Americans: Switching states for a drivers license renewal?

[Hal65]

Does anyone know if it's possible to switch states for a new drivers license without having to go to the DMV in person? My driver's license expiration is coming up and I'd like to make the switch.

[NeverSure]

I don't believe you can. South Dakota is probably the most friendly to "snowbird" residents having no requirement for a minimum number of days in state to be a resident, and having no income tax. But you have to show up once to get that D/L. Also there are outfits in SD that will give you an address and a mailbox with mail forwarding for a very reasonable fee. Something like America's Mailbox will meet you and walk you through all of it but you have to be there.

Most states have a minimum number of days in state each year to claim residency, so crunch all of the numbers, especially if there's a particular one you want to "move" to. Taxes?

Edited August 20, 2015 by NeverSure

[Hal65]

yes exactly. South Dakota sounds good, Nevada or Florida would also be good.

[Rocketsurgeon]

Agree with above posts. SD is your only hope and you will have to show your face. Mailboxes may be things of past with Real ID now law of land.

Each state I've moved Id always had to take a written test as well.

[Langsuan Man]

I enquired with the DMV in Nevada and was told via email that personal appearance was required but proof of residence was not:

DMV, me

Good morning,

We do not require you to provide us with proof of your Nevada address. You will just need to tell us what it is. Thank you.

I hope I have answered your question(s). If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to e-mail me back.

Sincerely,

DMV Services Technician II

Central Services Division

[GinBoy2]

This 'seems' to be be totally at odds with what most states require to comply with post patriot act identity requirements. I recently moved my state residency to South Dakota from California after quite some research. Even there I needed to show up in person to exchange my CDL to SD after a one night stay.

SD which as far as I can tell is one of the most accommodating for for expats/snowbirds still requires a certain presence in the state

[gk10002000]

yes exactly. South Dakota sounds good, Nevada or Florida would also be good.

Florida will NOT. Florida has instituted what they called the TSA "Goldstar" program. The TSA was forcing that down state's throats and saying every new license required extra checks and verifications on IDs. I recently got my FL license renewed and after the usual 8 or 10 years or whatever it was I had to go in person. That in itself was understandable but they required, two forms of ID, two bills with my home address on it, and they had to be recent (although they didn't say what that meant). They meant within a month, which was tricky since my Blur Cross bill only gets generated every two months!

The Goldstar program was meant to be: Without this mark on your license you could not use your license to board an airplane, or enter any Federal building. The deadline for that enforcement is upon us, and I have not heard the latest news. 15 states had complied last I checked.

Anyway, rolling over to Florida almost certainly can't be done except in person, unless something has changed

[lopburi3]

As said Florida will no longer issue without your personal attendance at an office - mine expired last year and unable to renew. Previously it was an easy on-line process to obtain renewal.

[Hal65]

Thanks for the replies. If I choose to keep my current state license, can I just go to the US embassy in BKK for the renewal?

[Langsuan Man]

Thanks for the replies. If I choose to keep my current state license, can I just go to the US embassy in BKK for the renewal?

No, did you not read the previous posts? States issue driver's licenses, not the federal government who operate Embassies

[Hal65]

My apologies. Are there any negatives to having an expired license in Thailand? I may want to delay my trip back for a year or so.

[gk10002000]

Thanks for the replies. If I choose to keep my current state license, can I just go to the US embassy in BKK for the renewal?

The USA doesn't handle people that move a lot or don't stay in one State a long time. It doesn't always make it easy for people living outside the USA. If your driver license expires, and presumably your car registration and auto insurance, US auto insurance companies typically will gouge you when you try to get auto insurance again. I would look long and hard at how long and how frequent you plan on being outside of the USA. It brings up issues that are sometimes overlooked when living overseas

[Langsuan Man]

My apologies. Are there any negatives to having an expired license in Thailand? I may want to delay my trip back for a year or so.

As a foreigner your "valid" US driver's license can be used here. Whether or not a Thai policemen is going to catch that it is expired is pretty much the luck of the draw. If it were me I would get a Thai DL while the US one is legal but everyone's situation is different. Now that Thai licenses use Roman script it can be used in the US so you might want to take that into consideration

[bamnutsak]

I'd just review various State's D/RMV sites.

I investigated a few options (NH, NC, WA) where I have family, and in those I needed a couple of utility bills to verify my address. All required application in-person, if you have a license from another state, and an eye test.

You also have to be aware of any ancillary issues, like jury duty, as some states use voter registration, and some use DMV lists. Obviously be careful about State income tax filing requirements.

Renewing in your existing state might offer the best option? My state allows for one on-line renewal, so I have to go in person for my next one.

