BajaNomad - Need Some Vehicle Registration Help

Need Some Vehicle Registration Help

phoenix2121 - 3-7-2014 at 02:18 PM

A bit of background... I joined this forum in 2008, and had intended to move to the Baja later that year. Life happened, and it kept me from doing it. Now, we're (myself, my girlfriend and my 11-year-old son) are finally able to make the move. We've been selling stuff in our home, and we're trying to clear out to get down to the Baja by June.

Anyway, I think we've solved most of the problems we'll face logistically, but there's one that I just can't seem to find any good info on.

We both have cars that we'll be taking with us (from St. Louis). We have no problem getting our drivers licenses renewed, as we can just hop a flight for a visit home, and then get it renewed while we're here, but we're running into a wall when trying to figure out how we'll renew our registration on our cars (plates) each year.

Obviously, we don't want to drive 1,000+ miles home each year to get our plates renewed, and although they offer the ability to register online, the cars also need a safety and emissions test from a Missouri testing facility.

We have friends in California and had considered using their addresses in order to get California drivers licenses and registration, but I think they require a proof of California address to do that, and we're obviously not living there, so we won't have what they need (a utility bill in most cases).

I know that there are tons of people that drive on expired plates in the Baja, but this becomes an issue when we drive the car into the US to visit friends in San Diego, or if my girlfriend decides to work in San Diego (pending Sentri pass application currently).

So, what do you folks do? Are there any "good" options here?

Pescador - 3-7-2014 at 02:22 PM

Most of us buy plates from South Dakota which can be renewed by the mail. You send your title, amount of money required, copy of your drivers license or other ID , and they send you the plates.
You can call Cathy at South Dakota and she will walk you through the process.
605-677-7123

Car registrations

bajaguy - 3-7-2014 at 02:56 PM

Welcome!!

On your way to Baja, take a small detour to South Dakota. Register your car, get a driver's license and register to vote. That makes you a South Dakota resident....also, no personal income tax.

You can renew your South Dakota plates by mail. and no emission requirements or safety inspections.

There are services that take care of most of the process for you and also provide you with a SD address

There have been reports of CBP giving grief to people who have SD plates and DL's from another state. One individual I know with a SD registration and a California DL had her SENTRI renewal denied until she re-registered her vehicle in California.

Just do it all at once in SD and be done with it

[Edited on 3-7-2014 by bajaguy]

dasubergeek - 3-7-2014 at 03:04 PM

Just be aware that if you drive back home, many states enforce the "three state rule", meaning that of your driver license, your plates and your residence, two of the three must be the same state. You can't have a South Dakota plate, a Missouri license, and a residence in Baja California. The chances of them finding out you don't actually live in Missouri is pretty slim, though.

phoenix2121 - 3-7-2014 at 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Welcome!!

On your way to Baja, take a small detour to South Dakota.
[Edited on 3-7-2014 by bajaguy]

LOL at "small detour" - that sounds awful, but if it's what we have to do, then I'm all for it.

phoenix2121 - 3-7-2014 at 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pescador
Most of us buy plates from South Dakota which can be renewed by the mail. You send your title, amount of money required, copy of your drivers license or other ID , and they send you the plates.
You can call Cathy at South Dakota and she will walk you through the process.
605-677-7123

Thanks for the info. I'll give her a call. Have you ever had an issue with someone (CBP, checkpoints, etc.) give you an issue over having SD plates and drivers license from another state (assuming that you don't have a drivers license in South Dakota.

I'm assuming that I'd normally just use my passport for ID, so the checkpoints probably wouldn't be an issue, but the CBP might (from what I've read).

phoenix2121 - 3-7-2014 at 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dasubergeek
Just be aware that if you drive back home, many states enforce the "three state rule", meaning that of your driver license, your plates and your residence, two of the three must be the same state. You can't have a South Dakota plate, a Missouri license, and a residence in Baja California. The chances of them finding out you don't actually live in Missouri is pretty slim, though.

