Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

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

Nationals of countries who have adopted the International Road Traffic Agreement may drive their cars 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 wishing to import their own vehicles must ensure that they have all required documentation to avoid paying additional charges. This documentation includes the bill of lading, certificate of origin, and any other legal documents covering the vehicle. In addition the documents pertaining to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person each signature must be notarized with a black-and-white photocopy of their valid driver's license or ID card. If they do not possess these documents, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the necessary paperwork.

To be legally entitled the vehicle that is imported must meet the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. The DOT standards require, in particular, that vehicles not older than 25 years must conform to the safety and bumper requirements, and that each automobile be labeled by the manufacturer as meeting these standards.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emissions standards. If a nonresident wants to import an automobile that does not meet these requirements and is not registered, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to receive prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from one state to another, but there are a few universalities across the country when it comes to the registration of a vehicle and obtaining an 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 cars and other equipment, which includes a number of Marion Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer sport related regulations.

If you plan to import cars for racing in the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is required for vehicles that are imported permanently or temporarily race-related.

In order to qualify for this, you'll require a CAMS license and prove your previous motorsport participation and a real need for the car. You must also satisfy other compliance requirements like fitting child restraints and 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not permit you to import race cars into the US unless that car is racing at the time of entry and does not have any features that would make it unsafe or incompatible for use on highways and roads. You must complete the Box 7 on the HS-7 form that you will submit to customs, and submit an EPA letter of approval prior to the vehicle can be cleared by customs.

Vehicles Imported for Touring

Motorists who are visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may use 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. However, they must to show EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 at the time of entry.

Vehicles imported for touring purposes are also subject to 40% Customs duty as well as 10% VAT and kissimmee motor vehicle accident attorney ad valorem taxes ranging from 15 percent to 100% based on piston displacement using their book value as a base. These taxes and duties apply to spare parts that are shipped with the vehicle imported. Personal presence of the owner is required.

Vehicles imported for commercial purpose

The law defines "motor vehicle" as every device that is capable of moving people or property that is powered by something other than muscular power, except (a) electric personal assistive mobility devices that are operated or driven by a person with disabilities; (b) farm type tractors used in the operation of a farming operation tools of husbandry, or snow plowing; (c) vehicles which run only upon rails or tracks or tracks; and (d) all-terrain vehicles. Every state's law may differ from the definition and any vehicle that is not exempt that is deemed to be in compliance with the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The fairport motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers manufacturers, moving companies and other businesses related to motor vehicles. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove that they bought a defective new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been purchased by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation role of an agency or activity. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. Furthermore, the term is defined to include any vehicle used by the department of public safety for responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes private vehicles used by firefighters or police officers ambulances, police vehicles, and any other vehicle that are owned by the commissioners court of a county having more than one million.