how to orchestrate moving a van to another state

[gabby]

sorry if this is the stupidest most boring question that's ever been posted in the cheaprvliving forum, but i can't seem to find any straight answers via google &amp; figured one of y'all would have gone through this same process:<br><br>i'm about ready to buy a van, in new york city, as a means of getting out of new york city. i have a new york driver's license, and no insurance to speak of yet.<br><br>since insurance is so ridiculously expensive in new york, what i'd LIKE to do is buy the van here, then drive it up to vermont, where i've got a temporary physical address, and a place to park the car, and could live for a bit, and insure/register the van up there. BUT:<br><br>i'd have to register the van in NYC to get new plates, and i'm afraid that this will 1) cost a lot of money, 2) be a pain if i'm immediately moving out of nyc, and 3) mean i'd have to insure it as a NY vehicle, which would also be ridiculously beyond my budget.<br><br>so what would you do? should i just find a way to store my crap, take a train up to vermont, and somehow find a van up there (with no car)? or is there a way to work all of this out so that i avoid all the fees and taxes of owning a car in NY?<br><br>i know this is not necessarily related to van living, but if anyone's gone through a similar messy situation i'd love to hear what you did about it, especially before i buy this van i'm looking at!<br><br>thanks for any wisdom<br><br>-gabby<br><br>

 

[stude53]

<p style="margin: 0px;" class="rtecenter"><b>The best way to find out your true options are to call VT DMV and ask ...</b></p><p style="margin: 0px;" class="rtecenter"><b></b>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;" class="rtecenter"><b>"If I have a van with NY title, and am moving to Vermont, what do I need to do to be driving legal in VT?"</b></p><p style="margin: 0px;" class="rtecenter"><b></b>&nbsp;</p><p style="margin: 0px;" class="rtecenter"><b>TO SPEAK WITH A VT DMV CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE PLEASE PHONE:</b></p><p class="rtecenter"><b>802-828-2000 </b></p><p class="rtecenter"><b><u>OR</u></b></p><table border="1" cellSpacing="1" cellPadding="1" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td bgColor="#dde6ee" vAlign="middle" align="center"><b>(TOLL FREE) 1-888 99-VERMONT (1-888-998-3766)</b></td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[gabby]

ha thanks. i was hoping i would be able to avoid ever talking to a DMV about any of this. as much as i do enjoy their hold music...<br>

 

[Journeyman]

You can also rent a UHaul with tow bar, and tow it up. It's an easy trip and their smallest truck will have no problem towing it.<div><br></div>

 

[Les H]

As a recent NY escapee, I know for a fact that you need insurance to register a vehicle in the state. Then they give you a 10 day inspection sticker so you can drive it to get any repairs done. I see no reason why you can't get insurance in Vt, as it is a neighboring state. You might even be able to get a tempory " transport" tag (plates) for it, but I am not sure if you need a dealers liscense, but
I don't think so. So, bottom line, it has to be registered and insured somewhere before you DRIVE. It to Vt. As suggested , you can tow it, or if you have the time, take the paperwork to Vt and register it as if the van was already there, then go back and put the plates and stickers on it and drive your now legal van anywhere you want.
When I transferred my van ( minibus) from Ny to Alabama , in Ny it was a commercial vehicle (at $120 reg. a year, insured through my business policy for $300 every 6 mo for liability)Here , according to their computers, it qualifies as an Rv, meaning cheaper insurance ( less than $600 a year for FULL coverage, including glass) and the tag was about $85 for a year. No tax, tax was paid in ny. A month ago , I bought a chevy blazer. You can drive it here for a month with NO PLATES ( tag) as long as you have a bill of sale and insurance. My vehicle " inspection" consisted of making sure the VIN on the dash mated the paperwork. That's it.
I know of several people who have registered and insured their vehicles in south Dakota, without ever setting foot in the state.
Mydakotaadress.com is a good place to start for that.
Les

 

[gabby]

thanks y'all!<br><br>les, that was exactly the sort of info i was looking for, thanks -- it looks like it might be worth it to get out of NY first, THEN buy a van. geez, this state is such a money-vacuum. looks like i'll have to do some creative storage and then.... find friends in the south?<br><br><span id="post_message_1271200404">and that's very intriguing about Mydakotaadress.com</span>, definitely worth checking out, thanks!<br><br>

 

[Les H]

Not to mention just looking at vans outside the 5 bouroughs will probably save you quite a bit, even just going to Albany or Binghamton on craigslist would be worth it! Trucks here in the south hold thief value absurdly, but at least they seem well cared for and rust free.
Les

 

[karl]

dmvexpress.vermont.gov has forms and rules you can access and then only make one trip to a dmv to get a plate. Maybe even get them mailed to you ( if&nbsp; you have a VT physical address and forward the mail), we used too.<br>You would have some time here to get a VT DL.(6 mos, I think)<br>Insurance should be easy enough online, again with a VT address.<br>There are a few vans on craigslist&nbsp; in Vt. be careful of rust issues, rustfree&nbsp; "suthun" vehicles usually are at a premium here. I have seen some decent vans listed, as always timing is everything.<br><br>

 

[Guest]

PLEASE CHECK THESE, TOO:<br>Most states require you to change over your drivers license immediately upon : getting employment in that state - or- establishing a residential address.<br>I don't think any states let you go 30 days any more. 2 weeks max.<br>Most states require you to have a drivers license in their state to register a vehicle in their state.<br>ALL states have vehicle laws that will make you want to pull your hair out.<br>Check here: <a target="_blank" href="http://liftlaws.com">LiftLaws.com</a><br>It's not just for lifted or off-road vehicles. It also lists state laws for engine swaps , parking brakes, exhaust, wheels, tires, fenders, windows, bumper heights, modifications, fog lights, emissions, windshields, safety inspections, etc, etc.<br><br>FWIW - get a NH address and license - then whatever you buy, wherever you buy it, <i>register it in NH <u>first</u>. </i>Saves you sales tax.<i> </i>NH has no excise tax either<i>.<br></i><br>

 

[Seraphim]

Interesting. Ohio has no requirement for an Ohio driver's license nor an ID card) to get employment. People living in Indiana and Kentucky work around here without an Ohio license.

Seems strange...

 

[Journeyman]

There are so many seasonal workers and tourists in FL that they don't require a change of license or registration as long as you spend less than 6 months here.<div><br></div>

 

[Les H]

Bottom line is, dont let dis information get you in trouble. It is always best to check the local DMV office. ( make sure you know WHO you talk to in case of a future discrepancy) but If you get pulled over and try to say " but I thought" or " so and so said I could do...", it's still on you. I know what my recent experience is, and what I was told at DMV ( errr) " the revenue office" told me. If the local
cops are having a bad day, your experience could be MUCH different. I CAN say without a doubt that I had the only dark green minibus ,that was here for 4 months with Ny plates, 5 months with Ny DL,, including going through numerous sherrifs checkpoints after the tornados. Also that I was able to put Alabama tags on with ny INS and DL.
Your mileage may vary....
Les