Can someone tell me if you can get Maine tags on camper

In VA you can get a lifetime, permanent trailer tag for a one time cost of $100 (for trailers over 4,001 lbs). Pay once and never worry about registration again. You can pay $40/year and register annually or $100 one time. Personal property taxes are another matter.

LVJJJ wrote:

thomasmnile wrote:

rtaylor0830 wrote:
I have heard it saves a ton of money but do they allow it

Have you checked DMV rules in your home state for registration requirements? Noble idea, but the 'revenuers' in your state might definitely be offended!

I bought a used 5th wheel in California 5 years ago. Thought I could get a transit permit and temporary tag to tow it back to Florida where we live full time. Went to California DMV office with the owner to do the title transfer. Didn't happen. California DMV said NO! Left the office $2500 poorer after paying registration/tag, title fees, & 'use tax'!
Fortunately when we returned to Florida I showed the tag office folks the California paperwork and did not have to pay Florida Sales tax, only the registration fee.

Interesting, we bought a Class B Roadtrek in Irvine CA in 2005. We didn't have to pay CA fees and tax if we hired a driver to drive it to the Nevada border. We eventually licensed it in Washington.

The office manager in the CA DMV (Poway) office quoted me the law chapter and verse. I suspect the fact the state's financial condition (smoking crater) probably was a factor as well.........

At least I was able to deduct the difference between CA. 'use tax' paid & Fl. sales tax on my Federal return for that year.........

thomasmnile wrote:

rtaylor0830 wrote:
I have heard it saves a ton of money but do they allow it

Have you checked DMV rules in your home state for registration requirements? Noble idea, but the 'revenuers' in your state might definitely be offended!

I bought a used 5th wheel in California 5 years ago. Thought I could get a transit permit and temporary tag to tow it back to Florida where we live full time. Went to California DMV office with the owner to do the title transfer. Didn't happen. California DMV said NO! Left the office $2500 poorer after paying registration/tag, title fees, & 'use tax'!
Fortunately when we returned to Florida I showed the tag office folks the California paperwork and did not have to pay Florida Sales tax, only the registration fee.

Interesting, we bought a Class B Roadtrek in Irvine CA in 2005. We didn't have to pay CA fees and tax if we hired a driver to drive it to the Nevada border. We eventually licensed it in Washington.

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:


That language is NOT from the State of Maryland, nor does it pretend to be. It's from the commercial site "DMV.org", which site is plastered all over with "don't take our word for it" disclaimers.

Lesson to be taken is that in all cases, consult the laws of your resident State, or be prepared to take the consequences.

Yay! Someone finally started doing some research! GOOD FOR YOU! I stated earlier that this whole deal is a moot point since Maine says they will not give non-residents tags for anything with sleeping quarters.


Now, it's snowing, work is cancelled and I have some time to kill before I go out in the cold to plow the driveway....so here is what I think may be some sort of legal answer straight from the MD State annotated code, Article 13-402 I had to do a search for state registration laws to find it - nothing definitive on the MVA website that I could find - it sounds kinda like it applies to commercial vehicles when they mention "truck tractor" but nowhere does it differentiate between personal use and commercial. That whole section is just registration requirements in general. My comments in red:

"(f) A trailer or semitrailer operated in intrastate service need not be registered in this State if:
(1) It is registered in another state;
Sure sounds like Maine tags fit here
(2) The truck tractor or other vehicle that is towing it is registered in this State; and
"other vehicle" could be my tow vehicle
(3) The registered owner of the truck tractor or other towing vehicle has at least one trailer or semitrailer registered in this State for each truck tractor also registered in this State."
sounds like you are ONLY required to register a trailer in state IF you also register a TRUCK TRACTOR in state for it to go along with - if that where applied to "other towing vehicle" in the blue highlighted, then they would have put such words in there

Edit: I'm talking LAW. What is required and a potential violation for which fines could be levied on you. Not registration fees. Not taxes. And yes, i know this is generalizing "trailers" when everyone here is mostly concerned with RV / TT's -- we all agree the rules for those are a whole different category - I'm only intending to clarify the law on trailer as so many have asked this question here and in other conversations.
Here's the link to page of the state's transportation law:
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmStatutesText.aspx?article=gtr§ion=13-402&ext=html&session=2013RS&tab=subject5

Yeah sure, just remember that this is an "Exemption" from registration and the owner is required to do the following:
f a person claims exemption for a trailer or semitrailer under this
subsection, the person shall file annually with the Administration, at the time and in
the manner that the Administration requires, an affidavit that sets forth, as to all such
trailers and semitrailers that the person has available in all states for rent or lease:
(i) The total number annually registered in all states;
(ii) The total number annually registered in this State; and....

