License and Registration

[sreigle]

Sue, I didn't answer one of your questions. We just had to get insurance from a company licensed to sell in South Dakota. That's true no matter what your state of residence. We went through an insurance agency and ended up with National Interstate for the Montana/Fulltimers and Progressive (Drive) for the truck. Cincinnatti was not licensed to sell in SD.

[adelmoll]

Oh I just remembered one more thing. My stockbroker wasn't licensed to do business in South Dakota for one of the IRA funds that I was drawing on. I had to roll it over to another broker that was.

[patodonn]

Interesting thread...

We are also SD "full timers" and use Alt Resources..good Company. Re Steve's earlier comment "The 3% tax will not be assessed when you register unless it is not registered elsewhere.", I believe that only applies if you paid an equivalent tax in your prior State of Registration; SD allows reciprocity. If, however, your prior State did not have a Sales Tax, I believe SD will collect their 3% when you first register with them. Alt Resolurces folks will have a quick and accurate answer to that one...simple phone call..800-477-2664.

Due to the tax situations, if you can renew your vehicle tags by mail without a vehicle inspection, I see no real advantage to becomeing a resident of any State other than Alaska. Same for the driver's license. A trip back there just for that purpose is a bit pricey.

If, however, you need to have the vehicle(s) inspected in Alaska, or be there for driver's license renewal or other legal things, then SD is a good choice. Probably Texas, as well. Escapees is a good organization. There is alwsays the possibility of a Summons for Jury Service...THAT could be "interesting" if it was in the winter and you were in the RGV sunshine...(terrible thought!!)

Lots of threads on these subjects in the "Fulltimers" section of the Forum....search it for good info..

Good luck on your planned adventure!!

[Bob & Lee]

We have our mail with Americas Mailbox in Rapid City Sd and they offer simmular services they will get our plates and do our reg. but I found when Lee got her new Mustang we bought it in CO. and had the dealer pay the tax, when we called the Court House about it the lady told us she had recieved the tax money and was sending us a letter, she then reg. the car over the phone, charged the fees to our credit card and add$4 for mail and sent the new plates to us now we saved even more by not paying the mail service to run for our plates. now its all thru the mail with the court house, What a deal.

[exav8tr]

Thanks to all for chiming in on this important subject. I did do some checking and it seems that SD will charge me 3% for registering my RV and TV there, even though Alaska has no sales tax, neither does Oregon (They do the same to them). However, I could continue to register my RV and TV in Alaska as long as I do not take up residency somewhere else. I'm told by our DMV that some states require you to register with them if you are in their state for more than 90 days or otherwise declare residency. Ah ha!!! Alaska seems the best choice for vehicles. Drivers license must be renewed in person every 5 years with a possible 1 year extension. This would mean a quick trip back to Alaska every five years or so.

To maintain our Permanent Fund (re: free money) Residency, we must be present in the state for at least 180 days for the year we are claiming the fund. This means, no more free money, but also no more 7 month winters and freedom.

There seems to be many things to weigh. It appears that the best way is to keep vehicles registered in AK as long as possible. Come back every five years for license and obtain a mailbox somewhere else. Of course, if and when we want to upgrade our RV and TV I'm not sure what to do about that other than buy them in a "no sales tax state".

Logistical nightmare or not, WE ARE going to do this.

Anyone have any other solutions. I'm sure everyone has to go thru this at one time or another if they want to full time....

Phil P.

[Delaine and Lindy]

We still home base in Tennessee, no State income tax, and thats were we have our TV and 5th wheel registered. Thank God our little county has the wisdom not to vote in any TAX like the wheel tax that other counties have. Tags for the TV is $54.00 yearly and the 5th Wheel is $14.75. DW's sister just renewed our 5th wheel. Thats why we stayed registered in Tennessee instead of South Dakota. We also don't have a Vehicle inspection. Good Luck...GBY...

[patodonn]

Sounds like you have a good handle on it...remember, all this logistical stuff is sort of like eating an elephant..just go one bite at a time.

Re the "90 day rule" for re-licensing you mentioned above, you are very much more likely to be struck by lightening than run into that problem. If it is a real concern to you any time, just duck over a State line for one evening (go to a Casino or some such) and keep the receipt proving that you were there...that restarts the 90 day clock..not something we worry about, and we have run into it a few times.

BTW, I was Anchorage HS Class of 56...just left a couple of years early ('54) to the Lower 48....actually, Alaska wasn't even a State back then. Alaska and Hawaii had to come in together so as to keep the Dem/Rep balances unchanged in the House and Senate.

Happy Travels !!

[exav8tr]

Yeah PJ, 1959 was the year I believe. I have only been here since '93. Ready to go though and can't wait for summer. Watch out ALCAN, here I come!!!!!!!!

Phil

[judyuk]

We attended a class at the LOW regarding "home states" and were informed Blue Cross /Blue Shield will not cover us if we're using a South Dakota address. That means we will be Texans