Moving to long-term RV park in Texas

[JCtravelRN]

My domicile is in MN. I own a truck, Class A, and a boat in storage in MN.

I accepted a job in Austin, TX and will stay here for at least one year (maybe forever, if I love it). I found an RV park that will let me stay for the year or longer.

Do I get my license and everything set up at this RV park? I need to update my nursing license and am wondering if I will run into issues using this RV park address.

I know I need to register my truck and motorhome and do vehicle inspections and get an updated DLs (the non commercial class A). It is a deisel pusher, so I don't need to worry about emission testing, correct?

I paid for my truck and RV tabs for 2023 ahead of time in MN as I did not think I would be settling anywhere (I am a travel nurse). Did I just lose out on that money?

Do I need to register the boat? It will never see Texas, and I plan to sell it next year once I am back in MN.

I am thinking it makes more sense to domicile using Escapees since I use their mailing service in Livingston already. That way, I don't have to worry if I change RV parks or move around. Anyone see a problem with this? I know alot of full-time RVers use this service, but I am wondering if I will run into any issues since I am actually working and living full-time elsewhere instead of being a nomad.

[twogypsies]

I'd recommend doing everything in Livingston, TX at the Escapees especially you are using the mail service already. It's very easy to do there as everyone moves you along from place to place to get your things done. We used them for almost 20 yr.

[SKP Kirk]

Like the previous poster, I strongly recommend that you do all of those things using the address from Escapees where you get your mail. TX law does make this completely legal and it can stay that way when or if you move elswhere. There are thousands of us using the Escapees mail service address and have been doing so for years. If you just go to the TX Domicile Steps page it will guide you in how to do this.

[JCtravelRN]

It is getting a bit confusing after talking with Escapees. I do want to go that route.

I need some reassurance here to make sure I am not missing something since I need to drive to Livingston as I am already in Texas. That is a 3.5 hour drive one way.

1. I need to get inspections done on truck and RV.
2. Get my State Farm to move policies down to Livingston office.
3. Drive to Livingston to get vehicles registered.
4. Apply for new driver's license (anywhere in TX) using my current Escapees address and sign up for Class A non cdl driving test.

Does this sound right? Am I missing something? What else do I need to get done in Livingston, so I do not need to make a second commute? I plan to have a State Farm appt. if they need to see me in person and do the vehicle registration in the same visit.

[wingnut60]

When I wanted to change everything to the Escapees address--even tho I was already a TX resident--first thing I had to do was get my DL changed. Polk county could not do anything til my DL showed the Escapees address as my home address. Once I got this done, everything else went routinely. Have had the Escapees address for five years now and it works for almost everything. Only problem I had once, was getting a loan for the MH we now own, that was a little touchy for answering the question of 'length at address'

[Lt Dan]

Unless you are towing more than 10,000lbs, you don't need a Class A Operators license, you need a Class B which is valid for any RV over 26,000lbs towing less than 10,000.

[JCtravelRN]

Originally Posted by wingnut60

When I wanted to change everything to the Escapees address--even tho I was already a TX resident--first thing I had to do was get my DL changed. Polk county could not do anything til my DL showed the Escapees address as my home address. Once I got this done, everything else went routinely. Have had the Escapees address for five years now and it works for almost everything. Only problem I had once, was getting a loan for the MH we now own, that was a little touchy for answering the question of 'length at address'

Oh interesting. I will have to clear this up as the lady from Escapees told me I should register vehicles in person in Livingston before I get my license changed. Did you have to re-register your vehicles with Polk County? I am not a Texas resident, I am moving from MN.

[twogypsies]

I'd highly recommend you call Livingston/Polk County and discuss your concerns with them. They do this all the time with thousands of RVers.

[mrome54369]

I'd try to use the Livingston address for your RN license. I'm a retired RN but maintain my license through an Escapees address. It's been four years and I can't remember if they asked for a copy of my drivers license. I think it's worth a try to get your RN in Texas without doing all the other stuff $$ (driver's , vehicle plates, insurance).

[Justafriend]

What's the name of the RV park in Austin that you are using if you don't mind sharing.

[F4Gary]

Pretty sure Texas won't care that you just registered your vehicles in MN, so you are out that money.
Can you tow your pickup behind your moho? If so then you can tow it to Livingston and get them both registered and inspected there on the same day.
Talk to Escapees about where to do that and in what order. The inspections shouldn't be a big deal as Livingston isn't in a big city with the tougher inspections (I don't think). Registration just takes as long as the line is at the county court house.


I'd get settled into the RV park, get your TX DL, and then get the rest done.
You already have a valid MN DL and registrations and you should get some grace period to change things out. It was that way with military transfers anyway.


Welcome to the great state of Texas! Please don't try and turn it into Minnesota.

[SergioP]

No emissions testing for a diesel in Texas.

[F4Gary]

Originally Posted by SergioP

No emissions testing for a diesel in Texas.

They don't even "emission" test my gasser here in DFW. Pretty much just a lights and horn test.

[JCtravelRN]

Originally Posted by Justafriend

What's the name of the RV park in Austin that you are using if you don't mind sharing.

Blessings RV park in Round Rock. It is fairly new and it was a great stay, but I moved into an apartment now.