Could I circumvent that by showing my passport instead of my DL?

SFandH - 3-7-2014 at 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phoenix2121

We have friends in California and had considered using their addresses in order to get California drivers licenses and registration, but I think they require a proof of California address to do that, and we're obviously not living there, so we won't have what they need (a utility bill in most cases).

You might want to look into this option a bit further. Just tell DMV you're renting a room from friends for 6 months while making the transition (no utilities in your name) and want to establish CA residency now. You can download a rental contract and fill it out and take it with you to the DMV. If San Diego, the cars will need to pass a smog test before registration and either annually or biennially thereafter.

Dave - 3-7-2014 at 03:58 PM

Your 11-year-old...you're gonna enroll him in school, where?

bajaguy - 3-7-2014 at 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phoenix2121

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Welcome!!

On your way to Baja, take a small detour to South Dakota.
[Edited on 3-7-2014 by bajaguy]

LOL at "small detour" - that sounds awful, but if it's what we have to do, then I'm all for it.

It will pay for itself in the long run

Two things

bajaguy - 3-7-2014 at 04:03 PM

If you, your son and your girlfriend ever have thoughts about getting into the SENTRI program, I would suggest registration and DL match.

What you will save in registration fees by registering in SD (and claiming residency for personal income tax) as opposed to California will mean more $$ in your pocket....and no emission inspections.

dasubergeek - 3-7-2014 at 04:06 PM

No, because you have to prove you're licensed to drive. The problem is on the US side, not the Mexican side. The tránsitos don't know about the three-state rule. If you're really moving and not just snowbirding, just go to S.D. once and get a license there.

phoenix2121 - 3-7-2014 at 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dave
Your 11-year-old...you're gonna enroll him in school, where?

Hopefully this doesn't go through twice, but I don't think the first one worked.

We had planned to home school him, but we're going to tour two of the private schools in Rosarito before we make a decision.

phoenix2121 - 3-7-2014 at 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SFandH

Quote:

I think this might be the best option due to the close proximity.

Both of our cars are newer (5-7 years old) so smog shouldn't be an issue. I like the idea of having something close by to renew license and registration, but I wasn't aware that it was as simple as getting a contract like that to prove residency.

I'll look into this further. Sounds like a good plan.

phoenix2121 - 3-7-2014 at 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
If you, your son and your girlfriend ever have thoughts about getting into the SENTRI program, I would suggest registration and DL match.

What you will save in registration fees by registering in SD (and claiming residency for personal income tax) as opposed to California will mean more $$ in your pocket....and no emission inspections.

I'm not against this idea, but it begs the questions about renewals... I know that we can renew plates online, but what about the drivers license? How long do you get between renewals? I'm assuming you can't do that online (renewals).

Cisco - 3-7-2014 at 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phoenix2121

Quote:

http://mydakotaaddress.com/

DL renewal

bajaguy - 3-7-2014 at 06:28 PM

Here is the info

http://dps.sd.gov/licensing/driver_licensing/applications_fo...

Quote:

Originally posted by phoenix2121

Quote:

Pescador - 3-7-2014 at 10:07 PM

I have been stopped by the famous California State Patrol and they had no issue since I have a Colorado Drivers License and South Dakota Plates. I explained that I have property in both states and Colorado wanted a yearly emissions test so I licensed in South Dakota but kept my Colorado Drivers License. I am sure that would not work because of the tax issue if you have a California Drivers License.

