Where Do You Get Your Driver's License When You Live in More Than One State

[couchman]

My question involves a driver's license issued by the State of: Missouri/Illinois/Colorado

Sorry this is a complex question. Not only involves driver licenses but registration/tags.

I live in Colorado and my company is going to send me to do some special work in the Saint Louis (STL) area for two years. It is also an opportunity to move up in career as well. The office is near the the IL/MO border on the MO side.

I plan on living on the MO side for 6 months and then the IL for a different 6 months. I also get about 4 weeks of vacation time. I want to be able to maintain the Colorado ties while gone for two years. I will be keeping my house and vote in CO and rent while in the STL area.

Now the questions:

I know there is a 183 day rule on residency/domicile. I plan on being in MO and IL for less than 183 days each and when on vacation which is 28 days, I will be gone from the area and both states. I also plan on going back to Colorado once per month - fly out on Thu and return on Sunday.

1. I plan on keeping my driver license (DL) and tags with Colorado. Could I have some problems with law enforcement on not having IL or MO tags and DL ?

2. Could I have problems with MO law enforcement if I am living on the IL side but don't have IL DL and tags ?

3. Being in MO for less than 6 months, could I be given problems for not having MO DL and tags ?

Overall, the main question is vehicle tags and DL. I wonder if I could keep the CO DL and tags while gone for two years ? And if a MO or IL law enforcement wants to give me a hard time, what could I get cited for ? And if cited, could I be forced by the court to switch the DL and tags to either IL or MO ?

[Mr. Knowitall]

If you fail to follow state laws requiring you to obtain a license or to register your vehicle in that state, you can be charged with offenses relating to the failure to obtain a driver's license and for driving an unregistered vehicle.

I doubt anybody is interested in dealing with your abstractions. I suggest that each time you move you check with the DMV and verify state law in relation to what you need to do in that state.

You can look up Missouri statutes here, Colorado statutes here, and Illinois statutes here.