Vehicle Registration / Mail forwarding

[GoingMobile]

Hi, I'm Greg, an artist and for the time being a college professor at a university in the south. Currently teaching online from California. I just bought a new Ford Transit Van from a dealer in Colorado. The dealer just sent the title last week and I should receive it early this week. So I'm kind of between current addresses and need to register my vehicle for the first time. I'm planning on a sabbatical all of next year and to travel around during that time without a permanent address.

Looking for info pro or con about registering it in either South Dakota or in Montana by forming an LLC. Anyone have info from experience about either of these options?

 

[landyachtman]

Welcome to the CRVL forums! 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.

 

[deadwood]

I use Americas Mailbox in SD. Been with them 5 years now with no issues. As for residency SD is pretty easy to get. You do have to spend one night there though. Americas Mailbox can help with auto registration but I just did it myself though the county treasurer. Either way is simple. If you are a resident of SD before buying a vehicle should only pay SD tax which is 3% on autos.

 

[GoingMobile]

Are you in Deadwood? My mom grew up in Spearfish nearby. Have relatives there still. Can you register through the county Treasurer online or by mail? Or would I need to go in person? Won't be able to travel for about a month and I should probably register the vehicle before long.

 

[justanothermaroon]

I registered my truck and trailer in SD via mail, through the mail forwarding company. I was working in CA at the time. There was a form that allowed me to keep my CA license. Three years later, I was going through SD, so got my license.

 

[MrNoodly]

The pros of SD: cheap registration, no vehicle inspections, low insurance.
The cons of SD: needing to schlep to SD to spend that one night. (You probably want to avoid going in winter.)

I used Americas Mailbox for a few years, but I became dissatisfied. Their fees were too high (even the lowest level) and they nickeled and dimed me for various things. They also started acting like they were being so put out when asked to do even the basics of their service. So when it was time to renew my driver license, I switched my residency to Arizona and found a much cheaper, much more pleasant mom & pop mail forwarder. Registration was still cheap, my insurance was slightly lower, and only the metro counties in AZ require an emissions inspection.

But if you're going to travel around for just a year, it might be simpler to just use your current address—if CA registration and insurance aren't too high for you.

 

[mpruet]

I’ve used https://www.mailboxforwarding.com for several years.  While they are a bit more expensive, they also provide a web service virtual mailbox so that you can check your mail (outside only).  You can then request items that you want scanned and made into a pdf.  That enables you to read your mail from an internet browser without having them forward it to you.  You can also select items to be shipped to your current address.  I used this when I made trips to northern Canada and Alaska in the past.  This year I used it while I was residing in the Colorado Mountains (hiding out during the pandemic) as well as when I was keeping care of my grandkids in Wisconsin.

 

[justanothermaroon]

I switched my residency to Arizona and found a much cheaper, much more pleasant mom & pop mail forwarder. 

Care to share the company info?

 

[MrNoodly]

https://www.bcmmailandship.com/

They're in Quartzsite, which means there are times in winter when I can pick up mail or packages in person rather than having them forwarded.

 

[deadwood]

Are you in Deadwood? My mom grew up in Spearfish nearby. Have relatives there still. Can you register through the county Treasurer online or by mail? Or would I need to go in person? Won't be able to travel for about a month and I should probably register the vehicle before long.

My son lived. there while in the Air Force so I visited often. One of the things that made it easy to set up residency. I was already going there. I do love Deadwood and got the forum name because I went there often. But mostly because it was available to use.

I don't think you need to be there to register. I know the mail company will do it but you should be able to do it yourself. You could easily check the county treasurer web site to see. Or call them. A real person actually answers the phone there and they are very helpful.

 

[GoingMobile]

I have a relative buried in Boot Hill Cemetary in Deadwood. My cousin, who grew up in Rapid City was friends with two step brothers. Jim Borglum, grandson of Gutzon Borglum, who carved Mt. Rushmore, and his step brother Bob Ellsworth was son of The General the AF Base is named after. I really love the Black Hills too, although I've never been in winter.

 

[Christopher]

My van will not pass smog in California. I am thinking of registering it in another state that does not require a smog check. Can I do that and still live in California? Could this be a problem with my insurance? I appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

 

[RVTravel]

If you live in any state more than 6 months in a calendar year, you must pay income tax if it has a state tax.

 

[MrNoodly]

If you live in any state more than 6 months in a calendar year, you must pay income tax if it has a state tax.

Which is usually irrelevant if you don't make above a certain minimum income.

 

[crofter]

...The cons of SD: needing to schlep to SD to spend that one night. (You probably want to avoid going in winter.)...

Yes there is nothing like a SD ground blizzard to make you appreciate the heater at the truck stop coffee shop, or your motel room if you have one. The Black Hills pines are very pretty once the storm stops. I thought about SD and decided on AZ. 

I registered in AZ because there are such nice people there, and the gerentologists (old people doctors). Here's a couple links for AZ on car registration and domicile. Only need emissions if you are in Phoenix metro. They may want to see the vehicle at your appointment, did not inspect mine though.
I got real ID etc after being in state for a couple months.

https://www.sundevilauto.com/how-to-register-a-car-in-arizona/

https://www.keystonelawfirm.com/retirement/become-arizona-resident/

Property taxes in AZ have been low but some other fees are high. Difficult to get any public assistance in AZ unless you are 18 and pregnant. Some of the AZ health care marketplace options are a rip off, taking your money and then denying you care and cancelling the coverage. Otherwise good though.  -crofter

 

[barleyguy]

Which is usually irrelevant if you don't make above a certain minimum income.

Also, if you are a part time resident, you generally only have to pay tax on income you make while in that state. So if you go to Arizona for 7 months, and don't work while you're there, your state tax should be zero.

 

[user 423]

Only need emissions if you are in Phoenix metro.

Tucson,too.