We do not claim that your experience is going to be the exact same as ours or that you will not have any difficulties by using our examples. Also if the Texas residence requirements change from what they were for us, they will not be updated on this blog.
We decided to become Texas residence mainly for the home school requirements, which are easier in Texas than in West Virginia. In West Virginia we had to register the kids every year with the county school board and then have their work evaluated by a licensed West Virginia teacher to be turned in to the school board by June 30th each year.
Meeting the above requirements, on the road, got a little complicated and was just one more issue to deal with. Becoming Texans eliminates the issue and lets us concentrate on other matters.
As with anything that you are given complete control over, we have to stay disciplined with the home schooling so that we do not slack off and cheat our children out of an education.
Another bonus is that there are no personal property taxes on our RV in Texas or state income tax, which saves us a pretty penny every year.
So even though our hearts will always be in West Virginia, we are now Texans and proud of it. It is like I tell everyone now, "Just call me Tex."
The first thing we had to do is get a Texas address which we did through the Escapees Mail Forwarding Service. We actually drove down to Livingston, Texas to the Escapees Headquarters and did all the paper work there. It was easier this way, plus we had to physically be in town anyway to become Texans.
The amount for the first year of service is $185.00 which pays for all the start up costs and your $50.00 of postage on-hand. The next year will cost $85.00 for the annual fee along with you maintaining the $50.00 for postage. You can read more about their rates by clicking here.
If you go to the link of Postal Form 1583 With Mail Service Contract you can download pdf files of the forms you will need to fill out.
The booklet titled, "How To Become a Real Texan" also on the above page will explain everything required of you to become a Texan. This is actually what I used to get started when we decided to become Texans.
Escapees book on How To Become a Real Texan. |
After we received our new Texas address we took our vehicles to Harrison Body Shop located at 1806 N Washington Ave, Livingston, TX 77351 and had them inspected.
They are open Monday through Friday and all you have to do is call so they know you are coming. I do not know whether they do travel trailers or fifth wheel inspections, but they do inspect regular vehicles along with class A motor homes. Their phone number is 936-327-4338.
After we had our out of state vehicle inspections done, we took the inspection paperwork, our West Virginia registrations, proof of insurance (that we had changed to Texas) and a filled out Texas DMV Form 130-U to the Polk Count Tax Assessor Office in Livingston and registered the vehicles.
For a pdf version of the Form 130-U you can get a copy at the TxDMV website.
After we had the vehicles registered it was time to go apply for our driving license. Now if your RV weighs more than 26001 pounds and your tow vehicle does not weigh more than 10000 pounds, then you are going to be required to get your Class B non-commercial license, which means you will have to take a written and a driving test.
I'm not going into detail on this, but this is what we had to do in our situation since our Fleetwood Discovery 40G GVWR is 32,400 and our tow vehicle GVWR is 8000. You can go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website for the specifics on the different classes of license.
Sounds scary, but it really is not. Both Misty and I passed the written test and driving test on the first tries, because we studied and practiced. We probably would have done fine with the driving test, without practice, but since we did practice, we knew all of the ins and outs of the course.
First we filled out a Drivers License Application (DL-14A.pdf) and then headed to the Drivers License Office in Livingston. We had to have our vehicle registrations, proof of insurance (which we changed over to Texas after getting our TX address), and West Virgina drivers license. After filling out a couple of other forms they give you there, we took our eye test, had our picture taken, and took the written test.
For the written test all we did was study Chapter 14 of the Texas Commercial Drivers Handbook (DL-7C.pdf) and did fine on it. It is a 20 question test that is given to you on a computer.
After passing the written test, we were scheduled for our driving test, which was a month later. So we just stayed in Livingston at the Escapees Rainbow's End campground.
RV parked in front of the Livingston, Texas Drivers License Office to take our driving test. |
Livingston Texas Class B Drivers License Route. |
All that was required for the driving test was the tester to check that all of our flashers, brake lights, and horn worked on the RV and then have us drive the below route. There were no technical questions asked, such as "how to do an air brake test?" and no parallel parking.
Starting at the (green circle) in front of the Driver License Office on N Washington Ave drive south to 190 W Church Street.
At the (blue circle) turn right on 190 W Church St and drive west. Drive west on it until the US 59 Loop-N.
At the (red circle) turn right on US 59 Loop-N feeder road. Drive on the US 59 Loop-N until you reach N Houston St.
At the (orange circle) turn right on N Houston St.
After crossing RR tracks turn right at the (yellow circle) on N Washington Ave and drive south.
Once you reach Allie Bean Dr (pink circle) turn left. This is the street that they will have you back up in a straight line on for about 20 yards. Follow it to N Houston St.
At N Houston St (purple circle) make a left and follow the street back to N Washington Ave.
At the (teal circle) turn left on N Washington Ave and drive south until you are back in front of the Driver License Office.
Easy peasy lemon squeezey!
After passing the driving test you will be issued a printout with your license info and photo as a temporary license until you receive your permanent license in the mail.
