Registration of HDT in Texas

[treeed]

Hello.  I am considering changing my domicile to Texas from South Dakota.  I understand that beginning Jan 1 2025 Texas will no longer require vehicle registrations.  Our timeline is to get our drivers license in Dec 2024 (while we are in Texas) and then register our Volvo, RV, and smart in Texas in January.  Will I be able to register my vehicles on-line or by mail.  Will I have any problems registering my Volvo as an RV if it is already registered as a RV in South Dakota?

Any guidance would be appreciated

Thank you.

 

[Phil D]

I wouldn't anticipate any problems with registration if you're already titled and registered as an RV in South Dakota.  The fly in the ointment in your anticipated timeline is that Texas is going to require that your vehicles -- all of them, not just the RV -- be registered in Texas BEFORE you're able to obtain your Texas drivers licenses.  You will be required to sign an affidavit to that effect prior to being permitted to obtain your Texas licenses.

[CraigR]

treeed,

I'm a recent Texas resident and have three commercial trucks that have been converted to an RV.  One was already registered as a motorhome in another state and all that was required is... https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/new-to-texas

Getting your Texas Driver's License will be a process for an HDT.  Texas residents may be required to get an "Exempt Class B or Class A" license... https://escapees.com/texas-drivers-license-requirements-for-rvers/#:~:text=Texas operators of RVs for,“Class A (or B)

I recently converted a 2015 Freightliner Cascadia 113 into a motorhome and that was a "4-tripper" to the registration office to get it approved. The third one...well its still registered in another state because I'm going to sell it and don't want to pay any more taxes. 

Just a minor correction to your original comment...Texas is doing away with "Annual Inspections" on vehicles in 2025, not registrations. 

I'm a very familiar face at my local registration office and have learned a lot in the last 2 years registering about 12 various kinds of vehicles.

Any questions or need help...just ask.

[house]

If you are looking for permanent registration, the State of Montana allows for it for RVs that are over 11 years old, and it only costs $237.  In case you have not heard there are entire industries set up to register RVs in Montana and it is quiet a simple process

[rickeieio]

Just be aware, the normal process to register in Montana is to form a LLC, or  Limited Liability Corporation.  If some eagle eye LEO wants to be a stickler, you are now commercial.  While I don't know anyone who's been caught, I wouldn't want to be the first.

I do know, some states are starting to crack down on Montana LLC vehicles.  Kentucky hit some houseboat owners on Lake Cumberland who'd avoided the sales tax on expensive boats.

[treeed]

Am I reading the registration paperwork correctly...I have to pay sales tax to register my vehicles being transferred from another state?

I have a CDL so I shouldn't have to do a driving test or get a non commercial drivers license...should I?

My Volvo is registered as a motorhome in South Dakota.  Is it going to be difficult getting it registered as a motorhome in Texas?  We have a Livingston address through escapees, as well as a SD address,  Is that the best place to go to register the vehicles?  

Since they are doing away with the inspections, do I need to take the vehicles to the DMV or just take the title and registration?

Thanks

 

[Phil D]

Assuming that you've owned the Volvo for a while now, the only "sales tax" that you'll have to pay on your vehicles being moved here from another state is a one-time,  $90 per vehicle fee that they assess on vehicles currently registered in another state that are being moved and registered in Texas for the first time.  Once you've established a Texas domicile they will no longer assess that fee in the future, even on vehicles purchased out of state.

Given that your current operators license is a CDL, I would anticipate that you will be able to exchange it for either a Texas CDL or Exempt license of the same class as you currently hold.  If your CDL is good for combinations in SD, that's a Class A in Texas.

The best place to go to transfer your registration would almost certainly be Livingston, as they're more familiar with the "ins and outs" of RV registrations, including HDTs, than anywhere in the state.  That said, Texas makes it relatively easy to register HDTs as motor homes anywhere, unless you hit an office that isn't familiar with the process.

To avoid inspections, plan to make your move to Texas after the first of the year.  Inspections are still required through December 31, 2024.

[Tina-Jim]

All good information, thanks for sharing.

Why are you 'leaving' SD?

Travel Safe,

Tina-Jim

[treeed]

Our daughter lives in Texas...so we spend more time there.