Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although motor vehicle laws vary by state, there's some commonalities across the country in the areas of titling registration, fees, taxes, and drivers' licenses. On LawServer you will find federal and state laws on motor vehicles and related legal Questions & Answers.

Nationals of countries that have ratified International Road Traffic Agreement can drive their cars into the United States without U.S. license plates and driver's licenses. DOT must authorize the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their personal cars must ensure that they are fully documented to ensure that they do not have to pay additional taxes. This documentation includes the bill of lading, the certificate of origin, as well as any other legal documentation that covers the vehicle. In addition all documents that pertain to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned jointly by a number of people 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 don't have these documents, a Power of Attorney may be used to sign all documents.

To allow an imported vehicle to be legally entitled in the United States, it must meet the Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. Particularly the DOT standards, motor vehicles less than 25 years old adhere to safety and bumper standards, and that the manufacturer of each vehicle affix an inscription on each vehicle that states that it meets these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must comply with standards for air pollution emission. If a nonresident wishes 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 get prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles differ from state to state however there are a number of commonalities nationally regarding registering vehicles and being licensed to drive. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and enforces national standards for vehicles and other equipment, which includes a number of motor sport related requirements.

If you are importing an automobile racing vehicle into the United States, the first step is to obtain prior written approval from the DOT. This is only available for cars that are imported permanently or temporarily used for racing purposes.

You'll require a CAMS license and proof that you have competed in motorsports and have a real desire to own a car. You must also comply with a range of other requirements for compliance, including the use of child restraints points and 17-digit VIN plates.

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

Vehicles Imported for Touring

Motorists visiting the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have accepted the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may drive their automobiles in the United States for one year or the period of validity of their passports or shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's permits. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 or DOT 7 upon entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty and 10 percent VAT, as well as an ad valorem tax that can range from 15% up to 100% based on piston displacement. In addition spare parts included with the imported automobile are also subject to these taxes and duties. The owner of the vehicle has to be present in the presence of a person.

Vehicles imported for commercial use

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting persons or property, and which is powered by something other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, notwithstanding for (a) electric personal mobility devices operated by a person with disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used for the farming or agriculture business as well as equipment of mowing or snow plowing, (c) vehicles that run solely on rails and tracks and (d) vehicles that are all-terrain. Each state's laws may differ slightly from the definition, firm and any nonexempt vehicle that qualifies under the definition of the statute is subject to the state's licensing, registration, and financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state regulates new and used dealers manufacturing companies, moving firms, as well as other businesses that are related to mathis motor vehicle accident lawyer vehicles. It also administers state Lemon Law which offers relief to those who can prove that they purchased a defective car or truck.

A government motor Auburn Motor Vehicle Accident Law Firm 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 used to fulfill the transportation function of an agency, or activity. This includes both domestic and foreign fleets. Furthermore the definition of the word is to encompass any vehicle utilized by the department of public security in responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private vehicles owned by police officers or firefighters as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million people.