Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While the laws regarding motor vehicles vary from state to state, there are some commonalities across the country regarding titling registration fees, taxes and drivers licenses. On LawServer you'll find federal and state laws regarding motor vehicles, as along with related legal questions and answers.

Nationals of 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 authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who want to import their own cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they do not incur additional duty. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading certificate of origin and any other legal documents pertaining to the vehicle. All documents that pertain 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 have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all the paperwork.

In order for an imported vehicle to be legally registered in the United States, it must comply with the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards demand, in particular, that vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to safety and bumper regulations and that every vehicle be branded by the manufacturer as having met these standards.

Additionally, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants to import a car which does not meet the standards, they must to file EPA form HS-7 and DOT form 3520-1 along with CBP to get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Race Vehicles

The laws that govern motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicles are different from one state to another, however there are a few commonalities across the country when it comes to registering a vehicle and obtaining an official driving license. The safety of drivers, the highway, and vehicle safety are also regulated by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for cars and other equipment, which includes many motor vehicle accident law firm sports related requirements.

If you are planning to import an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for cars that will be permanently imported or that are temporarily entered into racing.

In order to qualify for this, you will need to have an CAMS license and proof of your previous motorsport participation and a legitimate need for the vehicle. You also need to meet other requirements to be compliant such as fitting child safety restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not grant permission to import a race vehicle into the US unless it is racing at the time of its entry and does not have features that make it unsafe or impractical for use on roads and highways. You must make sure to mark the box 7 on the HS-7 form you will be filling out with customs and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle clears customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles for touring

Tourists from Central and South American nations that have been ratified by the Inter-American Convention of 1943 are permitted to drive cars 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.

Cars imported for purposes of touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and an ad valorem taxes ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on piston displacement using their book value as their base. These taxes and duties apply to spare parts that are included in the imported vehicle. The owner of the car must be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" as any device capable of transporting people or property, and that is powered by something other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person who has a disability, (b) farm type tractor used in the operation or farming business and also implements of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks, and (d), all-terrain vehicles. The definition can differ between states, and vehicles that are not eligible for exemption are subject to the licensing, registration and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The motor motor Vehicle Accident lawsuits vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other related businesses to motor vehicles. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove that they purchased a vehicle that was defective or a truck.

The definition of a"government motor vehicle Accident lawsuits" vehicle includes any vehicle acquired by the executive branch through purchase excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease and utilized to carry out an agency's or activity's transport purpose. This includes both domestic and foreign ones. The term also covers any vehicle used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes private vehicles of firefighters or police officers ambulances, as well as vehicles that are owned by the commissioners court of a county having more than 1 million.