The intent of the Statute is to allow commercial carriers and those renting vehicles for hire to operate within MD and have vehicles registered in another State. Basically, it is an exemption to not abridge the rights of a commercial entity, not a loophole for RV'ers. My understanding is that States that have high registration fees like Iowa, MA, and others are ramping up enforcement to keep their tax and registration fees at home. Trying to save a few dollars by going completely against the grain, seems like a less than practical goal.

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:



Now, it's snowing, work is cancelled and I have some time to kill before I go out in the cold to plow the driveway....so here is what I think may be some sort of legal answer straight from the MD State annotated code, Article 13-402 I had to do a search for state registration laws to find it - nothing definitive on the MVA website that I could find - it sounds kinda like it applies to commercial vehicles when they mention "truck tractor" but nowhere does it differentiate between personal use and commercial. That whole section is just registration requirements in general. My comments in red:

"(f) A trailer or semitrailer operated in intrastate service need not be registered in this State if:
(1) It is registered in another state;
Sure sounds like Maine tags fit here
(2) The truck tractor or other vehicle that is towing it is registered in this State; and
"other vehicle" could be my tow vehicle
(3) The registered owner of the truck tractor or other towing vehicle has at least one trailer or semitrailer registered in this State for each truck tractor also registered in this State."
sounds like you are ONLY required to register a trailer in state IF you also register a TRUCK TRACTOR in state for it to go along with - if that where applied to "other towing vehicle" in the blue highlighted, then they would have put such words in there

That section pertains to COMMERCIAL use of trailers or semi trailers for COMMERCIAL BUSINESS USAGE (businesses CAN use regular pickup trucks and box or flatbed trailers). Most likely if you read the entire vehicle code you will find a definitions section which should spell out what they mean.

A RVer attempting to argue the portion you quoted above will be in for a rude awakening..

In order to use the section you quoted you would HAVE to have an incorporated business which has a physical presence in one or more OTHER states.

The trailer and vehicle would BOTH have to registered in the business name, would require commercial licensing for BOTH, commercial INSURANCE IN THE COMPANY NAME and they most likely would want to see your log books, current health cert and big enough truck and trailer a CDL could come into play.

An extremely expensive proposition just to attempt to evade the cost of properly registering in MD.

RV trailers is addressed in A SEPARATE section I quoted in my post above.

If you're thinking of setting up a corporation in another state to license an RV you might want to read what my ex-home state of Iowa is doing. I would expect that other states may follow suit as they all need every tax dollar they can get.

http://thegazette.com/2013/07/31/iowa-getting-tough-on-recreational-vehicle-fees/

Francesca Knowles wrote:


That language is NOT from the State of Maryland, nor does it pretend to be. It's from the commercial site "DMV.org", which site is plastered all over with "don't take our word for it" disclaimers.

Lesson to be taken is that in all cases, consult the laws of your resident State, or be prepared to take the consequences.

Yay! Someone finally started doing some research! GOOD FOR YOU! I stated earlier that this whole deal is a moot point since Maine says they will not give non-residents tags for anything with sleeping quarters.


