Non resident vehicle registrations

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by Merrymeeting

Demonstrating how weird and complex this can all become, I'll relate personal experience.

My mother is a resident of NH who, like many snowbirds, goes to FL for the winter. She used to drive back and forth, but because of some medical issues last year, she is no longer driving. The NH registered vehicle ended up in Florida where it will be staying for a bit longer. She has someone who drives her to her appointments and errands so the car remains legally NH registered even though it has not been in the state for over a year.

I recently bought a new truck. We are building a house in NH and plan to be residents within a year. Because the truck will be left at the NH location the majority of the time, and will be primarily used for things related to the building, I registered it in NH. I did have to sign the form stating that it will remain in NH for 350+ days, which it will.

I intend to use it to move a lot of our possessions from our non-NH house to the NH house over the next many months.

So if this new law takes effect, I could be penalized for going to the current home to pick up things and bring them back to NH?

My mothers car can remain out of state legally for more than a year. But if I drive out for 1 day, it may be illegal. Seems kinda crazy...

The wife's grandparents recently sold their home in Maine to live full time in Florida. They have had a home down there for over 15 years, but once the need for only one home came to light it was a no brainer. It costs them less than $60 to register a 4 year old full sized Buick Sedan in Florida.

I know you said she cannot drive anymore (sorry to hear that), but it would be considerably cheaper to reg in FL over NH.

[Merrymeeting]

Originally Posted by bobio

The current rule forbids you from taking any vehicle that you register in NH out of state for more than 15 days per year. I was told that the new rule doesn't allow you to take that vehicle out of the state at all.

I was responding to the original post in this thread that states there may be a new rule that the vehicle cannot leave NH. If so, I'd be in violation by going out of state to get my belongings to bring them back to NH.

I know you said she cannot drive anymore (sorry to hear that), but it would be considerably cheaper to reg in FL over NH.

Understood, and thanks. But she is a NH resident, and we plan to bring the vehicle back at some point.

Besides, assuming the same laws, if she registers in FL, as a non-resident, she may then have a car that is in the state illegally!

[tis]

I see what the state is trying to avoid, but all this just shows us how laws don't help. What a mess it all is!

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Many Lakes Region residents keep cars year round in FL and simply get an annual NH registration and take it to FL to put on the NH plates. This seems to work out fine as long as the old inspection sticker is removed and the FL police don't realize that NH requires a yearly inspection sticker.

[songkrai]

Originally Posted by Sue Doe-Nym

Many Lakes Region residents keep cars year round in FL and simply get an annual NH registration and take it to FL to put on the NH plates. This seems to work out fine as long as the old inspection sticker is removed and the FL police don't realize that NH requires a yearly inspection sticker.

Yes, it is a good idea to remove the outdated sticker. But I don't think that Florida or any other state can enforce a NH law.

[Merrymeeting]

This seems like the best thread to post this question as it relates to NH auto registration and out of state ones.

As mentioned earlier in this thread, we'll be moving to NH permanently within the next few months. I will be declaring NH residency next month, while my wife and son remain in MA until school is done. My truck is registered in NH so it is all set. But we also have a car, titled and registered to me in MA that my son uses to commute to school. It will remain in MA until May.

Does anyone know of any issues I will have if I just leave the car registered and in use in MA as a NH resident? Is there a time period I have to make the change?

I've searched quite a bit on the net but haven't found anything covering this scenario.

Thanks

[NoRegrets]

I would talk to your NH based insurance broker / company. They should be able to tell you the legal method for your ituation. They can also insure you will be covered for casuality and property issues by the company that underwrites your policy. Underwriters may differ in coverage. My wife has found big differences in coverage between companies.

[BroadHopper]

I know of folks who winters in Florida and summers in NH that changed their residency to Florida when their automobiles will not pass NH inspections. In Florida there is no annual inspections. Anyone care to elaborate how Florida makes sure your car is roadworthy?

[Lakepilot]

Merrymeeting - I would just leave the registration as is. It's in Mass and will be used in Mass.

By the way we live in NH but have several properties in Florida and we're there in the winter. We have a car down there that stays in Florida and is registered in Florida. We are NH residents. The car hasn't had an inspection in the last 10 years. That's just the way it is.

[Billy Bob]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I know of folks who winters in Florida and summers in NH that changed their residency to Florida when their automobiles will not pass NH inspections. In Florida there is no annual inspections. Anyone care to elaborate how Florida makes sure your car is roadworthy?

We live at the lake in the summer , have a car with NH plates that stays in NH and live the rest of the year in Florida . In Florida we have NO inspection
other then when pulled over . Guess our motto in Fl should be " Live Free AND Die "

[Kamper]

Sometimes folks who send a lot of time at an out-of-state second residence get challenged on their domocile/legal residence status. This can happen for a variety of reasons like tax discounts, insurance and voting.

Many states have it on the books that you need to get an in-state driver's license if you are spending more than 6 months there. You can use this bureacracy to your advantage. I thought I'd be a good boy when I was living and working in Florida in the '80s and obtained one. I got the impression it was actually a rare occurence because they had to look up the directions on how to properly endorse it!

You will have to take the written and practical exam but you end up with a legal document that says you -aren't- a resident of Florida. It also says 'only valid in Florida' so if you get stopped somewhere else, do not give it to the police unless they see it and ask for it.

I know for most folks this suggestion will sound like a solution in search of a problem but tuck it in the back your mind in case you need it.

[TiltonBB]

Florida has eliminated the non-resident license as of about a year ago.

Now, if you are a snowbird and decide to get a part time winter job you are required to get a Florida license and register your cars in Florida. This requirement takes effect 30 days after you take employment in Florida.

The problem is, in order to get a Florida driver's license you have to be a Florida resident. No exceptions. So what they are doing is saying if you want to come to Florida for, say, 5 months and work you will need to lie to us and tell us you are a Florida resident so that we can issue you a driver's license. You cannot be licensed in two states at the same time so you must give up your out of state license.

If you are stopped in Florida with an out of state license and the officer asks you how long you have been in Florida, and if you are working in Florida, be careful with your answers. If you answer both questions "over 30 days" you can be arrested for driving without a license even if you are carrying a valid license from your home state. You have not complied with the Florida law.

If you do choose to get a Florida license it places you in an illegal status in NH or whatever state your true residence is. Also, when you get a Florida license they will try to register you to vote at the same time. Try explaining to the clerk why you don't want to register to vote without letting on that you are really a NH resident, just committing fraud to get the Florida license.

When I protested they suggested I call my legislator. I explained that the legislator would not be interested in helping a NH resident because I wouldn't be voting for them.

[patman]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

When I protested they suggested I call my legislator. I explained that the legislator would not be interested in helping a NH resident because I wouldn't be voting for them.

So the laws are written with the local permanent residents in mind, and make the part-time/vacation residents' lives more difficult. Now where have I heard that before?

Of course, one solution would be to spend one day a month out of Florida so you could honestly claim that you weren't there for 30 days. Maybe a weekend in Georgia or the Bahamas would do the trick?

[phoenix]

its all about revenue States want your bucks

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by patman

So the laws are written with the local permanent residents in mind, and make the part-time/vacation residents' lives more difficult. Now where have I heard that before?

Of course, one solution would be to spend one day a month out of Florida so you could honestly claim that you weren't there for 30 days. Maybe a weekend in Georgia or the Bahamas would do the trick?

What make that idea not workable is when your part time winter employment involves operating a motor vehicle and the employer requires a Florida drivers license because of the Florida law.