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BobGed · 11-04-2015, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezj&wings2fly

After many, many hours on the phone between CA DMV and BOE I have decided that these agencies do not talk to each other. This is the latest - We are flying out tomorrow to pick up our new RV in Texas. We will drive the RV to Las Vegas and put it in storage. Rule says the RV cannot be brought over the CA state line for 12 months (unless you get special permission for repairs). I have to get two forms completed from the dealership along with a form from BOE and take those to DMV. The RV can then be registered and no sales tax will be due. Our RV will stay in Las Vegas until we are ready to go full time in a few months. Theory is the RV is not being sold in CA (no CA sales tax) and the RV will not be used in CA (no CA use tax). In a few weeks I will let you know if it all works correctly.

Unfortunately it's not that simple. You have to show proof that you have actually used the RV out of state for the required period of time. That means things like fuel, campground and grocery receipts. It also means you have to register it someplace during that period, and trust me, you don't want to register it in NV.

I'm a former Californian and believe me you don't want to play games with the BOE. Call them and get the real answers, and if you want to get a real earful, just mention that you're a CA resident and are contemplating registering the RV in MT.

Mr_D · 11-04-2015, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobGed

Unfortunately it's not that simple. You have to show proof that you have actually used the RV out of state for the required period of time. That means things like fuel, campground and grocery receipts. It also means you have to register it someplace during that period, and trust me, you don't want to register it in NV.

I'm a former Californian and believe me you don't want to play games with the BOE. Call them and get the real answers, and if you want to get a real earful, just mention that you're a CA resident and are contemplating registering the RV in MT.

I think you'll get more than an"earful"!

srx-6 · 11-05-2015, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezj&wings2fly

After many, many hours on the phone between CA DMV and BOE I have decided that these agencies do not talk to each other. This is the latest - We are flying out tomorrow to pick up our new RV in Texas. We will drive the RV to Las Vegas and put it in storage. Rule says the RV cannot be brought over the CA state line for 12 months (unless you get special permission for repairs). I have to get two forms completed from the dealership along with a form from BOE and take those to DMV. The RV can then be registered and no sales tax will be due. Our RV will stay in Las Vegas until we are ready to go full time in a few months. Theory is the RV is not being sold in CA (no CA sales tax) and the RV will not be used in CA (no CA use tax). In a few weeks I will let you know if it all works correctly.

The RV has to be registered somewhere while you are full time in it, what state will you declare as your domicile, get your drivers license from and register your RV in. If you choose California and keep your California drivers license then you will still be required to have the California Class B license to be legal. Driver license reciprocity laws state if you are legally licensed in you home state then you are legal in our state.

deandec · 11-05-2015, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezj&wings2fly

After many, many hours on the phone between CA DMV and BOE I have decided that these agencies do not talk to each other. This is the latest - We are flying out tomorrow to pick up our new RV in Texas. We will drive the RV to Las Vegas and put it in storage. Rule says the RV cannot be brought over the CA state line for 12 months (unless you get special permission for repairs). I have to get two forms completed from the dealership along with a form from BOE and take those to DMV. The RV can then be registered and no sales tax will be due. Our RV will stay in Las Vegas until we are ready to go full time in a few months. Theory is the RV is not being sold in CA (no CA sales tax) and the RV will not be used in CA (no CA use tax). In a few weeks I will let you know if it all works correctly.

It works. I did the same in 2002 and got the use tax exemption letter from the BOE.

However, back then the requirement had two tactics. Three months or six months out of state use demonstration.

Be sure to use the rig while it is in Las Vegas. We kept ours on a rv site for the three months (along with lots of other new owners). We also had receipts to submit for food, supplies, fuel, etc from the Reno area that all demonstrated we were there and were using the rig frequently.

Much cheaper than paying Use tax. But 12 Months might challenge the cost advantage. At $40 per night that would be about $13,000 fees for the year.

As I recall, just storing the vehicle did not meet the Use tax exemption criteria.

"A few months until you go full time" changes the equation if you plan to stay away from California for the requisite time but keep the CA registration status.

We chose to demonstrate with odometer readings and fuel purchases that the rig could not be shown to have entered Ca during the out of state qualifying period. (Obviously, with an 800 mile fuel tank, you could move it from NV to Ca and not need to purchase fuel. But be careful to get receipts that show where the rig was when burning that fuel.)

We chose to organize the paper trail to lead the BOE to the correct conclusion rather than just handing them a shoe box of receipts to paw through.

Good luck and have fun!

lanerd · 11-05-2015, 09:51 AM

Also, I've read somewhere that you have to put a certain amount of miles (something like 4500) on the rv during that 12 month time frame. So based on that, you can't just "park" it...you gotta drive it. ALL receipts will be required...so save everything.

And the $13,000 can still be a big savings on a mh that cost $250,000 or so.

As for the chicken/egg original question, I had my coach (and drove it) for several months before I was able to obtain my Class B NCDL. When I finally took the driving test, the inspector handed me my temp license and said: "now you can drive this thing legally".

And I agree with those who indicated they would be more concerned with the insurance problem

Ron

slickest1 · 11-08-2015, 08:47 PM

I think the whole point of getting the proper licence is for your own safety and others on the road as well. Too many people get in these things and know very little about what they are driving. The proof of that is some of the questions people ask about air brakes etc. on this forum. Some of the answers are equally scary.

I would check out the commercial truck driving schools and see what they offer in training. Good luck and enjoy your new coach.

bluepill · 11-08-2015, 09:13 PM

I needed to get an endorsement in NY State for over 26,000 lbs. I had a commercial driving instructor spend a few hours of driving with me, and then come to the driver's test as a driver with the proper class license. Cost me $400, and was well worth the $$.

Murf2u · 11-09-2015, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Luckily WA doesn't have any special license requirement.

I can't think of a single good reason why someone with no proper training and / or licensing getting behind the wheel of a 40'+ vehicle with a GVWR of around 50k pounds could be described as 'lucky'. It sounds like a recipe for disaster to me.

tankcj · 11-10-2015, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezj&wings2fly

We are looking to buy an 45 foot Entegra Cornerstone. Ca requires a Class B license and we would like to take a driving class also. The RV is in Texas and we need to drive it back. Herein lies the problem. You cannot take a driving class without the RV (I understand it is better to have the class to learn the requirements they have at DMV) and you cannot get the license without an over 40 ft RV to drive and have to bring a licensed driver with you. I have been internet searching for driving classes in Southern CA and nothing so far. How in heavens name do you do these things before you make the purchase. Gotta love CA - not.

As already mentioned...you must use it. Not just store it. The burden of proof is on you and if they smell a rat, they can deny you. I can't stress enough...get it serviced, washed, fueled, camp in it and keep all the receipts. Take pictures with time/date stamps with NV points of interest in the background. You should have a few pieces of 'proof' for every month. You have to prove that you are using it.