[lopburi3]

Actually my last (and only) jury duty notice was resolved within several hours on-line for Florida - they have a list of reasons to decline and several seemed to fit - age unfortunately was a positive reason - but location would have been another (be a bit hard to make the commute each night).

[Rocketsurgeon]

Go to the embassy for renewel, lol. Yeah, each state has their own dmv/mva window... Next to the Starbucks and to the right of the McDonalds kiosks.

[slipperylobster]

yes exactly. South Dakota sounds good, Nevada or Florida would also be good.

In Nevada, I had to prove residency. I bought a home in Lake Tahoe, Nevada Side, but still struggled to get the Driver's license changed. Opened a bank account and showed property ownership. I do not remember how many days (if any) it took...but they were pretty strict.

[gk10002000]

Actually my last (and only) jury duty notice was resolved within several hours on-line for Florida - they have a list of reasons to decline and several seemed to fit - age unfortunately was a positive reason - but location would have been another (be a bit hard to make the commute each night).

I had a difficult time with a jury notice from Fl. I was working in CA on a contract. the clerk said she would give me a 90 day waiver. I said that won't work I am likely to be here longer than that and then we will start the whole thing all over again. I asked surely, FL wouldn't want to compel somebody to leave a job and travel across the country? While I support the idea of jury service, surely something can be done. She said no. Finally I was able to fax in a letter to the judge and he apparently took me off the roll call. But kind of scary if the state(s) decides to get nasty about it. I can imagine worst case of bench warrants, fines, etc. Makes me think more about some of the potential issues and how one detaches completely from a State if retired overseas.

[JLCrab]

I am Director of an NGO/501c3 and provided other documents to prove charitable work in Thailand. Permanent jury waiver from Orange County, FL

[Hal65]

Actually my last (and only) jury duty notice was resolved within several hours on-line for Florida - they have a list of reasons to decline and several seemed to fit - age unfortunately was a positive reason - but location would have been another (be a bit hard to make the commute each night).

I had a difficult time with a jury notice from Fl. I was working in CA on a contract. the clerk said she would give me a 90 day waiver. I said that won't work I am likely to be here longer than that and then we will start the whole thing all over again. I asked surely, FL wouldn't want to compel somebody to leave a job and travel across the country? While I support the idea of jury service, surely something can be done. She said no. Finally I was able to fax in a letter to the judge and he apparently took me off the roll call. But kind of scary if the state(s) decides to get nasty about it. I can imagine worst case of bench warrants, fines, etc. Makes me think more about some of the potential issues and how one detaches completely from a State if retired overseas.

I can't imagine that they really chase people down for this kind of thing.I could be totally wrong though.

[JLCrab]

Actually my last (and only) jury duty notice was resolved within several hours on-line for Florida - they have a list of reasons to decline and several seemed to fit - age unfortunately was a positive reason - but location would have been another (be a bit hard to make the commute each night).

I had a difficult time with a jury notice from Fl. I was working in CA on a contract. the clerk said she would give me a 90 day waiver. I said that won't work I am likely to be here longer than that and then we will start the whole thing all over again. I asked surely, FL wouldn't want to compel somebody to leave a job and travel across the country? While I support the idea of jury service, surely something can be done. She said no. Finally I was able to fax in a letter to the judge and he apparently took me off the roll call. But kind of scary if the state(s) decides to get nasty about it. I can imagine worst case of bench warrants, fines, etc. Makes me think more about some of the potential issues and how one detaches completely from a State if retired overseas.

I can't imagine that they really chase people down for this kind of thing.I could be totally wrong though.

They don't -- they just issue an arrest warrant that is waiting for you any time you come back.

[Hal65]

Can the airport guys catch you or does it have to be a street cop?

[JLCrab]

Can the airport guys catch you or does it have to be a street cop?

When they run your passport through their computer at the airport the sirens will go off.

[GinBoy2]

Can the airport guys catch you or does it have to be a street cop?

When they run your passport through their computer at the airport the sirens will go off.

Yep thats the reality; Jamie Dimon and the rest of the crooks on Wall St; who stole, swindled, arbitraged, call it what you will, get the VIP treatment at the airport, while you're escorted out in shackles because of the heinous crime of 'failure to report for jury duty'.

If it wasn't almost true, I don't know whether to laugh or cry

[JLCrab]

Can the airport guys catch you or does it have to be a street cop?

When they run your passport through their computer at the airport the sirens will go off.

Yep thats the reality; Jamie Dimon and the rest of the crooks on Wall St; who stole, swindled, arbitraged, call it what you will, get the VIP treatment at the airport, while you're escorted out in shackles because of the heinous crime of 'failure to report for jury duty'.

