Motor Vehicle Legal Questions and Answers

Although the laws regarding motor vehicles differ from state to state, there are some similarities nationally regarding titling and registration requirements along with taxes and fees and driver's licenses. Here on LawServer you will find federal and state laws governing motor vehicles as well as 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 accept the trip in writing.

Vehicles imported by non-residents

Non-residents who are planning to import their cars must document their vehicles to ensure that they do not pay additional duty. Documentation includes the bill-of-lading the certificate of origin and any other legal documents that pertain to the vehicle. In addition all documents related 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 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 an imported vehicle, it must conform to the Department of Transportation's (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regulations. DOT standards demand, in particular, that motor vehicles that are not older than 25 years of age conform to safety and bumper requirements, and that each automobile be labelled by the manufacturer as satisfying these requirements.

Furthermore, EPA regulations require that all vehicles meet air pollution emission standards. If a non-resident wants to import vehicles that do not meet these requirements and is not registered, they must file EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form H-7 with CBP at the moment of entry to obtain prior approval from EPA.

Imported Racing Vehicles for Racing

The laws that govern hartwell motor vehicle accident attorney vehicles vary from state to the next, but there are some commonalities across the country when it comes to the registration of a vehicle and obtaining a driving license. Federal laws also regulate highway, driver and security of vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is part of the Department of Transportation, establishes and enforces standards for vehicles and other equipment. This includes motor sports-related rules and regulations.

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

In order to qualify for this, you will be required to possess a CAMS license and demonstrate your motorsport experience and a real need for the car. You also need to meet other requirements to be compliant including fitting child restraints and a 17-digit VIN plate.

The EPA does not grant permission to import a race car into the US unless it was race-ready at the time of entry and has features that make it unsafe or inadvisable for use on roads or highways. You must complete 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 is cleared through customs.

Imported Touring Vehicles for touring

Motorists who visit the United States as tourists from Central and South American countries which have signed the Inter-American Convention of 1943 may use their vehicles in the United States for Vimeo.Com one year or the validity period of their passports, whichever is shorter and without needing to get license plates or driver's licenses. They must present EPA forms AP3520-1 as well as DOT H-7 upon entry.

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

Vehicles Imported for Commercial Purposes

The law defines a "motor vehicle" to mean any device capable of transporting people or property, and is powered by something other than muscle power. This includes all vehicles, except for (a) electric personal mobility devices that are operated by a person with disabilities, (b) farm type tractor used in farming or agriculture business and implements of snow plowing or grooming, (c) vehicles that run only on rails or tracks or tracks, and (d) vehicles with all-terrain capabilities. Each state's laws may differ slightly from the definition and any nonexempt vehicle that falls within the statutory definition is subject to the state's licensing and registration as well as financial responsibility laws.

The motor vehicle division of the state governs dealers who sell second-hand and new cars, manufacturers, moving firms and other motor vehicle-related companies. It also administers the state Lemon Law, which offers relief to consumers who prove they bought an unreliable new car or truck.

A government motor vehicle is a vehicle that has been acquired by the executive through purchase, forfeiture, excess or commercial lease, or GSA fleet leasing, and is used to carry out the transportation function of an agency or operation. This includes both domestic fleets and foreign ones. In addition, the term is defined to encompass any vehicle used by the department of public safety when responding to emergencies or providing other emergency services. The definition excludes ambulances, private cars of police officers or firefighters and the vehicles of the commissioners court in an area with more than one million residents.