Lazy Daze Owners' Group

Full Time RV'ers and residency

February 01, 2012, 03:41:56 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 128262

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We have been thinking about joining the Escapees RV club, and really because I have heard about their mail service.  I believe that this is pretty much on topic, not so much with Lazy Daze, but with RV'ers in general.  If someone is a full time rv'er how is permanent residency established in a state.  Shayne and I have been fortunate because we have family in New Mexico that allows us to use their address for our driver's license.  As you know, most US states now do not issue the driver their actual license right there on the spot any longer (North Dakota still does), they give a temporary license and the plastic one is received in anywhere from one week to possibly as many as six weeks.  I have heard a bit about the states of Texas and South Dakota having some sort of residency offer for RV'ers.  At this time, we have a private postal box at Postal Express in Truth or Consequences, NM and she will forward our mail to us.  Can anyone here elaborate on Texas or South Dakota...  Or the Escapees RV Club?

http://timehasshownme.com

Re: Full Time RV'ers and residency

Reply #2 – February 01, 2012, 05:02:19 pm

Yahoo Message Number: 128266

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We've been domiciled in both states...started out in Texas, changed to South Dakota when the time came to purchase a new rig (because of the sales tax difference...6.25% in Texas, 3% in South Dakota).
 For Texas, go to this Escapees website and download the booklet "How to Become a Real Texan" -- http://www.escapees.com/freebooklets.asp .  It will pretty much walk you through everything.  Livingston is one of the few places that understands the fulltimer lifestyle and doesn't give you a hassle when getting a driver's license and registering your vehicles.  As I recall, we got our driver's license right then, but that may have changed since the requirements have tightened up to conform to the Real ID Act passed several years ago.  You might call the Livingston DMV before going to see exactly what items, such as birth certificates or other identifying items, you'll need.
 As far as South Dakota is concerned, it's just about as easy to become a resident of that state.  Both registering to vote and applying for a driver's license requires an overnight stay at an RV park or motel and using that address in filling out the forms, although your mail forwarding service address will appear on everything.  We used Alternative Resources in Sioux Falls for our mail forwarding service and their website explains exactly what you have to do to become a resident -- www.alternativeresources.net .
It sounds complicated, but it isn't as long as you have all the required documentation with you (if there are two of you, make sure that the RV park receipt or the motel receipt has BOTH of your names on it).  Sioux Falls is very familiar with fulltimers using the Alternative Resources address and they know how to go about doing everything.
 One difference between South Dakota and Texas is that South Dakota requires you go back to the state when the time comes to renew your driver's license which can be done anywhere in the state up to 180 prior to your birthday.
In Texas, you can get a renewal by mail (unless you have a CDL) at least every other time.
 Another difference between the states is that South Dakota does not have annual vehicle inspections while Texas does.  However, as long as you remain out of Texas, you DO NOT have to return to the state for a vehicle inspection...just have it done as soon as you return.  This is a very misunderstood issue about Texas.
 As far as I am concerned, ALL fulltime RVers should belong to the Escapees RV Club, whether or not you use their mail service.  They have one of the best magazines in the business, IMO, and have an extensive system of RV parks/Co-ops around the country (mostly in the Pacific Coast states and along the southern tier of states.  I recommend you go to www.escapees.com and click on "Wannabes" to find out all the benefits of joining the club.

Linda Hylton http://earl-linda.blogspot.com