What are the rules for vehicle registration/driver's licensing when you have residence in more than one state?

Question

I graduated from college last year and have spent the last 11 months working in Baltimore and living at my parents' house nearby, but it looks like I'll be working out of Philadelphia starting in September. The nature of my job is such that, even though I'll technically be based out of Philadelphia, I'll be spending most of my time working in NJ and NY (rarely in PA). I plan on getting an apt in PA (right by the NJ border) for about a year, but also plan on keeping my parents' house in MD as my permanent residence for EVERYTHING (plus MD bank accts, doctors, voter reg, etc.)

What would be the rule for registering my vehicle in PA if I have an apartment in PA as my secondary residence (where I'll be spending most weeknights), but maintain my permanent residence in MD? The only way they'd even notice is if they look through apt complexes specifically to find out-of-state license plates... but even so, could I argue that my true state of residence is MD?

Answer 1

Just leave it registered at your parents place - assuming that they have no plans of moving. Then when you get a more permanent place to live - switch the addresses on your stuff. Plus add the fact that if you register it in PA, you are subject to a rough inspection and emission test once a year. I'm not sure of the MD laws on inspection.

Answer 2

Forget what's legal, do what is easy. Go with one address that is NOT going to change for a while (your parents).

I have one warning, and that is that if you drive to NYC often expect to have your car broken into (I live in NYC). For a while my friends driving in from NJ were getting their cars broken into a lot. But I live here and I didn't have the same problem. Then we realized that they (the thieves) are targeting out of state cars (assuming that people people will be carrying luggage or more likely to carry stuff in the trunk). I know that I don't anything in the trunk that's valuable (ever).

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Technically where you live 6 month + 1 day is your primary residence. But if you keep multiple residence they (IRS, DMV, etc) will usually let you decide. Beside how can you know for sure where you'll be if you were (say) a traveling salesman???

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Answer 3

A couple things to consider. Normally, you have plates and licence registered in the State of primary residence. This can change, however, when you start working in another State. Most States I have lived in give you 30 days to change your plates if you are working there. It all starts when they cruise the work parking lot and ticket you. This happens in Florida more than anywhere else I have lived.

Answer 4

As far as I know, you have to claim one state as your primary residence. That is the one you would get your plates and your license too. For a while I was going between Arizona and Illinois but since my primary residence was in Illinois, I had to keep the Illinois plates and license until I moved. The best thing to do is check with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles and see what your state's policy is.

Answer 5

They go by where the car is garaged, like where you live. Pick the state whichever you want, check which has the lowest insurance rate. bettyk

Answer 6

its usually your primary place of residence. your best bet would be to call the dmv's of both states and ask them. your drivers license should match your registration

Answer 7

WHY DON'T YOU JUST CALL YOUR LOCAL DMV OFFICE, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER ANY AND ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS AND AT THE SAME TIME YOU WILL BE GETTING THE CORRECT ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION.