Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements along with taxes and fees and driver's licenses. On LawServer, you'll find state and federal laws on motor vehicles as in addition to related legal questions and answers.

The nationals of the countries that have signed the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars in the United States for touring purposes without U.S. license plates and drivers' licenses. DOT must accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their cars must ensure that they are fully 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. All documents pertaining the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is owned by several individuals each signature has to be notarized. A black-and-white photocopy of the driver's license or ID card must also accompany it. If they do not have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the documents.

In order for an imported car to be legally registered in the United States, it must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular, DOT standards require that harvey motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicles not more than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards and that the manufacturer of each such automobile affix the label on each vehicle stating that it satisfies these standards.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a non-resident wants to import a vehicle that doesn't meet these standards then they must submit EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form 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 state to another, however there are some universalities across the country when it comes to the registration of an automobile and getting a driving license. Highway, driver and vehicle safety are also subject to federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and equipment, as well as several americus motor vehicle accident law firm sport related requirements.

The first step to import race cars to the United States is to get written approval from DOT. This is required for vehicles that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

You'll require an CAMS licence and to prove that you've competed in motorsports and that you have a legitimate need for a car. Additionally, you must satisfy other compliance requirements such as fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't grant you permission to import a racing car into the US unless it is race-ready at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or inadvisable for use on roads and highways. You must make sure to select 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 can be cleared by customs.

Touring vehicles that are imported to tour

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

Imported vehicles for touring are also subjected to 40% Customs duty and motor vehicle accident 10 percent VAT, as as an ad valorem tax that can range from 15% up to 100% based on piston displacement. These duties and taxes also apply to spare parts that are included in the imported vehicle. The presence of the owner of the vehicle is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial purposes

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every device that is capable of transporting property or people and that is propelled by power other than muscular force that is, excluding (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person suffering from disabilities; (b) farm type tractor used for the operation of a farming enterprise tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run solely on tracks or rails or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. The laws of each state may differ slightly from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that meets the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The middletown motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle division of the state governs dealers who sell second-hand and new cars as well as manufacturers, moving companies and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also manages the state Lemon Law which offers relief for customers who can prove they bought an unreliable vehicle or truck.

A government motor vehicle is any vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through the purchase, forfeiture, or excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing and utilized to carry out the transport role of an agency or the activity. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also covers any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services by the Public Safety Department. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by police or firefighters, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county with more than 1 million inhabitants.