Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While motor vehicle laws vary from state to state, there are similarities across the nation in titling requirements, registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles as well as related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. Written approval from DOT is required prior to.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their personal vehicles should have them documented to ensure that they don't pay additional duty. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. In addition all documents that pertain to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one individual each signature has to be notarized and accompanied by a black-and-white copy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they do not possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

To allow an imported car to be legally entitled in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper regulations, and that each automobile be branded by the manufacturer to meet these requirements.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles comply with air pollution emissions standards. If a nonresident wants to import an automobile that does not comply with these standards then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 as well as DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicle laws differ from state to state however, there are some similarities across the nation in registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are also regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and Motor Vehicle Accident Lawsuits other equipment. This includes motor sport-related rules and regulations.

The first step in importing race cars into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only required for cars that will be imported permanently or temporarily entered into racing.

To be eligible for this program, you'll need to have a CAMS license and prove your previous participation in motorsports and a legitimate need for the car. Additionally, you must comply with other requirements for compliance including fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing vehicle into the US unless it is in race configuration at the time of entry and has features that render it unsafe or unsuitable for use on roads or highways. You will need to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will be submitting to customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle clears customs.

Imported Vehicles for touring

Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their vehicles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their documents or less without the need to obtain license plates or driver's permits. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 or DOT 7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to 40% Customs duty and 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem rate which ranges from 15% to 100% based upon the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts that are supplied with the imported automobile. The car owner must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting people or property and is powered by a source other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices operated by a person who suffers from disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used in operation or farming business and also implements of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that operate solely on rails or tracks, and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. Each state's statute may differ from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers, manufacturers, moving companies and other businesses related to Motor vehicle accident lawsuits vehicles. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who can prove they bought a defective car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation role of an agency or the activity. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. Additionally, the term is defined to include any vehicle used by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters, and the vehicles of the commissioners court of the county of more than one million residents.