Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

While laws regarding Park City Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer vehicles differ from state to state, there are commonalities across the nation regarding titling and registration requirements as well as taxes and fees, and driver's licenses. On LawServer you'll find the federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as along with related legal questions and answers.

Nationals from countries that have ratified the International Road Traffic Agreement can travel in their cars to the United States without U.S. license plates or driver's licenses. DOT must be notified in writing of the trip.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Nonresidents who wish to import their own cars should have them documented to ensure that they do not be subject to additional duties. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading, the certificate of origin and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. All documents related to the vehicle must be in English. If the vehicle is owned by more than one person Each signature must be notarized and accompanied by a black-and white copy of their valid driver license or ID card. If they don't have these, a Power of Attorney can be used to sign the required documents.

To be legally titled the vehicle that is imported must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards require, in particular, that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years old, conform to safety and bumper requirements and that every automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as satisfying these standards.

EPA regulations also require that all vehicles must meet air pollution emission 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 as well as DOT form HS-7 with CBP at the time of entry in order to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Vehicles for Racing

The laws governing motor vehicles vary from one state to another, but there are similarities across the country when it comes to registering the vehicle and getting the required driving license. Safety of the driver, highway and vehicle safety are also enforced by federal laws. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation establishes and park City motor vehicle accident lawyer enforces national standards for vehicles and other equipment, which includes many motor sports related regulations.

If you are importing cars for racing in the United States, the first step is to get prior written approval from the DOT. This is only available for cars that are imported for a long time or temporarily entered for racing purposes.

To be eligible for this, you will require an CAMS license and proof of your previous participation in motorsports and a genuine need for the vehicle. You will also have to comply with other requirements for compliance such as fitting child safety restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA will not allow you to import race cars into the US unless that car is in a race configuration at the time of entry and does not have any features which make it unsafe or unpractical for use on highways or roads. You will need to check box 7 on the HS-7 customs form and then submit an EPA letter before the vehicle is cleared.

Touring 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 use their vehicles in the United States for one year or the validity period of their documents or shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. However, they must to show EPA forms AP 3520-1 and DOTHS-7 at the time of entry.

Imported vehicles for touring are also subject to 40% Customs duty and 10% VAT, as well being subject to an ad valorem rate which ranges from 15% to 100% based on the piston displacement. These taxes and duties also apply to spare parts included in the imported vehicle. The owner of the vehicle must be present in person.

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines the term "motor vehicle" to be any machine capable of transporting persons or property, and is powered by a source other than muscle power. This encompasses all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal assistance mobility devices used by a person who suffers from handicap, (b) farm type tractor used in the farming or agricultural business and also implements of snow plowing or husbandry, (c) vehicles that are solely driven by rails or tracks and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. The definition may vary slightly among states, and vehicles that do not qualify for exemptions are subject to the registration, licensing and financial responsibility laws of the state.

The washington motor vehicle accident law firm vehicle division of the state regulates dealers of second-hand and new vehicles manufacturers, moving companies, and other motor vehicle-related businesses. It also oversees the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who can prove that they bought an unreliable new car or truck.

The definition of a government motor vehicle includes any vehicle that has been acquired by the executive branch via purchase, excess, forfeiture, commercial lease or GSA fleet lease that is used for the purpose of fulfilling an agency's or organization's transportation purpose. This includes both foreign and domestic fleets. The term also covers any vehicle that is used to respond to emergencies or provide other emergency services provided by the department of Public Safety. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police or firefighters, as well as vehicles owned by the commissioners court of a county that has more than 1 million inhabitants.