Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws governing motor vehicle accident law firm vehicles vary from state to state, there are some commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements along with taxes and fees and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws on motor vehicles as well as 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' licenses. 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 have all the documentation to avoid additional duties. This includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. All documents pertaining the vehicle should be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature has to be notarized with a black-and-white copy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all paperwork.

To allow an imported car to be legally registered in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In particular the DOT standards, motor vehicles less than 25 years old conform to safety and bumper standards and that the maker of each such automobile affix an identification label to each vehicle stating that it satisfies these requirements.

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

Vehicles Imported for Racing

The laws that govern motor vehicles are different from one state to another, but there are commonalities across the country in the process of registering an automobile and getting an official driving license. Federal laws also regulate driver and vehicle security. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, within the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and equipment. This includes motor sport-related standards.

If you plan to import an automotive racing car into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is available for cars that are being permanently imported or temporarily entered for racing.

You'll need an CAMS license and proof that you've participated in motorsports and that you have a legitimate need for a car. Additionally, you must meet other requirements to be compliant including fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA won't allow you to import race cars into the US unless that car is racing at the time entry and doesn't have any features that would make it unsafe or not suitable for use on roads and highways. You must mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval before the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Imported Vehicles for Touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive cars in the United States without obtaining license plates or permits for a period of one year or the validity of their documents. However, they have to show EPA forms the AP 3520-1 form and the DOT HS-7 at the moment of entry.

Imported vehicles used for touring are also subject to customs duty of 40% and 10% VAT, as well being subject to an ad valorem rate ranging from 15% to 100% based upon the piston displacement. In addition spare parts shipped in the import vehicle 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 every vehicle that can transport people or property that is propelled by power other than muscular power and is not limited to (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices operated or driven by a person who has disabilities; (b) farm type tractor that is used for the running of a farm business or implements of husbandry or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which operate solely on rails 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 falls within the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing and registration requirements, as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates used and new dealers manufacturing companies, moving firms, as well as other businesses that are related to milliken motor vehicle accident attorney vehicles. It also enforces the state Lemon Law which offers relief to customers who prove that they purchased an unreliable vehicle or firms truck.

The definition of a"government motor" vehicle includes any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive branch through purchase excess, forfeiture commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and utilized to fulfill the transportation purpose. This encompasses both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also covers any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services for the Public Safety department. The definition does not include private vehicles of firefighters or police officers, ambulances, and vehicles that belong to the commissioners' court of a county with more than one million.