CALIFORNIANA

captkw - 3-8-2014 at 04:27 AM

THE Mother Land !!! you folks that watch TV have no clue...Moscow...yuk,,yuk has the most millioneers on the planet !!...Ya They are all standing in line for a loaf of bread !! turn off that BS TV ......the largest,biggest mind control in the world is a TV...Wake up fools !!Now back to your reg programing and Flouriride....carry on !! CA. demands you to do All the rules they have in place......what,, they demand and NOthing ELSE.,..,Land of the FEE...I laugh at folks that say "the USA is the free,,best place in the world to live """"BTW,,for you folks that don't know,,,New Zewland has been the best rated place to live for over 30 years..keep waving that flag and paying the FED reserve bank....A private bank that is nothing to do with the fed or helping the folks of the USA.....that IS ABOUT TO FALL ON ITS FACE!!! WHICH ONE OF YOU FOOLS IS GOING TO EVEN BEGIN TO DABATE THIS FACT !!!..AND DONT FORGET,,,,DDT IS safe FOR YOUR KIDS!!! CANADA IS looking real nice !! A looney is not your EX -wife and Just for laughs-Gags,,is a must see !!

Bob and Susan - 3-8-2014 at 06:58 AM

let's go "out of the box" and end the pain...

you are going to LIVE in TJ...import the car
use Mexican plates and get mex insurance

get USA insurance when you travel north

get a Mexican license...its about $50 bucks
no test

if the wife works in san diego...have here
walk across and use the trolly and
bus service
these things actually work in san diego

don't register in calif...big mistake...and why South Dakota if you are living full time in mexico...

bajaguy - 3-8-2014 at 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
let's go "out of the box" and end the pain...

get a Mexican license...its about $50 bucks
no test

don't register in calif...big mistake...and why South Dakota if you are living full time in Mexico...

Bob......don't know where you are getting your info, but in Ensenada to obtain a Baja California drivers license there is a written test, a drive test, an eye exam, a blood type test and they may require you to have an exam by a doctor. Went through that process last year. They will also need some other INM document other than an FMM.

Also, by claiming South Dakota residency, they will eliminate any personal state tax liability generated by income received from sources in Missouri or anywhere else. If they claim California residency, California will tax any income received from out of state and California vehicle registration costs/insurance/emission testing will put a rather large dent in their budget.

Nomad Udo recently went through the South Dakota process, moving from California to Baja Sur.....maybe he will add to this discussion.

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=69509

[Edited on 3-8-2014 by bajaguy]

Back to the beginning...

Mulegena - 3-8-2014 at 10:51 AM

KISS IT, keep it simple is a good rule in life and Baja, especially when you're just starting out on your new adventure and for at least the first year of your new life south of the border.

No matter how much you've visited and vacationed in Baja, circumstances are different when in-residence. You may not like it in Baja or your circumstances may require it-- for whatever reason(s)-- you find that you must return north.

Why change anything right now? Wait 'til you're settled a bit.

If your drivers' licenses are current and cars legally registered stateside, leave 'em that way.

California registration:
You'll need a state mailing address, smog certificate and proof in insurance. Reg'n. costs are kinda pricey.
California drivers license:
You'll just need a state mailing address and pass the written exam.

South Dakota options for your cars:
You can register your cars in South Dakota easily and very inexpensively and drive them in the US and Mexico legally with a current drivers license from any US state (no need to change your present drivers license). No smog nor proof of US insrance is required for registration.

The pros or cons of becoming a legal resident of South Dakota:
Complex and worthy of being explored as a topic for another thread.

Import your cars to Mexico:
Don't do it right now. Wait. It's expensive and it's a semi-permanent change. If, after a year or so you were to return fulltime to the US to live you'll be faced with having to import your cars back into the USA or selling them in Mexico. No hurry, so wait on this option and think carefully!

Quote:

Originally posted by phoenix2121
A bit of background... I joined this forum in 2008, and had intended to move to the Baja later that year. Life happened, and it kept me from doing it. Now, we're (myself, my girlfriend and my 11-year-old son) are finally able to make the move. We've been selling stuff in our home, and we're trying to clear out to get down to the Baja by June.

Anyway, I think we've solved most of the problems we'll face logistically, but there's one that I just can't seem to find any good info on.

