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Phil in SLP

Jun 17, 2011, 5:49 AM

Post #1 of 18 (4857 views)

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South Dakota car plates

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I have spoken to people who have registered their cars in South Dakota because their old plates have expired, but there seems to be a few problems with this. If you leave Mexico, order the plates, and reregister your car with Aduana as you cross the border again, you are in good legal standing since you will have presented a S.D. title, which Aduana will copy. But, if your old plates expire, and you order the SD plates and title to be sent to Mexico, then your new title has not been registered with Aduana and your car permit will not mention this new registeration. Perhaps the nearest Aduana office further south can fix the problem so that you don't have to leave and reenter; I don't know. Another problem is driving with those SD plates NOB, which could be tricky; you will probably not have a SD driver's license or SD insurance, which could be a problem if you are stopped. A friend in SMA with SD plates told me that Mexican police have become interested in this gringo evasion and have stopped him more than once. Though SD likes to gain revenue by selling SD plates to nonresidents, and this is perfectly legal, there are potential pitfalls for the buyers.

Gringal

Jun 17, 2011, 6:50 AM

Post #2 of 18 (4846 views)

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Re: [Phil in SLP] South Dakota car plates

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First: These plates can only be obtained from Clay County, S.D.

Then, there seems to have been some changes in that registration situation. Rumor has it that there has been a large increase in the cost of renewal this year. 60% (?)

The question is: can new registrations and plates be obtained at present without a S.D. drivers' license and an address in S.D.? This was hotly debated without real resolution on the Chapala.com forum. Does anyone have the genuine skinny on any of this?

Meanwhile, at least in the Lake Chapala area, there seems to be more S.D. plates than there are in Clay County, S.D. (grin).

Phil in SLP

Jun 17, 2011, 8:14 AM

Post #3 of 18 (4832 views)

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Re: [Gringal] South Dakota car plates

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Tonynico has more information on this subject at 38429571. If you call the Clay County Treasurer's office at (605) 677-7123 you can receive the most up to date information on S.D. plates. Their address is Clay County Treasurer, 211 W. Main St., Suite 201, Vermillion, SD 57069.

tonynico

Jun 17, 2011, 4:28 PM

Post #4 of 18 (4773 views)

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Re: [Phil in SLP] South Dakota car plates

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I just got my plates last week. I called them and they told me how much money to send. I filled out the form and in two weeks I got my plates and 2 weeks after that got the title.
Even got a refund for over payment. They told me it would cost more then it actually did.

It is easy

Tony

RickS

Jun 17, 2011, 5:47 PM

Post #5 of 18 (4761 views)

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Re: [Gringal] South Dakota car plates

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Gringal, you are perpetuating a myth that ONLY Clay County offers this service. Someone at Lakeside years ago (2006?) started this rumor when they reported that one can get SD plates even it you don't live in SD. They claimed that only Clay County was offering this service and NOT to call the State and mess it up. Well, it wasn't so then (that only Clay County was doing this kinda under the table) and it isn't so now, but no matter how many times this myth is refuted, it still comes back up like a bad penny.

RV'ers for years have registered their rigs in SD because: SD offers it, requires no residency and requires no safety or emission tests. AND, they are cheaper than most other states! I am looking right now at an RV publication wherein there are at least three "entities" offering services including mail-forwarding, vehicle registration, voter registration and, yes, even SD driver's licenses..... all to anyone who is NOT a resident of SD. Yes, even voter registration and driver's license (for these, you do have to show up in the state but only for one day in a motel or RV Park!) These entities are all from counties other than Clay County. Clay County nor the others are not running some kind of scam. I have SD plates on my RV and truck and I live in Colorado. The State application for title/registration even has a place where one checks that they are from "Out of State", so no one is pulling the wool over anyone's eyes. I will say that in the last few years there has been an outcry from authorities in states neighboring SD (Nebraska for one) because many of their citizens are buying their plates in SD where the fees are much lower. There was some legislative discussions (SD) but nothing was done to change the law. They do now require one to submit identification with the title application... Social Security card is what they wanted from me.