We also signed up for our voters registration cards off of our drivers license applications. You can either get them then or when you register your vehicles, but why fill out a drivers license application and voters registration form when the drivers application will suffice for both?
So now we are 100% Texan.
I hope that our experience will help someone else to become a Texan without any problems. I had all sorts of questions and fears heading into it, but now know that there really was nothing to worry about.
God bless!
Thanks!
Don, Misty, and Kids...
Great post, I'm sure this will be very helpful to people. We were already Texans when we started which made it easy. In 2011-2012, we full-timed for 14 months and made it to 40 states. Bummed we missed yours though. We hope to do it again! Let us know if you need any advice on places to visit, etc http://wherevertheroadleads.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteWere glad that you liked it and hope it helps someone else who wants to become a Texan.
ReplyDeleteMaybe when you hit the road next time, you can make it to West Virginia.
Also we will keep in mind to ask you about places we are about to visit.
Misty and I also want to congratulate you on the birth of your daughter, Katie!
We will add you to our blog roll and follow your blog.
Thanks!
Don, Misty, and Kids...
We corresponded a few weeks ago about possibly meeting in KY or TN. Having email troubles (with the one I gave earlier). We are at Diamond caverns TT for another week/ possibly 2 and then not sure after that.
ReplyDeleteBTW- this is a great post on how to become a Texan! We went through this process last spring and share your address.
Deb. (desertrainblog.com)
Deb,
ReplyDeleteWe are currently about 3 hours from your location in Yuma, TN and will be here until Saturday at which time we will drive to Campbellsville, KY to stay for a couple months.
If you would want to meet half way this week, then Nashville would be just about middle way for the both of us.
I will look to see what's all in the Nashville area that maybe we can both visit and meet, depending upon your schedule.
We really would like to meet even if it is just for a little while.
Thanks!
Don
We will be here in KY (a bit over an hour from Campbellsville) through most of next week now. James works most days of the week but might have time Sunday. You may still be getting settled then. Let us know if that works. We may be able to come there or if you'd rather come here that's great too. There are a couple other full time families here. Deb
ReplyDeleteWe could either drop by your place on Saturday when driving to Campbellsville or run back over on Sunday. Our schedule is pretty much open until Monday, when Misty starts work with Amazon.
DeleteDon
Either one works for us. Our email is working now info@desertrainblog so let us know what works best. We are flexible. We look forward to meeting you all... I mean y'all (being Texans now). Deb
ReplyDeleteHi there,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the post you do and also I like your post, are you looking for buy real driver’s license online in the whole USA, Australia, Canada, UAE? We are providing buy registered driver’s license online, buy real document online, buy driver license online, real documents online, Buy EU Driver's License online, Buy USA Driver's License online (All states available), Buy Asian Driver's License online, Buy ID Cards online, Buy driving license online, Buy residence permits online, Buy Canadian drivers License, Buy German drivers License, Buy Swedish drivers License, Buy UAE driver's license online without exam, Buy Registered Italian Driver's License, Buy Hungarian driver's license, Buy UK drivers License, Buy Romanian drivers License, Buy Belgian drivers License, Buy Spanish drivers license, Buy Polish drivers License, Buy French drivers License, Buy Austrian drivers license Buy Portuguese Drivers License, Buy Norwegian Drivers License, Apply for Bulgarian drivers License, Get Netherlands drivers License, Buy Danish drivers License, Buy Switzerland Drivers License, buy a genuine driving license, buy real registered driver’s license, buy registered driver’s license online, fake driver’s license online, how to get a fake driver’s license real driving license, Purchase fake driver’s license, buy registered driver’s license, novelty documents for sale, buy a real and fake driving license in the world with the well price and our services are very fast.
Click here href=" https://perfectlyproudhome.com/buy-real-and-fake-drivers-license/ "> title=”Buy registered driver's License Online"
MORE DETAILS......
Contact us at: +32460248580
WhatsApp us at: +32460248580
Email: smithglobaldocuments4u@gmail.com
Pure mdma crystals and other research chemicals at very good prices
ReplyDeleteWickr……heritagechems
WhatsApp….. +1 (202) 443‑2097
Telegram…………@mdmasupplier
Telegram.........//t.me/researchchemvendors
Website….https://www.heritagechem.com/
Email…chemicalsheritage@gmail.com
100% REGISTERED DRIVERS LICENSE ONLINE CVVS FULLZ DUMPS TRACK 1 AND 2
ReplyDeleteWe process and produce documents that you can use to travel and work in any part of the world.
Our real documents are valid and registered in the required government database system.
