Registering elsewhere

From: timothy.smith1@att.net
Date: Wed Jan 11 2006 - 17:00:02 PST


Have you ever wondered why so many semi trailers are sporting Maine trailer plates? Well, it seems that Maine (as small as it is) had found a way to generate a great deal of revenue. Maine residents "sponsor" the folks who want to register their trailers there (at bargain basement prices) by lending their addresses to the registrant/applicant. You can bet most of those trailers will never see Maine asphalt. Now, I don't know if they also do this for "motor vehicles" or only trailers, but here is an example of a state who doesn't care WHERE you're from, so long as your money is green. It's like the Mafia...no principals involved, it's just business.

In any case, provided you aren't required to violate an oath that you live in a particular place, there is no reason why you can't spend your money there, or elsewhere, unless there is some specific prohibition by law.

As I am often involved in vehicle crime investigations, I can say that we sometimes see stolen or salvaged vehicles which have had "clean" titles issued in states where this can be done without too much scrutiny.

Knowing that getting a title for a former military vehicle is often full of pitfalls, I have discussed this topic at length with our investigators and the consensus (at least around here) is this...if the guy has difficulty getting a title HERE, but HE's legitimate, and the VEHICLE is legitimate, and his POSSESSION of the vehicle is legitimate, and he's only making an administrative "end run" then so far as we're concerned it's "no harm, no foul" because there is no intent to defraud or harm anyone...he's just seeking smooth sailing elsewhere.

Getting it titled in your name should be your first concern. Obviously transferring a previous and existing registration from another state (now in your name) to your real state of residence would serve to sooth the savage breast of most DMV types, particularly if the innocuous word "car" appears on that registration.

"Truck" implies a cargo-carrying ability, which, like a half-track (by definition, a car because it is not designed to haul stuff), the Ferret does not have a space for cargo.

On the other hand, if the gross vehicle weight is abnormally high for a "car", you might find yourself playing 20-questions with the nice old lady at the DMV all over again. Tread lightly.

What I find surprising is the simplest question I can think of which is.... Excluding the problems they have with issuing license plates, WHY won't they at LEAST issue a title? Krikey!...It must be a Kansas thang...

TJ



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