P.O. Box Vs. Personal Mail Box?

@Chinatown That's a hint. I first stated that the reason for proof of a physical residence is DHS related then, channeling my former life, revealed a scheme to possibly get around it. Thought not to give that kind of advice in hindsight.

 

Another issue you might not have considered...the IRS. A PO Box ISN'T a permanent address in the eyes of the IRS, so taking the meal allowance deduction it dis-allowed if you're ever audited. The meal allowance is for meals and incidentals when you're job requires you to be away from your residence overnight, and you are subject to the HOS regs. If you only have a PO Box, there is no residence to be away from. I have talked to husband/wife team drivers who sold their home after the kids finally moved out and tried to live 24/7/365 out of the truck (and the occasional weekend in a hotel). They found out the hard way when the IRS came knocking at their door (figuratively speaking) with their hand out wanting their back taxes. I think they went the UPS mailbox route after that just to cover their collective butt.

 

You have to have a physical address. This is so the authorities know where to kick down your door in the middle of the night when you leave a trail of dead hookers across the lower 48.

All truck drivers are serial killers. I saw it on Dateline.

 

In the old days a PO Box was good. Now it's not anymore. You cannot have anything shipped to PO Box anymore. I noticed this change a few years ago when shipping computer parts. They demanded a physical address.

In trucking I had one address, usually that of home. There was not too much in the way of mailing, usuall junkers that go into the trash can. Several truckstops offer mail services. Or have PO's inside of them in some of the really good old ones.

Most of the time I am the mail service. Buy the item, toss it under the bunk with padding where possible and get it home myself.

 

Craig's list "rooms for rent" is a compromise to consider. Less than an apt more than a P.O. Box

 

I've had a pobox listed on my driver license for over 20 years. Started doing it when cars were being broken into and the thieves were stealing two things only-- car registration and garage clickers.

So they wait for you to go to work then back into your garage and close the door then bust into the house and take whatever they want and load it up.

 

Federal Express has a deal with the USPS to deliver packages to post office boxes. That happened sometime last year, I think. I believe Amazon was involved in the negotiations, but that starts to exit my sphere of understanding...

 

Last I heard, you could only use a P.O. Box on your license if the post office did not deliver mail to your home. The definitions involved are variable and open to a great deal of interpretation by everyone involved, but I believe that the rule was intended for places like Nome, AK, where the post office does not do home delivery. Instead, they offer free P.O. Boxes, and you come in to the post office to get your mail.