Now, it's snowing, work is cancelled and I have some time to kill before I go out in the cold to plow the driveway....so here is what I think may be some sort of legal answer straight from the MD State annotated code, Article 13-402 I had to do a search for state registration laws to find it - nothing definitive on the MVA website that I could find - it sounds kinda like it applies to commercial vehicles when they mention "truck tractor" but nowhere does it differentiate between personal use and commercial. That whole section is just registration requirements in general. My comments in red:

"(f) A trailer or semitrailer operated in intrastate service need not be registered in this State if:
(1) It is registered in another state;
Sure sounds like Maine tags fit here
(2) The truck tractor or other vehicle that is towing it is registered in this State; and
"other vehicle" could be my tow vehicle
(3) The registered owner of the truck tractor or other towing vehicle has at least one trailer or semitrailer registered in this State for each truck tractor also registered in this State."
sounds like you are ONLY required to register a trailer in state IF you also register a TRUCK TRACTOR in state for it to go along with - if that where applied to "other towing vehicle" in the blue highlighted, then they would have put such words in there

Edit: I'm talking LAW. What is required and a potential violation for which fines could be levied on you. Not registration fees. Not taxes. And yes, i know this is generalizing "trailers" when everyone here is mostly concerned with RV / TT's -- we all agree the rules for those are a whole different category - I'm only intending to clarify the law on trailer as so many have asked this question here and in other conversations.
Here's the link to page of the state's transportation law:
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmStatutesText.aspx?article=gtr&section=13-402&ext=html&session=2013RS&tab=subject5

Heavy Metal Doctor writes “There's a difference between tax and registration fees.....you pay tax once when you purchase a vehicle or a trailer in MD. The state gets their piece then. But when the yearly / bi-yearly cost to keep tags on the trailer are too high, many let them expire and the state gets nothing....actually this is part of the reason why I never bought my own utility trailer and just borrowed Dads when I need one....”

Taxes AND Registration “fees” are one in the same, just different “names” attached to make it more “friendly”. Registration fees also could be called "USER FEES" since the person registering a vehicle (car, truck, trailer, motor home) is planning to "USE" public roads.

The taxes you paid at the time of sale are called SALES TAXES, typically this money collected goes directly to the states “general fund”. Additionally some states impose an “excise tax” which goes to a specific fund ( in the case of vehicles most likely to the Transportation fund).

Registration “fees” (which are YEARLY TAXES) are typically deposited into the states TRANSPORTATION FUND (some states collect a personal property tax in order for you to get your updated tag sticker and handles this differently). Transportation fund is separate from the General fund, Transportation budget is handled separate from the General State budget (at least that is how it is done in PA and from what I have been reading MD does the same).

If I applied your way of thinking then I should not pay a “property tax” once a year to my local county nor should I pay a once a year “school tax” on my home and property since I paid sales taxes on my home and property when I bought it. Folks in my state who RENT, PAY NEITHER TAX (school or property) since they don’t own real estate property…

Your logic is faulty..

Registration “fees” along with taxes on fuel used in your vehicle and money reimbursed from Federal taxes all play a big part in keeping your road systems running in YOUR state. These registration fees help to fund YOUR DOT, pay for YOUR road up keep, pay for YOUR State police and any and all expenses associated with the roads you drive on (I am sure you appreciate having those DOT trucks out plowing and salting the roads in the winter, well the money has to come from somewhere). Many states get Federal money based on their TRANSPORTATION budget.

It is only right for folks who USE the roads to PAY for the roads up keep, bigger vehicles often pay bigger registration fees. Heck, do you really think I like paying $158 a year for a ¾ ton truck when a car pays $30? Well I don’t like it but it is part of the “rules” of MY state so therefore I abide by those rules and pay up.

The reason you might see wording that may make yearly registration seem to be “optional” is some RVs, or trailers with living quarters end up being setup and used on a permanent lot and never moved again via public roads. It would not be fair to those folks to pay a yearly registration if their RV is not using public roads.

I could have hundreds of vehicles and Rvs and not pay a red cent for registration, PROVIDED I DO NOT USE THEM ON PUBLIC ROADS. Use on PRIVATE land does not require registration but place one wheel on a public road and then I must pay up..

One must understand that driving on public roads is a PRIVELEDGE not a “right” of any kind. Neither you, I or anyone else is guaranteed any rights to drive on the road just because we were born.

With any privilege one must FULLY ABIDE by the rules in order to keep the privilege. Paying for your drivers license, your vehicle registration AND your trailer registration along with paying for proper insurance is ALL part of the game we play. Failure to follow any one of the rules set forth by YOUR state can and will result in loss of privileges and or fines.

