Can I Register My Rv In Another State?

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Last Updated on September 5, 2024 by Paul Clayton

Can I Register My RV in Another State?

If you own an RV and consider registering it in a state different from your current residence, you may wonder, “Can I Register My RV In Another State?” Before deciding, research and understanding the legal implications of registering your RV in another state is crucial.

• Registering an RV in another state is possible, but considerations apply.
• Address Proof: Proof of address, such as utility bills, is necessary.
• Tax Implications: Different states have varying tax implications for RVs.
• Insurance: RV registration and insurance policies should align by state.
• Legal Implications: Registering in a different state may have consequences.

Registering a vehicle tends to be similar in all the states. However, each state has a unique interpretation of the requirements to report a vehicle.

While most vehicle registration deals with passenger vehicles such as trucks, cars, or motorcycles, other types of vehicles need to be registered. This group consists of boats, trailers, and, of course, RVs.

Typically, registering a motor vehicle in a state different from the owner’s residence is frowned upon, as the state department with the jurisdiction might not permit the car to be legally driven on roads within the state.

Additionally, the owner of such a vehicle might have to get a specialty license. However, this depends on the requirements put forward by the state.

Why would you Want to Register your RV in Another State?

A little research will show that registering an RV in a state different from your residence is a common occurrence.

Most people do this simply because they are trying to avoid paying high registration fees. For example, RV owners in states like New York might be inclined to register their RV in a neighboring state with much lower registration fees.

It turns out that registering an RV in New York costs about $30 per year, while in Maine, it costs $100 for ten years. 

While this might seem like a great deal, it is illegal to do so. This is because New York traffic law only permits vehicles registered in New York to ply the roads.

If caught doing this, you can be fined anything from $30 to $250, plus a surcharge of about $80. The delicate wipes away any money you had hoped to save by registering your RV in a different state.

There are some exceptions to the rule; however, you will have to be a non-resident of the state, and then you cannot be liable for having an out-of-state tag.

This exception, however, is more suited to moving companies that operate within the state rather than RV owners.

So, to answer the question, while you can register your RV in another state, it is illegal to do so, and should you get caught, you will have to pay a fine that negates any initial savings you were hoping to have.

What are the Most Common RV License Tags?

Any avid RV observer would have noticed that certain states seem to have a disproportionally large number of RV registrations.

The leading states are South Dakota and Montana. It might be easy to believe that these residents of those states love RVing.

However, the truth is much more complicated. Most individuals seldom step foot in the state and seem to pick these states for one reason: to save money.

Apart from aiming to save on each state’s registration fees in the union sets, taxes on RVs also vary.

Montana

Montana, for instance, has no sales tax on its RV registration charge sheet. The registration fees associated with RVs are also significantly smaller than in other states, thereby making the opportunity to register your RV in Montana a great savings option.

This is particularly true for those that have top-of-the-line RVs. As with all states, vehicle owners need to show proof of residency in the state before they can register their RVs.

Numerous RV owners work around this by creating an LLC or limited liability company in the state and then registering their RV as a company vehicle.

To do this, most people enlist the help of legal counsel, given that so many tax codes are involved.

South Dakota

Just like Montana, numerous RV owners choose to register their RVs in South Dakota for tax purposes.

Nevertheless, there are a couple of differences between the states. To begin with, South Dakota has an excise tax of 4%.

However, the tax associated with an RV is still significantly lower than in most states.

Additionally, the fee incurred by RV registration is one of the lowest in the nation.

While registering RVs in South Dakota is slightly more expensive than in Montana, there are alternate reasons why RVers, particularly full-time RVers, are drawn to the state.

For one, the state has no income tax; its sales tax is one of the lowest in the nation. It also has many mail forwarding services, meaning it is much easier to establish South Dakotan residency.

For these numerous reasons, full-time RV owners choose South Dakota to register their RVs.

What Do You Need to Register for an RV?

While most states utilize similar registration processes and laws, there are differences between registering cars, trucks, or motorcycles and registering vehicles such as modular, motorhomes, trailers, or RVs.

The process for registering an RV goes as follows:

Registration Application

An application to register your RV has to be turned in to your state of choice via its titling and registering agency.

This can be done through the DoT, Department of Transportation, MVD or Motor Vehicle Division, DoR, Department of Revenue, or the DMV or Department of Motor Vehicles.

The application has to include general information about the RV, such as its vehicle identification number or VIN, model, and make.

This application must be submitted immediately after purchasing the brand-new or pre-owned vehicle. It should also be done in conjunction with applying for a title. 

If you do not have a title, you cannot be granted a license plate or stickers that enable you to drive legally on public roads. That said, not every state giving a vehicle title requires registering it. Certain trailer types do not have to be registered.

Owner Identification

Your driver’s license will serve as a valid means of identification. The number of your license is then associated with the RV’s registration.

If your RV is large enough to require a specialty license before you can operate it, you will have to get that license before you are allowed to register your RV.

If you want to register your RV as a company vehicle like you would in Montana, your tax account number will be used as your identification number.

Verification of Ownership

As the owner of the RV, you will have to show legally binding paperwork that shows you are the owner of the RV. This could be a bill of sale, title, or certificate. 

Registration Fees

You must pay the registration fees once the documents mentioned above are presented. As stated earlier, the amount you pay to register your RV can vary from one state to another.

Certain factors are considered when calculating how much you pay to register your vehicle. Some of these factors include weight, kind of vehicle, vehicle price, and registration method, to name a few.

If you switch residence to a different state, you must re-register your RV, incurring additional costs.

What Does it Cost to Register an RV in Montana?

The cost of registering an RV in Montana varies and depends on many factors, such as the vehicle’s age, weight, and value.

The Montana Department of Justice’s Motor Vehicle Division provides a fee schedule that can be used to estimate the registration costs.

The average cost can range from $200 to $300 per year.

However, it’s important to note that this is just the base fee and does not include other mandatory fees like the county option tax or the Montana Highway Patrol Salary and Retiree Health Care fee.

It’s advisable to contact the relevant authorities for a more accurate estimate.

What Does it Cost to Register an RV in South Dakota?

For a new RV weighing under 4,000 pounds, the cost is typically around $75. However, the rate increases for heavier units, reaching approximately $200 for an RV over 15,000 pounds.

As I mentioned above, there’s a 4% excise tax on the purchase price.

It’s worth noting that these rates are subject to change and may vary depending on your specific situation and location within the state.

Final Words

Registering your RV in another state is possible, but it’s essential to consider several considerations.

One of the first requirements is address proof. You must provide proof of residency in the state where you intend to register the RV, typically in the form of utility bills or other similar documents.

Additionally, it is crucial to understand the tax implications involved. Different states have varying tax laws and fees associated with RV registration, which could significantly impact your financial planning.

Furthermore, your RV registration and insurance policies should align by state. Your insurance policy must be valid in the state where your RV is registered.

Lastly, be aware that there may be legal implications for registering your RV in a different state. This could include potential fines or penalties if you do not comply with that state’s registration requirements.

Therefore, it is advisable to thoroughly research and understand all the rules and regulations about RV registration in the desired state before proceeding.

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