Florida residents - Officially!

Somewhat challenging....Last week I called the Tax Collector's office in Pensacola to ensure everything was ready for us to transfer our Michigan status to Florida. No problems...come on down!!!  Wish it was that easy.  Monday morning bright and early we drove to Pensacola and went straight to the Tax Collector's office. After waiting about twenty five minutes we were called up and explained that we were full time RV'rs and declaring Florida as our homebase.  Unfortunately, the agent said...the law has changed and you have to be a resident of Florida and prove residency.  After a lot of discussion and talking to someone else the agent returned and said yes we could do what we wanted and our driver license would have our truck plate number as our address. After assuring us this would work, we allowed her to switch our truck and 5th wheel registration, paid the money and headed to lunch. Our driver license appointment was at 2:30.

After lunch we returned and at 2:30 were called for our drivers licenses. After presenting two forms of Florida info, our insurance policy showing the homebase address and our new truck registration showing the same thing, passports, Michigan ID's we were told, oh the law did change and we can't use a homebase address that you do not reside at.  Ugh...!!! 

Upset, we left and went to the Good Sam/Homebase office in Pensacola. We explained the issue and were told that each county enforces the law differently and that this county had decided to enforce it to the letter. The Tax Collector in Escambia county told us we needed a residence in Florida or a relative. Ah....Jackie, Kathy's sister!  A phone call made and within 20 minutes we had the form signed and Jackie's utility bill and lease to prove she lived there. Who carries that with them ?!?

Off to Santa Rosa county. They close at 4:30, we got there at 4:00 p.m. The were fast efficient and we have our Florida driver licenses now!

If you ever think of choosing a homebase where you do not have a residence make sure you check with the homebase company you are using regarding any changes or recommendations. If we had, they would have sent us to Santa Rosa first and probably not had any issues. Of course, you would also think if the homebase service knew about changes or different counties enforcing them differently you would hear from them.

In the end it all worked out and we got back to Wilmington Tuesday night.  And better yet, 27.0 mpg in my 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel with 130k. It just gets better with age.


Want to post a comment? Just click on this link below 0 comments