I have a friend in Ajijic who renewed his SD plates a couple of months ago. No problem. Now maybe something has changed or is going to change as to the fees... I don't know. Mine are due in a couple of months so I will call Monday and see if anything has changed or is going to change. I'll report back.

Here is one of the 'entities' I referred to..... http://yourbestaddress.com/ but the Clay County folks are so easy to work with one hardly needs any assistance from anyone to get vehicle registration.

(This post was edited by RickS on Jun 17, 2011, 6:01 PM)

Phil in SLP

Jun 18, 2011, 3:49 AM

Post #6 of 18 (4716 views)

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Re: [RickS] South Dakota car plates

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Yes, I distinctly remember reading on the SD Dept. of Transportation website that actual residence is not required for SD plates, but they caution against being deceptive. They want to have a valid out-of-state address. So it is not just Clay County, but if they are easy to work with, then I would call them.

playaboy

Jun 18, 2011, 7:10 AM

Post #7 of 18 (4693 views)

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Re: [RickS] South Dakota car plates

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The ladies that work for Clay County provide great customer service and are very nice women. If I ever drive through I will bring a box of doughnuts for them to show my appreciation.

RickS

Jun 18, 2011, 7:21 AM

Post #8 of 18 (4687 views)

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Re: [playaboy] South Dakota car plates

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Donuts are a 'guy' thing.... take 'em chocolate and roses!

Gringal

Jun 18, 2011, 7:43 AM

Post #9 of 18 (4678 views)

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Re: [RickS] South Dakota car plates

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Rick S
If I've been perpetuating a myth.........I am in the wrong and should perhaps be shot at sunrise or at least be given the proper lashing.

If, indeed, you can currently get a new registration and plates from any DMV office in S.D. for an automobile (not a RV situation) and which is not a renewal, and if that's okay with the insurers, the visa issuers, and everybody else that matters, then that's one way to go for those who want it. I've also heard the rumor that the fees have gone up substantially. True or false?

If I am amused by the presence of so many S.D. plates in a gringo enclave in Mexico, then it's my warped sense of humor at work. Can't help it.

RickS

Jun 18, 2011, 8:39 AM

Post #10 of 18 (4664 views)

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Re: [Gringal] South Dakota car plates

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Gringal, probably no need for either of those harsh penalties.

With respect to new title and registration/plates, Tonynico resolved that question (above) when he stated that he got new, not renewal, non-RV title and plates just last week. Doesn't get much fresher than that. And the fact that he got them from Clay County only suggests to me that that is where he was told they were available and not that they are the only County in SD doing the deed.

With respect to the rumor of fees going up...... I too saw the post on chapala.com of the 60% increase that is purported to be coming June 30th. I'll be checking that out with Clay County on Monday as I mentioned above. But to put the fee situation in perspective let me share that the yearly cost to register my 2007 Prius in Colorado is $274. The fee today to register that same Prius in SD is.... $47! Even if the fee goes up 60% June 30th, that only $75 and I'll still be ahead by $200.

.... and nothing wrong in my books with being amused about living in Unidos del Estado de Dakota del Sur!

Gringal

Jun 18, 2011, 9:18 AM

Post #11 of 18 (4655 views)

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Re: [RickS] South Dakota car plates

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That's a lotta dinners out for the difference! I'd hate to even think about what CA would be charging these days.

Looks like there's no problem for those going the S.D. route..........what's ridiculous is that other states, all of whom are whining about their empty pockets, aren't doing the same thing for their expats. CA is probably one of the worst: You have to go there, get the car inspected, have a valid CA address (in the sky, maybe), carry CA insurance and then pay. And that's one of the states beetching the loudest about their broken budget.