We both have cars that we'll be taking with us (from St. Louis). We have no problem getting our drivers licenses renewed, as we can just hop a flight for a visit home, and then get it renewed while we're here, but we're running into a wall when trying to figure out how we'll renew our registration on our cars (plates) each year.

Obviously, we don't want to drive 1,000+ miles home each year to get our plates renewed, and although they offer the ability to register online, the cars also need a safety and emissions test from a Missouri testing facility.

We have friends in California and had considered using their addresses in order to get California drivers licenses and registration, but I think they require a proof of California address to do that, and we're obviously not living there, so we won't have what they need (a utility bill in most cases).

I know that there are tons of people that drive on expired plates in the Baja, but this becomes an issue when we drive the car into the US to visit friends in San Diego, or if my girlfriend decides to work in San Diego (pending Sentri pass application currently).

So, what do you folks do? Are there any "good" options here?

Bob and Susan - 3-8-2014 at 01:28 PM

welcome to mexico bajaguy :tumble:

here you only need to pay...they waive the tests if there is a test
no smog either
truck driver - about 870pesos
car driver - about 580 pesos
couple bucks for the picture
you do need copies of your passport

i'd still import the car...cars don't last forever...
sell it later...its probably rusted anyway if its from st Louis
not worth keeping a long time

I reregistered a couple of cars to california,,,and each time calif had an "import" tax...go figure...California likes to tax people

phoenix2121 - 3-8-2014 at 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Here is the info

http://dps.sd.gov/licensing/driver_licensing/applications_fo...

Thanks for this. I had no idea that after the first trip to SD I wouldn't have to visit again for a renewal. That's quite cool. Thanks.

phoenix2121 - 3-8-2014 at 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob and Susan
let's go "out of the box" and end the pain...

you are going to LIVE in TJ...import the car
use Mexican plates and get mex insurance

get USA insurance when you travel north

get a Mexican license...its about $50 bucks
no test

if the wife works in san diego...have here
walk across and use the trolly and
bus service
these things actually work in san diego

don't register in calif...big mistake...and why South Dakota if you are living full time in mexico...

How much is it to import the car?

Also, I had considered this, but are the plates legal in the states when we go back? Also, don't you need a fm2 or fm3 (I know they have new names now, just can't remember what they are) to get that?

We couldn't get either as the income requirements are steep now... It's around $2,100 per person, and $500 extra for the child. We make about $3,500 per month collectively once she quits her job for the move.

bajaguy - 3-8-2014 at 03:45 PM

Check the other link I posted. It's a step-by-step guide.

An added plus of a SD DL is that it is one of the few states that issues Enhanced DL's

Quote:

Originally posted by phoenix2121

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaguy
Here is the info

http://dps.sd.gov/licensing/driver_licensing/applications_fo...

Thanks for this. I had no idea that after the first trip to SD I wouldn't have to visit again for a renewal. That's quite cool. Thanks.

phoenix2121 - 3-8-2014 at 03:48 PM

Our registration is still good for about a year after moving in June, so we'll probably take the advice given and wait until that point to decide between SD, CA, or importing the cars to Mexico.

Anyone know the costs for that? Or, if you can do it on an FMM (we don't meet the income requirements for the permanent residence)?

You guys are amazing. Thanks for all the answers and the great advice.

Riom - 3-9-2014 at 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by phoenix2121
How much is it to import the car?

Also, I had considered this, but are the plates legal in the states when we go back? Also, don't you need a fm2 or fm3 (I know they have new names now, just can't remember what they are) to get that?

Last time I looked, cars made in North America that are 5-10 model years old (only) can be imported (I imported mine three years ago). Reckon on $1000 one-off including all taxes and costs to agents, maybe $500 for a really basic older car, maybe $1500 for something great, but $1k won't be that far off.