As for our fake documents they look 90% real and can also be use for travel but that is done at the clients risk
CVV FULLZ DUMPS TRACKS 1&2 WORLWIDE
ALSO BOOK FLIGHTS TICKETS TRAINS TICKETS HOTELS ROOMS RESERVATIONS PAY BILLS ONLINE
SELL SPAMMING TOOLS AND TUTORIALS
————Contact————
GMAIL : continetalbiz@gmail.com
WHATSAPP : +33758800677
________PRICE LIST FOR FRESH AND VALID CREDIT CARDS_____________
- Us ( vis,mas ) = 30$/1cvv
- Uk ( amex,dis) = 35$/1cvv
- Au = 40$/1cvv
- Ca = 40$/1cvv
- Itali = 40$/1cvv
- Spain = 40$/1cvv
- Denmark = 40$/1cvv
- Sweden = 40$/1cvv
- France = 40$/1
- Germany = 40$/1
- Ireland = 40$/1
- New zeland = 40$/1
- Switherland = 40$/1
- Slovakia = 30$/1
- Middle East = 30$/1cvv
- Asia = 30$/1cvv
________PRICE LIST FOR FRESH AND VALID CVV FULLZ_____________
- Us full = 50$/1cvv
- Uk full = 70$/1cvv
- Eu full = 70$/1cvv
________PRICE LIST FOR FRESH AND VALID TRACKS,DUMPS_____________
- Tracks 1&2 US = 60$ per 1
- Tracks 1&2 UK = 75$ per 1
- Tracks 1&2 ca / au = 80$ per 1
- Tracks 1&2 EU = 90$ per 1
________PRICE LIST FOR YOUR DRIVERS LIECENS AND YOUR ID _____________
Are you searching to buy driving license online, buy real drivers license online and buy real ID online?
Your search has made you land on the right page. We are one of the top registered drivers license providers.
We are well known for our hard work and satisfied customers.
Do you want to be one of those customers who has taken our service and has recommended us to other customers?
Well, buy real drivers license online and you will feel the difference. As real drivers license makers,
We produce Real and Registered Driver's License. For the Driver's License,
we register all the information into the database system and if the id card or driver's license is checked using a data reading machine,
all your information will show up in the system and you shall legally use the document. We also produce Fake license card But,
none of the information on the document will be registered in the database system.
So we always advise our clients to let us produce them the Real documents if they legally want to use the document. buy real driving license
buy diplomatic passport online
Buy Canadian drivers License
Buy German drivers License
Buy Swedish drivers License
Buy UAE driver's license online without exam
Buy Registered Italian Driver's License
Buy Hungarian driver's license
Buy UK drivers License
Buy Romanian drivers License
Buy Belgian drivers License
Buy Spanish drivers license
Buy Polish drivers License
Buy French drivers License
Buy Austrian drivers License
Buy Portuguese Drivers License
Buy Norwegian Drivers License
Apply for Bulgarian drivers License
Get Netherlands drivers License
Buy Danish drivers License
Buy Switzerland Drivers License
buy a genuine driving license
buy real registered driver’s license
buy registered driver’s license online
----------WE SEND YOU DOCUMENTS TO ANY DESTINATION YOU CHOOSE--------------
Russia, Germany, United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Netherland
Belgium, Czech Republic, Malta, Estonia, Belarus, Greece, Austria, Serbia, Switzerland
Bulgaria, Denmark, Finland, Slovakia, Norway, Ireland, Croatia, Moldova,Slovenia
Bosnia ,Iceland, Luxembourg, Andorra, Hungary, Portugal, Albania, Lithuania, Latvia
Belarus, Canada, United Arab Emirate, USA,Australia.....
————Contact————
GMAIL : continetalbiz@gmail.com
WHATSAPP : +33758800677
———— WE ARE ONLINE 24/7 ————
I-C-Q--(748957107)
ReplyDeleteT-G--(@James307)
SKYPE--(@Darkiris)
Reddit--(Hawksquad007)
_______________
US-A S-SN F-ULLZ WITH ALL PERSONAL DATA+DL NUMBER (f-reshly s-pammed 2022)
VALID TO-OLS & TUT-ORIALS
-F-ULLZ FOR P-U-A & S-B-A
-F-ULLZ FOR DOOR-DASH & U-BER EAT
-YOUNG AGE PRO-S/L-EADS
-OLD & DEAD F-ULLZ
-UK F-ULLZ
-CANADA F-ULLZ
-F-ULLZ FOR T-AX RE-FUND
-B2B FU-LLZ U-S-A
-E-MAIL L-EADS
-F-UL-ZZ/D-ATA-BASE VEHICLES
-M-AILER/S-ENDER
-R-DP'S & S-MTP'S
-C-PA-NEL / S-HE-LL'S
-E-MAIL LEA-DS
-D-U-M-PS + P-I-N-S
-PHONE NUMBER L-EADS
-T-OO-LS A-vailable
-S-SN P-ROS (700+ CS)
*F-ullz/l-ead with D-L n-um + E-XPIRY DATE
*F-ullz with Good c-redit score(Any s-tate)
*S-SN+D-OB
*Premium i-nfo
*E-I-N P-I-N L-EA-DS
-In-valid or Wrong f-ullz can be replaced
-Free s-amples can be provided only for big Deals
-Can get specific s-tate,zip code,age etc...
-Payment method C-rypto,PM,Pay-pal