I've considered this and feel that is the case, wanting to pay for all their regulations. Another problem is that ALL trucks registered in California are registered as Commercial. Even your 2 cylinder Ford Ranger. They got you coming and going. Thus the name Commiefornia
So license it in whatever state you’re moving to as a personal vehicle and drive it wherever you want with no DOT number. I can cover up the markings on my truck and drive it wherever I please with no worry about regulations because at that point I’m not acting as a for hire carrier. But in the end it’s your call. You can choose to go above and beyond and deal with a bunch of extra hassle if you want.
If its a personal vehicle and Cali pulls you over. Don't tell them your moving out. They will take it personal and find away to keep you longer. Like search your truck for drugs. Ok all corney jokes aside. Its a personal vehicle I wouldn't worry bout it. People live in them in Salinas. But depending on the states your going thru you may still have to scale. As long as the truck does not create revenue its a personal vehicle. But then again I got a ticket and a breathilizer back when I stayed in corning Cali, for picking trash up off the street and putting it in a can. So its gonna be a gamble
Its not really about going above an beyond, it's about not getting a ticket for $10000. or more and having my truck impounded filled with all my stuff and potentially losing it all. I plan to register it in another state, of course, but I have to get it there first. Past about 10 weigh stations according to Trucker Path.. The DOT regulations are multi faceted with so many layers, I'm not sure how anyone but a lawyer can keep track of it. Each of these regulations are challengeable to the driver at any weigh station. I guess it's naive of me to think there would be some clear well defined set of regulations covering this situation instead of every agency providing misinformation
You are making things so complicated. Make an appointment at the dmv, call your insurance company, get insurance. Then go there and get your plates. they will be commercial plates which are meaningless to crossing the state line. then drive it as you would a pickup, First you won’t have issues with any state cop in any state. the reason is a lot of states tell people to get commercial plates, I’m in one of them. my new personal pickup has commercial plates on the rear, but I have personal insurance. Been that way since 1965. They want their money, that’s all. getting a commercial license and their authority (which I read some idiot did to move their 10 foot former uhaul on a moving forum) is not needed, in any state. second is you are hauling your own crap, which is your crap, no one is going to hassle you on that ... just don’t do the stupid thing by plastering not for hire anywhere or private, that’s a sign that you are trying to flying under the radar.