But, to get the plates, you'll need a BC license. To get the BC license, you'll need a residence visa (at least here in San Felipe, it does vary!) and some tests. So if you can't get a residence visa, you can't get a license (here at least), so you can't plate the car, so don't import it. You'll be tourists: just visit with your US-plated car.

phoenix2121 - 3-9-2014 at 12:46 AM

I'd love to not be a "tourist" but the income requirements have become quite steep. Hopefully that changed quite soon. Or, is that yet another thing that's a "rule" yet nobody actually enforces it?

Riom - 3-9-2014 at 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by phoenix2121
We couldn't get either as the income requirements are steep now... It's around $2,100 per person, and $500 extra for the child. We make about $3,500 per month collectively once she quits her job for the move.

Wouldn't the spouse also be a dependent, making it $3100 total? (Temporary residence is all you need, as after 4 years it's upgraded to permanent without having to qualify under the permanent residence figures).

Or, maybe one of you could apply initially, then (officially) bring in the others as relatives later ("vinculo familiar"). Seems to apply even to temporary residents.

I'm out of touch with the latest rules, but Yuclandia is usually detailed and up to date. Bear in mind each local consulate and INM office may behave slightly differently.

[Edited on 2014-3-9 by Riom]

phoenix2121 - 3-9-2014 at 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Riom

Quote:

I'll look into that, thanks!

SlyOnce - 3-10-2014 at 09:34 AM

In San Ysidro, right near the border, there is a Postal Annex at Dairy Mart Road. Since you are going to be living in the border area, like me, you don't need even a MX Tourist Visa. File paperwork at the Postal Annex to make that your legal mailing address. Its a street address not a PO Box. You can receive packages there, they will text you when they arrive. Using that address, get a CA DL and plates. Apply for your SENTRI on your car and for all 3 of you. You will need US car insurance, and MX insurance (my MX insurance costs under $200 a year).

During early months in Baja, you will be crossing often. You don't want mail to be sent to MX from the US.

Rent, don't buy, here in the northern border area for a while.

Get a feel for the place before you make steps that can't be retraced.

Don't overly worry about US and CA taxes, your income is low. Assuming the cars are not worth much, CA registration won't be high (you don't want to bring a valuable car anyhow).

tjsue - 3-10-2014 at 10:03 AM

I agree, get a PMB. I have one, but it close to where I use to live in Normal Heights. I didn't want to change my address, and in that area 2-3 times per week, plus it's only $78 per year. Even when I lived in San Diego, I didn't get any mail at my residence, everything goes to the PMB.

[Edited on 3-10-2014 by tjsue]

CortezBlue - 3-10-2014 at 10:13 AM

www.claycountysd.org

is the best website to get your plates

I actually called them years ago and told them I was licensing a vehicle to leave in Mexico. They had no problem They told me that all I had to do is make sure I had insurance on the vehicle if I was traveling to South Dakota

That his been about 8 years ago.

Udo - 3-10-2014 at 10:27 AM

I agree with bajaguy.

The first step you need you need to handle is to go to the website:
www.americas-mailbox.com
Print out all the pertinent information regarding your vehicle registration.
Then transfer all your vehicles to SD registration. The people at the office will do all the paperwork for you, if you sign a power of attorney for the vehicle registration, and pay your lic. fees.

America's mail box also has on site a motel and an RV park, and you are now allowed to claim your PMB as an apartment...i.e. your address will be 514 Americas Way, Apartment #(), Box Elder SD 57719.

At a later time of your choosing, you spend the night at their motel. They will give you a receipt with an address on it. That will be your permanent SD residency on your SD DL. You then take the receipt to the local (it is about two miles away) DMV office (closed Mondays, but opens at 7 a.m. the rest of the weekdays). Fill out your paperwork, give up your current DL. Make sure you bring 2 Federally issued IDs...your passport, W-2, SSI card, etc. They will then issue a DL with a gold star on it and you will then be allowed to handle your vehicle and DL renewal by WWW.

It doesn't get any easier than that (other than having to appear at the DMV personally to have your photo taken.)