Fulltimer Question on Home Base

banderson55 · 02-17-2010, 01:24 PM

Hello to everyone...My question is, what state do most fulltimers make their home base when they have sold their house, to license their MH, TV or 5ver. Our state is very pricey on vehicle plates. I understand we would have to get a D.L. from that state when we do decide. I figured there must be some kind of stats on this.

**Route 66** · 02-17-2010, 01:31 PM

Texas, South Dakota or Florida.

Dr4Film · 02-17-2010, 01:43 PM

For me personally, I have chosen Alaska because both of my sons are living there. I will have everything switched over to Alaska sometime this coming May once I arrive there. I will be using my sons address as my domicile. Remember that your domicile can be different than your residence.

There are a lot of things to consider so may I suggest you read the following two web sites to get you started. They will give you some information to think about before making any decisions. Also, if you Google " Full Time RV Domicile" you will get a bunch more info to read over.

Changing State Residency - A Guide for the RV Owner

RV Domicile

Good luck!

Dr4Film ----- Richard.

paz · 02-18-2010, 06:27 AM

Texas and South Dakota seem to be most popular because neither has state income tax and both make it relatively east to establish residency. Florida is also the choice of many because they don't have income tax either.

Check out each state to see how it will fit your needs. We picked SD because vehicle insurance was cheaper. Some states have higher vehicle insurance, but low medical insurance rates. Some may have higher vehicle registration, but no vehicle inspections, and some states have lower sales tax if you're considering a vehicle purchase. You can pick a state that best suits you.

If you're considering Texas for your domicile, I suggest looking into the Escapees RV Club. Their mail forwarding service is one of the best available. The Escapees web site also has a forum with a section on full-timing that you may find helpful.

**RickO** · 02-21-2010, 01:00 PM

We are currently at the Escapees home park in Livingston, Texas and are nearly finished with the process of "becoming Texans". We sold our home in Calif in Sept and started full timing. We chose Texas as a home base because of the high cost of Calif taxes. Escapees makes it pretty easy to do. We joined the club ($60/yr), signed up for the mail forwarding service which gave us our mailing address ($85/year plus postage)... got our coach and toad safety inspected in prep for getting Texas plates ($31 total)... got Texas plates for both vehicles ($530 total including $180 of one time out of state xfer charges. This compares with the $2600 Calif wanted). Next week we'll get our drivers licenses. The one hitch with Texas is, if you drive a coach >26000 lbs you need a non-commercial class B license and need to take a written as well as a driving exam in your coach. That's ahead of me this week. In addition, the Escapee parks really seem to be a bargain.

Barbaraok · 02-21-2010, 08:10 PM

Rick,

The written test isn't hard (BTW - 1960 was the year they required electric turn indicators on trucks:

) just read Chapter 15 and do the sample questions. And the driving test - if you can handle your rig you'll have no trouble. Just make sure you are wide enough on your right hand turns, make sure you turn your head to check your mirrors frequently, even if you can see them without turning your head, and at stop signs check each way TWICE before going through the intersection.

Barb

powerboatr · 02-21-2010, 08:53 PM

not to split hairs, but the folks behind the desk will sometimes not be right.

class B license according to page 6 of the link
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/CDLhandbook.pdf

line 4, not required for a recreational vehicle for personal use.

also if your a disabled vet of 60% or more the license is free, with proper documentation. 50% or more gets you a specialty tag that is assigned to YOU not a vehicle, and its as low as 3 dollars a year, tag the heaviest vehicle first and its three then the others will be full price, my class A is 3 per year to tag.

Texas Department of Public Safety - Courtesy, Service, Protection
Texas Department of Public Safety - New Texas Driving Laws
Disabled Veteran

hope it helps

paz · 02-22-2010, 06:10 AM

powerboatr, I don't think any state requires a CDL for an RV driven for personal use, but many states (including Texas) require a higher class, non-commercial license for RVs. A CDL is only required if driving an RV for pay, such as making deliveries, etc.

denochs · 02-22-2010, 06:41 AM

Just changed my driver license and registered our MH in FL last week. New title and tag registration came to a little over $400. No additional license are required by FL to drive a class A.

