[rrm1012]

Hello all,

I will be moving from PA and I am trying to get all my expenses together. How much would it cost to get my license, tags, and plate switched to MI? I drive a 06 kia spectra. Also, what is the average price for the basic car insurance?

Thanks,

Rich

[teachbeach]

We just moved from PA to MI and were in shock at the cost. We had 2 newer (06 and 09) cars to register and plate and switch our licenses. Fortunately, if you have a current license, you just have to take the eye test and you're good to go on that. Make sure you have at least 2 pieces of proof of residency (lease, tax bill, utility bill, mortgage coupons). We got basic plates and the total bill for everything was $325. You can go to the Secretary of State website and find the information. Registration is based on the blue book value of your car~at it's original purchase price.

Insurance was almost double until we sent a copy of our PA insurance to an agent and asked her if she could match or come close to the coverage for the same price. We were able to loop/link ours with our homeowner's insurance and we got it down to close to what we were paying in PA. She said to us, "MI is a no-fault state" to which we replied, "so is PA, but we have excellent driving records and our cars are garage kept, driven less that 10 miles to/from work."

[notdeconcentrate]

I'd also get an online insurance quote with the specific zip codes and car information that you'd be insuring, to give you a rough idea.

[rrm1012]

Teachbeach,

Thank you so much for that information. That was a lot more than I thought it was going to be. I was thinking it was going to be maybe $100 total. Wow that's shock.

Thanks again!!!

[caspper69]

Originally Posted by rrm1012

Teachbeach,

Thank you so much for that information. That was a lot more than I thought it was going to be. I was thinking it was going to be maybe $100 total. Wow that's shock.

Thanks again!!!

Well, a lot of states will assess you either through the state or the county for "personal property" taxes, which include your vehicles and other material possessions, that can be quite expensive. MI does not do that, so we make up for it in the form of vehicle registrations. Like in NC, you will get a personal property tax bill of $2-300 per year, but it only costs $25-30 for your plate renewal. In MI, your plate / renewal might be $180, but you won't get a bill for the $2-300, so it all evens out in the end.

[rrm1012]

Caspper69,

Very good points. I am very excited to start looking around the grand rapids area! I just have to get all these expenses together first.

- Rich

[allbusiness]

Plus, if you itemize, the amount you pay for plates is tax deductible on your annual income taxes.

[JoulesMSU]

What is the benefit of changing plates? I know someone who recently moved here from out-of-state as well and they were asking me about changing their plates and license - I told them I think they could just keep their current stuff for a while at least, but I wasn't really sure how long. When do you absolutely need to change that kind of stuff?

[zthatzmanz28]

You must register your vehicle within 30 days of claiming residency (when you know you are staying) and you know you will not be returning to your previous state. I too have known people who "moved" to another state and kept their plates. In NC there are quite a few folks with Ohio or Pennsylvania plates they have had for years. And they are not military. The problem is when you have to renew your plates there you have to have an address to mail the sticker / plates to.

If you get pulled over and tell the police you have moved and will be living in MI and they ask how long you have been here and your response is longer than 30 days they can and probably will write a ticket for illegal/improper registration and possible INSURANCE if you do not have MI insurance.

I am still running NC plates and insurance until I know I have employment here. If I cannot find a job by August 20, I will be going back to my job in NC.