Geez, thanks for letting me avoid the lashing. I really hate pain. Or getting shot.

stevebrtx

Jun 18, 2011, 12:25 PM

Post #12 of 18 (4628 views)

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Re: [Gringal] South Dakota car plates

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Yes, it's a gold mine, small, but these days they need it all. What's more perfect, 98% of the people with SD plates have never been in the state, so they don't pollute, they don't degrade the roads, add to the traffic etc. and yet they get a nice income. In TX, I have to pay about $100 for a special plate, then carry 30 days insurance to get the plates renewed. I always keep my inspection sticker up to date, but they're missing a good thing.
http://www.chapalaweather.net

sioux4noff

Jun 18, 2011, 3:33 PM

Post #13 of 18 (4605 views)

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Re: [playaboy] South Dakota car plates

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Quote

The ladies that work for Clay County provide great customer service and are very nice women. If I ever drive through I will bring a box of doughnuts for them to show my appreciation.

They were so helpful when I got my plates, I went online and ordered them a gift basket from Harry & David.

Phil in SLP

Jun 19, 2011, 7:04 AM

Post #14 of 18 (4554 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] South Dakota car plates

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Need I say that one of the great benefits of shifting your residency to SD is that you will no longer be on the hook for state income tax in high tax states like California, Wisconsin, or New York. However, if you continue to have a driver's license from one of those states, your former residence might claim you as a resident and demand that you pay state income tax. In order to get a SD driver's license I think you would have to go there, sign up, and have your picture taken. But, it might be worth while if you are NOB. Texas has no state income tax, and you might be able to register your car in Laredo with a P.O. box there from a mail service, but it would probably take a couple of weeks to receive your car title. You wouldn't want that sent to Mexico, so you might have to wait around for your title in Texas to reenter Mexico with those new plates. All very tricky.

stevebrtx

Jun 19, 2011, 8:00 AM

Post #15 of 18 (4542 views)

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Re: [Phil in SLP] South Dakota car plates

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Mine is registered at Webb County Laredo with a HandyMail address. And the title was sent through that channel no problem. I had just bought the car 2 days before I came down and all I had was a bill of sale which didn't look very official, so MX sent me back to TX to get 30 day temp plates, I got them, went back, got my import and never even put the temp plate on the car, but the paperwork satisfied them.
http://www.chapalaweather.net

tonynico

Jun 19, 2011, 8:24 AM

Post #16 of 18 (4534 views)

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Re: [Phil in SLP] South Dakota car plates

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New York does not link residency to your drivers license I can even have my Mexican address on my drivers license.

So having a license in N.Y. does not mean you are a resident

Phil in SLP

Jun 19, 2011, 8:53 AM

Post #17 of 18 (4524 views)

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Re: [tonynico] South Dakota car plates

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I think that each state in the US has its own laws on proof of residency. By the way, when you receive those SD plates in Chapala or elsewhere, do you then register them with Aduana, and, if so, how?

RickS

Jun 20, 2011, 1:19 PM

Post #18 of 18 (4438 views)

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Re: [Gringal] South Dakota car plates

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I just talked with Clay County SD about renewing my registration/plates which are due in September. "Mary" gave me the cost for doing so and said, yes, SD fees are going up July 1, 2011. We did not talk about a specific % because I believe it is related to year/weight, but my plates cost me $47 last/this year and they are going up to....... $53 to renew! WOW!

I then asked her about a new registration (for my son who lives in Texas and has a 2002 Subaru I said). Sure, fine. The (new) cost to title and plate that car will be the same $53 as mine, plus $5 for the Title and $1 to mail it to him. What is needed for this new registration for him is the standard SD Application for Title and Registration (which can be found on-line), a copy of his Driver's License and a copy of his Social Security Card. And a check. No other forms or affidavits required. The Application form, of course, requires an address and I already know that this must be a US address. Happy to be of service she says!

So, for me, this puts (another) lid on the saga of registering a car in SD by and for folks who don't actually live there. No scam. No hastle. Not only in Clay County but why deal with anyone else when you have the most friendly and helpful government employees on the face of the planet there!