South Dakota Registration

[slownis]

The truck I bought last week (in Texas) is registered in SD, with SD plates. The guy I bought it from is a friend of my wife, who is regarded as a legal expert, although he doesn't have a law degree or anything like that. He said he keeps his cars registered in SD, because he did the research a while back, and that SD is the only state that allows registration of vehicles that are out-of-state. Since Texas law doesn't specifically state that the vehicle must be registered in the State of Texas, he has kept it that way because its cheaper, and there is no inspection.

Any thoughts on this? I'm thinking about just keeping it that way, as its not going to be a daily driven vehicle anyways. We've also tossed around the idea of transferring our other cars to SD as well.....

The previous owner said that police will hassle him over it, and say they could write him a ticket for it, but he always argues that there is no law to back it up, and they just go back and forth that way until the Cop ends it by saying, "Well, you need to get it changed" and sends him on his way with no ticket.

 

[pillen140]

idk about that... i know that you can get a trailer plate from maine and be non-resident... you dont have to renew them for i think 10 years? cops try to give you a hard time, but its completely legal.

 

[Shran]

I am not sure what the answer to your question would be, but I would call the courthouse of the county the truck is registered in and talk to someone in the treasurer's office. You can figure out what county by the first one or two numbers on the plate...for example, 49A 111, where 49 is Meade county, or 2AB 111, where 2 is Pennington county.

A list of all is available here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_registration_plates_of_South_Dakota

 

[LiLRanger]

the question is...
what do the laws in the state you reside in have to say about it? That would determine the outcome if you get a ticket on it.

I'm thinking your in Texas? Then according to this...
http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdotrts/AddressChangeServlet

#
#3 State law requires vehicles to be registered in the Owner's Texas County of Residence.

So I'd say your buddy is mistaken.

 

[ejholmgren]

Had a quick chat with one of SD's finest. He says you're smoking crack if you think that will fly.

 

[dogboy]

I have no clue as to what the answer would be, but I don't see any reason why you would NOT register it in the state you live in.

I think you are just asking to get a ticket for something ELSE if a cop pulls you over for it. If they don't like something (out of state registration), they can and will find something else to get you for.

 

[Sunk]

My former boss bought and registered his Walton dump trailer and his wife's scooter in Montana since he was there on vacation and Montana has the option of permanent registration. He's had no issued so far.

 

[aogden001]

I'm a firm believer in "Don't give them a reason" But whatever, it's your truck.

 

[slownis]

the question is...
what do the laws in the state you reside in have to say about it? That would determine the outcome if you get a ticket on it.

I'm thinking your in Texas? Then according to this...
http://rts.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdotrts/AddressChangeServlet



So I'd say your buddy is mistaken.

Thank you for this, I'll show it to my buddy. What he'll come back is to say that what I have provided him with is not an actual law or statute, just something printed on the 'change of address' procedures, so unless I can find the actual Texas law or statute that this is referring to it's not really a law. He said he'd done the research, but that doesn't mean he's perfect. I'm also the 'don't give them a reason' type, but there are financial reasons not to register it in Texas, which was the only reason I was interested in it. The registration is cheaper in SD, and there is no required inspection as well.

 

[slownis]

Thank you for this, I'll show it to my buddy. What he'll come back is to say that what I have provided him with is not an actual law or statute, just something printed on the 'change of address' procedures, so unless I can find the actual Texas law or statute that this is referring to it's not really a law. He said he'd done the research, but that doesn't mean he's perfect. I'm also the 'don't give them a reason' type, but there are financial reasons not to register it in Texas, which was the only reason I was interested in it. The registration is cheaper in SD, and there is no required inspection as well.

This got me looking, and I found the actual law. The guy was smokin something I guess.

§ 502.002. REGISTRATION REQUIRED; GENERAL RULE.
(a) The owner of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer shall
apply for the registration of the vehicle for:
(1) each registration year in which the vehicle is
used or to be used on a public highway; and
(2) if the vehicle is unregistered for a registration
year that has begun and that applies to the vehicle and if the
vehicle is used or to be used on a public highway, the remaining
portion of that registration year.
(b) The application must be made to the department through
the county assessor-collector of the county in which the owner
resides.

 

[Simple_serf]

idk about that... i know that you can get a trailer plate from maine and be non-resident... you dont have to renew them for i think 10 years? cops try to give you a hard time, but its completely legal.

In NY, unless the tow vehicle has Maine plates, they will ticket you. 4 guys in my local antique farm equipment club were ticketed. I call it BS, but they were fined. Hey, it's NY, the dumbasses in Albany have to get $$ any way they can.

 

[snake]

If you get pulled over tell 'em your son or daughter had it in SD in college, just brought it down and is visiting, gonna go right back. It'll fly at least once...

 

[alaskan155]

he is not military right, in the military i have my trucks registered in Oklahoma and live in Wyoming, no front plate

most shit my family got was when my dad was running hotshots(1-tons dually with 3 car hualer) being alaskan residents and a commercial vehicle registered in alaska the scale master where always giving him a hard time or didn"t know what to do about it

 

[Sunk]

My boss just told the cops the trailer was out in Seattle for service if he ever got pulled over, which I think was never. I doubt it would need repair, the thing is a freakin tank.