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I want to keep KY as my home of record but have no family here to use their address. I've read a lot on here about changing residency to FL, TX, and SD but nothing on the UPS service... they will give you a street address and forward mail. I am wondering why many switch their resident state when this is available (unless it is for the taxes issue)? Or am I missing something that I need to know? Has anyone used this? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks much.
Will KY allow you to use a mailbox? We were WA residents but could not use a mailbox for licensing or vehicle registration purposes so we switched even though WA is also a state without an income tax.
We tried using UPS address in Michigan and 4 months after we left we got a letter from the state notifying us that our address is a "commercial" address and unless we give them a residential address, our drivers licenses would be revoked. Unfortunately we didn't get the notice in time and they did indeed revoke our licenses. we talked to several people at the SOS (DMV) office and they apologized for the fact that we fell into a gap, and suggested we use the address of a long lost relative in MI (ex neighbor) which we did for the short time that it took to get TX licenses.
NOT worth the stress and hassle, and actually cost more than Escapees mail service, by a lot.
Well, the UPS address is an actual street address with a -# attached to it... I guess I should check with the dmv and see if they recognize that. I really want to do this but simply can't change all of my stuff to FL, SD, or TX.
Well, the UPS address is an actual street address with a -# attached to it... I guess I should check with the dmv and see if they recognize that. I really want to do this but simply can't change all of my stuff to FL, SD, or TX.
Yep, ours was too. used the # sign instead of box #, PMB, etc.
We even changed our address in person at the DMV and it wasn't flagged at that time, but we still got the notice in the mail 4 months later.
Well, the UPS address is an actual street address with a -# attached to it... I guess I should check with the dmv and see if they recognize that. I really want to do this but simply can't change all of my stuff to FL, SD, or TX.
SD at least…is pretty easy to switch. You just need to spend 1 night in the county and then you can get a drivers license. Everything else can be done by mail…although since you have to be there for the DL it's just as easy to take the title/registration on the vehicles with you and do it while you're there. Texas is (I think) one state where there was some sort of verification of VIN that had to be done by the cops…but they accepted a letter from an out of state police agency if the vehicle wasn't physically there.
We did our switch over about 6 months before we hit the road…drove from DC out to SD…3 days each way…in Jan of 2012 and were in shirt sleeve weather goth going out and back the whole trip. Barely stayed ahead of the blizzard coming home though…every night we would get to our next overnight stop (no RV, just the car at that time) and turn on the TV to find out that where we had been the night before was now closed due to snow.
I actually think you can do FL without ever going there…there are some details on Technomadia's site and IIRC it's possible to do all by mail…although it's more paperwork and harder unless going there just doesn't work for ya. We would use FL if we were doing it again…you can use your mailing service for your domicile address now…back in 2012 that wasn't allowed. Insurance and registration fee wise SD vs FL was about a wash for us…but then we don't have to worry about medical since we're on Tricare.
Thanks everyone, for your input. It's not so much going to another state as it is an issue with getting a new DL somewhere else as I have some vision issues in one eye... not enough that it interferes with my life or driving drastically yet, but I may not pass the scrutiny in a new state that requires a vision test (KY does not) and I just don't want to risk it. Don't worry, I'm safe on the road with you and I just don't drive at night anymore.
I don't drive at night either. I also have a friend who is legally blind and drives.
From my research, short of renting an apartment, buying property, or having a trusted friend in the state, Kentucky just isn't workable. If you know an online vendor, have them check any address you might use to see if it is commercial. The mailing/shipping features of UPS- FedEx and such show what type of address you enter (commercial ships cheaper). The KY DMV will figure it out in a few months.
I think I may have an idea... an rv park/campground that offers a seasonal site (April-October) that you sign a lease for and can use their street address (provided it's not considered a commercial address) - that offers compliance with KY law regarding residency (163 days) and gives you a lease proving residency for a DL. Of course, that will only work as long as that park remains in operation and under similar management, so therein lies the risk.
I wouldn't worry too much about the vision in your eye. My wife, Linda has diabetic retina damage in her right eye and is almost completely blind. She had no trouble getting her license in SD and when we "moved" to Florida she had no problems either.
