noob planning

[Doneldar]

hail and well met all,   my name is Don, have thought about this lifestyle for a few years, read a post earlier  about  taking  cats along on the road.  I have 2, not sure yet  to go truck - trailer route or  van,  ex truck driver (class a) ex mechanic, I kinda have an idea of how to outfit either. But the main question I have is about a permanent address.  For  drivers license need one. Most everything else can be done online.  Have lived in some remote areas before so  loss of internet isn't that big of an issue..  Most truck stops have wi-fi  as do some rest stops  when needed.   Any advice or suggestions about the address issue would be appreciated.  I guess one of those  ups   mail boxes might work..  no clue.

thanks 

Don

 

[user 37446]

Do a search for "permanent address" or page through open threads, as the topic comes up every month or three. Basically you want to comply with the Federal "Real ID" requirement, which has tightened things up.

The easiest 3 states are South Dakota, Texas and Florida. Most of the UPS stores and such don't qualify.

Some will tell you to use a homeless shelter but I don't think thats a good idea as any mail that goes there, be it a jury summons, renewal of license or annual tags etc will likely never reach you or worse.

Like was said, try a search. This is a current thread in the communications/mail subforum here:
Do I no longer need the physical address once I get a DL?

 

[RvDreams]

Welcome to the CRVL forums Don! You might peruse this forum heading: https://vanlivingforum.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=14

To help you learn the ins and outs of these forums, this "Tips, Tricks and Rules" post lists some helpful information to get you started.

Most of our rules boil down to two simple over-riding principles: 1) What you post should provide good information (like your introductory post), and 2) Any response to someone else's post should make them feel glad they are part of this forum community.

We look forward to hearing more from you.

 

[mpruet]

A lot of folks chose a domicile in Texas because Texas has no state income tax.  But if your vehicle is registered in Texas, then your vehicle must receive an in state annual inspection.  That would force you to make a trip to the county that you’re registered annually.  Kind of a pain.

 

[bullfrog]

I don’t know for sure but I believe in Texas the inspection is required only after reentering the state within a certain amount of days. At least it used to be that way. Might check with Escapees on their site to see for sure.

 

[mattvei]

if you have relatives or kids that would cooperate with you then just use their address for all your legal requirements. verify but I think that probably violates post office regulations but the bottom line is the post office never enforces they will just deliver their mail as if you live there anyway and use that address as your legal address.

 

[Ravella and X]

I am an Escapee, domiciled in Florida. The address on my license is my legal domicile address that Escapees provided me, and my mail goes to my escapees mail forwarding service address in Texas. Their website has excellent information regarding domicile (as it differes from residency).

I can renew my vehicle tags online for one or two years at a time.

Florida also has no income tax.

The main reason that Florida, South Dakota, and Texas are popular domicile states for nomads is that the agencies you have to deal with recognize full-time travel as a real thing and they don't have silly hoops that you would have to lie your way through.

Where ever you choose to domicile, be sure to follow Escapees recomendations for establishing domicle. There's more to it than getting a license and registration. If you don't, it is possible that your prior state could claim you never actually moved to your new domicile state and therefore tax and fine you and other bad stuff.

 

[mpruet]

I don’t know for sure but I believe in Texas the inspection is required only after reentering the state within a certain amount of days. At least it used to be that way. Might check with Escapees on their site to see for sure.

I checked on their web site and found nothing that indicated that you could get a registration renewal without getting an inspection and having proof of insurance.  I know that I’m forced to have an inspection within 60 days of registration renewal, so am a bit confused as to how you could avoid returning to Texas periodically.  The only exception that I’m aware of is if you have a new vehicle.  

I’d really like to be able to renew without having to get an inspection in Texas because my renewal is in the fall and I like to be on the road at that time.

 

[bullfrog]

Check with Escapees.com for residency information or call their office in Livingston Texas. They should be able to answer your questions or direct you to someone that can. They practically run the county government there. They are set up to aid RVers in these matters.

 

[mpruet]

I think I figured it out.  I signed up for the Escapees guidelines for domicile in Texas.  Apparently if you are out of state and it comes time to renew AND you renew online, then you can self-assert that you are currently out of state and still renew.  I’ve never renewed online because you can get the sticker at most grocery stores after you have gotten the inspection, so I’ve always made a grocery stop at Tom Thumb after getting inspected.  I’ll find out for sure this fall ‘cause I’m going to plan on being on the road in the fall...   ;-)

 

[bullfrog]

Yep that sounds correct, you may find the state inspection station in Livingston is not like many others. Years ago when we were there they had coffee and donuts in a nice waiting room but since it only took 15 minutes my coffee didn’t even have time to cool off. It seems they work on commissions and at that time there were several thousand Escapees using Livingston as a home base, wouldn’t do to upset one and have the word spread if your business depends on word of mouth advertising.