school, the DMV and local police were checking every car leaving the apartment complex. My car was on their list, but since I was a student, they told me how to get a special permit.

-Michael

I'm sure he has it all covered. If not, he'll figure it all out when he gets a traffic ticket.