Jim
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Jim and Linda Full-timers from 2001 to 2013 http://parttimewithjandl.blogspot.com/ 2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel pulling a Heartland 26LRSS TT May your days be warm, and your skies be blue. May your roads be smooth, and your views ever-new.
Thanks Jim, that's encouraging, but I guess I'm still concerned that they will restrict my driving or something, and I'm just too young and not ready for that. (I have a macular hole that reversed after surgery - too many horse and parachute landing falls over the years).
FL told me I'd need to bring in medical doc that showed it wasn't correctible like a cataract. I guess I wouldn't know until I actually tried it. This is all a bit complicated but I'll continue to pursue.
One other thing to keep in mind is jury duty. SD and TX will remove you from the rolls or excuse you. Don't know about FL.
Being 2000 miles away in the winter and having to go back to serve on a jury was not something I wanted to do. Some states will give you an extension but people have posted about some states refusing to do so and saying they would issue a warrant if they didn't show up.
NH would not allow us to use the UPS Store street address on our drivers licenses or vehicle registrations so we had to use our daughter's address. They also grudgingly gave us a couple of two month extensions on our inspection stickers and said they would not give us another. We didn't intend to go back to NH every year so that helped us to decide to move.
We chose SD and that worked well for us. No state income tax or inspection stickers and very full timer friendly. They make it easy to get a drivers license and register your RV and car and register to vote. TX and FL are also full timer friendly.
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Clay (WA5NMR), Lee (wife), Katie, Kelli (cats) Full timed for eleven years in a 2004 Sightseer 35N. Snowbirds for one winter and now settled down in CO.
Dallas County put my "in state" 3 weeks time frame down and sent me a summons for Day one for that time frame and I have served on a jury twice in the last 4 years! Murder and felony drug charges. Interesting trials! City wasn't as cooperate but my lawyer got it taken care of and when the defendant seen how ticked the jury was at having to do jury duty for not cutting his grass he changed his plea from not guilty to guilty and paid up.
IMHO Fl and Tx are the only 2 states to use as by their laws they are the only 2 states that do not allow one's personal residence to be taken for indebtedness except to a govt entity. Look at the O.J. Simpson trial! Why did he move from Cal to Fl except to protect his 17 mil "homestead" while his trial was going on! thus he has a 35 mil judgement against him but they cannot take his house or pension! Never said it was right but that is the law in only Fl and Tx!
Not a lawyer but one of our best friends wife got cancer AND RAN UP BILLS TOTALING MORE THAN 8 MIL OVER HIS COVERAGE LIMIT OF 2 MIL! So by Il law they took his home and medical practice! Seeing this happen to a former neighbor we sold our home and moved to Texas as our oldest son was just entering high school and the potential insurance liability with their future driving was a potential liability we didn't want to take a chance on and we carry great insurance and a 2 mil umbrella policy beyond that. I consider our RV our home 9 months out of the year so why chance it.
We have met many great people Rv'ing some married, some single, some wishing they were one or the other, and some unmarried couples just getting along fabulously together. Do believe this / our lifestyle can and does accommodate them all!
I think I may have an idea... an rv park/campground that offers a seasonal site (April-October) that you sign a lease for and can use the street address (provided it's not considered a commercial address) - that offers compliance with KY law regarding residency (163 days) and gives you a lease proving residency for a DL. Of course, that will only work as long as that park remains in operation and under similar management, so therein lies the risk.
Charmaine,
That is a possibility- but expensive. The cheapest seasonal rental I've seen was about $1200 in a place I wouldn't want to stay one night. I've spent time at campgrounds that were used as permanent addresses but you needed to actually be there. For a mail service you're looking at about $150 per year and you would probably have to have that any way.
I understand the problem with your eyesight. Maybe next time you go to the doctor you could ask. I can't help with the horses but many, many years ago at Ft Benning they taught us not to begin a PLF with our heads (sorry, I couldn't resist).
A lady named Suzanne had a beautiful campground on the Tennessee River north of Crump I would have loved to use as a domicile but she was trying to sell it. Tennessee (as far from Nashville as possible) would be my first choice of states.
Take care, the board software is being extra annoying today.
-- Edited by solo boondocker on Friday 19th of August 2016 07:10:47 AM
and I just don't drive at night anymore. 