If you don’t like the rules (of your state) then perhaps you should not be playing the game? You have many options, move out of the offending state, sell your big RV and buy a smaller lighter RV and so on…

Heavy Metal doctor, you talk in general terms but you provide no proof, so I looked up MDs list of fees.

DIRECTLY from MD’s own MVA website..

HERE

Note: Per MD website the fees are for TWO YEARS unless I am reading it wrong.

Fees
In the classes identified below, vehicles will be registered for two (2) years at time of titling or at the time registration is renewed. The following fees include the yearly $17.00 surcharge for the EMS system, except where noted otherwise.


Trailers
G Trailer 3,000 lbs. or less $51.00*
G Trailer 3,001 - 5,000 lbs. $102.00*
G Trailer 5,001 - 10,000 lbs. $160.00*
G Trailer 10,001 - 20,000 lbs. $248.00*

Assuming I read this correctly a trailer at 10,001 and higher is actually costing $124 PER YEAR and Maine is $99 PER YEAR, netting a grand savings of a whopping $25 PER YEAR. I can’t figure out where folks are getting MDs registration for trailers is $200 per year..

So, if you don’t like paying $248 per TWO YEARS for your trailer weighing more than 10,001 lbs then perhaps sell it and get one that weighs in 10,000 and UNDER…

As far as registration being required, please carefully read the FIRST part of MDs section on trailers..

Found HERE

Boat, Camping, Tent or Travel Trailers
All trailers are subject to the same Motor Vehicle Laws as passenger vehicles (class A). They must be titled and if registration is desired, they must be safety inspected (if used vehicle).

The key is “All trailers are subject to the same Motor Vehicle Laws as passenger vehicles (class A).”

By ignoring the sentence above you took the vehicle code out of context.

MDs Motor Vehicle Laws for passenger vehicles requires MD residents to REGISTER the vehicles WITH MVA if they are to be used on MVA public roads..

I suggest you read up on MDs Motor Vehicle Laws which you can find

MARYLAND MOTOR VEHICLE CODES

Paying close attention at section 13 where it addresses Motor vehicle Laws for passenger vehicles.

Nowhere in those laws can I find any exemption which would allow you to register your RV in another state and be a resident of MD.

Pretty cut and dry, if you live in a state as a resident, then you really should register your trailer in the state of residency..

I already spent too much time looking up MDs codes, you are welcome to search for Maine or any other state to see how they do it but I would bet most will be similar to MD.

I am not going to continue to argue with flawed logic, my suggestion is to personally go to YOUR local DMV see if your logic is acceptable in your state…

I know people who have large expensive (750K +) motor homes titled and tagged in other states.

They get away with this because the vehicle is owned by a corporation based in that state, not an individual. So the state of residence of the driver is not an issue.

The insurance on the vehicle is issued to the corporation, not in the individual's name.

I would assume a person could spend a few thousand dollars and setup something similar for a travel trailer or 5er.

Whether or not the financial return was worthwhile is another matter.

Reading over this thread I see two things standing out - the folks who say Maine is open to this process talk about utility and commercial trailers - no RVs.

So laws might be different.

The second thing which stands out is the person talking about having their insurance on the TT under their personal vehicle policy.

My experience is that very few automobile insurance companies understand TT/RV issues and concerns. The insurance needs to be an RV specific policy. Otherwise, you may find out your RV is basically worthless and only the frame is covered if there is an accident.

Heavy Metal Doctor wrote:

Here's a quote right off the MD MVA website regarding trailers:
"Boat, Camping, Tent, or Travel Trailers
These types of trailers are golden tickets to the wonderful world of camping. You must obtain a title for them by submitting an application with all required documents listed on the form.

Registration isn't necessary, but if you'd like to do so, you'll have to get your trailer safety inspected before MVA will process your request."

:h

That language is NOT from the State of Maryland, nor does it pretend to be. It's from the commercial site "DMV.org", which site is plastered all over with "don't take our word for it" disclaimers.

Lesson to be taken is that in all cases, consult the laws of your resident State, or be prepared to take the consequences.