Adventure #4 – Becoming a South Dakota Resident

Adventure # 4 – Becoming a SD resident

As I venture into a full time traveler I needed to figure out a method of receiving mail. I signed up for Americas Mailbox service and they send me my mail at whatever address I share with them when I need to get my mail. I was then able to get a driver’s license using this address. It is not a P.O. Box. South Dakota is very friendly to full time RV travelers. 

In February, I flew to South Dakota and stayed at the hotel rooms that are located at the Americas Mailbox facility. They also have an RV park but I was not comfortable to drive there on my own in the winter. South Dakota just requires you to stay at least 24 hours in the state and you need to show proof of your stay. I had the receipt from Americas Mailbox that verified my address and showed my overnight stay. I actually stayed 5 nights and did some touring of the area. It was really easy to get the driver’s license. The place was only 10 minutes from where I was staying. I didn’t need an appointment, and I received the card right then. I did not need to wait for it to arrive in the mail. 

I still need to register my vehicles. That is done at a different location – unlike California. I need to get access to my receipt  from the CA DMV to prove I already paid taxes on my truck and fifth wheel. Americas Mailbox provides lots of information on the process. They can even complete the task when you give them power of attorney for a fee. Therefore, you don’t necessarily need to go to the state to register your vehicles. You just sign a document when getting the DL that you will  return in 5 years. Here is a link to their site that spells out what documents you need to complete the task.