Moving out of state SUCKS!

[Giggle Goose]

So I'm only moving an hour away to Reston, VA this weekend. The majority of my stuff is already packed, boyfriend is really excited about me moving in, I'm excited about my new work location, etc.

What I'm going to ask you all is that apparently in Virginia you need to get a new license and registration within 30 days of moving there...but how would they KNOW when you moved? My Maryland registration and emissions inspection doesn't expire for a year, and my license doesn't expire until 2012. I don't see what the problem is if I wait a few months. I'm also not signing a lease.

I've never moved out of state, so I don't knoooooow! And I have to get a new title, new registration and plates, and two inspections in addition to a new license. That's a helluva lot to do in 30 days! I also have to delete my mom's name off of my car's Maryland title.

So am I being totally illegal by just waiting until my current registration expires? I mostly use public transportation, and if I get pulled over I could always say I still LIVE in Maryland because it's not that far. Anyone have some advice?

[Bella_Vixen]

Can't really help.

Becks and her fiance moved here to WI last August. Mr. Becks only just got his WI DL, even after switching his plates and whatall from NJ to WI shortly after they moved here.


I'm the type of person that goes ASAP and gets everything done that needs to be done. This last time I moved (3rd time in less then 2 years), I would have gotten my new DL (yes, I get a new DL every time I move; I hate those temp cards you can put on the back--they shouldn't be allowed) before I moved if I thought I could get away with it.

[draggar]

You'll only get in trouble if you're caught.

30 days doesn't sound like much time buit Florida is the same way (and we moved from NJ so we also had a very long drive in between). Take care of what is important first and then worry about this - don't rush though it all, do it properly. Also, look into a DMV and inspection places if they take appointments so you're not waiting in line all day (in FL we have places that are appt only).

We were able to get it al done (no inspections in FL, though) within 60 days and no one gave us a hassle over it, especially since it can take you a few weeks to get utility bills etc.. to prove residency (also check to see exactly what you'll need before you go!).

[BookstoreEscapee]

When I lived in PA I was only an hour from my parents in NJ (and I was only about 10 minutes from the border at the Burlington-Bristol Bridge). I did everything right away, but it was a long time ago so I don't remember what all I needed to prove that I moved. If your registration, license, insurance, etc. all have the same address, I doubt you'd get in trouble if you were pulled over.

[ThePhoneGoddess]

It's not something you'll get in a lot of trouble for even if you do get caught, which is unlikely. Don't stress it, just arrange it when you are able. Do it in stages, if you can, spread it out over a couple of paychecks.

If you don't have a problem with white lies then if you do get pulled over tell them you're visiting your boyfriend. There is no way for a traffic cop to check this. I moved a lot when I was younger. Most states do have 30 days requirements but in all the times I moved and was late getting things transferred over, I never got in trouble for it, not once.

Just make sure to do it within the next 3-4 months and you'll be fine.

[Android Kaeli]

I would rather do the emissions test again then have to pay personal property tax on the cars, since emissions is a whole lot cheaper. How much does the emissions test in MD cost now?

But I know how you feel. Moving from MD to twelve hours away to another state wasn't so bad, but getting everything done for driver's license and stuff was one of the worst days ever. It took almost the entire day just to get a few pieces of paper and a new license and by the end of it, no one was happy. Then again it took about a month and a half to get to that point since there was little time to do it in, not that anyone cared at the moment but it was just something we needed to do soon at the time.

Do it as soon as you can, don't wait for the expiration date to come. I don't know how it is in VA but if VA is like SC and has your vehicles as personal property (taxes on the cars alone is around $200+ a year) and doesn't do emissions, wait as much as possible.

[AdminAssistant]

Luckily, I'm a student and can keep my permanent residence as my home state.

[Dreamstalker]

30 days doesn't sound like much time buit Florida is the same way (and we moved from NJ so we also had a very long drive in between).

NM is the same way; most other states too I believe. My mom had her RI license until this month (the house down there sold, so she may need to finally get it changed over).

I have two state IDs. The one I got when I was in NM for school doesn't expire until October; I'm pondering getting it renewed so I have a non-passport ID in case for some reason my "primary" one gets lost (I also like the NM photo much better than the MA one--for some reason in the latter I look stoned).

[Giggle Goose]

I have two state IDs. The one I got when I was in NM for school doesn't expire until October; I'm pondering getting it renewed so I have a non-passport ID in case for some reason my "primary" one gets lost (I also like the NM photo much better than the MA one--for some reason in the latter I look stoned).

I talked to a friend about it, and she said I should be fine, BUT don't let a cop see that you have two IDs if you get pulled over. She pulled out a Missouri one and she got chewed out when the cop saw her Wisconsin one behind it. I've been pulled over very rarely, though...my area is so full of shitty drivers that cops hardly take a second look at me

Thanks guys; I don't know why I got so anxious about this.