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Where to register travel trailer

RVNewbie5
Explorer
Explorer
I have created a vehicle registration mess and need help sorting it out, please!

I was originally living in state "A" (had drivers license and registration for car there).

- originally to move to state "B", so moved there and obtained drivers license and registration there.

- am purchasing a trailer in state "C", where I will need to get a temp permit to pull it out of state

- will be parking trailer in state "D", where I will be for 3 months.

- intend to be "domiciled" in state "A", so will have to get a new driver's license and register my car there.

Question: Where can/should I register the trailer? In state "A", where I will have my driver's license and car registration? Or can I register a trailer in a different state than where I have my DL and car registered?

This has all come about because I'm ending my corporate career and doing volunteer work.
14 REPLIES 14

hohenwald48
Explorer
Explorer
Most states require you to register your vehicles and apply for a new drivers license after xx number of consecutive days in their state. Most have no exceptions regarding your plans for the future.

Since all states residency laws differ it's unlikely you'll get the proper response on the TT forum. However, there is a "Fulltiming Forum" here where you are more likely to find someone who has been thru this.

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/33.cfm
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

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2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU

Sam_Spade
Explorer
Explorer
RVNewbie5 wrote:
I am paying income taxes in state "A". Have DL and car registration in state "B".


Where you are paying income taxes has no bearing on anything; real estate taxes maybe.

You are making this more complicated than it IS.

Any new vehicles need to be registered where your documents say you live at the time of purchase......even if that maybe is not exactly correct.

THEN when it is time to move your "official" residence somewhere else, you do ALL of the records and documents at the same time.
'07 Damon Outlaw 3611
CanAm Spyder in the "trunk"

RVNewbie5
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks, hohenwald48. I think this nomadic life will be my plan for a while (will see after the first volunteer session). Will probably register in state "A" until I decide to be a nomad.

deltabravo
Nomad
Nomad
Driver's license and vehicle registration(s) should be in the same state.
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Tax_Man
Explorer
Explorer
The way I read it, you are now a resident of state B. This is where you will register and title all vehicles.

If you have a "permanent" address in state A, you could transfer everything (DL, registrations, etc) to state A now. If not then State B is your only option.
Traveling around with the wife and fur kid.
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hohenwald48
Explorer
Explorer
If you intend to move around from state to state on a regular basis you might want to do a little reading here:

https://www.escapees.com/support/domicile-options
When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

2019 Newmar Canyon Star 3627
2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU

RVNewbie5
Explorer
Explorer
I will only have one drivers license. Based on my experience, you have to surrender one to get another. Although I obtained a license in state "B", I will surrender it when I get a new one in state "A."

The gist of it is, I planned on moving to a new state but it didn't work out, so I'm moving back to my original state.

beemerphile1
Explorer
Explorer
Are you saying that you are a licensed driver in two states? If so I am pretty sure that would be criminal.

You need to register vehicles and have your driver's license in your state of residence.
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1492
Moderator
Moderator
Moved from Forum Technical Support

RVNewbie5
Explorer
Explorer
I am paying income taxes in state "A". Have DL and car registration in state "B". Want to domicile in state "A" again (will have to get new DL and car registration there.

After 3 months, I hope to get another volunteer position perhaps in another state, and do this type of volunteer work repeatedly.

Yes, I am aware that I should not have changed my docs, but at the time, I anticipated staying in state "B". Now B is pretty much out of the question.

Sam_Spade
Explorer
Explorer
RVNewbie5 wrote:

- will be parking trailer in state "D", where I will be for 3 months.


Where are you legally domiciled now ?? If it is B, then that's where the trailer should be registered too.

What happens to the trailer at the end of the above 3 months ??

P.S. You should NOT have changed your documents until AFTER you were really moved. (Hint for the future).
'07 Damon Outlaw 3611
CanAm Spyder in the "trunk"

blangen
Explorer
Explorer
Personally, I did it all on the same day. Anything not done when the Driver's License is transferred leaves the other states with potential claims to money due. It's just much cleaner to do it once.

RVNewbie5
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks, blangen.

How quickly should I transfer the title over? (think it depends on where registering it)

blangen
Explorer
Explorer
Without getting into the timing of what you have going on, the short answer is all licenses, registrations, insurances should be in your domicile state. Numerous reasons.