Questions concerning the need for an address

[thecomeup]

Okay so I'm a new driver... I genuinely just bought my first car about a week ago and got it registered and insured...

MY QUESTION IS:
[font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]How do you guys pay for your registration/insurance/get a job/etc in a state you don't have an address in?[/font]

[font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]I intend on moving to California in the car I just bought relatively soon (and I'm going to need a job there and to continue paying my insurance/registration/etc.) and I was just wondering how I could go about doing all that without having an address in the location I intend on driving to?[/font]

[font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Do I have to drive all the way back to Florida (where I currently live) just to re-register my car? Do I just use a fake address for all of the above? How do I get mail with my name on it in California?[/font]

[font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]I'm not sure how you guys go about doing this but I'd really appreciate some advice because my dream of going to cali is on hold until I can figure this out...[/font]

[font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]P.S. If I'm missing/ignorant of something simple please let me know lightly (I really am new to the road).[/font]

 

[highdesertranger]

I think California gives you 6 months(not 100% sure). after that you need some type of address. I surely hope you have a job lined up. CA is very expensive, gas 3.50 a gallon, registration super expensive even on an old beater(my 1978 was 260 bucks a year), new car/truck 500-700 bucks plus, insurance super expensive even for an old vehicle, newer you better sit down, on top of that smog test, another 50-100 bucks every 2 years. coupled with the high cost of everything else like food, clothing, entertainment, I hope you have a high paying job lined up. highdesertranger

 

[thecomeup]

No I don't have anything high-paying lined up... I'm basically just going to be getting a part-time job... And I really can't get an address (hence why I'm going to be vandwelling/cardwelling in the first place). 

Is it possible for me to still get a job without a Californian address? 

What do you guys do to re-register/insure your vehicles whilst out of state (or while staying in a state you don't have any legal address for)? Could I just re-register my car in Florida and have it still be okay?

 

[Travelmonkey]

Here's an FAQ from the CA DMV: https://www.chp.ca.gov/Notify-CHP/Cheaters-Out-of-State-(Out-of-State-Registration-Violators)

Car must be registered as soon as accepting employment (or establishing residency) in CA.

The above link includes instructions on how to turn in your neighbor. It was the first link I found that had relevant info re: your question.

I would assume CA car registration fees would get enforced as soon as you got pulled over for some moving violation and the officer figures out you live here and tacks on a fix it ticket to get your car registered. If you are going to be stealth parking, I think out of state tags and having to get a car registered could be one more complication.

 

[Riverman]

Welcome to the forum... it's good to have you here.

 

[SoulRaven]

Best bet for getting a job is to have a local address when relocating which I assume is what your intention is. CA is the toughest state when it comes to enforcement on residency (tax money), I know many RVers were avoiding workamping there because of the enforcement, yep, once you take a paying job there, you owe CA big time! If you could share more about your choice of CA, location where you are going there, it might help.

 

[thecomeup]

I'm going to Encinitas California (to attend an unaccredited school I've been wanting to attend for a long time). Not putting myself in debt though... (Well as long as I can live in a car/van).

 

[SoulRaven]

How long will you need to be in the area to complete the schooling?

 

[rm.w/aview]

Congrats on your new car/license. You can do a search on Domicile both on youtube & the net as well as this forum which will give info on being a "resident" of a state while being mobile. Mail Service companies do just that, but those that deal in Domicile may be what you're looking for. https://www.myrvmail.com is one of two that I know of in Florida and there are others located in South Dakota & Texas. Your mail will be sent to you on a schedule that you determine, to a location that you're able (friends place you're staying or local post office for pick up). Just as you did in Florida for licensing & registration you'll do in the state that you choose to "reside" in. The websites will give you more info in a better way than I.
A site that may be helpful is https://escapees.com/support/mail-service/get-started/helpful-articles

 

[John61CT]

You don't seem to realize there is no "option" to not have a legal domicile address, just saying "I can't do it" will not fly if you get charged with defrauding the state that believes you owe them.

If you're truly transient just passing through crossing different state borders regularly, and you choose to keep your domicile back in Florida, fine.

But soon as you are in school or working a job, legally that state becomes your domicile, you have to establish a working residential address for legal purposes and likely a separate mailing address to receive maybe forward necessary paperwork.

Register to vote, drivers license, vehicle registration, jury duty obligation, paying taxes etc.

Just being a van dweller doesn't make this stuff go away, yes it makes things more difficult, yes it costs you money, but that is our problem to deal with, not the bureaucracies'.

Do the search / research on the "how" part, this topic comes up every week.

Don't bother telling the paper pushers your real-life story and how their arbitrary rules don't accommodate your situation.