If it wasn't almost true, I don't know whether to laugh or cry

If there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, that's what would happen.

[GinBoy2]

Can the airport guys catch you or does it have to be a street cop?

When they run your passport through their computer at the airport the sirens will go off.

Yep thats the reality; Jamie Dimon and the rest of the crooks on Wall St; who stole, swindled, arbitraged, call it what you will, get the VIP treatment at the airport, while you're escorted out in shackles because of the heinous crime of 'failure to report for jury duty'.

If it wasn't almost true, I don't know whether to laugh or cry

If there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, that's what would happen.

Maybe I'll just cry then....

[lopburi3]

There is no arrest warrant waiting at airport for failing to report for jury duty - you will likely just go back into the pool to be called again but if happens a few times you can be called to explain why you should not be found in contempt.

Jurors who fail to report for jury duty and who are not excused by the court may be served with an Order To Show Cause by the U.S. Marshal Service. Those jurors may be ordered to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of the Jury Service and Selection Act. Contempt penalties include being fined not more than $1000, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to perform community service, or any combination thereof. (Title 28 U.S.C. § 1866) - See more at: http://www.caed.uscourts.gov/caednew/index.cfm/jury-info/failure-to-report-for-jury-duty/#sthash

[JLCrab]

There is no arrest warrant waiting at airport for failing to report for jury duty - you will likely just go back into the pool to be called again but if happens a few times you can be called to explain why you should not be found in contempt.

Jurors who fail to report for jury duty and who are not excused by the court may be served with an Order To Show Cause by the U.S. Marshal Service. Those jurors may be ordered to appear before a U.S. Magistrate Judge to show cause why they should not be held in contempt of the Jury Service and Selection Act. Contempt penalties include being fined not more than $1000, imprisoned not more than three days, ordered to perform community service, or any combination thereof. (Title 28 U.S.C. § 1866) - See more at: http://www.caed.uscourts.gov/caednew/index.cfm/jury-info/failure-to-report-for-jury-duty/#sthash

That is federal statute:

Ignore a Jury Summons at Your Peril

Your initial response to a jury summons, especially if it’s from a state you no longer live in or for a day you absolutely cannot make, is to ignore it. A jury summons may seem no more important to you than a parking ticket, but ignoring it could land you in hot water with the court. The likely outcome of simply not showing up for jury duty is that the judge will issue a bench warrant.

A bench warrant is essentially an arrest warrant, but it is issued by a judge rather than the police. Like an arrest warrant, a bench warrant gives the police the right to arrest you, anytime, anywhere, including at home, at work, at school, or out on a date with your sweetheart. It is a non-emergency warrant, though, which means the cops probably aren’t going to come knocking on your door. You do run the risk of being hauled in with cuffs on if you get pulled over for a traffic violation—the police will see it when they look you up. If you are a first-time offender, it’s likely you will simply be slapped with a fine and made to promise you’ll show up in the future. More than one bench warrant, however, could land you in the local jail.

Cited from: What You Need to Know About a Jury Duty Summons | NakedLaw by Avvo.com http://nakedlaw.avvo.com/rights/what-you-need-to-know-about-a-jury-duty-summons.html#ixzz3kOX3pQyL

[GinBoy2]

So apart from the lunacy of this. I have never had a problem calling any county court, telling them I live outside the country and having myself excused jury duty. To date, I have never been marched off to the nearest paddy wagon upon entry to the country.

Now maybe had I declared myself as Hispanic (I am) or worst still Black I could well have been shot at immigration, for fear of the poor immigration officers life as an habitual jury duty skipper!!!!

[NanLaew]

Can the airport guys catch you or does it have to be a street cop?

When they run your passport through their computer at the airport the sirens will go off.

Yep thats the reality; Jamie Dimon and the rest of the crooks on Wall St; who stole, swindled, arbitraged, call it what you will, get the VIP treatment at the airport, while you're escorted out in shackles because of the heinous crime of 'failure to report for jury duty'.

If it wasn't almost true, I don't know whether to laugh or cry

If there is an outstanding warrant for your arrest, that's what would happen.

About 5 years ago, they finally integrated all the computers and databases with Immigration so the guy checking you in now has oodles of information channels. I was pulled aside (not a US citizen) for alleged overstay and while I was languishing in 'secondary inspection', they were running all sorts of people through the office with admonishments to attend to a missed divorce court date (Colombian lady) and clear up outstanding unpaid import duties (German sculptor based in Austin). I know that federal warrants are a given and pretty sure that state ones are there too. Not sure if IRS tax liens and other such vagaries can get you locked up on arrival but if they can nail deadbeat dads, I wouldn't be surprised.