Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although the laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are similarities across the country regarding titling, registration requirements including fees and taxes and driver's licenses. On LawServer you will find federal and state laws pertaining to motor vehicles as well as other legal questions & 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' licenses. A written approval from DOT is required prior to.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

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

To allow an imported vehicle to be legally titled in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular DOT standards require that motor vehicles less than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the producer of each automobile must place an inscription on each vehicle that states that it meets these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a non-resident wishes to import a car that is not in compliance with the standards, they'll need to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles are different from one state to the next, but there are a few commonalities across the nation when it comes down to registering vehicles and obtaining an official driving license. Driver, highway and vehicle safety are subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and equipment, including several motor vehicle Accident law firm sport related regulations.

The first step to import a racing car to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily raced.

To be eligible for this program, you'll require an CAMS license and demonstrate your past motorsport participation and a real need for the car. You also need to meet other compliance requirements including fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a race car into the US unless it is in race configuration during its entry and lacks features that make it unsafe or inadvisable to use on roads and highways. You will have to complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle passes through customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents or less without the need to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. However, they must to present EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duties of 40% and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax ranging from 15% to 100% based on the piston displacement. Additionally spare parts that are shipped in the import vehicle are also subject to these taxes and duties. The presence of the owner of the vehicle is essential.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any vehicle that can transport people or property and which is propelled by power other than muscular force and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person suffering from disabilities; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farming business tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on tracks or motor vehicle accident law firm rails; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Every state's law may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing, registration, Motor vehicle accident law firm and financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle department of the state oversees dealers who sell second-hand and new cars as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they purchased a vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle accident lawsuits vehicle is a vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through purchase, excess, forfeiture or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing and utilized to carry out the transport function of an agency or activity. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also encompasses any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by police officers or firefighters, and the vehicles of the commissioners court in a county with more than one million residents.