Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicle accident attorneys vehicles differ by state, there's certain commonalities across the nation in the areas of titling registration fees, taxes and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles, as well as related legal questions and answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their vehicles to the United States without U.S. driver's licenses and license plates. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own vehicles should ensure they have the documents needed to avoid additional fees. This includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. In addition all documents related to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature must be notarized with a black-and-white copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

To allow an imported car to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand particularly that Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers vehicles that are not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper regulations and that each vehicle be labelled by the manufacturer as meeting these requirements.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that doesn't comply with these standards they must file EPA form 3520-1 as well as DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Vehicles Imported for Racing

The laws for motor vehicles vary between states, however, there are some commonalities across the country regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor vehicle accident lawyer sport-related requirements.

The first step in importing a racing car into the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is only available for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

In order to qualify to be eligible, you'll need to have a CAMS license as well as prove your previous participation in motorsports and a real need for the vehicle. You must also satisfy a variety of other requirements for compliance, such as the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

The EPA will not permit you to import race cars into the US unless it is in a race configuration at the time of entry and does not have any features which make unsafe or unsuitable for use on highways or roads. You will have to select box 7 on the HS-7 customs form, and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive their vehicles in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year, or the validity of their documents. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 as well as DOT HS-7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for use in touring are also subject to customs duty, 10% VAT and ad valorem taxes ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston, using their book value as their base. In addition spare parts included in the import vehicle are also subject to these duties and taxes. The presence of the owner is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines a "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting persons or property, and that is powered by a source other than muscle power. This is true for all vehicles, with the exception for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person who has disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or operation, as well as implements of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks and (d), all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that meets the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state governs used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies, and other motor vehicle related companies. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to those who prove they purchased a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

The definition of a"government" motor vehicle includes any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive branch via purchase excess, forfeiture commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used in the performance of the transportation function. This encompasses both domestic fleets and foreign ones. The term also includes any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or motor vehicle accident lawyers provide other emergency services by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles of police officers or firefighters and any vehicle owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million inhabitants.