Just figure out those rules, how to give them the papers required, consistent standard answers that fit in the system's forms and database, pay the fees stamp stamp and be on your way.

Best is to make yourself seem as much as possible like a S&B citizen on paper, the whole electronic profile hanging together in one coherent credible story acceptable to mainstream society.

 

[John61CT]

Everything varies by state.

Here's a good article using Texas as an example

 

[thecomeup]

How long will you need to be in the area to complete the schooling?

four years. maybe five

 

[rm.w/aview]

Well then, disregard my previous post as it doesn't apply to you. As a transient worker I've been in a number of locales anywhere from 1 to 18 months while not being a resident of that state, but that state wasn't California, and the time frame in your case will have you a California resident most likely.

 

[SoulRaven]

I would talk with the school and be honest about my situation. They may have suggestions for you or be able to refer you to another resource person/agency.

 

[Wanderer]

Well, I work in Washington. The local "Share House" had me fill out a paper which showed the DMV I got my mail from them. Thus I got an "Address" for my license. I then had the license sent to my PO box further north. I even applied for a AMEX credit card, was approved but had to use the "License address" for delivery. I got it and so this is but my way of getting what the state says I have to have.

Some churches in CA will help you with this....

 

[DesertRose]

registration super expensive even on an old beater(my 1978 was 260 bucks a year),  new car/truck 500-700 bucks plus,  insurance super expensive even for an old vehicle,  newer you better sit down,  on top of that smog test,  another 50-100 bucks every 2 years.  coupled with the high cost of everything else like food,  clothing, entertainment,  I hope you have a high paying job lined up.   highdesertranger

Eh, just fib on how long you've been here. Did I put my real name on here? I returned to SoCal help my 95 yr old dad and I registered within 3 months, using his address. I did have to have my dad write out something verifying same.

As for insurance, yeah. Super expensive. My vehicle is a 96 and it's disgusting how much I pay. My son who has a scooter, a Toyota Tacoma with a camper shell, a beater sedan and an awesome box van he built out says he's got insurance for all 4 for the same price as my 96 Odyssey. Needless to say, I'm making an appt with his agent soon. Something may be up with that but it's worth checking out. I always have full insurance no matter what I'm driving - need that blue book if/when something happens.

I did find a place that did the smog test for $35.

 

[DesertRose]

Adding to the situation in CA, when I re-registered after being gone 13 years (7 in Oregon and 6 in AZ) I couldn't believe how tight it's gotten here. You have to prove that you live here, and you can't use a name you used in another state if what you had in CA previously is different. I wanted my old number back that I got when I was 17. It's got a name I haven't used in 30 years, but no dice on the current name that I simply gave to the AZ motor vehicle dept. no questions asked. CA has tightened on this to discourage applications for social services which used to be super easy to get here. Hence, my license says one thing and all my other ID says another name. If you're a male, you're not likely to have that problem.

You will have a very hard time getting a job with a license from another state. Employers wouldn't talk to me with an AZ license, and recent reloc. That's why I chose to re-license and re-reg here even though I plan to return to AZ.

One other thing: Every day I see at least 5 expired tags on vehicles here in SoCal. The cops are just lax on this and always have been (I grew up here). Why I don't know because it's a revenue source. In AZ, it's the exact opposite. First the MVD notifies the insurance co. First your license gets suspended and the reg too. Then you lose your insurance. AZ knows a revenue source and they really milk it. (Don't even get me started about Paradise Valley.)

Bottom line is, you can slide on the reg. here in CA. My new housemate just moved here from Missouri. She plans on registering here in August when her MO tags expire. She works online though, so I think that's how she will get around it. Still, I think you're not going to have a problem for a few months, esp. in summer.

 

[Annie W]

One other thing: Every day I see at least 5 expired tags on vehicles here in SoCal. The cops are just lax on this and always have been (I grew up here). Why I don't know because it's a revenue source.
In AZ, it's the exact opposite. First the MVD notifies the insurance co. First your license gets suspended and the reg too. Then you lose your insurance. AZ knows a revenue source and they really milk it. (Don't even get me started about Paradise Valley.)

okay so the lesson there is : Never move to Arizona, it's a vehicle nightmare, &
not only because the SAND covers everything all the time including the inside of lungs... got it. Thanks !

 

[bullfrog]

Arizona has been really easy for us as far as vehicles, in rural counties only register once every 5 years, no inspections and I believe it was $62 for my old jeep truck.

 

[Cammalu]

I can’t believe how easy it was for me to register a vehicle in AZ. I didn’t even have to have an Arizona license. Actually they never even asked me for my license just a photo ID. I have a Kentucky license and a couple of vehicles registered there and now I have my trailer and UTV (same as registering a motorcycle - street legal) registered in AZ.


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