A Complete Moving Blog  

Your Car Move and The DMV

So, all your bags are packed and you are finally ready to move. But, what about your car? Are you going to drive it yourself or is it being moved by an Auto Moving Company? Regardless of your choice, have you considered the Local DMV Rules of the new state? Once you have settled into your New Home, the first thing you need to do is change your License Plates. The License Plates of one state will not be valid in another. So, unless you want to avail Public Transport, I suggest you get those License Plates changed as quickly as possible. If you want, you can also get really cool License Plates that reflect your Style and Attitude. Start off life in a new city by making a great first impression.

Just changing the License Plates may not be enough though! Did you know that while in Michigan, a Driver’s License is issued only to those above 18 years of age, and in Alaska, teens as young as 16 years of age can get a Drivers License, provided they have parental consent?

For Commercial Vehicles the ages may differ from 18 to 25 depending upon the state.  In order to drive around in your own car, you need to have a new License issued. Many State Laws make it compulsory to take a Driving Test before Issuing or Renewing a License.

So, brush up on your Driving Skills and Traffic Laws in order to get your New State License. Students, keep in mind, if you are below the minimum age for driving, you will either be issued a License on parental consent or not issued a License at all. Find out about these details before shifting your car too. In case, you are not able to obtain a License, you might consider selling your car and buy a new one later when you reach the proper age.

The DMV of each state is also responsible for registering your car. In some states, two separate agencies are in charge of issuing Licenses and Registering Vehicles. Most states have a deadline by which you should apply for Vehicle Registration and Driving License. So make sure you visit the local DMV office as soon as possible.

However, getting your work done at the DMV can be quite tricky. There are some things that take up a lot of time in the DMV. Even though the DMV has a high standard of meeting up to customer’s expectations, it is better to be prepared for delays regarding some procedures. Take care of Emission Checks. 30 out of the 50 states in the United States have laws that state that emission checks are mandatory before a Car Registration.

Keep all your papers, including Identification Proof and Social Security Number at hand. Following a number of cases of Underage Licenses being issued, the DMV has become very strict in checking regulation papers.

The slow functioning system of the DMV operations has long been a national joke. But don’t let this bother you too much. Visit your Local DMV and start driving around in your Car in no time at all !!!

Full Service Move vs. Self Service Move

With a large percentage of the US population moving every year, it’s tough to decide which kind of moving service will fulfill your needs. Find out about the Pros & Cons of the Types of Moving Services.

The most recent U.S Census Bureau Statistics stated that more than 15 percent of the U.S population moves every year. With the increase in the number of people moving, the moving companies are offering a number of options in moving. The basic options are Self Service Moving and Full Service Moving. With every company offering special services, it is likely that you can get confused.

How do you decide which option is best for you? To choose the right kind of moving services, you need to figure out the pros and cons of both services.

Full Moving Services:

In Full Moving Services, the entire responsibility of the move is shouldered by the Moving Company. They take care of everything starting with Packing, Loading, Unloading and Unpacking. You do not have to trouble yourself over anything. Full Service Moves are costlier than Self Service Moves, but the packing is done by professionals who know the correct procedure of packing individual items.

Hiring professionals saves a lot of time and you avoid over-exerting yourself. Having a Licensed Truck Driver to cover long distance journeys is more convenient than driving the truck yourself. Professional Drivers are also better equipped to handle emergencies such as Flat Tyres, Overheated Engines or Breakdowns. In case of any damage to the goods, the moving company will be liable.

On the flip side, you might be apprehensive about letting packers move your belongings. Many of you may not be comfortable with the idea of strangers handling your belongings. Hiring a moving company also presents risks of scams. You have to devote a lot of time in researching prospective movers before hiring them. To ensure that your move goes smoothly, you will have to manage your schedule so that you can keep in close contact with the movers.

Self Service Moves:

Self Service Moves gives you more control on every aspect of your move. Packing your own belongings lets you know exactly where each item is kept. Self Service Moves gives you more flexibility with the timing. You also save a lot of money on Self Service Moves.

However, Self Service Moves do not come without their own share of problems. If this is your first move, it is going to be difficult to do everything on your own. Driving a large rental truck requires some experience. Are you sure you can handle complications like burst tires or broken engines? In case any of your goods are damaged, you are solely responsible for it. You may also end up missing a lot of time off work. Your inexperience may also result in delicate or fragile items getting damaged due to improper packing.

Take your time in choosing the right move.  Compare the Pros & Cons of each kind of move and decide which option is best for you.