motor vehicle accident law firms Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are a few commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you can find federal and state laws pertaining to motor vehicles, as well as related legal questions & Answers.

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

Vehicles Imported by Nonresidents

Non-residents who want to import their cars should have them documented to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. This includes the bill of lading and the certificate of origin, and any other legal documents covering the vehicle. Additionally the documents pertaining to the vehicle need to be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black and white copy of their valid driver's 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 vehicle to be considered legally titled in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicles that are not more than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each such automobile affix a label on each such vehicle stating that it satisfies these requirements.

EPA regulations also stipulate that all vehicles must comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that isn't in compliance with requirements, they'll have to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 with CBP to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles

The laws governing motor vehicles are different from one state to the next, but there are some universalities across the country when it comes to registering the vehicle and getting an official driving license. Safety of the 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 other equipment, which includes many motor sports related regulations.

If you are planning to import an automobile racing car into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is a requirement for cars that are being permanently imported or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

You will need a CAMS licence and to prove that you've participated in motorsports and that you have a legitimate need for a vehicle. Additionally, you must comply with other requirements for compliance like fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not permit you to import race cars into the US unless it is race-ready at the time of entry and does not contain any features that make it unsafe or unpractical 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 prior to when the vehicle is cleared.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are allowed to drive their automobiles in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a time of one year or the validity of their documents. However, they are required to present EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to customs duty of 40% and 10% VAT, as well as an ad valorem rate that can range from 15% up to 100% based on the piston displacement. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are sent with the imported auto. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles Imported For Commercial Purposes

The law defines a "motor Vehicle Accident law firm vehicle" to be any device capable of transporting persons or property and is powered by something other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person with disabilities, (b) farm type tractor that is used in the operation or farming business and implements of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks, and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. Every state's law may differ from the definition, and any nonexempt vehicle that is deemed to be in compliance with the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle department of the state oversees used and new dealers and manufacturers, as well as moving companies and other motor vehicle accident lawsuit vehicle related businesses. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove that they purchased an unreliable vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, Motor Vehicle Accident Law Firm excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing and used to fulfill the transportation purpose of an agency or the activity. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also encompasses any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police officers or firefighters, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county with more than one million residents.