Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing motor Vehicle accident Lawyers vehicles vary from state to state, there are some similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles, as and related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of countries that have accepted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their vehicles in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' permits. DOT must authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own cars must ensure that they are fully documented to ensure that they do not be subject to additional duties. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certification of origin and other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. Additionally all documents that pertain to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is shared by multiple people, each signature needs to be notarized. A black and white copy of the driver's license or ID card should also accompany it. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

To be legally titled the vehicle that is imported must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require, in particular, that motor vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to safety and Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers bumper requirements and that every automobile be labeled by the manufacturer as having met these requirements.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must be compliant with air pollution emission standards. If a nonresident wants to import an automobile that does not comply with these standards, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to the next, but there are a few commonalities across the country when it comes down to registering a vehicle and obtaining the required driving license. Federal laws also regulate driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, as well as various motor vehicle accidents sport related requirements.

The first step in importing a racing car to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is necessary for vehicles that will be permanently imported or temporarily raced.

In order to qualify for this, you'll need to have a CAMS license and proof of your previous participation in motorsports and a legitimate need for the vehicle. You must also meet other compliance requirements such as fitting child safety 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 race-ready during its entry and lacks features that render it unsafe or unsuitable to use on roads and highways. You will need to check Box 7 of the HS-7 form that you will be filing with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle passes through customs.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

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 vehicles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents, whichever is shorter without the need to obtain license plates or driver's licenses. They must show EPA forms AP3520-1 and 7 upon entry.

Automobiles imported for tourism purposes are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and an ad valorem tax from 15 percent to 100% based on the displacement of the piston using their book value as the base. In addition spare parts that are shipped with the imported automobile are also subject to these duties and taxes. The car owner must be present in person.

Vehicles Imported For Commercial Purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as any device that is capable of transporting property or persons and is propelled by power other than muscular force (with the exception of (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person suffering from a disability; (b) farm type tractor utilized in the operation of a farming enterprise, implements of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Each state's statute may differ slightly from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that is deemed to be in compliance with the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The state's motor vehicle division regulates used and new dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other related businesses to motor vehicles. It also oversees the state's Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who can prove they bought the wrong vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle accident lawyers vehicle is a vehicle that was acquired by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and used to carry out the transportation role of an agency or activity. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also includes any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the Public Safety department. The definition excludes private vehicles used by police officers or firefighters ambulances, as well as vehicles belonging to the commissioners court of a county having more than 1 million.