Roadking · 02-23-2010, 11:39 AM

As already stated, many states, including South Dakota, do NOT require a CDL for large RV's driven for personnel use.

If you elect to go use South Dakota as a domicle then there are several mail forwarding organizations that will assist you in establishing residency and getting proper documentation. Do a google search for details, but a partial list includes "my Dakota address" in Madison, "my home address" in Emery, and "Alternative resources" in Souix Falls. I would highly recommend Terri's firm (my Dakota address) in Madison as we have used her services for more than 5 years and are very happy. She is extremely helpful, efficient, and simply great to work with.

Barbaraok · 02-24-2010, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerboatr

not to split hairs, but the folks behind the desk will sometimes not be right.

class B license according to page 6 of the link
http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/CDLhandbook.pdf

line 4, not required for a recreational vehicle for personal use.

hope it helps

Maybe if you had READ THE Texas Driver's License booklet (not the CDL Handbook) you would find out what is required.

"CLASSIFIED DRIVER LICENSE (Texas Transportation Code, Section 521)
The following listed Class A, B, C, and M licenses will be issued to persons who are exempt from obtaining a Commercial Driver License or persons who are not required to obtain a Commercial Driver License:

1. Class A driver license permits a person to drive any vehicle or combination
of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 pounds or
more, provided the gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle(s) being towed
is in excess of 10,000 pounds; including a vehicle included in Class B or
Class C, except a motorcycle or moped.
Minimum Ages: 18, or 17 with completion of an approved driver education
course including classroom and practical training or approval of minor’s
hardship application.
Fee: $24.00 for 6 years. Applicants under the age of 18 are charged $5.00
for a license to expire on the next birthday.
2. Class B driver license permits a person to drive the following vehicles,
except a motorcycle or moped:
a. a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001
pounds or more, and any such vehicle towing either a vehicle with a
gross vehicle weight rating that does not exceed 10,000 pounds, or a
farm trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating that does not exceed
20,000 pounds;
b. a bus with a seating capacity of 24 passengers or more, including the
driver; and
c. a vehicle included in Class C.
Minimum Ages: 18, or 17 with completion of an approved driver education
course including classroom and practical training or approval of a minor’s
hardship application.
Fee: $24.00 for 6 years. Applicants under the age of 18 are charged $5.00
for a license to expire on the next birthday.
3. Class C driver license permits a person to drive the following vehicles,
except a motorcycle or moped:
1-4
a. a single unit vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that is not a Class A
or B; and
b. a single unit vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating of less than
26,001 pounds, towing a trailer not to exceed 10,000 pounds gross vehicle
weight rating or a farm trailer with a gross vehicle weight rating that
does not exceed 20,000 pounds.
Minimum Ages: 18, or 16 with completion of an approved course of driver
education including classroom and practical training, or 15 with approval of
minor’s hardship application.
Fee: $24.00 for 6 years. Applicants under the age of 18 are charged $5.00
for a license to expire on the next birthday.
4. Class M driver license permits a person to drive a motorcycle or moped.
Minimum Ages:
a. Motorcycle—18, or 16 with completion of an approved course of driver
education (32 hours classroom and the 16-hour Departmentapproved
Basic Motorcycle Operator Training Course)
b. Moped—15 years of age
Motor-driven cycle of 250cc or less
a. 15 with Department approval for minor’s hardship license
b. 15 with completion of an approved course of driver education (32
hours classroom and the 16-hour Department-approved Basic
Motorcycle Operator Training Course)
Fee: $24.00 for 6 years. Applicants under the age of 18 are charged $5.00 for a license to expire on the next birthday. Amotorcycle endorsement added to a current license requires a $15.00 examination fee. An additional fee of $8.00 will be required when renewing a Class M License.

Don't you think that those of us you have the Class A and Class B licenses for Texas KNOW what is required?

Barb